INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS INC /OR/
S-1, 1997-01-27
INSTRUMENTS FOR MEAS & TESTING OF ELECTRICITY & ELEC SIGNALS
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<PAGE>
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 27, 1997
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
             OREGON                             3825                           93-0840631
(State or other jurisdiction of     (Primary Standard Industrial            (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)     Classification Code Number)          Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                9525 S.W. GEMINI DRIVE, BEAVERTON, OREGON 97008
                                 (503) 626-7117
               (Address, including zip code and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                                KEITH L. BARNES
                     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                9525 S.W. GEMINI DRIVE, BEAVERTON, OREGON 97008
                                 (503) 626-7117
            (Name, address, including zip code and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                           --------------------------
 
                                WITH COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
            WILLIAM C. CAMPBELL, Esq.                            MARK A. BERTELSEN, Esq.
              STEPHEN M. GOING, Esq.                              RICHARD J. HART, Esq.
     Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson & Skerritt, LLP                        BETSEY SUE, Esq.
          222 S.W. Columbia, Suite 1800                      Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
              Portland, Oregon 97201                             Professional Corporation
                  (503) 226-1191                                    650 Page Mill Road
                                                               Palo Alto, California 94304
                                                                      (415) 493-9300
</TABLE>
 
                           --------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
   AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
                           --------------------------
 
    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933, check the following box: / /
 
    If  this Form  is filed  to register  additional securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration statement  number  of  the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / / ________
 
    If  this Form  is a post-effective  amendment filed pursuant  to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act,  check the following box  and list the Securities  Act
registration  statement number  of the earlier  effective registration statement
for the same offering. / / ________
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected  to be made pursuant to Rule  434,
please check the following box: / /
                           --------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 PROPOSED MAXIMUM
                                                             PROPOSED MAXIMUM       AGGREGATE
        TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF              AMOUNT TO         OFFERING PRICE      OFFERING PRICE        AMOUNT OF
     SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED        BE REGISTERED (1)     PER SHARE (2)           (1)(2)         REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                                     <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Common Stock, $.01 par value..........   1,725,000 shares         $20.00           $34,500,000           $10,455
</TABLE>
 
(1) Includes 225,000 shares subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment option.
 
(2)  Estimated  solely  for  the purpose  of  calculating  the  registration fee
    pursuant to Rule  457(c) based on  the average  of the high  and low  prices
    reported on the Nasdaq National Market on January 24, 1997.
                           --------------------------
 
    THE  REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
 PROSPECTUS (SUBJECT TO COMPLETION)
 ISSUED JANUARY 27, 1997
 
                                1,500,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                             ---------------------
 
OF THE 1,500,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, 675,000 SHARES ARE BEING
SOLD BY  THE  COMPANY  AND 825,000  SHARES  ARE  BEING SOLD  BY  THE  SELLING
   SHAREHOLDER.  SEE "PRINCIPAL  AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS."  THE COMPANY WILL
   NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF SHARES BY THE  SELLING
      SHAREHOLDER.  THE  COMPANY'S COMMON  STOCK IS  LISTED ON  THE NASDAQ
      NATIONAL MARKET UNDER THE SYMBOL "IMSC." ON JANUARY 24, 1997,  THE
        LAST  REPORTED SALE  PRICE FOR  THE COMPANY'S  COMMON STOCK AS
           REPORTED ON  THE NASDAQ  NATIONAL MARKET  WAS $20  1/2  PER
                   SHARE. SEE "PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK."
 
                         ------------------------------
 
          THIS OFFERING INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
                          COMMENCING ON PAGE 6 HEREOF.
                             ---------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE
       SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE   SECURITIES
       COMMISSION  PASSED  UPON  THE  ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF THIS
           PROSPECTUS. ANY   REPRESENTATION TO THE  CONTRARY IS  A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
                                PRICE $  A SHARE
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             UNDERWRITING                            PROCEEDS TO
                                           PRICE TO         DISCOUNTS AND        PROCEEDS TO           SELLING
                                            PUBLIC         COMMISSIONS (1)       COMPANY (2)         SHAREHOLDER
                                      ------------------  ------------------  ------------------  ------------------
<S>                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
PER SHARE...........................          $                   $                   $                   $
TOTAL (3)...........................          $                   $                   $                   $
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
    (1)  THE COMPANY  AND THE SELLING  SHAREHOLDER HAVE AGREED  TO INDEMNIFY THE
       UNDERWRITERS AGAINST CERTAIN LIABILITIES, INCLUDING LIABILITIES UNDER THE
       SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.
 
    (2) BEFORE DEDUCTING EXPENSES PAYABLE BY THE COMPANY ESTIMATED AT $325,000.
 
    (3) THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER HAVE GRANTED TO THE UNDERWRITERS
       AN OPTION, EXERCISABLE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE DATE HEREOF, TO PURCHASE  UP
       TO  AN AGGREGATE OF 225,000 ADDITIONAL SHARES AT THE PRICE TO PUBLIC LESS
       UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS  AND  COMMISSIONS  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF  COVERING
       OVER-ALLOTMENTS,  IF  ANY. IF  THE UNDERWRITERS  EXERCISE SUCH  OPTION IN
       FULL, THE TOTAL PRICE TO PUBLIC, UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS AND  COMMISSIONS,
       PROCEEDS   TO  COMPANY  AND  PROCEEDS  TO  SELLING  SHAREHOLDER  WILL  BE
       $               , $               , $               AND $               ,
       RESPECTIVELY. SEE "UNDERWRITERS."
 
                         ------------------------------
 
    THE SHARES ARE OFFERED, SUBJECT TO PRIOR  SALE, WHEN, AS AND IF ACCEPTED  BY
THE  UNDERWRITERS NAMED HEREIN AND SUBJECT  TO APPROVAL OF CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS
BY WILSON  SONSINI  GOODRICH &  ROSATI,  COUNSEL  FOR THE  UNDERWRITERS.  IT  IS
EXPECTED  THAT DELIVERY OF THE SHARES WILL  BE MADE ON OR ABOUT        , 1997 AT
THE OFFICE OF MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED, NEW YORK, N.Y., AGAINST PAYMENT
THEREFOR IN IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FUNDS.
                            ------------------------
 
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
              INCORPORATED
 
                COWEN & COMPANY
 
                                                 SOUNDVIEW FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
 
      , 1997
<PAGE>
                         INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
                        TEST STATIONS AND TEST SOFTWARE
                       PROVIDE ENGINEERING TEST SOLUTIONS
 
                                                   THE ATS FT TEST STATION
                                                   VERIFIES
                                                   AND CHARACTERIZES COMPLEX
                                                   DIGITAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
 
                        [PHOTOS/ART]
    (1) ATS FT STATION PICTURE
    The picture portrays two  engineers reviewing test  results on IMS  Flexible
Timing  Test Station (ATS FT). The picture  shows the test station with the test
fixture, that contains  the device-under-test, on  top. The CRT  shows the  test
results in graphic form.
    (2) DANTES VIRTUAL TEST SCHEMATIC
    The  Schematic  illustrates  several  Virtual  Test  Software  functions. It
depicts the test capture  and documentation capabilities of  Dantes, as well  as
test simulation and test fixture design features.
DANTES VIRTUAL TEST SOFTWARE SIMULATES TEST, FACILITATES TEST FIXTURE DESIGN AND
DOCUMENTS THE TEST PROCESS BEFORE PROTOTYPE PRODUCTION.
 
                            ------------------------
 
    IN  CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
THE COMPANY AT  A LEVEL ABOVE  THAT WHICH  MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL  IN THE  OPEN
MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
    IN  CONNECTION WITH  THIS OFFERING, THE  UNDERWRITERS MAY  ENGAGE IN PASSIVE
MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS  IN THE  COMMON STOCK OF  THE COMPANY  ON THE  NASDAQ
NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 10b-6A UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934. SEE "UNDERWRITERS."
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  AND NOTES THERETO APPEARING  ELSEWHERE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Integrated  Measurement  Systems,  Inc. ("IMS"  or  the  "Company") designs,
manufactures, markets  and  services  a family  of  versatile,  high-performance
engineering  Test Stations  and test software  used to test  and measure complex
electronic devices. In addition,  the Company develops,  markets and supports  a
separate  line  of  Virtual Test  Software  supporting a  variety  of production
testers and simulators that permits design and test engineers to accelerate test
program development and to conduct simulated tests of electronic device  designs
prior  to the  fabrication of  a prototype of  the actual  device. The Company's
products enable its  customers to  shorten time-to-market,  enhance accuracy  of
design,  reduce  both the  time required  to test  and the  cost of  testing the
customers' devices and provide reliable and  prompt feedback to both design  and
test engineers. Customers use the Company's products to test complex digital and
mixed-signal  devices  such  as  microprocessors,  microcontrollers, application
specific integrated circuits and  multi-chip modules. Successful  implementation
of the Company's strategy to bridge the gap between electronic design automation
("EDA"),  on the  front end of  the integrated circuit  development process, and
automated test equipment ("ATE"), on the back end of such process, will  require
continuing  product innovation, growth in market share, creating and maintaining
strategic relationships,  maintaining  a  high level  of  customer  service  and
expanding product distribution.
 
    The Company markets and supports its products worldwide through a network of
direct  sales  force  personnel, independent  distributors  and  dedicated sales
agents employed by  Cadence Design  Systems, Inc. ("Cadence").  The Company  has
sold  over  950  Test Stations  to  customers in  the  semiconductor, aerospace,
automotive,  computer,   consumer   electronics,   datacommunications,   medical
electronics,  network computing, telecommunications  and other industries. Based
on 1996 net sales, the Company's  top five customers are: Intel Corp.,  Advanced
Micro Devices Inc., Tokyo Electron Limited (the Company's distributor in Japan),
Rockwell  International Corporation and  SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics N.V. These
five customers represented 57% of net sales for 1996, while 43% of net sales for
1996 came from customers individually accounting for less than 3% of net sales.
 
    The Company completed its  initial public offering of  Common Stock on  July
21,  1995 at a price of $11 per share. The Company is currently a majority-owned
subsidiary of  Cadence  and, upon  completion  of this  Offering,  Cadence  will
continue to own approximately 39% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock (37%
if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full).
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
Common Stock offered..............................  1,500,000 shares, including
                                                    675,000 shares by the Company and
                                                    825,000 shares by the Selling Shareholder
Common Stock to be outstanding after the            7,401,257 shares (1)(2)
offering..........................................
Use of proceeds...................................  For working capital and general corporate
                                                    purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market symbol.....................  IMSC
</TABLE>
 
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                      -------------------------------
                                                                                        1994       1995       1996
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Net sales...........................................................................  $  30,052  $  41,093  $  50,837
Gross margin........................................................................     17,617     25,327     32,699
Operating income....................................................................      2,981      5,469      9,495
Net income..........................................................................      1,910      3,535      6,166
Net income per share (3)............................................................  $    0.30  $    0.53  $    0.88
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding (3)......      6,366      6,685      7,003
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                                       ----------------------------
                                                                                        ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED(1)(4)
                                                                                       ---------  -----------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents............................................................  $   9,545      $  22,262
Total assets.........................................................................     44,314         57,031
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion....................................        278            278
Shareholders' equity (5).............................................................     34,859         47,576
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------
(1)  Assumes  the  Underwriters'  over-allotment option  is  not  exercised. See
    "Underwriters."
 
(2) Based on 6,726,257 shares outstanding as of December 31, 1996. Excludes  (i)
    861,608 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options
    as  of December 31, 1996 at a  weighted average exercise price of $10.97, of
    which 241,698  were then  exercisable, (ii)  1,229,776 shares  reserved  for
    issuance under the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and 1995 Stock Option
    Plan  for  Nonemployee  Directors,  and (iii)  231,359  shares  reserved for
    issuance under the Company's 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
 
(3) For an  explanation of the  determination of  the number of  shares used  in
    computing  net  income per  share,  see Note  2  of Notes  to  the Financial
    Statements.
 
(4) Adjusted to  give effect to  the sale by  the Company of  675,000 shares  of
    Common  Stock offered hereby at an assumed public offering price of $20 1/2,
    after  deducting  estimated  underwriting  discounts  and  commissions   and
    estimated  offering expenses payable  by the Company.  See "Use of Proceeds"
    and "Capitalization."
 
(5) The Company has never declared a cash dividend. See "Dividend Policy."
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
    NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO  GIVE
ANY  INFORMATION OR TO MAKE  ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN  AS CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, BY THE SELLING SHAREHOLDER
OR BY ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES BY ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION
WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER  SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE  ANY
IMPLICATION  THAT THE  INFORMATION CONTAINED  HEREIN IS  CORRECT AS  OF ANY DATE
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                                                -----
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Prospectus Summary.........................................................................................           3
The Company................................................................................................           5
Risk Factors...............................................................................................           6
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................          14
Dividend Policy............................................................................................          14
Price Range of Common Stock................................................................................          14
Capitalization.............................................................................................          15
Selected Financial Data....................................................................................          16
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations......................          17
Business...................................................................................................          25
Management.................................................................................................          40
Certain Transactions.......................................................................................          50
Principal and Selling Shareholders.........................................................................          53
Description of Capital Stock...............................................................................          55
Shares Eligible for Future Sale............................................................................          57
Underwriters...............................................................................................          59
Legal Matters..............................................................................................          60
Experts....................................................................................................          60
Additional Information.....................................................................................          60
Index to Financial Statements..............................................................................         F-1
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
    Test Station  Software, Virtual  Test Software,  ATS FT  Test Station,  Time
Navigator  Software, MSTS Test Station, ATS Blazer Test Station, Logic Master XL
Test Station, MCM Test Station, Mixed-Signal Test Station, IMS Test Environment,
IMS TestVIEW, IMS-LINK, ATE-Link, Dantes and STL are trademarks of the  Company.
IMS  and the IMS logo are registered  trademarks of the Company. This Prospectus
also includes  trademarks  and tradenames  of  companies other  than  Integrated
Measurement Systems, Inc.
 
                            ------------------------
 
    EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE NOTED HEREIN, ALL INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUMES
THAT   THE   UNDERWRITERS'   OVER-ALLOTMENT  OPTION   IS   NOT   EXERCISED.  SEE
"UNDERWRITERS."
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Integrated  Measurement  Systems,  Inc. ("IMS"  or  the  "Company") designs,
manufactures, markets  and  services a  family  of versatile,  high  performance
engineering  test stations and  related test software  ("Test Stations") used to
test and measure complex electronic devices. In addition, the Company  develops,
markets  and supports  a separate line  of virtual test  software ("Virtual Test
Software") supporting  a  variety  of production  testers  and  simulators  that
permits  design and test engineers to accelerate test program development and to
conduct simulated tests of electronic device designs prior to the fabrication of
a prototype of the actual device. The Company's products enable its customers to
shorten time-to-market,  enhance  accuracy  of  design,  reduce  both  the  time
required  to test  and the  cost of testing  the customers'  devices and provide
reliable and prompt feedback  to both design and  test engineers. Customers  use
the  Company's products to test complex digital and mixed-signal devices such as
microprocessors, microcontrollers and other  logic integrated circuits  ("ICs"),
application  specific  integrated  circuits  ("ASICs")  and  multi-chip  modules
("MCMs").
 
    Since ICs,  ASICs and  MCMs  have become  more  complex and  competition  to
develop the newest and most powerful designs has become more intense, demand has
increased  for technologically advanced design,  test and manufacturing products
that  can  reduce  development  and   production  time  and  cost  and   shorten
time-to-market  for  next  generation technologies.  At  the front  end  of this
process, electronic design  automation ("EDA") technology  has made  significant
strides  in solving design problems by enabling design engineers to develop more
accurate, complex and reliable designs, at a much faster pace. On the back  end,
automated  test equipment  ("ATE") permits  testing of  physical devices  on the
manufacturing floor with high speed and accuracy.
 
    The steps between design and production include verifying and characterizing
the  physical  devices  in  the  engineering  lab  (generally  referred  to   as
"engineering  test"). The engineering test process represents a substantial part
of the entire  development cycle for  microprocessors, microcontrollers,  custom
ICs,  ASICs and MCMs. Anomalies  found within the circuits  at this stage can be
identified and redesigned, reducing the likelihood that production devices  will
contain  hidden flaws and improving production  yields. Minimal hidden flaws and
higher yield can translate into the elimination or reduction of product  recalls
and updates and reduced cost per device.
 
    The  Company's Test Stations provide  cost-effective, easy to use, versatile
and interactive systems for engineering verification and characterization, while
the Company's Virtual Test Software provides a solution to the problems inherent
in developing test programs, designing test fixtures, simulating test  processes
and documenting the process prior to the fabrication of physical prototypes. IMS
works  with  leading  ATE  vendors to  provide  complete  Virtual  Test Software
solutions for integration between design and test and to accelerate test program
development.
 
    The Company's strategy  is to bridge  the gap  between EDA and  ATE and,  in
particular,   to   design,   develop,   manufacture   and   market   innovative,
cost-effective,  high  performance  Test  Stations  and  software  to   increase
productivity,  accelerate time-to-market for new products and reduce the cost of
testing. The key elements  of the Company's  strategy include providing  product
innovation,   expanding  market   share,  creating   and  maintaining  strategic
relationships, maintaining  a  high  level of  customer  service  and  expanding
product  distribution. In  marketing its  products, the  Company targets leading
semiconductor  and   electronic   systems  companies   worldwide.   To   compete
successfully  for those markets,  IMS bases its  marketing strategy on providing
complete solutions consisting of products, training, on-site service and support
and  active  customer   involvement  in   the  Company's   product  design   and
specification process.
 
    The Company markets and supports its products worldwide through a network of
direct  sales  force personnel,  independent  distributors and  dedicated agents
employed by Cadence Design Systems,  Inc. ("Cadence"). Since its inception,  the
Company  has  sold over  950 Test  Stations to  customers in  the semiconductor,
aerospace,  automotive,  computer,  consumer  electronics,   datacommunications,
medical electronics, network computing, telecommunications and other industries.
Based  on 1996  net sales,  the Company's  top five  customers are:  Intel Corp.
("Intel"),  Advanced  Micro  Devices  Inc.  ("Advanced  Micro  Devices"),  Tokyo
Electron  Limited (the  Company's distributor in  Japan), Rockwell International
Corporation ("Rockwell")  and  SGS  -  THOMSON  Microelectronics  N.V.  ("SGS  -
THOMSON"). These five customers represented 57% of net sales for 1996, while 43%
of  net sales for 1996 came from customers individually accounting for less than
3% of net sales.
 
    The Company is currently a 55% owned subsidiary of Cadence. Upon  completion
of  this  offering,  Cadence  will  continue to  own  approximately  39%  of the
Company's outstanding  Common Stock  (37%  if the  Underwriters'  over-allotment
option  is exercised in full).  The Company was incorporated  in Oregon in 1983.
The Company operated  as an independent  entity until it  was acquired by  Valid
Logic,  Inc. ("Valid Logic") in 1989. In 1991, the Company became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Cadence as  a result of  the merger of  Valid Logic with  Cadence.
Both  Cadence and Valid Logic operated the  Company as a separate subsidiary. On
July 21, 1995, the Company completed an initial public offering of Common Stock,
in which 375,000 shares were sold by the Company, and 2,615,000 shares were sold
by Cadence, at a  price of $11  per share. The  Company's executive offices  are
located  at 9525 S.W.  Gemini Drive, Beaverton, Oregon  97008, and its telephone
number is (503) 626-7117.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON  STOCK OFFERED HEREBY SHOULD  CAREFULLY
CONSIDER  THE  FOLLOWING  RISK  FACTORS IN  ADDITION  TO  THE  OTHER INFORMATION
PRESENTED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS  PROSPECTUS CONTAINS CERTAIN INFORMATION  AND
TREND  ANALYSIS  THAT  CONSTITUTE  "FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS"  AS  DEFINED IN
SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF  1933, AS AMENDED, WHICH INVOLVE RISKS  AND
UNCERTAINTIES.  SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO,
STATEMENTS INCLUDING  THE  WORDS "ANTICIPATE,"  "BELIEVE,"  "PLAN,"  "ESTIMATE,"
"EXPECT,"  "INTEND" AND OTHER SIMILAR  EXPRESSIONS. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS
MAY  DIFFER  MATERIALLY  FROM  THE  RESULTS  DESCRIBED  IN  THE  FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS.  FACTORS THAT  MIGHT CAUSE  SUCH A  DIFFERENCE INCLUDE,  BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO, THOSE DISCUSSED IN THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND ELSEWHERE IN  THIS
PROSPECTUS  INCLUDING  IN  MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
 
    FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS.  The Company's results of operations have
fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate  from period to period, depending on  a
number  of factors  including the  receipt, timing  and shipment  of significant
orders, the volume  and mix  of products sold  to the  Company's customers,  the
timing  of new product introductions, the timing of expenditures in anticipation
of future sales,  the length of  sales cycles  and the cyclical  nature of  high
technology  industries. The  Company derives  a substantial  portion of  its net
sales from  the  sale of  Test  Stations which  typically  range in  price  from
$200,000  to $1.2 million per unit and may be priced as high as $1.8 million for
a single unit. As a result, the receipt of a single order, and the timing of the
receipt and shipment  of a single  order can  have a significant  impact on  the
Company's  net  sales and  results  of operations  for  a particular  period. In
addition, the Company's product sales have fluctuated based on seasonal factors,
such as customers' capital budget approval cycles in the first calendar  quarter
and  holidays in Europe  and the U.S.  during the third  calendar quarter, among
other factors. As a  result, the Company  has historically experienced  relative
declines  in  product  sales  for  the first  and  third  quarters  and relative
increases in  product sales  for the  second and  fourth quarters.  The  Company
expects that seasonal fluctuations will continue to affect the Company's results
of  operations  in  future  periods.  A  significant  portion  of  the Company's
operating expenses are relatively fixed in nature, and planned expenditures  are
based  in part on anticipated orders. As a  result, the Company may be unable to
reduce such expenses  in a particular  period if the  Company's sales goals  for
that  period are  not met.  The inability to  reduce spending  quickly enough to
compensate for any revenue  shortfall would magnify the  adverse impact of  such
revenue   shortfall  on  the  Company's  results  of  operations.  In  addition,
announcements by the Company or its competitors of new products and technologies
may cause customers to defer purchases of the Company's existing systems,  which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
 
    Results  of operations in any period  should not be considered indicative of
the results to be expected for any future period, and fluctuations in  operating
results  may also result in significant fluctuations  in the market price of the
Company's Common Stock. There can be  no assurance that the Company will  remain
profitable  in any future  period. See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
    UNCERTAINTY OF  TIMING OF  PRODUCT  SALES.   The Company  has  traditionally
configured  Test Stations  according to  specific customer  requirements. During
1996, customers required increasingly  large, complex configurations,  resulting
in longer production cycles. In addition, the timing of customer orders for many
high technology companies is typically weighted towards the end of each calendar
quarter.  As a  result, a  substantial portion  of the  Company's net  sales are
typically realized during the last few weeks of each quarter. The portion of net
sales realized during the last month of each quarter during 1996 ranged from 43%
to 75% of quarterly net sales, as compared to a range of 44% to 59% of quarterly
net sales for each quarter of 1995. As  a result, the timing of the receipt  and
shipment,  and the  magnitude of the  sales price of  a single order  can have a
significant impact on the  Company's net sales and  results of operations for  a
particular  quarter  and  the  Company's  quarterly  net  sales  and  results of
operations may be  negatively impacted if  an order  is received too  late in  a
given  quarter to permit product shipment  and the recognition of revenue during
that quarter.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION.    A  small  number  of  customers  accounts  for  a
significant  percentage of the Company's sales volume and net sales. The loss of
a major customer  or a reduction  in orders  by any such  customer, including  a
reduction due to market or competitive conditions, would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover,  the Company's future success will depend  in part upon its ability to
obtain orders from new customers, as well as the financial condition and success
of its customers and the general economy. Based on 1996 net sales, the Company's
top five customers are:  Intel, Advanced Micro  Devices, Tokyo Electron  Limited
(the  Company's distributor  in Japan), Rockwell  and SGS -  THOMSON. These five
customers represented 57% of  net sales for  1996, while 43%  of net sales  came
from  customers individually accounting for  less than 3% of  net sales. For the
years ended December 31, 1994,  1995 and 1996, sales  to the Company's top  five
customers in such years represented 43%, 53% and 57% of net sales, respectively.
In  addition, sales to Intel  represented approximately 22%, 30%  and 36% of the
Company's net  sales, for  the years  ended December  31, 1994,  1995 and  1996,
respectively.  Furthermore, in  any given  quarter net sales  to any  one of the
Company's customers may represent  a greater percentage  of quarterly net  sales
than historically recorded for the annual periods noted above. No other customer
or distributor accounted for more than 10% of the Company's net sales during the
periods  indicated. The Company expects that  a limited number of customers will
continue to account for  a high percentage  of the Company's  net sales for  the
foreseeable future. See "Business -- Markets and Customers."
 
    DEPENDENCE  ON SINGLE AND SOLE SOURCE SUPPLIERS.  The Company purchases many
key components from sole or single source vendors for which alternative  sources
are  not currently available.  The inability to  develop alternative sources for
these single or  sole source components  or to obtain  sufficient quantities  of
these components could result in delays or reductions in product shipments which
would  adversely affect the Company's  business, financial condition and results
of operations.  In  the  event of  a  reduction  or interruption  of  supply,  a
significant  amount of  time, in  some cases  as much  as twelve  to twenty-four
months, could  be required  before the  Company would  begin receiving  adequate
supplies from such alternative suppliers. In such event, the Company's operating
results  would be materially adversely affected. In addition, the manufacture of
certain of these single or sole source components is extremely complex, and  the
Company's  reliance on the suppliers of  these components exposes the Company to
potential production difficulties and quality variations, which could negatively
impact cost and timely delivery of the Company's Test Stations. For example, the
Company depends on a sole sourced custom  integrated circuit in one of its  Test
Stations.  In 1994, significant portions of new  deliveries of this part did not
meet specifications, thereby resulting in  Test Stations being unable to  detect
failures   when  operating  at  speeds  below  10  MHz.  Recently,  the  Company
experienced late delivery of IC components used in the driver module of  certain
of  its Test  Stations. In  addition, the  limits within  which these components
operated required the  Company to  change its product  specifications for  those
Test  Stations. The Company has thus far  avoided any material adverse impact on
the timing of  customer deliveries  for its  Test Stations  resulting from  such
supply  problems. However, no  assurance can be given  that supply problems will
not recur or, if  such problems do recur,  that satisfactory solutions would  be
available.   Any  prolonged  inability  to  obtain  adequate  amounts  of  fully
functional components or any other circumstances that would require the  Company
to  seek alternative sources of  supply could have a  material adverse effect on
the Company's  business,  financial  condition and  results  of  operations  and
relationships with its customers. See "Business -- Manufacturing."
 
    TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE; IMPORTANCE OF TIMELY PRODUCT INTRODUCTION.  The market
for electronic design and test equipment is characterized by rapid technological
change  requiring  significant expenditures  for  new product  introductions and
enhancements to existing products. The  Company's ability to remain  competitive
in  this market will depend in significant part upon its ability to successfully
develop  and  introduce  new   products  and  enhancements   on  a  timely   and
cost-effective  basis that  keep pace with  technological developments, evolving
industry standards and methodologies,  and the increasingly sophisticated  needs
of  the Company's customers.  The success of  the Company in  developing new and
enhanced products depends upon a variety of factors, including, but not  limited
to,  its continued ability  to adequately fund  new product developments, timely
and efficiently  complete  product  designs, timely  and  efficiently  implement
manufacturing  and  assembly  processes,  as  well  as  product  performance and
acceptance at customer  locations. Because commitments  to develop new  products
generally must be made well in advance of sales,
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
new product decisions must anticipate both future demand and the availability of
technology  to satisfy such demand. Further  technological advances, such as the
successful introduction  by  competitors of  alternatives  to Test  Stations  or
Virtual  Test Software, may cause  a decline in the demand  for and sales of the
Company's products.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  Company  will  be
successful  in developing  and marketing  new products  and product enhancements
that respond to technological change,  evolving industry standards and  changing
customer  requirements; that the  Company will not  experience difficulties that
could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of
these  products;  or  that  its  new  products  and  product  enhancements  will
adequately   meet  the  requirements  of  the  marketplace  and  achieve  market
acceptance. In particular,  the Company's Virtual  Test Software alternative  to
traditional  methods  of developing  test programs  for  the testing  of complex
electronic devices on expensive test  equipment has not yet achieved  widespread
market acceptance. In addition, since the original technology underlying Virtual
Test  Software  was first  developed by  Cadence, expansion  of the  market will
depend on  the Company's  ability to  successfully market  services and  provide
upgrades   to  its  Virtual  Test  Software,  which  predominately  operates  in
conjunction  with  Cadence   software  tools.  Failure   of  the  Company,   for
technological  or  other  reasons, to  develop  and introduce  new  products and
product enhancements in a timely and cost-effective manner would have a material
adverse effect on  the Company's  business, financial condition  and results  of
operations.  The introduction of products  embodying new technologies or changes
in industry  standards  or  customer requirements  could  render  the  Company's
existing  products obsolete and unmarketable. There can be no assurance that the
announcement of new product offerings  or changes in existing product  standards
will  not cause customers to defer purchases of existing Company products, which
could adversely affect the Company's results of operations.
 
    DEPENDENCE ON THIRD PARTY  MANUFACTURERS.  The Company  relies on a  limited
number  of independent  manufacturers, some of  which are  small, privately held
companies, to provide certain  components and assemblies  made to the  Company's
specifications  and  used  in the  Company's  products.  In the  event  that the
Company's subcontractors were to  experience financial, operational,  production
or  quality assurance  difficulties or a  catastrophic event that  resulted in a
reduction or  interruption in  supply to  the Company,  the Company's  operating
results  would be  materially adversely affected  until the Company  was able to
establish sufficient manufacturing supply from alternative sources. There can be
no assurance that  alternative manufacturing sources  will be able  to meet  the
Company's  future  requirements or  that  existing or  alternative  sources will
continue to be available  to the Company at  favorable prices. See "Business  --
Manufacturing."
 
    FUTURE  CAPITAL NEEDS.   Development and  manufacture of  new Test Stations,
enhancements to existing Test  Stations and the  further development of  Virtual
Test  Software require a substantial investment of funds. The Company expects to
require additional capital to  fund its working capital  needs and expansion  of
facilities.  Additional funds may also be required to satisfy the Company's cash
requirements for  future  generations  of  products.  Possible  fluctuations  in
operating  results of the  Company may delay  the funding of  some new products.
Such a  delay  may  have a  material  adverse  impact on  future  operating  and
financial results. Following the completion of this offering, the Company may be
unable  to  obtain  financing  on  favorable terms  due  to  the  change  in its
relationship with Cadence. See "Use  of Proceeds," "Management's Discussion  and
Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations"  and  "Certain
Transactions."
 
    UNCERTAINTIES WITH RESPECT TO INDEPENDENT CORPORATE STATUS.  The Company was
independent from its inception in 1983 to February 1989, when it was acquired by
Valid Logic. As a  subsidiary of Valid  Logic, the timing  of the Company's  new
product  development  and  introductions  was  substantially  influenced  by the
capital needs  of  Valid  Logic,  and those  decisions  affected  the  Company's
financial performance. In 1991, Valid Logic merged with Cadence, and the Company
became  a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cadence.  Cadence currently owns 55% of the
Company's outstanding  Common  Stock.  Following  this  offering,  Cadence  will
continue  to own  approximately 39%  of the Company's  Common Stock  (37% if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). Due to its  ownership
history, the Company's operating history during prior periods cannot necessarily
be  regarded as  indicative of  the Company's  prospects as  a fully independent
company. For example, the Company  may no longer be able  to rely on or  benefit
from  its  relationship with  Cadence  to obtain  credit  or favorable  terms of
purchase from  suppliers.  Following  the consummation  of  this  offering,  the
Company will continue to be responsible for the services
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
that  were provided by Cadence prior to the Company's initial public offering in
July 1995, including legal, tax, risk management and distribution services in  a
number  of markets. In  addition, the Company  will continue to  rely on certain
Cadence services  provided  under  Joint  Sales  Agency  and  Amended  Corporate
Services  Agreements. For example, the Company  currently sells and supports its
products in Europe, Israel  and Taiwan through 15  Cadence employees located  in
Cadence  facilities and  who act  as dedicated agents  of the  Company under the
terms of the  Amended Corporate Services  Agreement. There can  be no  assurance
that  the Company will retain the services of such dedicated agents for the term
of the Amended Corporate Services Agreement or that replacement personnel  could
be  retained on a  timely basis, if at  all. The loss of  such personnel and the
failure to attract  and retain  replacement employees, or  the costs  associated
with  hiring new sales personnel and  providing adequate facilities and benefits
to such employees would likely have  a material adverse effect on the  Company's
business,  financial  condition  and  results of  operations.  There  can  be no
assurance that the transition  to a more independent  corporate status will  not
adversely  affect  the Company's  business,  financial condition  or  results of
operations. In  addition,  the  Company's ability  to  work  cooperatively  with
companies  in related industries can  be expected to change,  to the extent such
other companies recognize the change in the Company's relationship with Cadence.
The Company could  find it more  difficult to recruit  skilled people or  obtain
customers  to whom  the Company's  status as  a subsidiary  of Cadence  has been
important. No assurance can be given that such factors will not have a  material
adverse  affect on  the Company's  business, financial  condition or  results of
operations in  future  periods. See  "Management's  Discussion and  Analysis  of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Certain Transactions."
 
    HIGHLY  COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY.  The electronic design and test industries are
intensely  competitive.   The  Company   faces  substantial   competition   from
manufacturers   located  throughout   the  world.   Certain  of   the  Company's
competitors, including, but not limited  to, Hewlett-Packard and Teradyne,  have
substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources, greater name
recognition  and a larger installed customer  base than the Company. New product
introductions or product announcements by the Company's competitors could  cause
a  decline in sales  or loss of  market acceptance of  the Company's existing or
future  products.  Moreover,  increased  competitive  pressure  could  lead   to
intensified  price-based competition, which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business,  financial condition and  results of operations.  The
Company  experiences  competition in  the verification  segment of  its business
principally  from  Hewlett-Packard.  In  the  characterization  segment  of  its
business,  the Company competes with a number of other test companies, including
certain ATE  companies.  In addition,  no  assurance  can be  given  that  other
companies,  including Cadence, which  retains rights to  the original technology
underlying the Virtual  Test Software purchased  by the Company,  and other  EDA
companies,  will not enter into the  Virtual Test Software business. The Company
believes that, in order to remain competitive, significant financial investments
in new product development  and customer service and  support will be  required.
There  can be no assurance that the Company will be able to access the necessary
financing  or  to  compete  successfully   in  the  future.  See  "Business   --
Competition."
 
    PRODUCTION  AND CUSTOMER  ACCEPTANCE OF  PRODUCTS.   Significant delays have
occurred in the past between the Company's introduction of a new system and  the
commencement  by the Company  of volume production of  such system. No assurance
can be given that difficulties will not arise in the future with respect to  the
introduction  and production of  the Company's products and  that delays in such
processes would not adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations. The Company believes that continued market acceptance
of its current generation Test Stations, and acceptance of its future generation
Test Stations,  as  well  as of  its  Virtual  Test Software,  are  of  critical
importance  to its future  financial results. To the  extent that these products
are not introduced in a timely manner or do not achieve significant sales due to
lack of  customer  acceptance,  or if  the  Company  is unable  to  correct  any
technical  or other difficulties  associated with these  products or produce the
volume of products necessary to satisfy customer demand, or if the  introduction
and  production  of  its products  fails  for  any other  reason,  the Company's
business, financial  condition and  results of  operations would  be  materially
adversely  affected.  See  "Business  --  Research  and  Development"  and  " --
Competition."
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
    DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.  The Company's future operating results  depend
in  significant part upon the continued services of its key technical and senior
management personnel. The Company's future operating results also depend in part
upon its ability to attract and retain qualified management, technical and sales
and support  personnel for  its operations.  Competition for  such personnel  is
intense, and the Company may find it difficult to attract key talent in a timely
and  efficient  manner.  Many  of  the  Company's  employees  continue  to  hold
previously issued options to acquire Cadence Common Stock, which are subject  to
vesting under Cadence's stock option plans. However, no new Cadence options will
be  issued to the Company's employees. The loss of any key employee, the failure
of any key employee to perform in  his or her current position or the  Company's
inability  to attract and retain skilled  employees, as needed, could materially
adversely affect  the Company's  business, financial  condition and  results  of
operations. See "Business -- Employees" and "Management -- Stock Option Plans --
Cadence Options."
 
    PROPRIETARY  RIGHTS.   The Company's success  is heavily  dependent upon its
proprietary technology.  The Company  does not  currently have  any patents  and
historically has relied principally on trade secret and copyright law to protect
its  technology.  The Company's  policy has  been  to enter  into nondisclosure/
confidentiality agreements  with its  employees, and  it generally  enters  into
agreements  with third parties that likewise limit access to and distribution of
its proprietary information. There can be  no assurance that the steps taken  by
the  Company  will  provide  adequate  protection  of  its  technology  or  that
competitors will  not be  able  to develop  similar or  functionally  equivalent
technology.  In  the  future,  the  Company  may  receive  notice  of  claims of
infringement of other parties' proprietary rights and there can be no  assurance
that  infringement or invalidity claims (or claims for indemnification resulting
from infringement claims against third parties,  such as customers) will not  be
asserted  against  the Company  or  that any  such  assertions will  not  have a
material adverse  affect  on  the Company's  business,  financial  condition  or
results  of operations.  Several of  the Company's  customers have  informed the
Company that they have  received letters from Jerome  H. Lemelson alleging  that
certain  equipment  used  in  the manufacture  of  electronic  devices infringes
certain patents  issued to  Mr. Lemelson  relating to  electronic  manufacturing
technologies.  Such customers may seek indemnification  from the Company for any
damages and expenses  resulting from this  matter. If any  Company equipment  is
found  to infringe a patent, a court  may grant an injunction to prevent making,
selling or using the  equipment in the United  States. In addition, the  Company
recently  received  a letter  from MTS  Systems  Corporation demanding  that the
Company cease using the  letters "MTS" to identify  its Test Stations,  alleging
that  such use  infringed upon  MTS Systems'  trademark. The  Company intends to
discontinue using such letters to indentify Test Stations. The Company plans  to
begin  using the letters "MSTS" to  identify its Mixed-Signal Test Stations. MTS
Systems Corporation has not  conceded that the use  of the initials "MSTS"  will
not  infringe its trademark. The Company cannot  predict the outcome of these or
any similar claims or the effect of such claims upon the Company, and there  can
be  no assurance  that any such  litigation or  claim would not  have a material
adverse effect  on the  Company's business,  financial condition  or results  of
operations.  Irrespective of  the validity  or the  success of  such claims, the
Company could incur significant costs with respect to the defense thereof  which
could  have  a  material adverse  effect  on the  Company's  business, financial
condition or  results of  operations.  If any  claims  or actions  are  asserted
against  the Company,  the Company may  seek to  obtain a license  of such third
party's intellectual property rights. There  can be no assurance, however,  that
under such circumstances, a license would be available under reasonable terms or
at all.
 
    The Company hires employees who have previously been employed by competitors
of  the Company,  and hires contractors  who have previously  performed work for
competitors of the  Company. Some  of these competitors  include companies  with
whom  the Company has in the  past held detailed business discussions, including
in-depth due diligence. The Company's policy with respect to such employees  and
contractors  is to assure that they do  not work in areas directly equivalent to
their  former  employment  for  the  express  duration  of  any  post-employment
covenants  that  such employees  and contractors  may  have with  their previous
employer,  and  in  general,  to  require   all  its  employees  to  adhere   to
confidentiality  obligations owed to  their previous employers.  There can be no
assurance that such  policies will be  sufficient to prevent  claims from  being
asserted  against  the Company  by previous  employers  of Company  employees or
consultants, or that  such claims  would not ultimately  prove successful.  Such
claims, if made, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    GENERAL  ECONOMIC  AND MARKET  CONDITIONS; CYCLICALITY.   The  industries in
which the Company competes and the  markets that it serves are highly  cyclical.
During  recent years, segments of these industries, including the semiconductor,
aerospace,  automotive,  computer,  consumer  electronics,   datacommunications,
medical  electronics, network computing and telecommunications, industries, have
experienced significant economic downturns from time to time. The  semiconductor
industry  is  particularly volatile  due  to rapid  technological  change, short
product life  cycles, fluctuations  in manufacturing  capacity and  pricing  and
gross  margin pressures. The  Company's operations may  in the future experience
substantial fluctuations from period to period as a consequence of such industry
patterns, general economic conditions affecting the timing of significant orders
from customers and  other factors affecting  capital spending. There  can be  no
assurance  that such  factors will  not have  a material  adverse effect  on the
Company's  business,  financial   condition  or  results   of  operations.   See
"Management's  Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results of
Operations."
 
    LENGTHY SALES CYCLE.  Sales of the Company's products depend in  significant
part  upon the  decision of  companies in  technology industries  to develop and
manufacture new electronic devices or  to increase manufacturing capacity. As  a
result,  sales  of the  Company's Test  Stations and  Virtual Test  Software are
subject to a variety of factors  outside the Company's control, such as  general
economic downturns. In addition, the decision to purchase the Company's products
generally  involves  a significant  commitment  of capital,  with  the attendant
delays frequently associated  with significant capital  expenditures. For  these
and  other reasons,  sales of  the Company's  systems have  lengthy sales cycles
during which the Company may expend  substantial funds and management effort  to
secure  a sale.  This subjects  the Company  to a  number of  significant risks,
including fluctuations in operating results,  over which the Company has  little
control.
 
    INTERNATIONAL  SALES.  International sales  accounted for approximately 40%,
32% and 26% of the  Company's net sales for the  years ended December 31,  1994,
1995  and 1996, respectively,  and the Company  expects that international sales
will continue to account for  a significant portion of  its net sales in  future
periods.  International sales  are subject  to certain  inherent risks including
tariffs, embargoes and  other barriers,  difficulties in  staffing and  managing
foreign  sales and  service operations,  difficulties in  managing distributors,
potentially  adverse  tax  consequences,   the  possibility  of  difficulty   in
collecting  accounts receivable and potential  foreign currency fluctuations. In
addition, the Company relies on dedicated  agents employed by Cadence for  sales
in  certain international markets. See "Business -- Marketing and Distribution."
The Company is also subject to risks associated with legislation and regulations
relating to the import or export of high technology products. The implementation
or revision of such restrictions may occur without notice to the Company and may
have a material adverse impact on the  Company's ability to market and sell  its
products  in foreign countries. The export  of the Company's products to certain
countries is limited by law. The Company cannot predict whether quotas,  duties,
taxes  or other charges  or restrictions upon the  importation or exportation of
the Company's  products in  the future  will be  implemented or  changed by  the
United  States or  any other  country. Fluctuations  in currency  exchange rates
could cause  the  Company's products  to  become relatively  more  expensive  to
customers  in  a  particular  country,  leading  to  a  reduction  in  sales  or
profitability in that  country. Furthermore, future  international activity  may
result  in higher proportion of foreign  currency denominated sales, and in such
event  gains  and  losses  on  the  conversion  to  U.S.  dollars  arising  from
international operations may contribute to fluctuations in the Company's results
of operations. In addition, international sales typically are adversely affected
in  the third quarter of each year  as many customers and end-users reduce their
business activities during the summer months. There can be no assurance that any
of these  factors will  not have  a  material adverse  effect on  the  Company's
business,  financial  condition  and results  of  operations.  See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
    POSSIBLE VOLATILITY  OF  STOCK  PRICE.    The  Company's  Common  Stock  has
experienced  significant price volatility  and such volatility  may occur in the
future, particularly as a result of announcements of developments related to the
Company's business,  fluctuations in  the Company's  results of  operations  and
general   conditions  in  the   electronic  design  and   test  industries,  the
semiconductor industry or the economy. In  addition, in recent years the  equity
markets   in  general,  and  the  market  for  shares  of  small  capitalization
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
stocks in particular,  have experienced extreme  price fluctuations, which  have
often  been unrelated to  the operating performance  of affected companies. Such
fluctuations could adversely  affect the  market price of  the Company's  Common
Stock. See "Price Range of Common Stock" and "Underwriters."
 
    CONCENTRATION  OF  STOCK  OWNERSHIP.    Following  the  completion  of  this
offering, Cadence  will beneficially  own approximately  39% (37%  assuming  the
Underwriters'  over-allotment option  is exercised  in full)  of the outstanding
shares  of  Common  Stock  of  the  Company.  Cadence  will  continue  to   have
considerable  representation  on  the  Company's  Board  of  Directors  and will
continue  to  have  significant  influence  on  the  Company's  direction.   See
"Management  --  Directors,  Executive  Officers  and  Key  Employees," "Certain
Transactions" and "Principal and Selling Shareholders."
 
    DILUTION.  Investors participating in this offering will incur immediate and
substantial dilution in the  net tangible book value  of their shares of  Common
Stock  in the  amount of  approximately $14.31 per  share, at  an assumed public
offering price  of $20  1/2 per  share, after  deducting estimated  underwriting
discounts  and  commissions  and  estimated  offering  expenses  payable  by the
Company. Additional dilution will occur  upon the exercise of outstanding  stock
options.
 
    EFFECT  OF  CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER  PROVISIONS.   Certain  provisions  of the
Company's Restated  Articles of  Incorporation ("Restated  Articles"),  Restated
Bylaws  ("Restated  Bylaws")  and  the  Oregon  Business  Corporation  Act  will
effectively make it more difficult for a  third party to acquire control of  the
Company  through either a  tender offer or  a proxy contest  for the election of
directors. The Oregon Control Share Act  and the Business Combination Act  limit
the  ability of  parties who  acquire a  significant amount  of voting  stock to
exercise control of the  Company. In addition,  the Company's Restated  Articles
and Restated Bylaws contain provisions which (i) classify the Board of Directors
into  three classes, with one  class being elected each  year, (ii) provide that
directors may be removed by shareholders only  for cause and only upon the  vote
of  75% of the votes then entitled to  be cast for the election of directors and
(iii) permit the Board to establish  the rights, preferences and privileges  of,
and  to issue, preferred stock  without shareholders' approval. These provisions
may have the effect  of lengthening the  time required for  a person to  acquire
control  of the Company through a proxy contest or the election of a majority of
the Board of Directors and may deter  efforts to obtain control of the  Company.
See "Description of Capital Stock -- Common Stock" and
"--  Oregon Control Share and  Business Combination Statutes; Certain Provisions
of Restated Articles."
 
    ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS.  The Company has not declared or paid dividends on its
Common Stock, except for the declaration of a non-cash dividend for the  purpose
of  settling intercompany accounts with Cadence. The Company does not anticipate
paying cash  dividends with  respect  to the  Common  Stock in  the  foreseeable
future. See "Dividend Policy."
 
    SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.  Sales of the Company's Common Stock in the
public market after this offering could adversely affect the market price of the
Company's  Common Stock. Upon completion of this offering, the Company will have
approximately  7,401,257   shares  of   Common  Stock   outstanding,  of   which
approximately  4,517,257  shares (approximately  4,742,257 if  the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be freely transferable  without
restriction  or registration under  the Securities Act of  1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), unless such shares are  held by "affiliates" of the  Company,
as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Upon completion of
this  offering,  Cadence will  continue to  hold approximately  2,884,000 shares
(2,759,000 shares if  the Underwriters'  over-allotment option  is exercised  in
full),  and will be eligible to sell  these shares in the public market pursuant
to Rule 144, subject  to certain contractual  restrictions on resale,  including
lock-up  agreements  under  which the  Company,  officers and  directors  of the
Company and the Selling Shareholder have agreed, subject to certain  exceptions,
not  to sell or otherwise dispose of any of their shares for a period of 90 days
after the date of  this Prospectus. However, Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
may,  in its  sole discretion, at  any time  without notice, release  all or any
portion of the shares subject to  lock-up agreements. In addition, Cadence  will
have  certain rights with respect to registration of such shares of Common Stock
for sale to the public. Sales of  Common Stock by Cadence in the public  market,
or  the availability of such shares for  sale, could adversely affect the market
price of  the  Common  Stock.  In addition,  approximately  982,108  shares  are
issuable  upon exercise of outstanding options granted under the Company's stock
option plans as of the date of this
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
prospectus. The Company has filed  Registration Statements on Form S-8  covering
an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under its
stock  option  plans,  permitting the  resale  of  such shares  issued  upon the
exercise of such  options in  the public  market without  restriction under  the
Securities  Act.  In  addition, on  January  23,  1997, the  Company's  Board of
Directors approved an amendment to its  1995 Stock Incentive Plan to reserve  an
additional  600,000 shares  of Common Stock  for issuance under  such Plan. This
amendment remains subject to shareholder approval. Upon approval of the proposed
amendment by the Company's  shareholders, the Company  intends to register  such
additional  shares  on  Form S-8.  The  Company  has also  filed  a Registration
Statement on  Form S-8  covering  250,000 shares  that  have been  reserved  for
issuance  under its 1995  Employee Stock Purchase Plan  permitting the resale of
such shares in the public market  without restriction under the Securities  Act.
See  "Management -- Stock Option Plans," "-- 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan,"
"Description of Capital Stock --  Registration Rights" and "Shares Eligible  for
Future Sale."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The  net proceeds  to the  Company from  the sale  of the  675,000 shares of
Common Stock offered by the Company hereby (at an assumed public offering  price
of  $20  1/2 per  share, after  deducting  estimated underwriting  discounts and
commissions  and  estimated  offering  expenses  payable  by  the  Company)  are
estimated  to  be  approximately  $12.7  million  (approximately  $14.6  million
assuming the  Underwriters' over-allotment  option is  exercised in  full).  The
Company  will not  receive any  proceeds from  the sale  of Common  Stock by the
Selling Shareholder.
 
    The principal purposes of this offering are to increase the Company's equity
capital, which is a competitive factor in the semiconductor equipment  industry,
expand the public market for the Common Stock and to facilitate future access to
public  equity markets. The  Company intends to use  approximately $5 million of
the net proceeds  from this  offering to  fund capital  equipment purchases  and
facilities  expansion.  The Company  intends  to use  the  remainder of  the net
proceeds from  this  offering for  working  capital and  for  general  corporate
purposes.  The Company routinely evaluates potential acquisitions of businesses,
products  and  technologies  that  would  complement  or  expand  the  Company's
business.  The Company may use a portion  of the net proceeds from this offering
for one or more such transactions;  however, it currently has no commitments  or
agreements with respect to such transactions.
 
    Pending  the above uses, the Company intends to invest the net proceeds from
this offering in short-term investment grade, interest-bearing securities.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The Company has never declared or  paid cash dividends on its Common  Stock.
On  March 31,  1995, the  Company declared a  $1.0 million  non-cash dividend to
Cadence for the purpose of settling intercompany accounts. The Company currently
intends to retain the earnings from its operations for use in the operation  and
expansion  of its  business and does  not anticipate paying  cash dividends with
respect to the Common Stock in the forseeable future. The payment of any  future
dividends  will be determined by the Board of Directors in light of then current
conditions, including the Company's earnings and financial condition.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
    The Company's Common Stock is traded publicly on the Nasdaq National  Market
under  the symbol "IMSC."  The Company completed its  initial public offering of
Common Stock on July 21, 1995, at a price of $11 per share. The following  table
sets  forth, for  the periods  indicated, the  high and  low bid  prices for the
Company's Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              HIGH        LOW
                                                                           ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                        <C>         <C>
FISCAL 1995
  Third Quarter (from July 21, 1995).....................................  $      163/8 $      123/8
  Fourth Quarter.........................................................         151/2        115/8
FISCAL 1996
  First Quarter..........................................................         163/4        121/2
  Second Quarter.........................................................         271/2        155/8
  Third Quarter..........................................................         251/2        11
  Fourth Quarter.........................................................         21          143/4
FISCAL 1997
  First Quarter (through January 24, 1997)...............................         231/2        17
</TABLE>
 
    On January 24, 1997, the last  reported sale price for the Company's  Common
Stock  as reported by  the Nasdaq National Market  was $20 1/2  per share. As of
January  15,  1997,  there  were  approximately  1,330  shareholders  who   held
beneficial  interests in shares  of Common Stock registered  in nominee names of
banks and brokerage houses.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following  table sets  forth the  capitalization of  the Company  as  of
December  31, 1996  and as adjusted  to give effect  to the sale  of the 675,000
shares of  Common Stock  offered by  the  Company hereby  at an  assumed  public
offering  price of  $20 1/2  per share,  after deducting  estimated underwriting
discounts and  commissions  and  estimated  offering  expenses  payable  by  the
Company, and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                                            ----------------------
                                                                                             ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                            ---------  -----------
                                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT
                                                                                                SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                                                         <C>        <C>
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion (1).....................................  $     278   $     278
                                                                                            ---------  -----------
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and
   outstanding, actual and as adjusted....................................................     --          --
  Common stock, par value $.01, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 6,726,257 shares issued and
   outstanding, actual; 7,401,257 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted (2)..........         67          74
  Additional paid-in capital..............................................................     22,676      35,386
  Retained earnings.......................................................................     12,116      12,116
                                                                                            ---------  -----------
    Total shareholders' equity............................................................     34,859      47,576
                                                                                            ---------  -----------
    Total capitalization..................................................................  $  35,137   $  47,854
                                                                                            ---------  -----------
                                                                                            ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) See Note 3 of Notes to the Financial Statements.
 
(2)   Excludes  861,608  shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon  exercise  of
    outstanding options as of December 31,  1996 at a weighted average  exercise
    price of $10.97 per share, of which 241,698 were then exercisable.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The  statement of income  data presented below  for each of  the three years
ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the balance sheet data as of December
31, 1995 and  1996 are  derived from the  financial statements  of the  Company,
which  are included elsewhere in this Prospectus and have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP,  independent  public accountants,  whose  report thereon  also  is
included  herein. The statement of income data  for the years ended December 31,
1992 and 1993 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 1992, 1993 and  1994
are  derived from financial statements not  included in this Prospectus and have
been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP.  The results of operations presented  below
are  not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.
The Company has  never declared  a cash  dividend. The  selected financial  data
should  be read  in conjunction  with "Management's  Discussion and  Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Financial Statements  and
Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                   1992       1993       1994       1995       1996
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Product sales..................................................  $  19,221  $  19,357  $  23,981  $  33,076  $  40,244
Service and other sales........................................      3,154      3,760      6,071      8,017     10,593
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net sales..................................................     22,375     23,117     30,052     41,093     50,837
Cost of product sales..........................................      8,677      8,616     10,090     12,827     14,203
Cost of service and other sales................................      1,556      1,599      2,345      2,939      3,935
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total cost of sales........................................     10,233     10,215     12,435     15,766     18,138
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Gross margin...................................................     12,142     12,902     17,617     25,327     32,699
Operating expenses:
  Research, development and
   engineering.................................................      3,117      3,130      3,664      6,177      7,796
  Selling, general and administrative..........................      7,776      9,610     10,972     13,681     15,408
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total operating expenses...................................     10,893     12,740     14,636     19,858     23,204
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Operating income...............................................      1,249        162      2,981      5,469      9,495
Other income, net..............................................        130         71        114        319        217
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before income taxes.....................................      1,379        233      3,095      5,788      9,712
Provision for income taxes.....................................        539        102      1,185      2,253      3,546
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net income.....................................................  $     840  $     131  $   1,910  $   3,535  $   6,166
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net income per share (1).......................................  $    0.13  $    0.02  $    0.30  $    0.53  $    0.88
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares
 outstanding (1)...............................................      6,366      6,366      6,366      6,685      7,003
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                   1992       1993       1994       1995       1996
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents......................................  $   1,872  $   1,290  $   4,384  $   8,930  $   9,545
Working capital................................................      9,270      8,347     10,903     17,771     25,280
Total assets...................................................     18,065     18,565     22,662     35,184     44,314
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion..............     --            109         83         54        278
Shareholders' equity...........................................     14,601     15,104     18,269     26,484     34,859
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------
 
(1)  For  an explanation  of a  determination of  the number  of shares  used in
    computing net  income  per share,  see  Note 2  of  Notes to  the  Financial
    Statements.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    THE  FOLLOWING DISCUSSION  AND ANALYSIS SHOULD  BE READ  IN CONJUNCTION WITH
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA  AND THE  COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  AND THE  NOTES
THERETO  INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN  THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS  PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE
FOLLOWING  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND  RESULTS  OF
OPERATIONS,  CONTAINS CERTAIN  STATEMENTS, TREND ANALYSIS  AND OTHER INFORMATION
THAT CONSTITUTE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS"  AS DEFINED IN  SECTION 27A OF  THE
SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,  WHICH MAY INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES.
SUCH FORWARD  LOOKING STATEMENTS  INCLUDE, BUT  ARE NOT  LIMITED TO,  STATEMENTS
INCLUDING  THE  WORDS  "ANTICIPATE,"  "BELIEVE,"  "PLAN,"  "ESTIMATE," "EXPECT,"
"INTEND" AND OTHER SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS.  THE CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS MADE IN  THIS
PROSPECTUS  SHOULD BE  READ AS BEING  APPLICABLE TO  ALL RELATED FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS WHEREVER THEY APPEAR IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS
COULD DIFFER  MATERIALLY FROM  THOSE DISCUSSED  HEREIN DUE  TO NUMEROUS  FACTORS
INCLUDING  THOSE  DISCUSSED  IN  "RISK  FACTORS,"  AS  WELL  AS  THOSE DISCUSSED
ELSEWHERE HEREIN.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    The Company  was founded  in 1983  to design  and develop  engineering  Test
Stations  to test and measure complex electronic devices at the prototype stage.
The Company was acquired by Cadence in 1991  as a result of the merger of  Valid
Logic  into Cadence, in  a transaction accounted  for as a  pooling. Cadence has
operated the Company as a separate subsidiary.
 
    In July 1995, the Company successfully completed an initial public  offering
of  common  stock, yielding  net proceeds  to  the Company  and Cadence  of $3.3
million and $26.6  million, respectively.  Cadence currently owns  55.1% of  the
outstanding  common  stock of  the Company,  with  the remaining  44.9% publicly
owned.
 
    The Company has  been profitable for  each of  the last nine  years and  has
financed  its business  activities during  that period  principally through cash
generated from its own operations. The  Company's net sales have increased  over
the  last three  years at  an annual  compound rate  of 30%.  This sales growth,
combined with more  moderate percentage growth  in cost of  sales and  operating
expenses,  has resulted in  net income of  $1.9 million, $3.5  million, and $6.2
million for 1994, 1995,  and 1996, respectively. The  increase in net sales  has
resulted  from  the  Company's  design  and  development  of  new  products  and
enhancements of existing products, the growth of the complex device market which
the Company  serves, and  successful  penetration by  the Company  into  foreign
markets.
 
    During  the last three years, the Company  has generated most of its revenue
from sales of its XL, ATS, ATS Blazer, FT and MSTS Test Station product families
and related software.  In 1994, the  Company began generating  revenue from  the
sale of Virtual Test Software and related services. For the years ended December
31,  1995 and 1996,  and for the  fourth quarter of  1996, Virtual Test Software
accounted for 4.6%,  8.6% and 11.1%  of the Company's  net sales,  respectively.
Introduced  during the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company's ATS FT Test Station
generated 16.2% and 27.1% of 1995  and 1996 annual net sales, respectively.  The
Company also generates revenue from selling maintenance contracts, installation,
consulting services, training and refurbishment services.
 
    Future  operating results will depend on  many factors, including demand for
the Company's products; receipt, timing and shipment of orders; the introduction
of new products by the Company and by its competitors; the Company's ability  to
operate  independently  from Cadence;  and industry  acceptance of  Virtual Test
Software. Results of  operations for the  periods discussed here  should not  be
considered  indicative of the results  to be expected in  any future period, and
fluctuations in operating results may also result in fluctuations in the  market
price  of  the  Company's Common  Stock.  There  can be  no  assurance  that the
Company's net sales will grow  or that such growth  will be sustained in  future
periods or that the Company will remain profitable in any future period.
 
    Following  this offering, Cadence will  continue to provide certain services
to the Company pursuant to an  Amended Corporate Services Agreement. Under  this
agreement,  Cadence provides dedicated agents to  sell and support the Company's
products in Germany, England,  France, Israel and  Taiwan. In addition,  Cadence
will  provide  the Company  with office  space and  related services  in several
locations in the  United States until  June 1, 1999,  unless terminated  earlier
under the terms of such agreement. Furthermore,
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
although  the Company  may establish its  own foreign  sales subsidiaries, until
those subsidiaries  are  established, the  Company  will continue  to  sell  its
products in Europe, Israel and Taiwan through dedicated sales agents employed by
subsidiaries  of Cadence. The Company pays Cadence the cost of Cadence's expense
(plus an agency  fee) for Cadence's  employees who fulfill  the dedicated  agent
functions  of  the  Company and  related  overhead under  the  Amended Corporate
Services Agreement. See  "Business --  Employees" and  "Certain Transactions  --
Agreements with Cadence."
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The  following table sets forth for  the periods indicated selected items of
the Company's statements of income as a percentage of its net sales:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                                                                       1994         1995         1996
                                                                                    -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>
Product sales.....................................................................       79.8%        80.5%        79.2%
Service and other sales...........................................................       20.2         19.5         20.8
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
    Net sales.....................................................................      100.0        100.0        100.0
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
Cost of product sales.............................................................       33.6         31.2         27.9
Cost of service and other sales...................................................        7.8          7.2          7.8
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
    Total cost of sales...........................................................       41.4         38.4         35.7
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
Gross margin......................................................................       58.6         61.6         64.3
Operating expenses:
  Research, development and engineering...........................................       12.2         15.0         15.3
  Selling, general and administrative.............................................       36.5         33.3         30.3
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
    Total operating expenses......................................................       48.7         48.3         45.6
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
Operating income..................................................................        9.9         13.3         18.7
Other income, net.................................................................        0.4          0.8          0.4
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
Income before income taxes........................................................       10.3         14.1         19.1
Provision for income taxes........................................................        3.9          5.5          7.0
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
Net income........................................................................        6.4%         8.6%        12.1%
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
                                                                                        -----        -----        -----
</TABLE>
 
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales is comprised of product sales (including sales of Test
Stations, Test Station software and Virtual Test Software) and service and other
sales, consisting primarily of revenue  derived from maintenance contracts.  Net
sales  increased 23.7% from $41.1 million in the year ended December 31, 1995 to
$50.8 million in the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in net sales was
due primarily to an increase in product sales of 21.7% from $33.1 million in the
year ended December 31,  1995 to $40.2  million in the  year ended December  31,
1996,  reflecting  the  late 1995  introduction  of  the Company's  ATS  FT Test
Stations,  which  contributed  27.1%  of   net  sales  during  1996,   continued
contributions  from the Company's ATS Blazer and  XL Test Station products and a
117.9% increase  in sales  of Virtual  Test Software.  Service and  other  sales
increased  32.1% from $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1995 to $10.6
million for the year ended December 31, 1996, due principally to growth in sales
of Virtual  Test  Software related  services.  Combined sales  of  Virtual  Test
Software  product and Virtual Test Software related services grew to 8.6% of net
sales during the year 1996, compared to 4.6% in 1995. International sales, as  a
percentage  of the  Company's net  sales, declined from  32% for  the year ended
December 31, 1995 to 26% for the  year ended December 31, 1996 due primarily  to
general economic weakness in Europe, Japan and Korea.
 
    COST OF SALES.  Cost of sales consists of material, labor, manufacturing and
service  overhead as  well as  amortization of  capitalized software development
costs. Total cost of sales increased 15.0% from $15.8 million in the year  ended
December  31, 1995 to $18.1 million in the year ended December 31, 1996. Product
cost of sales  increased 10.7% from  $12.8 million  for the year  1995 to  $14.2
million  for 1996,  primarily due  to higher  sales volume,  partially offset by
benefits  from  lower  costs   of  materials  and  manufacturing   efficiencies.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
Service  and other cost of  sales increased 33.9% from  $2.9 million in the year
1995 to $3.9 million in 1996, due primarily to a one-time $327,000 charge in the
first quarter of 1996 for the Company's change in accounting for spare parts and
increased  labor  costs  associated  with  expanding  customer  service  center,
training and Virtual Test Software related services.
 
    GROSS MARGIN.  The Company's gross margin increased 29.1% from $25.3 million
in  the year ended December 31, 1995 to $32.7 million in the year ended December
31, 1996. As a percentage  of net sales, gross  margin increased from 61.6%  for
the  year ended December 31, 1995 to 64.3% for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Product gross margin, as  a percent of related  sales, increased from 61.2%  for
the  year 1995, to 64.7% for 1996. The increase in product gross margin resulted
from an increase in sales of higher margin ATS FT Test Stations and Virtual Test
Software products during 1996. Service and  other gross margin, as a percent  of
related sales, declined from 63.3% for 1995, to 62.9% for 1996, due primarily to
the  charge  to  cost  of service  and  other  sales related  to  the  change in
accounting method  for spare  parts,  partially offset  by higher  gross  margin
associated with increased sales of Virtual Test Software related services.
 
    RESEARCH,   DEVELOPMENT   AND  ENGINEERING.     Research,   development  and
engineering expenses  consist  primarily of  employee  costs, cost  of  material
consumed,  depreciation of  equipment and  engineering related  costs. Research,
development and engineering expenses increased  26.2% from $6.2 million for  the
year  ended December 31,  1995 to $7.8  million for the  year ended December 31,
1996. As  a  percentage of  net  sales, research,  development  and  engineering
expenses  increased from 15.0% in  the year ended December  31, 1995 to 15.3% in
the year ended December 31, 1996.  The increase was principally attributable  to
increased  expenditures on enhancements  to the Company's  existing products and
the development of future generation hardware and software products. The Company
anticipates that research, development and engineering expenses will continue to
increase in dollar  amount in the  future reflecting the  Company's strategy  to
invest  in  new  products and  existing  product enhancements.  The  Company has
capitalized certain software development costs relating to these activities,  in
compliance with SFAS No. 86, in the amounts of $1.0 million and $715,000 in 1995
and 1996, respectively.
 
    SELLING,  GENERAL AND  ADMINISTRATIVE.  Selling,  general and administrative
expenses include salaries and commissions of sales personnel, marketing expenses
and  general  administrative  expenses.  Selling,  general  and   administrative
expenses increased 12.6% from $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1995
to  $15.4  million  for the  year  ended  December 31,  1996.  The  increase was
principally attributable  to higher  commissions  associated with  higher  sales
volume  and increased investment in the various selling and marketing functions.
As a  percentage of  net  sales, selling,  general and  administrative  expenses
decreased  from 33.3% in the  year ended December 31, 1995  to 30.3% in the year
ended December  31, 1996  as a  result  of control  over increases  in  selling,
general  and  administrative  expenses  as  net  sales  increased.  The  Company
anticipates that selling, general and administrative expenses will increase as a
percentage of net sales as well as in dollar amount in the future.
 
    The  Company  expects  to  recognize  additional  compensation  expense   of
approximately  $500,000 in the fiscal year 1997  as a result of payments made by
Cadence to certain Company employees in respect of Cadence stock options held by
such employees. See "Management--Stock Option Plans--Cadence Options."
 
    OTHER INCOME, NET.  Other income includes interest income, interest  expense
and  gain and loss on sale of  assets. Other income, net decreased from $319,000
in the year ended December 31, 1995  to $217,000 in the year ended December  31,
1996  due to the  write-off of expenses associated  with the Company's withdrawn
1996 secondary public stock offering, partially offset by interest generated  on
higher average cash and cash equivalent balances.
 
    INCOME  TAXES.  The Company's effective rate for Federal and state taxes was
38.9% for the year ended December 31, 1995 and 36.5% for the year ended December
31, 1996. The change in effective tax rates from 1995 to 1996 was primarily  due
to the generation of research and development tax credits during 1996.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
 
    NET  SALES.  Net sales  increased 36.7% from $30.1  million in 1994 to $41.1
million in 1995. This  was principally due  to an increase  in product sales  of
37.9%  from $24.0  million in  1994 to  $33.1 million  in 1995.  The increase in
product sales during  1995 was due  principally to higher  sales volume for  the
Company's  Test Station and Virtual Test Software products, and also resulted in
part from the Company's first shipments of  the new ATS FT Test Stations  during
the  fourth quarter of 1995.  Service and other sales  increased 32.1% from $6.1
million in 1994 to $8.0 million in 1995, reflecting growth in the Company's Test
Station installed base and Virtual Test Software related services. International
sales, as a percentage  of the Company's  net sales, declined  from 40% for  the
year  ended December 31, 1994 to 32% for the year ended December 31, 1995 due to
slower sales growth in Europe and Asia than in the United States.
 
    COST OF SALES.  Total  cost of sales increased  26.8% from $12.4 million  in
1994  to $15.8 million in 1995. Product cost of sales increased 27.1% from $10.1
million in 1994 to $12.8 million in  1995, primarily due to higher sales  volume
and sales of higher cost ATS Blazer and FT Test Stations. Service and other cost
of  sales increased 25.3% from $2.3 million in 1994 to $2.9 million in 1995. The
increase in  service  and  other  cost  of  sales  resulted  from  higher  costs
associated  with  supporting  a  larger installed  base  of  the  Company's Test
Stations.
 
    GROSS MARGIN.  Gross  margin increased 43.8% from  $17.6 million in 1994  to
$25.3  million in 1995, and, as a percentage of net sales, from 58.6% in 1994 to
61.6% in 1995. Product gross margin, as a percent of sales, increased from 57.9%
in 1994 to 61.2% in  1995, reflecting the benefit  of increased sales volume  on
relatively  fixed manufacturing  overhead, and increased  sales of higher-margin
Test Stations and software products. Service and other gross margin improved, as
a percent  of sales,  from 61.4%  in 1994  to 63.3%  in 1995  as the  result  of
enhanced  cost efficiencies  in the service  segment as service  and other sales
increased.
 
    RESEARCH,  DEVELOPMENT   AND  ENGINEERING.     Research,   development   and
engineering  expenses increased 68.6% from $3.7  million in 1994 to $6.2 million
in 1995.  This  increase in  the  dollar  amount of  research,  development  and
engineering expenses reflected the additional hiring of research and development
engineers  necessary to execute  the Company's strategy  to enhance research and
development efforts to remain ahead of technology advances and to develop future
generation Test Stations and the Virtual Test Software products. As a percentage
of net  sales, research,  development and  engineering expenses  increased  from
12.2%  in 1994 to  15.0% in 1995.  The Company has  capitalized certain software
development costs relating to these activities, in compliance with SFAS No.  86,
in  the amounts of approximately $1.1 million and $1.0 million in 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
 
    SELLING, GENERAL AND  ADMINISTRATIVE.  Selling,  general and  administrative
expenses  increased 24.7% from $11.0  million in 1994 to  $13.7 million in 1995,
primarily as a result  of higher commission  expenses associated with  increased
sales volume as well as increased staffing in the software sales force. Selling,
general  and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 36.5% and
33.3% in 1994 and 1995, respectively, reflecting slower growth in expenses  than
in net sales.
 
    OTHER INCOME, NET.  Other income increased from $114,000 in 1994 to $319,000
in  1995,  as a  result of  interest earnings  on higher  average cash  and cash
equivalent balances.
 
    INCOME TAXES.  The Company's effective tax rate was 38.3% and 38.9% for  the
years  ended December 31,  1994 and 1995, respectively.  The change in effective
tax rates  from 1994  to  1995 was  primarily due  to  changes in  the  relative
significance  of certain non-deductible expenses  and changes in effective rates
for state income taxes.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The  following  tables  set  forth  certain  unaudited  quarterly  financial
information  for  each of  the Company's  last  eight fiscal  quarters and  as a
percentage of the  Company's total net  sales represented by  each line item  in
such  unaudited quarterly financial  information. In the  opinion of management,
all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary  for
a  fair  presentation  of  the  information are  set  forth  herein.  Results of
operations for the periods presented  below should not be considered  indicative
of  the  results  to be  expected  in  any future  period,  and  fluctuations in
operating results may  also result in  fluctuations in the  market price of  the
Company's Common Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     3/31/95      6/30/95      9/30/95     12/31/95    3/31/96(1)    6/30/96
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
Product sales....................................   $   7,304    $   8,078    $   8,642    $   9,052    $   9,170   $  10,072
Service and other sales..........................       1,780        1,771        1,854        2,612        2,745       2,540
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Net sales....................................       9,084        9,849       10,496       11,664       11,915      12,612
Cost of product sales............................       2,949        3,236        3,197        3,445        3,213       3,632
Cost of service and other sales..................         689          627          729          894        1,195         876
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total cost of sales..........................       3,638        3,863        3,926        4,339        4,408       4,508
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Gross margin.....................................       5,446        5,986        6,570        7,325        7,507       8,104
Operating expenses:
  Research, development and engineering..........       1,309        1,409        1,557        1,902        1,988       1,929
  Selling, general and administrative............       3,172        3,388        3,621        3,500        3,448       3,856
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total operating expenses.....................       4,481        4,797        5,178        5,402        5,436       5,785
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Operating income.................................         965        1,189        1,392        1,923        2,071       2,319
Other income (expense), net......................          51           62          135           71          101         (64)
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Income before income taxes.......................       1,016        1,251        1,527        1,994        2,172       2,255
Provision for income taxes.......................         389          480          586          798          826         857
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Net income.......................................   $     627    $     771    $     941    $   1,196    $   1,346   $   1,398
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                    9/30/96    12/31/96
                                                   ---------  -----------
<S>                                                <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Product sales....................................  $  10,183   $  10,819
Service and other sales..........................      2,554       2,754
                                                   ---------  -----------
    Net sales....................................     12,737      13,573
Cost of product sales............................      3,515       3,843
Cost of service and other sales..................        932         932
                                                   ---------  -----------
    Total cost of sales..........................      4,447       4,775
                                                   ---------  -----------
Gross margin.....................................      8,290       8,798
Operating expenses:
  Research, development and engineering..........      1,750       2,129
  Selling, general and administrative............      4,158       3,946
                                                   ---------  -----------
    Total operating expenses.....................      5,908       6,075
                                                   ---------  -----------
Operating income.................................      2,382       2,723
Other income (expense), net......................         98          82
                                                   ---------  -----------
Income before income taxes.......................      2,480       2,805
Provision for income taxes.......................        843       1,020
                                                   ---------  -----------
Net income.......................................  $   1,637   $   1,785
                                                   ---------  -----------
                                                   ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    3/31/95      6/30/95     9/30/95    12/31/95    3/31/96(1)    6/30/96
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES:
Product sales...................................        80.4%        82.0%       82.3%       77.6%        77.0%       79.9%
Service and other sales.........................        19.6         18.0        17.7        22.4         23.0        20.1
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Net sales...................................       100.0        100.0       100.0       100.0        100.0       100.0
Cost of product sales...........................        32.5         32.8        30.5        29.5         27.0        28.8
Cost of service and other sales.................         7.6          6.4         6.9         7.7         10.0         6.9
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total cost of sales.........................        40.1         39.2        37.4        37.2         37.0        35.7
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Gross margin....................................        59.9         60.8        62.6        62.8         63.0        64.3
Operating expenses:
  Research, development and engineering.........        14.4         14.3        14.8        16.3         16.7        15.3
  Selling, general and administrative...........        34.9         34.4        34.5        30.0         28.9        30.6
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
    Total operating expenses....................        49.3         48.7        49.3        46.3         45.6        45.9
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Operating income................................        10.6         12.1        13.3        16.5         17.4        18.4
Other income (expense), net.....................         0.6          0.6         1.3         0.6          0.8        (0.5)
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Income before income taxes......................        11.2         12.7        14.6        17.1         18.2        17.9
Provision for income taxes......................         4.3          4.9         5.6         6.8          6.9         6.8
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
Net income......................................         6.9%         7.8%        9.0%       10.3%        11.3%       11.1%
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
                                                  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   9/30/96    12/31/96
                                                  ---------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>        <C>
AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES:
Product sales...................................       79.9%       79.7%
Service and other sales.........................       20.1        20.3
                                                  ---------  -----------
    Net sales...................................      100.0       100.0
Cost of product sales...........................       27.6        28.3
Cost of service and other sales.................        7.3         6.9
                                                  ---------  -----------
    Total cost of sales.........................       34.9        35.2
                                                  ---------  -----------
Gross margin....................................       65.1        64.8
Operating expenses:
  Research, development and engineering.........       13.7        15.7
  Selling, general and administrative...........       32.7        29.0
                                                  ---------  -----------
    Total operating expenses....................       46.4        44.7
                                                  ---------  -----------
Operating income................................       18.7        20.1
Other income (expense), net.....................        0.8         0.6
                                                  ---------  -----------
Income before income taxes......................       19.5        20.7
Provision for income taxes......................        6.6         7.5
                                                  ---------  -----------
Net income......................................       12.9%       13.2%
                                                  ---------  -----------
                                                  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
(1)  Results include a cumulative  charge to Cost of  service and other sales of
    $327,000 related  to the  Company's change  in accounting  method for  spare
    parts inventory.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    The  Company's net sales  were higher in  each of the  four quarters of 1996
than in the  corresponding quarter  in the previous  year, reflecting  increased
sales  of Virtual Test Software and the Company's ATS FT Test Station, which was
introduced in October  1995. The  increase in service  and other  sales from  an
average  of 19.5% of net sales  in 1995 to an average  of 20.8% of net sales for
1996, reflects  higher  sales of  Virtual  Test Software  related  services.  In
addition,  the Company's  gross margin  improved as  a percentage  of sales from
59.9% in the first quarter of 1995 to 64.8% in the fourth quarter of 1996. Gross
margins as a percentage of net sales have increased due to higher sales volumes,
certain operational efficiencies and an  increased percentage of software  sales
which  generally have higher gross margin  than the Company's hardware products.
While  the  Company's  research,  development  and  engineering  expenses   have
increased  in  dollar amount  during  1995 and  1996,  reflecting the  hiring of
additional personnel and other expenses relating to new product development  and
enhancement  of existing  products, such  expenditures have  remained relatively
constant as a  percentage of net  sales. The reduction  in selling, general  and
administrative  expense, as a percentage of net  sales, from an average of 33.3%
in 1995 to  an average  of 30.3%  in 1996, reflects  controls over  the rate  of
spending  in this  area. The  reduction in  selling, general  and administrative
expense, as a percentage of net sales, is not expected to be sustained in future
periods as the  Company intends to  invest in sales  and marketing  expenditures
with  respect  to certain  market segments.  Historically,  net sales  have been
seasonally slower in the first  and third calendar quarters  of each year, as  a
result of customers' budget approval cycles during the first quarter and as many
customers and end-users, particularly outside of the United States, reduce their
business activities during the summer months.
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    All  statements,  trend analysis  and  other information  contained  in this
Prospectus relative to future size or  degree of penetration of markets for  the
Company's  products, the  Company's growth rate  and trends in  net sales, gross
margin and anticipated  expense levels,  as well as  other statements  including
words  such as  "anticipate," "believe," "plan,"  "estimate," "expect," "intend"
and other  similar  expressions,  constitute  "forward  looking  statements"  as
defined  in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These forward
looking statements are subject  to the business and  economic risks the  Company
faces  and the Company's actual results of operations may differ materially from
those  contained  in  the  forward  looking  statements.  For  a  more  detailed
discussion of these and other business risks, see "Risk Factors."
 
    Results  of  operations  for  the  periods  discussed  above  should  not be
considered indicative of the  results to be expected  in any future period,  and
fluctuations  in operating results may also result in fluctuations in the market
price of the Company's Common Stock.  Like most high technology and high  growth
companies,  the Company  faces certain  business risks  that could  have adverse
effects on the Company's results of operations.
 
    The Company derives a  substantial portion of its  revenue from the sale  of
Test  Stations which typically range in price  from $200,000 to $1.2 million per
unit and may be priced as high as  $1.8 million for a single unit. As a  result,
the  receipt of a single order  and the timing of the  receipt and shipment of a
single order  can have  a significant  impact  on the  Company's net  sales  and
results  of operations  for a  particular period.  A significant  portion of the
Company's  operating  expenses  are  relatively  fixed  in  nature  and  planned
expenditures  are based, in  part, on anticipated orders.  In addition, the need
for continued expenditures  for research, development  and engineering makes  it
difficult  to reduce  expenses in  a particular  quarter if  the Company's sales
goals for  that quarter  are not  met.  The inability  to reduce  the  Company's
expenses  quickly enough to  compensate for any  revenue shortfall would magnify
the adverse  impact  of such  revenue  shortfall  on the  Company's  results  of
operations.  In addition, the  Company's future operating  results and financial
condition are subject  to influences  driven by rapid  technological changes,  a
highly  competitive industry, a lengthy sales  cycle, and the cyclical nature of
general economic conditions.
 
    A substantial portion of the Company's  net sales are typically realized  in
the last few weeks of each quarter. The portion of net sales realized during the
last  month of each quarter during 1996 ranged  from 43% to 75% of quarterly net
sales, as compared  to a range  of 44% to  59% of quarterly  net sales for  each
quarter  of 1995. As a  result, the timing of the  receipt and shipment, and the
magnitude of the sales price, of a single order can have a significant impact on
the   Company's    net    sales    and   results    of    operations    for    a
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
particular  quarter  and  the  Company's  quarterly  net  sales  and  results of
operations may be  negatively impacted if  an order  is received too  late in  a
given  quarter to permit product shipment  and the recognition of revenue during
that quarter.
 
    For the  years  ended December  31,  1994, 1995  and  1996, sales  to  Intel
represented  approximately 22.4%, 30.2%,  and 36.4% of  the Company's net sales,
respectively. No other customer accounted for in excess of 10% of the  Company's
net  sales in 1994, 1995, or 1996. The Company's five largest customers based on
1996 net sales are  Intel, Advanced Micro Devices,  Tokyo Electron Limited  (the
Company's  distributor  in Japan),  Rockwell  and SGS  -  THOMSON. Sales  of the
Company's products to a limited number of customers are expected to continue  to
account  for a high percentage of net sales. The loss of a major customer or any
reduction in orders by  such customers would have  a material adverse effect  on
the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
 
    The Company purchases some key components from sole or single source vendors
for  which alternative  sources are  not currently  available. The  inability to
develop alternative sources for  single or sole source  components or to  obtain
sufficient  quantities of these components could  result in delays or reductions
in product  shipments  which  would adversely  effect  the  Company's  financial
condition and results of operations.
 
    The  Company has thus far avoided any material adverse impact on its results
of operations resulting  from such risks.  No assurance can  be given that  such
risks  will not affect the Company's financial position or results of operations
in the future.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    As of  December  31, 1996,  the  Company's principal  sources  of  liquidity
consisted  of cash and cash equivalents of approximately $9.5 million, and funds
available under an existing  bank line of credit  of $10.0 million. Since  1988,
the Company has relied on cash generated from operations as its principal source
of liquidity and has not relied on Cadence for working capital.
 
    OPERATING  ACTIVITIES.   The  Company's net  cash from  operating activities
includes cash  received  from  customers, payments  to  suppliers,  payments  to
employees  and interest  received and  paid. Net  cash generated  from operating
activities amounted to  $6.3 million, $5.0  million and $6.0  million for  1994,
1995,  and 1996,  respectively. Cash received  from customers  amounted to $29.6
million, $37.0 million and $48.0 million for 1994, 1995 and 1996,  respectively.
Combined  payments to suppliers and employees for 1994, 1995 and 1996 were $22.8
million, $31.1  million and  $40.5 million,  respectively. The  period-to-period
increases  in cash  from customers and  payments to suppliers  and employees are
directly related to the increase in net sales and expenses associated with those
sales. The Company's  trade receivables, inventories  and accounts payable  have
fluctuated  from period to period  as a result of  the timing of shipments, cash
collections and inventory  receipts near period  end. The size  and timing of  a
single  customer shipment or  collection can have a  significant impact on trade
receivables and inventories.  Trade receivables increased  from $8.1 million  at
December  31, 1995 to $11.4 million at December 31, 1996, reflecting an increase
in the Company's net sales in, as well  as in the portion of net sales  realized
in  the final  month of, the  fourth quarter of  1996 as compared  to the fourth
quarter of 1995. Inventories increased from $5.8 million at December 31, 1995 to
$7.9 million at December 31, 1996, primarily due to additional parts inventories
required to  produce  the  Company's  FT and  MSTS  Test  Station  products  and
increases  in safety stock for certain critical  components. As a result of cash
flows from operating  activities, combined  with the proceeds  of the  Company's
initial  public offering in 1995 of $3.3  million, the Company has increased its
cash and cash equivalent balances from $1.3 million at December 31, 1993 to $9.5
million at December 31, 1996.
 
    INVESTING ACTIVITIES.  Capital equipment expenditures of $1.7 million,  $1.9
million,  and $3.3 million in 1994, 1995, and 1996, respectively, were primarily
for computers, software, demonstration equipment and engineering equipment  used
in  the  Company's operations.  Expenditures to  increase the  Company's service
spare parts pool  were $295,000, $600,000  and $1.1 million  for 1994, 1995  and
1996,  respectively.  The  higher level  of  spare parts  additions  during 1996
reflects the  stocking of  parts for  servicing the  Company's new  ATS FT  Test
Station  product  line. In  addition, the  Company capitalized  certain expenses
associated with software  development costs  of $1.1 million,  $1.0 million  and
$715,000 for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    FINANCING  ACTIVITIES.    In  1994  and 1996,  net  cash  used  in financing
activities was $168,000 and $12,000, respectively. In 1995, net cash provided by
financing activities amounted to $3.0  million, primarily from the $3.3  million
in net proceeds received in the Company's initial public offering. Cash used for
payments  of certain  capital leases obtained  by the Company  for computers and
equipment used in operations was $168,000, $254,000 and $300,000 for 1994,  1995
and  1996,  respectively. In  1995  and 1996,  the  Company received  $3,000 and
$288,000 from the issuance  of stock to employees  under stock option and  stock
purchase plans.
 
    During 1995 and 1996, the Company also realized reductions in current income
tax  liabilities of $2.3 million and  $1.9 million, respectively, resulting from
the benefit of tax deductions of  employee gains upon exercise of Cadence  stock
options.  The  tax benefit  of the  stock  option deduction  is reflected  as an
increase in  additional  paid-in  capital  in  the  accompanying  Statements  of
Shareholders'  Equity. The  employee gains are  not expenses of  the Company for
financial reporting purposes, and the exercise of Cadence stock options does not
increase the  number of  shares of  Company Common  Stock outstanding.  The  tax
benefits realized from the stock option deduction will decrease in the future as
employee  holdings of Cadence stock options declines due to option exercises and
cancellations. The timing  and magnitude  of this  decrease in  tax benefits  is
uncertain  as the number of employee stock  options which are exercised, and the
amount of gains realized  upon exercise, will be  determined by fluctuations  in
the  market value  of Cadence  Common Stock.  Such future  decreases in  the tax
benefits from  the  stock option  deduction  will  increase the  amount  of  the
Company's  income tax payments and will,  consequently, reduce the Company's net
cash flows from operating activities.
 
    At the end of 1995,  the Company secured a  $10.0 million revolving line  of
credit  with  U.S.  National Bank  of  Oregon,  which is  available  for general
corporate purposes when  needed. Under  the agreement, the  Company can  borrow,
with  interest at the bank's prime lending rate, or if lower, at certain margins
above banker's  acceptance  or interbank  offering  rates. There  have  been  no
borrowings  against the line of  credit to date. The  term of the current credit
line agreement  ends April  30, 1997.  It is  management's intent  to renew  the
agreement at that time.
 
    The  Company believes  that the proceeds  from this  offering, together with
existing funds, funds expected to be generated by operating activities, and  the
available line of credit, will satisfy the Company's anticipated working capital
and  other general corporate  purposes through at least  the next twelve months.
The  Company  currently  has  no  significant  capital  commitments  other  than
commitments under facility operating leases and vendor contracts for development
services,  consulting  services and  parts. The  Company may  from time  to time
consider the acquisition of complementary businesses, products or  technologies.
The   Company  presently  has  no  significant  understandings,  commitments  or
agreements with  respect to  any such  acquisitions. Any  such transactions,  if
consummated,  may use a portion of the  Company's working capital or require the
issuance of additional equity.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
    The  Company  designs,  manufactures,  markets  and  services  a  family  of
versatile, high-performance engineering Test Stations and test software used  to
test  and measure complex electronic devices. In addition, the Company develops,
markets and  supports a  separate line  of Virtual  Test Software  supporting  a
variety  of  production  testers and  simulators  that permits  design  and test
engineers to accelerate test program development and to conduct simulated  tests
of  electronic device designs prior  to the fabrication of  the prototype of the
actual  device.  The  Company's  products   enable  its  customers  to   shorten
time-to-market,  enhance accuracy  of design, reduce  both the  time required to
test and the  cost of testing  the customers' devices  and provide reliable  and
prompt  feedback to both design and  test engineers. Customers use the Company's
products  to   test   complex  digital   and   mixed-signal  devices   such   as
microprocessors,  microcontrollers,  integrated  circuits,  application specific
integrated circuits and multi-chip modules.
 
    The Company markets and supports its products worldwide through a network of
direct sales  force  personnel,  independent distributors  and  dedicated  sales
personnel  employed by affiliated companies. The  Company has sold over 950 Test
Stations to  customers in  the semiconductor,  aerospace, automotive,  computer,
consumer   electronics,   datacommunications,   medical   electronics,   network
computing, telecommunications and other industries. Based on 1996 net sales, the
Company's top five customers are: Intel, Advanced Micro Devices, Tokyo  Electron
Limited  (the Company's distributor  in Japan), Rockwell  and SGS-THOMSON. These
five customers represented 57%  of net sales  for 1996, while  43% of net  sales
came from customers individually accounting for less than 3% of net sales.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
    Continuous   improvements   in   integrated  circuit   process   and  design
technologies have led to design and production of more complex and more reliable
devices at  a  lower cost  per  function.  As performance  and  complexity  have
increased  and cost per  function has decreased, the  use of integrated circuits
has expanded beyond their original  primary applications in computer systems  to
applications  such as  telecommunication systems,  automotive products, consumer
goods and industrial automation and  control systems. In addition, system  users
and designers have demanded systems with more functionality, higher performance,
greater  reliability, shorter design cycle times  and lower costs. These demands
have resulted in increased integrated circuit content as a percentage of  system
cost.
 
    The  process of designing  and manufacturing integrated  circuits is complex
and  capital-intensive,  involving  stages  of  design,  prototype  manufacture,
verification  and  characterization of  the  prototypes, device  manufacture and
production test. These stages have intricate dependencies, as illustrated on the
following chart:
 
                  PROCESS FLOW FROM DESIGN TO PRODUCTION TEST
            PROCESS FLOW FROM DESIGN TO PRODUCTION TEST -- SCHEMATIC
The schematic illustrates the process flow from design to production test:
        (1) Starting with a box representing the Design phase which starts  with
    the aid of Electronic Design Automation Software
        (2) Moving to a box representing the Prototype Manufacturing phase where
    prototype fabrication of the IC takes place
        (3)  Moving to  a box representing  the Engineering test  phase which is
    segmented in two processes
            (a) Verification where  the  Engineering  Test  Station  checks  the
                prototype to ensure design conformity and functional performance
            (b) Characterization  where the Engineering  Test Station checks the
                timing, electrical and environmental limits
        (4) Transferring to  a box representing  Device Manufacturing where  the
    ICs are produced in quantity.
        (5)  Ending  with a  box representing  Production  Test where  the final
    quality  assurance  and  performance   sorting  takes  place.  The   graphic
    illustrates  that  the  information  resulting  from  this  process  at  the
    engineering test and production phases is fed back to the design phase.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
    Each stage in this  process has come under  pressure as integrated  circuits
have  increased in complexity, density and speed. Density of microprocessors has
increased from tens  of thousands  to millions  of transistors.  The speed  with
which  a  given  integrated  circuit can  process  data  has  likewise increased
dramatically. Line widths in new  generation integrated circuits have  decreased
from  5 microns  to line  widths approaching 0.25  micron, as  more circuits are
packed into the  same area. In  addition, the number  of channels through  which
data  may be entered  or extracted (the  "pin count") has  increased from single
digits thirty years ago to as many as one thousand pins in chips being developed
today. These developments have occurred in an environment of decreasing cost and
shorter development cycles.
 
    The vast increase in complexity, speed and capability of today's  integrated
circuits,  and the ability  to build them in  very tight time-to-market windows,
has been supported and made possible by several generations of technology at the
critical stages  of  the  process: design;  engineering  test;  manufacture  and
production test.
 
    DESIGN.   At the design stage,  several generations and many improvements in
EDA software  have allowed  design  engineers to  work with  integrated  circuit
designs  at increasingly higher levels of abstraction, permitting such engineers
to design significantly more complex integrated circuits in less time.
 
    PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURE.   After  the integrated  circuit has  been  designed,
prototypes  are manufactured, allowing the design and test engineers to evaluate
the  performance  of  the  integrated   circuit  before  committing  to   volume
production.
 
    ENGINEERING  TEST.    At  the  engineering  test  stage  --  where prototype
integrated circuits are verified and characterized -- successive generations  of
Test  Stations  have  significantly reduced  the  time and  expense  required to
develop, debug  and  perform prototype  tests,  and have  greatly  enhanced  the
ability  of test engineers  to exchange data with  both their design engineering
and production engineering  counterparts. Prototype  verification Test  Stations
are  used by design or  test engineering groups to  verify design conformance or
analyze failures of complex electronic device prototypes. Characterization  Test
Stations  are  used to  establish performance  specifications for  an integrated
circuit design, including timing, electrical characteristics and operation under
varied environmental conditions, such as heat and vibration.
 
    MANUFACTURING.  A  host of advances  in semiconductor manufacturing  process
technology  have  made possible  the fabrication  of  devices that  have roughly
doubled in complexity,  speed and power  approximately every two  years for  the
past  twenty years, while  per-unit costs have declined.  The impact of evolving
process technologies  has been  apparent at  both the  prototype and  production
stages.
 
    PRODUCTION  TEST.  The demand for  automated, high throughput test equipment
to test  production parts  has  led to  the  development of  several  successive
generations  of automated test  equipment. ATE machines  have contributed to the
decrease of device production time by achieving very high throughput testing  of
complex devices.
 
    To date, the integrated circuit design process has been serial and iterative
- --  design must be complete  before prototypes can be  built; prototypes must be
built before they can be tested; and prototypes must be production-ready  before
production  test software can be written,  debugged and refined. Production test
software takes significant  time to  develop and  debug. Until  a physical  part
exists,  it cannot be determined  whether a test has  been properly designed, or
whether the part has been designed so it can be tested. Even then, test failures
can raise the question of  whether the prototype is flawed,  or the test has  an
error.  The problem is compounded when a device  has been designed in a way that
some or  all of  its  functionality cannot  effectively  be tested  which,  when
discovered,  requires  the addition  of another  iteration  into the  design and
development cycle.
 
    Semiconductor design and test engineers initially used "instrument clusters"
- -- combinations of oscilloscopes,  probes, meters, signal generators,  analyzers
and  other standard electrical engineering tools -- to test prototype integrated
circuits. For  tests that  could  not be  done using  such  tool sets,  such  as
specialized  tests where complex test vectors  and precise timing were critical,
these engineers turned to ATE machines designed for volume production testing to
verify and characterize prototypes. However, as integrated circuits became  more
complex,  the combination of instrument clusters  and ATE was not a satisfactory
solution for
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
the engineering  test  problem.  Instrument  clusters alone  did  not  have  the
capability  to thoroughly and adequately test increasingly complex prototypes at
the  engineering  test  stage.  ATE  machines,  which  are  very  effective   at
high-throughput testing, provide only pass/fail information, and do not have the
flexibility  or versatility to efficiently test whether and within what limits a
given part works, or efficiently analyze  why it fails to work. For  engineering
test,  it is  more important to  be able  to change test  vectors, reprogram the
tester, debug the test program, and adjust all the variables of the test easily,
routinely and quickly than it is to rapidly test a large volume of one part in a
short time. In addition, fabless integrated circuit designers often do not  have
access to ATE machines for use in engineering test, and the in-house development
of  specialized test equipment for purposes of verification and characterization
is costly and time-consuming.
 
THE IMS SOLUTION
 
    The Company's  Test  Stations  give test  engineers  a  flexible,  powerful,
cost-effective  way to  verify and  characterize prototype  integrated circuits.
Each IMS Test Station integrates the  functions of a variety of individual  test
instruments   into  a  single  unit   that  offers  increased  verification  and
characterization performance at a significant cost savings over ATE systems. The
IMS Test Stations stimulate the device under test by sending defined signals  to
it  and then  measuring the  actual output  and comparing  it with  the expected
output. The  IMS  Test Stations  perform  these functions  at  real-time  device
operating  speeds. Using the  Company's products, design  and test engineers can
identify failures, assess areas  of concern, run  rapid diagnostic sequences  to
pinpoint  the cause(s) of failure, and identify changes needed to correct design
errors or weaknesses, such as timing problems. Each IMS Test Station is designed
to work with industry  standard computers to receive  and execute test  commands
and  report the results  of test procedures.  Each IMS Test  Station can also be
linked to widely used  EDA software tools, including  those offered by  Cadence,
Mentor  Graphics, Synopsys and others. The result  is a reduction of the overall
time required for  verification and  characterization, more  timely feedback  to
design  engineers and  hence lower  cost of  design, reduced  time-to-market and
increased competitiveness  for  the  companies  designing  today's  increasingly
complex integrated circuits.
 
                               IMS TEST SOLUTIONS
                 BRIDGE THE GAP FROM DESIGN TO PRODUCTION TEST
 
                                 [L]
                               IMS TEST SOLUTIONS
                         BRIDGE THE CAP FROM DESIGN TO
                          PRODUCTION TEST -- SCHEMATIC
The Schematic illustrates how Virtual Test Software connects the design phase of
electronic devices to the production phase.
    The Schematic illustrates the process flow from design to production:
        (1) Starting with a box labeled Design
        (2) Moving to a box labeled Prototype Manufacturing
        (3) Moving next to a box labeled Engineering Test which is subdivided to
           a)  Verifications (Sub-box)
           b)  Characterization (Sub-box)
        (4) Transferring to a box labeled Device Manufacturing
        (5) Ending with a box labeled Production Test
        (6)  The Schematic shows a rectangle labled Virtual Test which underlies
    the whole process  and which  illustrates that Virtual  Test receives  input
    from the Design Box and connects it to both the Engineering Test Box and the
    Production Test Box
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    The  Company's Virtual  Test Software accelerates  test program development,
and allows simulation  of the device  to be tested  on a simulation  of the  ATE
equipment  and the test fixture for the device, at the design stage and prior to
the production  of a  prototype.  Virtual Test  Software  thus allows  the  test
engineer to develop and debug the test software for the intended ATE system, and
to test for certain design flaws in the device (including testing to insure that
the  device being designed is itself capable  of being tested) before the device
is ever cast in silicon.
 
    Virtual Test Software  reduces time  to market and  test cost  in two  ways.
First,  it reduces the number of iterations  between design and test by allowing
test engineers to develop and debug much of their ATE test program and the  test
fixture  before the device design has  been committed to prototype or production
manufacturing. Second,  Virtual Test  minimizes the  need to  use expensive  and
scarce ATE resources to develop and debug test programs, allowing the ATE System
to  be used to find manufacturing defects, its primary use. Accordingly, Virtual
Test Software both reduces the time for the test phases of the development cycle
and allows  the test  phases to  overlap the  design and  prototype  manufacture
phase,  thus breaking through the constraint  previously represented by the need
for  a  physical  device,  and   allowing  concurrent  engineering  for   faster
time-to-market.
 
IMS STRATEGY
 
    Since  its founding in  1983, the Company's  objective has been  to become a
leading provider  of engineering  test  solutions that  enable design  and  test
engineers   to  effectively  and  efficiently  evaluate  and  test  new  complex
electronic circuits. To achieve this objective, the Company has focused on using
its core  technology  to design,  develop,  manufacture and  market  innovative,
cost-effective,   high  performance  Test  Stations  and  software  to  increase
productivity, shorten time-to-market  for new  products and reduce  the cost  of
test. The key elements of the Company's strategy are set forth below.
 
    PROVIDE  PRODUCT INNOVATION.   The Company intends to  continue its focus on
the engineering test marketplace by enhancing its existing Test Station  product
line  and introducing new Test Station  families that are cost-effective, highly
interactive, easy to  use and  that pass data  effectively between  EDA and  ATE
products  and  by  continuing  to introduce  enhancements  to  its  Virtual Test
Software and related software products.
 
    EXPAND MARKET  SHARE.   Based on  the number  of Company  systems  installed
worldwide,  the  Company is  a  leading supplier  of  products in  the prototype
verification market. The Company intends  to leverage that position to  increase
its  penetration of the characterization market.  Due to the Company's knowledge
of the technologies underlying both design and test, the Company believes it can
maintain its  leadership  position  in  the  market  for  test  development  and
simulation  (Virtual Test), and  intends to devote  resources to developing that
market. The Company believes  it can also expand  its market share by  providing
solutions that further bridge the gap between EDA and ATE tools.
 
    CREATE  AND MAINTAIN STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS.   The Company seeks to enhance
its market position by establishing and maintaining strategic relationships with
both EDA and ATE vendors. The  Company's relationship with Cadence has  provided
the  Company with access  to technological advances  in EDA software  as well as
Cadence's broad customer base. The Company has close working relationships  with
several   leading  ATE  vendors,  including  its  strategic  relationships  with
Credence,  LTX,  Teradyne  and  Hewlett-Packard,  which  have  enhanced   market
acceptance of Virtual Test Software. The Company intends to maintain its current
strategic  relationships and  establish new strategic  alliances with additional
EDA and ATE vendors to further strengthen its competitive position.
 
    MAINTAIN HIGH LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE.   The Company believes that a  high
level of customer service and support is critical to the adoption and successful
utilization  of engineering test technology. By  continuing to work closely with
its customers to solve engineering test problems, the Company expects to develop
subsequent generations of Test Stations and Virtual Test Software products  that
address  the needs of test engineers  in the rapidly changing integrated circuit
markets and to use  its expertise in interfacing  with high performance EDA  and
ATE tools.
 
    EXPAND  WORLDWIDE PRODUCT  DISTRIBUTION.   The Company  seeks to  expand its
product distribution through ongoing investments in direct sales and through its
relationships with key distributors. The
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
Company intends to build upon  established distributor relationships in  foreign
markets  where  partnering  adds  market leverage  and  in  other  markets where
investment in  direct sales  has not  yet been  warranted, and  to continue  its
relationship with Cadence to distribute its products in certain foreign markets.
 
PRODUCTS
 
  IMS TEST STATION PRODUCTS
 
    The  Company's Test Stations  perform a number of  functions in bridging the
gap from EDA to ATE. At the  beginning of the process, design engineering  data,
including  EDA  simulation  data, is  converted  into data  compatible  with the
Company's Test  Station,  thus bridging  the  gap between  design  software  and
verification.  The IMS  Test Station software  enables data  conversion from all
popular simulation products including Verilog, VHDL, Quicksim and others.
 
    During the design verification phase,  the user performs tests which  verify
whether  the circuit conforms  to the design  specifications. The engineer looks
for fundamental manufacturing process  errors or design  errors by matching  the
previously  converted EDA  simulation against  the actual  prototype. Failure to
adequately verify design  functionality can  lead to  costly design  alterations
prior to product release.
 
    At the next stage of the process, the characterization phase, the circuit is
subjected to various tests which are intended to define the limits of the device
over  several  variables, including,  but  not limited  to,  temperature ranges,
electrical characteristics  and  clock and  data  operating speeds.  Failure  to
adequately  test performance  capabilities at this  stage can result  in a final
product that  fails  to  meet  the  market  requirements  of  electronic  system
manufacturers.  The value of many ICs increases as the devices operate at higher
speeds. For example, a 200 MHz microprocessor will sell for more than a 133  MHz
microprocessor.  The Company's Test Stations can  help identify the areas of the
design or fabrication process that are  limiting the operating speed of the  IC.
These  areas can then be corrected to increase the speed of the device and, as a
result, the device's selling price.
 
    When a failure  is found  during any  phase, Test  Station failure  analysis
tools can assist the test engineer in probing the device to determine the nature
of  the anomaly. Once a logical failure  is identified, the physical location on
the circuit  can be  determined.  A laser  can then  be  used to  penetrate  the
device's passivation layers and single or multiple probes may be inserted at the
excavated  site for  physical probing.  After the  fault has  been analyzed, the
device design can be corrected.
 
    The  Company   complies  with   fixturing  conventions   which   facilitates
compatibility  with ATE equipment. Compatible  design between the Company's Test
Stations and ATE systems enables rapid movement of devices from the  engineering
test environment to production test.
 
    The  Company currently offers  four families of IMS  Test Stations under the
names ATS  FT,  MSTS, ATS  Blazer  and Logic  Master  XL. Each  family  includes
multiple  mainframe options and a choice  of configurable modules. The Company's
Test  Stations  are   designed  and   configured  to   match  varying   customer
requirements.  Generally, they differ  from one another as  to the maximum clock
speed and data  rates (from 40  MHz to 400  MHz), pincount of  the device to  be
tested  (from  16  pins  to  896  or  more  pins),  device  technology (digital,
mixed-signal, MCM),  flexibility  in  the number  and  variety  of  applications
(verification,   characterization,  failure  analysis,  etc.)  and  price.  Test
Stations typically  range  in  price  from  $200,000  to  $1.2  million,  though
high-pin-count mixed-signal device systems can sell for as much as $1.8 million,
depending on configuration and intended application.
 
    ATS  FT TEST STATION (DIGITAL).  The  ATS FT (Flexible Timing) Test Stations
are used to  perform in  depth timing  analysis of  complex ICs  such as  ASICs,
microprocessors, and digital signal processors (DSPs). The Company's ATS FT Test
Stations include Time Navigator Software which enables users to rapidly diagnose
timing  problems  which may  exist in  complex  digital designs.  The ATS  FT is
available in a variety of pincount configurations and with clock rates up to 400
MHz. The ATS FT's distinguishing characteristic is its ability to vary timing to
the device in  each device clock  cycle. This  capability allows the  ATS FT  to
perform  critical timing path analysis on the user's device. The ATS FT can also
include mixed-signal test, scan and direct current parametric test capabilities.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    MSTS TEST STATION  (MIXED-SIGNAL).   The Mixed-Signal  Test Stations  (MSTS)
provides  all of the digital test capabilities of  the ATS FT or ATS Blazer Test
Stations, plus analog test capabilities required for testing certain multimedia,
data  communications,  telecommunications,  automotive,  consumer  and   medical
devices and multi-chip modules (MCMs). The MSTS provides a low noise environment
for  interfacing both VXI and  GPIB instrumentation to the  device under test. A
common software programming language allows  easy control over both the  digital
and analog capabilities of the system. The Company began commercial shipments of
the MSTS Test Station in the fourth quarter of calendar 1996.
 
    ATS  BLAZER TEST STATION (DIGITAL).  The ATS Blazer provides performance and
interactivity  for  rapid  prototype  verification,  characterization,   quality
assurance  and failure analysis. The ATS  Blazer family provides the performance
characteristics required for testing advanced devices, including complex  ASICs,
MCMs  and CISC and RISC microprocessors. With  a choice of modules (200 MHz, 125
MHz or 100 MHz data speed), a choice of mainframes, optional scan modules (up to
32 M scan data per  scan channel) and optional  Memory Test capability, the  ATS
Blazer  can  be configured  for cost-effective  performance for  specific target
devices.  The  system   Parametric  Measurement  Unit   ("PMU")  provides   high
performance  DC stimulus and measurement at any  system pin. All ATS Blazer data
modules provide  per-pin timing  adjustment. Standard  memory depth  per pin  is
64K/128K,  with options  of 4M/8M.  Memory can  be upgraded  in the  field. Test
sequencing tools  and throughput-enhancing  features also  make the  ATS  Blazer
suitable for high pin-count, high performance wafer sorting.
 
    LOGIC  MASTER XL TEST  STATION (DIGITAL).   The Logic Master  XL family is a
cost-effective alternative for testing complex  devices which do not demand  the
performance  of the ATS Blazer. A Logic Master XL Test Station can be configured
with modules operating at 100 MHz, 60 MHz, or 40 MHz data rates, with up to  448
input/output pins. Since the input and output may be split, a maximum system can
support  896 data pins,  consisting of 448  input and 448  output pins. Optional
scan modules can  be added to  the Test  Station. The system  PMU provides  high
performance DC stimulus and measurement at any system pin.
 
    Generally,  the  Company  expects  future generations  of  Test  Stations to
support increasing pin  counts, faster data  and clock rates  and more  exacting
data collection and feedback requirements.
 
    The  following table summarizes  the Company's current  Test Station product
offerings.
 
                          TEST STATION SYSTEM PRODUCTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       PRODUCT FAMILY           APPLICATIONS SERVED               KEY FEATURES
<S>                           <C>                      <C>
ATS FT Test Stations          Verification,            200/125 MHz Data
(Digital)                     Characterization,        400 MHz Clocks
                              Critical Timing          IEEE 1149.1 Scan Module
                              Analysis,
                              Failure Analysis,
                              Yield Enhancement
MSTS Test Stations            Verification,            Same digital capabilities as the
(Mixed-signal)                Characterization,        ATS FT or ATS Blazer Test Stations
                              Critical Timing          GPIB/VXI Instumentation Interface
                              Analysis,                Low noise environment
                              Failure Analysis,
                              Yield Enhancement
ATS Blazer Test Stations      Verification,            200/125/100 MHz
(Digital)                     Characterization,        IEEE Scan Module
                              Failure Analysis,        Memory Test Module
                              Yield Enhancement
Logic Master XL Test          Verification             100/60/40 MHz
Stations                                               Up to 896 pins (448 Input/448
(Digital)                                              Output)
                                                       IEEE Scan Module
</TABLE>
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
  TEST STATION SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
 
    The Company has developed significant  Test Station software products  which
are  either embedded in the  Company's Test Stations or  sold as separate add-on
software products. The Test Station software constitutes an important  component
of the overall system product content and value. These software packages provide
optimal   operation  in  various   applications,  including  interactive  device
verification, fully automated  device characterization, and  EDA and ATE  system
linkages.  A key advantage  of the IMS  products is the  interactive ease of use
provided by the software. Whereas production ATE systems require dedicated  Test
Engineers  to program the systems,  IMS systems are developed  for use by design
and product  engineers.  This  ease of  use  allows  the engineers  to  be  more
productive and to decrease product time-to-market.
 
    IMS  TEST ENVIRONMENT.  This software product provides an interactive screen
interface environment for viewing and  controlling all Test Station  parameters.
This  screen interface allows the  test designer or test  engineer to change the
values on the screen  and easily establish new  conditions to be implemented  on
the  device  under  test.  IMS  Test  Environment  also  provides multi-variable
plotting capabilities (Shmoo)  and a comprehensive  library of support  routines
(Test LITE) that speed high level language development using ANSI C.
 
    IMS  TESTVIEW.  This software product provides efficient programming, with a
large library  of  support routines  for  data processing  and  additional  test
instrumentation.   Built   on  LabVIEW   from   National  Instruments   for  Sun
workstations, TestVIEW provides the advantages of a graphical user interface and
also executes rapidly, since the programs are compiled.
 
    IMS-LINK AND ATE-LINK.   This  software product links  the engineering  test
phase  of integrated  circuit development and  the EDA and  ATE phases. IMS-Link
provides automated EDA simulation output translation to IMS Test Station format.
ATE-Link automates  the translation  of IMS  Test Station  output to  be  format
usable by ATE systems.
 
    The  Company's Test  Stations can be  interfaced to a  network, allowing the
Test Station access  to other resources  on the network,  and allowing  multiple
workstations  on the network to  have access to the  Test Station. Using various
software tools available from the Company or from third-party vendors, users can
import and export test data to and  from the EDA environment. In addition,  test
information can be exported for use on ATE systems.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
    The  following table summarizes the  Company's current Test Station software
product offerings.
 
                         TEST STATION SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       PRODUCT                                      CAPABILITY
<S>                     <C>
IMS Test Environment    Interactive debug environment for verification
                        Intuitive, easy-to-learn
                        Flexible Shmoo plot capability
                        Library of C routines for turnkey characterization programs (Test
                        LITE)
IMS TestVIEW            Graphical test environment
                        Supports GPIB and VXI instrument control
                        Supports verification, characterization and failure analysis
                        Supports digital and mixed-signal device technologies
                        Integrates software in IMS Test LITE or ANSI C
IMS-Link                Off-line facility for test preparation and rule checking
                        Linkage between EDA tools and IMS Test Stations
                        Graphical front end to conversion process
                        Translates pattern data from Verilog and other popular simulators
                        Generates IMS Test Station setup files
ATE-Link                Works with WaveBridge, PBridge or VBridge software to convert
                        IMS Test Station files to ATE patterns and timing files
                        Converts IMS Test Station files into Waveform Generation Language
                        (WGL) or Standard Event Format (SEF ASCII)
</TABLE>
 
  VIRTUAL TEST SOFTWARE
 
    While EDA tools have helped  improve designer productivity, little has  been
done  to provide test development engineers with software productivity tools. As
a result,  test development  times have  increased while  design time  has  been
reduced.  To address  this trend,  the Company  has made  a major  commitment to
providing a  set of  software  tools for  test  engineers. These  tools,  called
Virtual Test Software, allow the test engineer to accelerate the generation of a
test  program,  simulate  the test  environment,  develop the  test  fixture and
document the entire  test process.  These tools are  run on  a UNIX  workstation
rather  than on an expensive  ATE system. This software  can be used to simulate
the ATE environment  and eliminate the  need to use  ATE machines for  debugging
test  programs, and allows  test engineers to develop  test programs in parallel
with the design, prototype manufacturing and engineering test processes.
 
    With Virtual Test Software tools, test engineers begin test development work
before device  design is  completed.  Through the  use  of tester  modeling  and
simulation,  both  the test  itself and  the  testability of  the design  can be
verified on a workstation before first silicon deliveries.
 
    DANTES.  The Company believes that the Dantes product is currently the  only
commercially available Virtual Test Software product supporting a broad range of
ATE  systems.  Dantes provides  graphical test  capture, automated  test fixture
design, layout and analysis, test program simulation and document generation for
most phases of the test process. In addition, Dantes provides an interface  with
ATE  machines by allowing ATE code generation and ATE emulator interface. Dantes
currently operates  in conjunction  with Cadence  EDA software  and certain  ATE
machines manufactured by Advantest, Credence, Hewlett-Packard, LTX, Teradyne and
Yokogawa.  The  Company plans  to expand  its interfaces  to work  with software
produced by other EDA vendors and ATE machines produced by other  manufacturers.
Recently,  the Company has released Dantes  version 2.0, supporting a Final Test
Schematic (FTS) environment which enables users to build and view a complete top
down test  for an  integrated circuit,  and to  partition test  simulation  into
smaller  segments.  It also  allows interactive  test simulation  for performing
"what-if" analysis. The Dantes product  was originally developed by Cadence  and
purchased by the Company in 1994. See "Certain Transactions."
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    SIMULATION AND TEST LANGUAGE (STL).  The STL product provides a Virtual Test
solution  for digital applications. The STL product compiles data for simulation
or for  a  functional  test  program  and  permits  test  engineers  to  compare
simulation results with normative test data.
 
    The  following table sets forth the  Company's Virtual Test Software product
offerings.
 
                         VIRTUAL TEST SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      PRODUCT            APPLICATION                        CAPABILITY
<S>                   <C>                <C>
Dantes                Mixed-signal       Graphic test capture
                                         Integrated tester rule checking
                                         Automated test fixture design, layout, analysis
                                         Test program simulation
                                         Automated ATE code generation
                                         ATE emulator interface
                                         Documentation generation
Simulation and Test   Digital            High level language stimulus generation
Language (STL)                           Compilation for simulation or functional test
                                         program
                                         Compare simulation results with expected data
</TABLE>
 
    Although Virtual Test Software is a relatively new methodology, revenues for
this product line have grown  to 9% and 11% of  the Company's net sales for  the
year  ended  December  31, 1996  and  for  the fourth  quarter  of  fiscal 1996,
respectively. The Company  believes that  its Virtual Test  Software provides  a
significant  advantage to  semiconductor designers  in shortening time-to-market
and in reducing development  cost. However, no assurance  can be given that  the
Company  will be successful in  marketing its Virtual Test  Software or that its
Virtual Test Software will adequately  meet the requirements of the  marketplace
and achieve rapid market acceptance.
 
    The  success of the Company in  developing new and enhanced products depends
upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, its continued  ability
to  adequately fund new product developments, timely and efficient completion of
product  design,  timely  and  efficient  implementation  of  manufacturing  and
assembly processes and product performance and acceptance at customer locations.
There  can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in developing and
marketing new products  and product enhancements  that respond to  technological
change, evolving industry standards and changing customer requirements; that the
Company  will  not  experience  difficulties that  could  delay  or  prevent the
successful development, introduction  and marketing of  these products; or  that
its  new products and product enhancement  will adequately meet the requirements
of the marketplace and achieve  market acceptance. In particular, the  Company's
Virtual  Test Software alternative to traditional methods of developing the test
programs for testing complex electronic devices on expensive test equipment  has
not   yet  achieved   widespread  market   acceptance.  See   "Risk  Factors  --
Technological Change; Importance of Timely Product Introduction."
 
CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND SERVICE
 
    To be competitive,  the Company  believes it must  provide a  high level  of
support  and service. Support and service accounted for 21% of the Company's net
sales for the  fiscal year ended  December 31, 1996.  The Company maintains  and
supports  products sold directly in the United States with the Company's service
and support personnel.  The Company's international  distributors and  dedicated
international  sales agents generally  provide maintenance and  support to their
customers. In addition, Cadence acts as a sales agent for the Company's  Virtual
Test  Software in  which capacity  it provides "first  call" support  to its own
customers. The Company offers a toll-free technical support hotline to customers
and distributors.  Support  engineers answer  the  technical support  calls  and
generally   provide   same-day   responses   to   questions   that   cannot   be
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
resolved during the initial call. When necessary, however, support engineers are
dispatched to  the  customer's  facility.  In  addition,  the  Company  provides
refurbishment services to customers who purchase used Test Stations.
 
    The  Company maintains a rapid response program which is designed to quickly
respond to customer support  issues. Many of  the Company's customers  currently
have support agreements with the Company. The Company ranked first in 1993, 1994
and  1995 among test equipment companies in customer satisfaction and quality in
the test equipment market according to VLSI Research, Inc. The Company's general
warranty period ranges  from three  months to one  year for  its Test  Stations.
During  such  warranty  period,  the  Company  will  repair  or  replace  failed
components. The  Company  generally warrants  its  software products  for  three
months.  During such warranty period, the  Company will investigate all reported
problems and will endeavor to provide  a solution. Warranty costs have not  been
significant  to date,  but no assurance  can be  given that such  costs will not
increase in the  future or  that any  such increase  would not  have a  material
adverse  effect on the Company's financial  condition and results of operations.
Many of  the Company's  customers  enter into  maintenance agreements  with  the
Company which become effective upon the expiration of the warranty period.
 
TECHNOLOGY
 
    The  Company  has  used  a  variety  of  proprietary  hardware  and software
technologies to design  its Test  Stations. The  Company's proprietary  hardware
technology includes, among other things, full-custom gallium arsenide integrated
circuits,  semi-custom  ECL  integrated  circuits,  semi-custom  CMOS integrated
circuits, mixed-signal hybrid  assemblies, MCMs and  high-speed printed  circuit
boards,  all of which are manufactured  to the Company's specifications by third
parties. These technologies provide fast data conversions from simulator formats
to Test Station  formats, complex high  speed verification and  characterization
capabilities,  and  support  an  interactive user  environment  that  allows the
Company's customers to debug complex circuits.
 
    The  Company's  proprietary  software  technology  provides  highly  refined
capability  to  convert  all  generally used  simulation  data  to  Test Station
formats, and  to enable  rapid interactive  debug capability  for the  Company's
customers.  The  Company's  products  can  exchange  data  with  the  EDA design
environments sold by Cadence, Mentor  Graphics, Synopsys and ViewLogic and  with
the ATE environments of Credence and Teradyne. The Company's proprietary Virtual
Test  Software  provides an  innovative solution  to manufacturing  test program
development, fixture development and test simulation prior to production of  the
prototype.
 
MARKETS AND CUSTOMERS
 
    The  Company's  products serve  design, product  and  test engineers  in the
semiconductor,   aerospace,   automotive,   computer,   consumer    electronics,
datacommunication,   medical   electronics,   multimedia,   network   computing,
telecommunications and other  industries. The Company's  marketing strategy  has
been  to target its sales efforts in the research and development and production
engineering departments of major corporations  in those industries. The  Company
seeks  a broad base of customers in a variety of industries to reduce the effect
of the cyclical nature of any one industry.
 
    For the  years  ended December  31,  1994, 1995  and  1996, sales  to  Intel
represented  approximately  22%,  30%  and  36%  of  the  Company's  net  sales,
respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's net
sales in 1994, 1995, or 1996. The Company's five largest customers based on 1996
net sales are Intel,  Advanced Micro Devices,  Tokyo Electron Limited,  Rockwell
and  SGS-THOMSON. For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, sales to
the Company's top  five customers  represented 43%, 53%  and 57%  of net  sales,
respectively.
 
    ENGINEERING  TEST STATION MARKET.   The Company's  engineering Test Stations
are part of the Logic Test and Mixed-Signal Test markets, which are the  largest
segments  of the overall semiconductor ATE market. These markets are broken into
two major  sectors, Engineering  Test and  Production Test.  The Company's  Test
Stations  are  primarily used  in  Engineering Test  applications  for prototype
verification and characterization.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
    PRODUCTION MARKET.    Production  ATE  Systems  are  used  after  production
manufacturing   to   find   defective   parts  or   to   sort   for  performance
characteristics. Production  ATE  systems  typically  require  high  throughput,
timing accuracy and timing flexibility. Production ATE systems are typically the
most   expensive  test  systems  used.  The  production  ATE  market  is  highly
competitive and under  pricing pressures  as lower  cost ATE  systems enter  the
market.
 
    VIRTUAL  TEST  MARKET.   The Company  believes semiconductor  companies will
continue to seek ways to improve  test engineering productivity and ATE  capital
utilization  and  will, therefore,  allocate funds  from their  test engineering
budgets or ATE capital budgets to purchase the Company's Virtual Test  Software.
In addition, Virtual Test Software may be used with the existing installed based
of ATE equipment as well as newly purchased equipment.
 
    While  all semiconductor companies can potentially use Virtual Test Software
to reduce time-to-market and save development cost, it is important to recognize
that both  the methodology  and product  are  new and  the market  is  therefore
difficult to quantify.
 
    The  loss of a major customer or  any reduction in orders by such customers,
including reductions  due to  market  or competitive  conditions, would  have  a
material  adverse  effect on  the  Company's business,  financial  condition and
results of operations.  Moreover, the  Company's future success  will depend  in
part  upon  its ability  to obtain  orders from  new customers,  as well  as the
financial condition and success  of its customers and  the general economy.  See
"Risk  Factors -- Customer Concentration" and Note  10 of Notes to the Financial
Statements.
 
MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
 
    The Company's  Test Stations  are  complex and  are  used by  the  Company's
customers  in  critical  projects  which  demand a  high  level  of  quality and
reliability. The  Company  invests  significant resources  to  assure  the  high
quality  and reliability of  its Test Stations  and is committed  to providing a
high level of service to its customers  in the event of malfunction to  minimize
downtime.  The  Company's manufacturing  operations  primarily consist  of order
administration, materials planning, procurement, final assembly, quality control
of materials,  components  and  subassemblies,  final  systems  integration  and
extensive  calibration  and testing.  The Company  uses a  manufacturing control
computer system to monitor orders, as well as purchasing, inventory,  production
and manufacturing costs.
    The  Company  currently  uses  several  independent  third-party  vendors to
manufacture its subassemblies  and semiconductor  components, including  circuit
boards,  integrated circuits  and integrated circuits  packaging, cable assembly
and mechanical  parts.  External manufacturing  is  performed to  the  Company's
specifications  with technical support from the Company. If any of the Company's
third-party vendors  were to  experience financial,  operational, production  or
quality  assurance  difficulties  or a  catastrophic  event that  resulted  in a
reduction or  interruption in  supply to  the Company,  the Company's  operating
results  would be  materially adversely affected  until the Company  was able to
establish sufficient  manufacturing supply  from alternative  sources. While  to
date  suitable third party manufacturing capacity  has been available, there can
be no  assurance that  such manufacturers  will be  able to  meet the  Company's
future  requirements or that such services will  continue to be available to the
Company at favorable  prices. See  "Risk Factors  -- Dependence  on Third  Party
Manufacturers."
 
    The  Company  believes it  has developed  a  strong vendor  base, purchasing
components and subassemblies both from  national distributors and directly  from
vendors'  factories. Some of the subassembly  vendors are small, local companies
to which IMS represents substantial volume.
 
    The components  used in  the Company's  products consist  of standard  parts
available  from a multitude of vendors, along with a number of proprietary items
available only from  sole or  single source  suppliers. The  Company has  supply
commitments  from  a  limited  number of  its  vendors  and  generally purchases
components on  a purchase  order basis  as opposed  to entering  into  long-term
volume  agreements. The  Company seeks to  limit the risk  of supply disruptions
through close relationships with vendors and through a
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
safety stock program that provides a reserve supply of critical components  that
will  give the  Company time  to develop  a second  source supplier  in a timely
fashion in the event of a supply disruption. However, no assurance can be  given
that these efforts will prove successful in all cases.
 
    Currently, the Company purchases a number of critical parts from sole source
suppliers  for  which  alternative  sources  are  not  available.  The Company's
reliance on a sole or a limited group of suppliers and on outside subcontractors
involves several risks, including  a potential inability  to obtain an  adequate
supply  of  required  components and  reduced  control over  pricing  and timely
delivery of components. The Company has  generally been able to obtain  adequate
supplies  of  components  in a  timely  manner  from current  vendors,  or, when
necessary to meet production needs, from alternate vendors. However, the Company
has occasionally experienced component supply,  quality or third party  assembly
problems.  For example, the Company depends  on a sole sourced custom integrated
circuit in one  of its  Test Stations.  In 1994,  a significant  portion of  new
deliveries  of this part did not  meet specifications, thereby resulting in Test
Stations being unable to detect failures when operating at speeds below 10  MHz.
Recently,  the Company  experienced late delivery  of IC components  used in the
driver module of certain  of its Test Stations.  In addition, the limits  within
which  these  components operated  required the  Company  to change  its product
specifications for those Test  Stations. The Company has  thus far been able  to
avoid  any material adverse impact on timing of customer deliveries for its Test
Stations resulting from  problems of  this type.  However, no  assurance can  be
given  that supply problems will not recur  and, if such problems do recur, that
these strategies will  be effective in  every case. Any  prolonged inability  to
obtain  adequate supplies of quality components  or any other circumstances that
would require the  Company to seek  alternative sources of  supply could have  a
material  adverse  effect on  the  Company's business,  financial  condition and
results of  operations and  could damage  the Company's  relationships with  its
customers.
 
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The  Company markets its products domestically  through a direct sales force
which, as of December  31, 1996, consisted of  53 direct sales and  applications
engineering  professionals,  sales  managers and  sales  support  personnel. The
direct  sales   force  has   primary  responsibility   for  developing   orders,
coordinating  distribution, providing demonstrations  and providing applications
support. The  Company employs  skilled applications  and service  engineers  and
technically  proficient sales people capable  of serving the sophisticated needs
of prospective customers'  engineering staffs  as part of  the customer  support
process.  The  sales  force  is  managed  from  the  Company's  headquarters  in
Beaverton, Oregon and  its three  regional offices  in Irvine  and Santa  Clara,
California; and Boston, Massachusetts.
 
    The   Company  markets  its  products  internationally  through  independent
distributors managed by  the Company  and through dedicated  agents employed  by
Cadence  subsidiaries in England,  France, Germany and  Israel. The Company also
sells through independent distributors in Scandinavia and Italy. The Company may
choose to  establish foreign  sales subsidiaries  to conduct  its foreign  sales
operations  in  some locations,  and may  take  over distribution  directly from
Cadence in  some jurisdictions.  In Asia,  the Company  sells through  dedicated
employees  of Cadence subsidiaries in Taiwan  and through distributors in Japan,
the People's Republic of China,  the Philippines, Hong Kong,  Malaysia/Singapore
and  Korea. International sales accounted for  approximately 40%, 32% and 26% of
the Company's net sales for  the years ended December  31, 1994, 1995 and  1996,
respectively.  The Company's foreign sales and service operations are subject to
risks inherent in foreign operations, including unexpected changes in regulatory
requirements, exchange rates, tariffs or other barriers and potentially negative
tax consequences. In  addition, in  certain jurisdictions,  there is  a risk  of
reduced  protection for the Company's  copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets.
See Note 10 of Notes to the Financial Statements.
 
    The Company exhibits  at trade  shows to  promote existing  products and  to
introduce  new  products,  and  participates  in  technical  forums  to exchange
marketing and product information  with its vendors  and customers. The  Company
also  uses advertising  in trade journals,  technical articles,  direct mail and
telephone solicitations to build interest in  the Company and its products.  The
Company   provides  extensive   training  for  its   sales  representatives  and
distributors and supports  its representatives and  distributors with  marketing
tools,  including sales brochures, demonstration  test equipment and promotional
product literature.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
    The electronic  design  and  test  equipment  market  is  subject  to  rapid
technological  change and  new product  introductions. The  Company's ability to
remain competitive  in this  market will  depend in  significant part  upon  its
ability  to  continue to  successfully develop  and  introduce new  products and
enhancements on a  timely and cost-effective  basis. There can  be no  assurance
that the Company will be successful in developing and marketing new products and
product  enhancements that  respond to  technological change,  evolving industry
standards  and  changing  customer  requirements,  that  the  Company  will  not
experience  difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development,
introduction and  marketing of  these products,  or that  its new  products  and
product  enhancements will adequately  meet the requirements  of the marketplace
and achieve market acceptance.
 
    The  selection   of  new   capabilities  for   existing  products   and   of
specifications  for new  product lines is  driven in significant  part by strong
communication links with customers. Accordingly, maintaining those communication
links is  a  significant strategic  necessity  for the  Company.  The  Company's
ongoing  research  and development  efforts include  the enhancement  of current
generation Test Stations and Virtual  Test Software and the ongoing  development
of future generation products.
 
    The  Company has historically devoted the great majority of its research and
development efforts to the design  and development of engineering Test  Stations
and  related  hardware  and  software technologies.  Its  Virtual  Test Software
technology was originally developed by Cadence and was purchased by the Company.
The Company is currently developing additional software products for its Virtual
Test product  line and  expects  to devote  considerable internal  research  and
development efforts to this product line in the future.
 
    Research  and development  expenditures for  1994, 1995  and 1996  were $3.7
million, $6.2 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The Company's research and
development efforts with respect  to both hardware and  software are handled  by
the  Company's  research  and  development  department.  The  ratio  of software
engineers to hardware engineers is approximately four to one.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The design and  test equipment  market is highly  competitive. Although  the
Company  believes that it has a competitive advantage in the verification market
due to the high performance and cost effectiveness of its products, the  Company
anticipates  that technical advancement in the  industry generally could lead to
increased competition in the future.
 
    The  Company  believes  that  the  principal  competitive  factors  in   the
verification   and   characterization  markets   are  product   performance  and
reliability, price, ease of use, marketing and distribution capability,  service
and  support and the supplier's reputation  and financial stability. The Company
believes that it competes  favorably with respect  to all principal  competitive
factors  and that it is particularly strong in the areas of product performance,
ease of use, low cost and service and support.
 
    The Company  currently competes  with  a number  of other  verification  and
characterization  equipment manufacturers. Some of  these manufacturers, such as
Hewlett-Packard, Teradyne  and  Tektronix  have  greater  financial,  marketing,
manufacturing   and  technological  resources  than  the  Company.  New  product
introductions or product announcements by the Company's competitors could  cause
a  decline  in sales  or loss  of  market acceptance  of the  Company's existing
products. Moreover,  increased competitive  pressure could  lead to  intensified
price-based  competition,  which could  have a  material  adverse effect  on the
Company's business, financial condition and  results of operations. The  Company
believes  that  its long-term  success  will depend  largely  on its  ability to
identify design and  test needs ahead  of its competitors  and develop  products
which  respond to those needs in a  timely manner. In addition, no assurance can
be given that other companies,  including Cadence, which retains certain  rights
to  the  Virtual Test  Software technology,  and other  EDA companies,  will not
develop methodologies  and  products that  are  competitive with  the  Company's
Virtual  Test  Software  business.  The Company  also  believes  that  to remain
competitive, it will require significant financial resources in order to  invest
in  new product  development and  to maintain  a worldwide  customer service and
support network. There  can be no  assurance that  the Company will  be able  to
compete  successfully in  the future.  See "Risk  Factors --  Highly Competitive
Industry."
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
BACKLOG
 
    The Company  schedules production  of  its Test  Stations based  upon  order
backlog  and  order forecast.  The Company  includes in  its backlog  only those
customer orders for  systems and  services for  which it  has accepted  purchase
orders  and assigned shipment  or performance dates  within the following twelve
months.  The  majority  of  the  Company's  orders,  however,  are  subject   to
cancellation  or  rescheduling by  the customer  with  limited or  no penalties.
Accordingly, the Company's backlog at any particular date may not necessarily be
representative of actual sales for any succeeding period due to orders  received
for  systems  to be  shipped in  the  same quarter,  possible changes  in system
delivery schedules,  cancellations  of orders  and  potential delays  in  system
shipments.
 
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
    The  Company does not currently have any patents and historically has relied
principally on trade  secret and copyright  law to protect  its technology.  The
Company  believes that, because of the rapid pace of technological change in the
data communications and  telecommunications industries,  the legal  intellectual
property  protection  for  its products  is  a  less significant  factor  in the
Company's success than the knowledge, abilities and experience of the  Company's
employees,  the frequency of its product  enhancements, the effectiveness of its
marketing activities and the timeliness and quality of its support services. The
Company's policy has been to enter into nondisclosure/confidentiality agreements
with all employees,  and it generally  enters into agreements  with vendors  and
others  that  likewise  limit  access to  and  distribution  of  its proprietary
information. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by the Company  will
provide  adequate protection of  its technology or that  competitors will not be
able to develop similar  or functionally equivalent  technology. In the  future,
the  Company  may receive  notice of  claims of  infringement of  other parties'
proprietary rights and there can be no assurance that infringement or invalidity
claims (or claims for indemnification resulting from infringement claims against
third parties, such as  customers) will not be  asserted against the Company  or
that  any  such  assertions will  not  have  a material  adverse  affect  on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. If any claims
or actions are asserted against  the Company, the Company  may seek to obtain  a
license  of such  third party's  intellectual property  rights. There  can be no
assurance, however, that under such circumstances, a license would be  available
under  reasonable terms or at all. See "Risk Factors -- Proprietary Rights." The
Company also licenses  and/ or holds  marketing rights to  certain software,  to
which  the copyright is  owned by other parties  including Cadence. See "Certain
Transactions."
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    At December  31,  1996, the  Company  had  251 employees,  including  71  in
marketing   and  sales,  76  in  manufacturing  and  service,  73  in  research,
development and engineering and  31 in administration  and finance. The  Company
believes that its future success will depend on its continued ability to attract
and  retain highly qualified technical,  management and marketing personnel. The
Company's employees are  not subject  to a  collective bargaining  unit and  the
Company  believes that  its employee relations  are very good.  The Company also
currently sells and supports its products  in Europe, Israel and Taiwan  through
Cadence  employees located in Cadence facilities and who act as dedicated agents
of the  Company under  the  terms of  the  Corporate Services  Agreement.  These
Cadence  employees sell and support the  Company's products on a full-time basis
and coordinate their efforts  with the Company's  manufacturing facility in  the
United  States. The Company pays  to Cadence the full  cost of Cadence's expense
(plus an agency fee)  for Cadence's employees who  will fulfill dedicated  agent
functions  of the  Company in  certain markets  under the  terms of  a Corporate
Services Agreement between the  Company and Cadence. There  can be no  assurance
that  the Company will  retain the services of  such agents for  the term of the
Corporate Services Agreement or that replacement personnel could be retained  on
a timely basis, if at all. The loss of such personnel and the failure to attract
and  retain replacement employees, or the costs associated with hiring new sales
personnel and providing adequate facilities and benefits to such employees would
likely have  a material  adverse  effect on  the Company's  business,  financial
condition and results of operations. See "Certain Transactions."
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The  Company's executive  offices, as  well as  its principal manufacturing,
engineering and  marketing  operations, are  located  in a  leased  building  of
approximately 75,000 square feet in Beaverton, Oregon. The
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
lease  expires on  December 31,  1998. The  Company believes  the space  will be
adequate through  that period  and,  if required,  suitable space  is  available
nearby.  The Company also leases  a total of approximately  7,500 square feet of
office space in  which regional  sales offices  are located.  Under the  Amended
Corporate Services Agreement between Cadence and the Company, Cadence has agreed
to  provide  office  space and  associated  office support  for  certain Company
personnel located in the  United States and a  number of foreign countries.  See
"Certain Transactions -- Agreements with Cadence."
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
    The  following  table sets  forth certain  information  with respect  to the
executive officers and directors of the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                               AGE                                POSITION
- ---------------------------------------------      ---      ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>
OFFICERS
Keith L. Barnes..............................          45   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Sar Ramadan..................................          53   Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
Mark Allison.................................          40   Vice President, Marketing
W. Barry Baril...............................          44   Vice President, Engineering
David L. Brinker.............................          45   General Manager, Test Software Division
James P. Fraine..............................          41   Vice President, Sales
Donald E. Grant..............................          55   Vice President, Operations
Gwyn Harvey..................................          43   Director of Human Resources
Kenneth R. Lindsay...........................          52   Vice President, Asia Operations
NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
H. Raymond Bingham (1).......................          51   Chairman of the Board
C. Scott Gibson (1)(2).......................          44   Director, Audit Committee Chairman
James M. Hurd (1)(2).........................          48   Director
James E. Solomon.............................          60   Director
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Member of Audit Committee.
 
(2) Member of Compensation Committee.
 
OFFICERS
 
    Mr. Barnes has been  the Company's Chief Executive  Officer since May  1995,
the Company's President since April 1991 and became a director of the Company in
1989.  From 1989  to 1991,  Mr. Barnes  was the  Company's General  Manager. Mr.
Barnes is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Oregon Graduate Institute of
Science and  Technology.  Mr. Barnes  is  Chairman Ex-officio  of  the  American
Electronics  Association,  Oregon Council,  and  was a  member  of the  Board of
Directors of  the  American Electronics  Association  in 1993.  Mr.Barnes  is  a
director of Data I/O Corporation, a public company that provides programming and
handling  equipment  for  design  and  manufacture  of  programmable  integrated
circuits.
 
    Mr. Ramadan joined the Company in  1993 as Chief Financial Officer, and  was
elected  Secretary and Treasurer in 1995. Prior to joining IMS, Mr. Ramadan held
the positions  of  Finance  Director  and Chief  Accounting  Officer  of  Mentor
Graphics  Corp., a supplier of EDA software,  from 1987 to 1993. In addition, he
was Vice President of Finance for CAD/CAM Resources Inc., between 1985 and 1987,
and Vice President  Group Controller at  Computervision Corporation, a  computer
aided mechanical design business, from 1979 to 1985.
 
    Mr.  Allison  joined  the Company  in  November  1995 as  Vice  President of
Marketing. Prior to  joining the  Company, Mr.  Allison was  Director of  Memory
Marketing  for Credence  Corporation during 1995  and Director  of Marketing for
Megatest Corporation, from 1985 to 1995. Both companies are ATE manufacturers.
 
    Mr. Baril is a founder  of the Company, and has  been the Vice President  of
Engineering  since  the Company's  inception in  1983. Previously,  Mr.Baril was
Engineering Group Manager for the Logic  Analyzer Division of Tektronix, a  high
technology  company,  for one  year, Hybrid  Circuit  Project Manager  and Group
Leader for three years  in Tektronix labs, and  a Hybrid Circuit Project  Leader
and  Design Engineer for four years at  Burr Brown, an analog integrated circuit
company.
 
    Mr. Brinker joined  the Company in  December 1996 as  General Manager,  Test
Software  Division. Prior to joining the  Company, Mr. Brinker was President and
Chief Executive Officer of TView, Inc., a multimedia hardware company. From 1994
to July  1996, Mr.  Brinker was  the Chief  Financial Officer  of Summit  Design
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
Systems,  a supplier of EDA software. Between  1986 and 1994, Mr. Brinker held a
variety of positions with Mentor Graphics, a supplier of EDA software, including
Vice President of  Worldwide Sales,  Vice President of  International Sales  and
Vice President of Asia.
 
    Mr.  Fraine joined the Company in 1994  as Vice President of Sales. Prior to
joining the Company, he was the National Sales Manager at Teradyne, Inc., an ATE
company, from 1989 to 1994 and held  the position of Account Manager at  GenRad,
Inc.  from 1976  to 1986.  In addition,  Mr. Fraine  has held  several sales and
marketing positions at STS/Axiom Technology, Inc., a mixed-signal test equipment
company.
 
    Mr. Grant joined the Company in 1989 as Vice President of Operations.  Prior
to  joining the  Company, Mr.  Grant was  Director of  Manufacturing at Protocol
Systems, a  medical device  manufacturer,  from 1986  to  1989 and  Director  of
Operations  at  Kentrox Industries  from 1983  to 1986.  Mr. Grant  held various
manufacturing positions with Hewlett Packard from 1972 to 1983.
 
    Ms. Harvey joined the Company in 1987 as Director of Human Resources.  Prior
to  joining  the Company,  Ms. Harvey  worked  in a  variety of  human resources
positions with Metheus Corporation, Computervision Corporation,
Metheus-Computervision,  Inc.,  Sierracin-EOI  and  Fairchild,  a   Schlumberger
Company.
 
    Mr. Lindsay is a founder of the Company, and has served as Vice President of
Asia  Operations since 1992, Asian  Business Manager from 1989  to 1992 and Vice
President and Director  of Marketing  from 1983 to  1989. Prior  to joining  the
Company, Mr. Lindsay was world wide Marketing Manager for the Semiconductor Test
Systems  Division  of  Tektronix,  and  held  other  marketing,  management, and
engineering positions at Tektronix.
 
NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
 
    Mr. Bingham has been a director of the Company since July 1993 and  Chairman
of  the  Board  since May  1995.  Mr. Bingham  joined  Cadence in  June  1993 as
Executive Vice President  and Chief  Financial Officer.  From June  1985 to  May
1993,  he served as Executive Vice President  and Chief Financial Officer of Red
Lion Hotels and Inns,  which owns and  operates a chain  of hotels. Mr.  Bingham
serves as a director of Sunstone Investors Inc.
 
    Mr.  Gibson has  served as  a director  of the  Company since  May 1995. Mr.
Gibson co-founded Sequent Computer Systems, Inc., a computer system supplier, in
1983 and served as Sequent's President from 1988 through March 1992. Mr.  Gibson
serves  as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Adaptive Solutions, Inc., and a
director of  Inference Corp.,  RadiSys Corporation  and TriQuint  Semiconductor,
Inc.  Mr. Gibson also serves as a Vice Chairman of the Oregon Graduate Institute
of Science and Technology and as a director of several privately held technology
companies.
 
    Mr. Hurd has served as  a director of the Company  since May 1995. Mr.  Hurd
co-founded  Planar  Systems,  Inc.,  a  publicly  traded  manufacturer  of  high
performance information  displays and  has  served as  its President  and  Chief
Executive  Officer since 1983.  Mr. Hurd is  also a director  of Planar Systems,
Inc. Mr. Hurd  is a  member of  the Board of  Trustees for  the Oregon  Graduate
Institute of Science and Technology.
 
    Mr.  Solomon has served as  a director of the  Company since April 1995. Mr.
Solomon currently  serves  as President  and  Chief Executive  Officer  of  XULU
Entertainment,  Inc.  Mr.  Solomon served  as  Senior Vice  President  and Chief
Technology Officer for Cadence from February  1994 to May 1996. Mr. Solomon  has
served  as Senior Vice President of  Cadence's Analog Division from January 1993
to February 1994  and as President  of Cadence's Analog  Division from  December
1988  to January 1993.  Mr. Solomon also  served as Co-Chairman  of the Board of
Directors of Cadence  from May  1988 until  May 1989.  Mr. Solomon  is also  the
Chairman  of the  Board of Smart  Machines, Inc., and  XULU Entertainment, Inc.,
private companies.
 
    The Company's directors are divided into  three classes and serve for  three
year  terms, with  one class  being elected by  the shareholders  each year. The
terms of the  current directors  will expire as  follows: Mr.  Bingham in  1997,
Messrs.  Barnes and  Gibson in 1998  and Messrs.  Solomon and Hurd  in 1999. The
members of the Audit Committee currently  are Messrs. Gibson, Hurd and  Bingham.
The position on the
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
Company's  Board of Directors vacated by Delbert  W. Yocam will be filled at the
Company's 1997 Annual  Meeting. The  Audit Committee  reviews the  scope of  the
independent  annual  audit, the  independent public  accountants' letter  to the
Board of  Directors  concerning  the effectiveness  of  the  Company's  internal
financial  and accounting controls and the  Board of Directors' response to that
letter, if  deemed  necessary. The  Board  of  Directors also  has  appointed  a
Compensation  Committee  which  reviews executive  compensation  and establishes
executive compensation levels  and also administers  the Company's stock  option
plans  and the 1995 Employee  Stock Purchase Plan. During  the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996, the Compensation Committee held sixteen meetings. The members
of the Compensation Committee currently are Messrs. Hurd and Gibson.
 
    Article  V  of  the  Company's  Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation,  (the
"Restated  Articles"), provides that the Company's directors may be removed only
for cause, and only at a meeting called expressly for that purpose by a vote  of
75% of the votes then entitled to be cast for the election of directors.
 
    Executive  officers of the  Company are appointed by  the Board of Directors
and serve at the discretion of the Board.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    The  members  of  the  Company's  Board  of  Directors  are  reimbursed  for
out-of-pocket  and  travel expenses  incurred in  attending Board  meetings. The
Company's Chairman of the Board receives an annual retainer of $18,000 and  each
nonemployee  member of the Board of Directors, other than the Chairman, receives
an annual retainer of $12,000.  In addition, each nonemployee director  receives
$1,000  for  each  Board meeting  attended  and  $1,000 for  each  meeting  of a
committee of the Board attended. Under the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan  for
Nonemployee  Directors,  each  person  who is  a  nonemployee  director receives
certain  stock  options.  See  "--  1995  Stock  Option  Plan  for   Nonemployee
Directors."
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The   following  table  provides   certain  summary  information  concerning
compensation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 of  the
Company's  Chief  Executive  Officer and  each  of  the four  other  most highly
compensated  executive  officers  of  the  Company  (collectively,  the   "named
executive officers"), for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  LONG-TERM
                                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION                 COMPENSATION
                                              ------------------------------------------------  -------------
                                                                                 OTHER ANNUAL   STOCK OPTIONS    ALL OTHER
        NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION             YEAR       SALARY      BONUS     COMPENSATION      GRANTED     COMPENSATION
- --------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>
Keith L. Barnes.............................       1994  $  185,000  $   58,366   $   7,115(1)     157,500(2)   $   7,493(3)
President and Chief Executive Officer              1995     195,000      98,886      11,538(1)      84,000          7,654(3)
                                                   1996     200,000     139,250      12,939(4)     120,000          6,000(5)
 
Sar Ramadan.................................       1994     104,813      20,528       --            33,750(2)         920(6)
Chief Financial Officer                            1995     112,250      32,246       --            47,000          2,223(6)
                                                   1996     127,744      41,909       --            10,000          2,130(6)
 
W. Barry Baril..............................       1994     108,760      30,831       --            33,750(2)       1,579(6)
Vice President, Engineering                        1995     113,440      31,149       4,423(1)      70,000            361(6)
                                                   1996     122,500      37,699       --            10,000          1,407(6)
 
Marvin S. Wolfson(7)........................       1994     124,080      37,626       --             --               404(6)
Former General Manager, Test                       1995     124,080      28,265       --            31,000            404(6)
Software Division                                  1996     124,080      28,705       --             5,000            404(6)
 
Don Grant...................................       1994      97,207      16,166       --            33,750(2)         832(6)
Vice President, Operations                         1995     102,302      25,705       4,000(1)      47,000            891(6)
                                                   1996     116,000      31,844       --            10,000          2,604(6)
 
Mark Allison................................       1994      --          --           --             --             --
Vice President, Marketing                          1995      10,195      --           --            26,000             19(6)
                                                   1996     112,000      27,473       --             --            38,506(8)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Reflects a cash payment in lieu of vacation.
 
(2)  Reflects options to  purchase shares of Cadence  Common Stock (after giving
    effect to  3-for-2  stock  splits  of  the  outstanding  shares  of  Cadence
    effective October 16, 1995 and May 16, 1996.)
 
(3) Represents automobile allowance and Company payments of additional insurance
    premiums.
 
(4) Represents Company reimbursements for organization dues and Company payments
    of additional insurance premiums.
 
(5) Represents automobile allowance.
 
(6) Represents Company payments of additional insurance premiums.
 
(7)  Mr. Wolfson ceased to  be an executive of  the Company immediately prior to
    the Company's fiscal year end.
 
(8) Represents  relocation  reimbursement  and Company  payments  of  additional
    insurance premiums.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANT TABLE
 
    The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  concerning options
granted to the named executive officers during the year ended December 31,  1996
under the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                                     VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                                                                                     ANNUAL RATES OF
                                        NUMBER OF      PERCENT OF                                      STOCK PRICE
                                       SECURITIES     TOTAL OPTIONS                                  APPRECIATION FOR
                                       UNDERLYING      GRANTED TO       EXERCISE                      OPTION TERM(3)
                                         OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES IN      PRICE PER   EXPIRATION   ------------------------
NAME                                   GRANTED(1)      FISCAL 1996      SHARE(2)       DATE          5%          10%
- -------------------------------------  -----------  -----------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>                <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
Keith L. Barnes......................     120,000             27%       $   13.25       3/8/06   $  999,942  $  2,534,051
Sar Ramadan..........................      10,000              2            12.75       2/7/06       80,184       203,202
W. Barry Baril.......................      10,000              2            12.75       2/7/06       80,184       203,202
Marvin S. Wolfson....................       5,000              1            12.75       2/7/06       40,092       101,601
Don Grant............................      10,000              2            12.75       2/7/06       80,184        23,202
Mark Allison.........................      --              --              --           --           --           --
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) Options granted become exercisable starting with the end of the month of the
    grant  date, with  1/48th of  the total  number of  options granted becoming
    exercisable at  that time  and with  an additional  1/48th of  such  options
    becoming  exercisable each month thereafter,  with a total four-year vesting
    period.
 
(2) Options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value  of
    the Company's Common Stock at the time of grant.
 
(3)  The potential  realizable value  is calculated based  upon the  term of the
    option at its time of  grant (10 years) and  is calculated by assuming  that
    the  stock price on  the date of  grant appreciates at  the indicated annual
    rate compounded annually  for the  entire term of  the option  and that  the
    option is exercised and sold on the last day of its term for the appreciated
    price.  The 5% and  10% assumed rates  of appreciation are  derived from the
    rules of the  Securities and Exchange  Commission and do  not represent  the
    Company's  estimates or projection  of the future  Common Stock price. There
    can be no assurance that the Common Stock will appreciate at any  particular
    rate or at all in future years.
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDING
 
    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the named
executive  officers  concerning  the  exercise  of  options  granted  under  the
Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan during the year ended December 31, 1996, and
the value of unexercised options held as of December 31, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                NUMBER OF SECURITIES        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                               UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED       IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                     SHARES                     OPTIONS AT FY-END(1)          AT FY-END(1)(2)
                                   ACQUIRED ON     VALUE     --------------------------  --------------------------
NAME                               EXERCISE(1)  REALIZED(1)  EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE
- ---------------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Keith L. Barnes..................      --           --           47,506        156,494    $ 362,227    $   878,274
Sar Ramadan......................      --           --           21,877         35,123      184,417        278,958
W. Barry Baril...................      --           --           31,456         48,544      269,431        398,069
Marvin S. Wolfson................      --           --           14,063         21,937      119,939        178,311
Don Grant........................      --           --           21,877         35,123      184,417        278,958
Mark Allison.....................      --           --            7,057         18,943       32,639         87,611
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1) The above table  excludes information regarding  exercises and the  year-end
    value of options to acquire shares of Common Stock of Cadence (the Company's
    majority shareholder) granted prior to the Company's initial public offering
    and  in years  prior to  1995. Cadence offers  its employees  a stock option
    program, including employees employed by  subsidiaries of Cadence. Prior  to
    contemplation  of  the Company's  initial  public offering,  Cadence offered
    options to acquire Common Stock of Cadence to Company employees and officers
    under  the   stock  option   program.  All   of  the   options  to   acquire
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
    Common  Stock of Valid Logic held by Company employees as of the 1991 merger
    of Cadence and Valid Logic, of which the Company was then a subsidiary, were
    exchanged for options  to acquire  shares of  Common Stock  of Cadence.  The
    options to acquire Common Stock of Cadence have been vesting since Cadence's
    merger  with Valid Logic. No options to acquire Common Stock of Cadence were
    granted in 1996 to any officers of the Company. In 1996, Company  employees,
    including  officers, exercised  196,627 options  to acquire  Common Stock of
    Cadence and realized  gains of  approximately $5,556,000.  Of these  196,627
    options  exercised,  officers of  the Company  exercised options  for 92,732
    shares  of  Cadence  Common  Stock  and  realized  gains  of   approximately
    $2,490,000.   The   named  executive   officers   accounted  for   gains  of
    approximately $2,051,000.
 
    Gains from  the exercise  and sale  of  Cadence options  do not  impact  the
    Company's  expenses or results  of operations. Furthermore,  such options do
    not enter into the calculation of the Company's
    outstanding shares nor its earnings per share calculations.
 
    The Shares  Acquired  on  Exercise, Value  Realized,  Number  of  Securities
    Underlying  Unexercised  Options at  FY-End  (Exercisable/Unexercisable) and
    Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at FY-End
    (Exercisable/Unexercisable) with respect to the Cadence options held by  the
    named  executive officers  is as  follows: Mr.  Barnes --  23,732, $655,843,
    3,765, 26,252,  $125,265  and $873,426;  Mr.  Ramadan --  14,060,  $393,841,
    2,344,  16,408, $77,196  and $534,314;  Mr. Baril  -- 13,750,  $420,711, 51,
    11,392, $1,684  and $377,158;  Mr.  Wolfson --  5,500, $198,458,  5,435,  0,
    $190,338  and $0; Mr. Grant -- 11,498, $381,651, 2,109, 10,548, $69,641, and
    $348,304; Mr. Allison -- 0, $0, 0, 0, $0, $0.
 
(2) Amounts  reflected  are  based  upon the  market  value  of  the  underlying
    securities at fiscal year end minus the exercise price.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    The  Compensation  Committee  of  the Board  of  Directors  consists  of two
persons, neither  of whom  has been  or  is an  officer or  an employee  of  the
Company.
 
STOCK OPTION PLANS
 
  1995 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
    The  Company's  1995  Stock  Incentive Plan  (the  "1995  Plan"),  which was
approved by the Company's sole shareholder on May 11, 1995, provides for  grants
of  both "incentive  stock options"  within the  meaning of  Section 422  of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and "non-qualified  stock
options"  which are not qualified  for treatment under Section  422 of the Code,
and for  direct  stock grants  and  sales to  employees  or consultants  of  the
Company.  The  purposes of  the 1995  Plan are  to attract  and retain  the best
available personnel  for positions  of  substantial responsibility,  to  provide
additional  incentives to  the employees and  consultants of the  Company and to
promote  the  Company's  business.  The   1995  Plan  is  administered  by   the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
    The  term of each option  granted under the 1995  Plan will generally be ten
years from the date of  grant, or such shorter period  as may be established  at
the time of the grant. An option granted under the 1995 Plan may be exercised at
such  times  and  under  such  conditions  as  determined  by  the  Compensation
Committee. If a person who has been  granted an option ceases to be an  employee
or  consultant of the Company, such person  may exercise that option only during
the exercise period established  by the Compensation Committee  at the time  the
options  were  granted,  which  shall  not exceed  90  days  after  the  date of
termination, and only to the extent that the option was exercisable on the  date
of  termination. If  a person  who has been  granted an  option ceases  to be an
employee or  consultant  as  a  result of  such  person's  total  and  permanent
disability,  such  person may  exercise that  option at  any time  within twelve
months after the date of termination, but only to the extent that the option was
exercisable on the date of termination. No option granted under the 1995 Plan is
transferable other than at death, and each option is exercisable during the life
of the optionee only by the optionee. In the event of the death of a person  who
has  received an option, the  option generally may be  exercised by a person who
acquired the option  by bequest or  inheritance during the  twelve month  period
after  the date of death, to the extent  that such option was exercisable at the
date of death.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
    The  exercise price of  incentive stock options granted  under the 1995 Plan
may not be less  than the fair market  value of a share  of Common Stock on  the
last  market trading day prior to the date of grant of the option. Non-qualified
stock options may  not be granted  for less than  85% of fair  market value  and
options  granted to greater  than 10% shareholders  may not be  granted for less
than 110% of fair market value. The consideration to be paid upon exercise of an
option, including the method of payment, will be determined by the  Compensation
Committee and may consist entirely of cash, check, shares of Common Stock or any
combination  of  such  methods  of  payment  as  permitted  by  the Compensation
Committee.
 
    Certain options authorized to be granted under the 1995 Plan are intended to
qualify as  incentive  stock options  for  federal income  tax  purposes.  Under
federal  income  tax law  currently in  effect, the  optionee will  recognize no
income upon grant or upon a proper exercise of an incentive stock option. If  an
employee  exercises an incentive stock option and does not dispose of any of the
option shares within two years following the  date of grant and within one  year
following  the  date  of  exercise,  then  any  gain  realized  upon  subsequent
disposition of the shares will be treated as income from the sale or exchange of
a capital asset. If an employee disposes of shares acquired upon exercise of  an
incentive  stock option  before the  expiration or  either the  one-year holding
period or the two-year  waiting period, any amount  realized will be taxable  as
ordinary  compensation income in  the year of  such disqualifying disposition to
the extent  that the  lesser of  the  fair market  value of  the shares  on  the
exercise  date or the fair market value of the shares on the date of disposition
exceeds the exercise price.  The Company will not  be allowed any deduction  for
federal  income tax purposes at  either the time of the  grant or exercise of an
incentive stock option. Upon any  disqualifying disposition by an employee,  the
Company  will be  entitled to  a deduction to  the extent  the employee realized
ordinary income.
 
    Certain options authorized to be granted under the 1995 Plan will be treated
as non-qualified stock options  for federal income  tax purposes. Under  federal
income  tax law presently in  effect, no income is realized  by the grantee of a
non-qualified stock  option  pursuant to  the  1995  Plan until  the  option  is
exercised. At the time of exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the optionee
will realize ordinary compensation income, and the Company will be entitled to a
deduction,  in the amount by which the market value of the shares subject to the
option at  the  time of  exercise  exceeds  the exercise  price.  The  Company's
deduction is conditioned upon withholding on the income amount. Upon the sale of
shares acquired upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the excess of the
amount realized from the sale over the market value of the shares on the date of
exercise will be taxable.
 
    The  1995  Plan  will continue  in  effect  until May  2005,  unless earlier
terminated by the Board of Directors,  but such termination will not affect  the
terms of any options outstanding at that time. The Board of Directors may amend,
terminate  or suspend  the 1995  Plan at  any time,  provided that  no amendment
regarding amount, price or timing of the grants may be made more than once every
six months, other than  to conform with changes  in certain requirements of  the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Internal Revenue Code. Amendments that would
materially  increase the number of shares  that may be issued, materially modify
the requirements as to  eligibility for 1995  Plan participation, or  materially
increase  the benefits to 1995  Plan participants must be  approved by a vote of
the Company's shareholders.
 
    Set forth  below is  information as  to the  number of  options to  purchase
Company  Common Stock that have been granted  under the 1995 Plan to the persons
and groups identified in the table as of December 31, 1996. The closing price of
the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $20 1/2 on January 24, 1997.
 
    The Company has reserved 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under
the 1995 Plan. On January 23, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors approved an
amendment to the  1995 Plan to  reserve an additional  600,000 shares of  Common
Stock  for  issuance under  the  1995 Plan.  This  amendment remains  subject to
shareholder approval. During 1996, options to purchase 442,200 shares of  Common
Stock  were granted to the  Company's employees under the  1995 Plan at exercise
prices ranging from $12.50 to $24.00,  which represent the closing market  price
on  the last trading day  prior to date of the  option grants. Also during 1996,
the Company  repriced certain  incentive stock  options granted  to  non-officer
employees.  Employees holding  certain options  were offered  the opportunity to
elect to have  their options  cancelled and reissued  at prices  lower than  the
original  exercise  prices. A  total  of 82,825  new  options were  granted with
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
exercise prices  equal  to  the  then current  market  price  of  $12.50.  These
regranted options vest ratably over four years from the grant date. From January
1,  1997 through  the date hereof,  the Company's named  executive officers were
granted options under the 1995 Plan as follows: Mr. Barnes -- 0; Mr. Ramadan  --
40,000;  Mr. Baril  -- 10,000; Mr.  Wolfson -- 0;  Mr. Grant --  30,000; and Mr.
Allison -- 9,000.
 
  1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
 
    Nonemployee members of the Board  of Directors participate in the  Company's
1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors (the "1995 Nonemployee Director
Plan"),  which  was adopted  to promote  the  interests of  the Company  and its
shareholders by  strengthening  the  Company's ability  to  attract  and  retain
experienced and knowledgeable nonemployee directors by enhancing their incentive
to  work on behalf of the Company and  its shareholders and to encourage them to
acquire an  increased  proprietary  interest  in the  Company.  Under  the  1995
Nonemployee  Director Plan, a 10,000  share stock option is  granted to each new
nonemployee director at the  time such person is  first elected or appointed  to
the Board. In addition, each nonemployee director receives an option to purchase
3,000 shares of Common Stock annually after each annual meeting of shareholders.
Set  forth below  is a  summary of  the material  terms of  the 1995 Nonemployee
Director Plan.
 
    Each option  expires ten  years  from the  date  of its  grant.  Outstanding
options  will expire  earlier if  an optionee  terminates service  as a director
before the end  of the ten  year term. If  an optionee terminates  service as  a
director  for any reason  other than retirement, total  disability or death, the
option will automatically expire  90 days after the  date of termination. If  an
optionee  dies or terminates service due  to retirement or total disability, the
options then  outstanding  will expire  one  year after  the  date of  death  or
termination  or on the stated expiration date, whichever is earlier. Options are
not assignable and  may not be  transferred other than  by will or  the laws  of
descent and distribution.
 
    The  exercise price of  options granted under  the 1995 Nonemployee Director
Plan may not be less than  the fair market value of  a share of Common Stock  on
the  date of grant of the option. Payment of the option exercise price may be in
cash or, to the extent permitted  by the Compensation Committee, by delivery  of
previously  owned Company stock having  a fair market value  equal to the option
exercise or a combination of cash and stock. The Compensation Committee may also
permit "cashless" option exercises by  allowing optionees to surrender  portions
of their options in payment for the stock to be received.
 
    All   options  granted  under   the  1995  Nonemployee   Director  Plan  are
non-qualified -- not intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code. No  gain
will  be  recognized by  the  optionee at  the time  of  a grant.  Generally, at
exercise, ordinary income will be recognized by the optionee in an amount  equal
to the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of
the shares on the date of exercise, and the Company will receive a tax deduction
for  the  same amount.  At the  time the  optionee disposes  of the  shares, the
appreciation or depreciation of the shares  since the option was exercised  will
be  treated as either a  short or long term capital  gain, depending on how long
the shares have been held.
 
    The 1995 Nonemployee Director Plan  continues in effect until terminated  by
the  Board of Directors or by shareholders  but such termination will not affect
the terms of any options  outstanding at that time.  The Board of Directors  may
amend,  terminate or  suspend the  1995 Nonemployee  Director Plan  at any time,
provided that no amendment regarding amount,  price or timing of the grants  may
be  made more than once  every six months other than  to conform with changes in
certain Internal  Revenue Code  requirements. Amendments  that would  materially
increase  the  number  of  shares  that may  be  issued,  materially  modify the
requirements  as  to   eligibility  of  the   1995  Nonemployee  Director   Plan
participation,  or  materially increase  the  benefits to  the  1995 Nonemployee
Director Plan participants must be approved by shareholders.
 
    The number  of options  which  may be  granted  under the  1995  Nonemployee
Director  Plan in  fiscal year  1995 may  not exceed  60,000 and  any subsequent
fiscal year may not exceed 18,000,  subject to stock splits and similar  events.
Options  that are  forfeited or  terminated will  again be  available for grant.
During 1996, options to  purchase 3,000 shares of  Common Stock were granted  to
each of the Company's five nonemployee Directors.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
  CADENCE OPTIONS
 
    Many  employees of the  Company continue to hold  options to purchase Common
Stock of  Cadence granted  under Cadence's  1987 and  1993 Stock  Option  Plans.
Options  under Cadence's 1987 Stock Option Plan  continue to vest as long as the
Company is  a majority  owned subsidiary  of Cadence  or the  employee  provides
consulting  services to  Cadence. Options granted  under the  Cadence 1993 Stock
Option Plan continue to vest as long as Cadence is a shareholder of the Company.
The Amended Stockholder Agreement between the Company and Cadence provides  that
with  respect to options granted under the  1987 Stock Option Plan, Cadence will
retain certain Company employees  as consultants and  allow the continuation  of
vesting  of options held by such consultants  until fully vested. The balance of
Company employees who are  holders of such options  will be compensated, in  the
form  of cash for the in-the-money value  of unvested stock options. Such payout
will be contingent upon  each employee's continued  employment with the  Company
for  the remaining unvested period related  to these stock options. Compensation
will be paid to the employees, over the remaining vesting period, in the  amount
equal  to the difference between the option  price and the fair market value, as
defined, of Cadence Common Stock on the date of the cancellation of these  stock
options.
 
1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
    On December 15, 1995, the Board of Directors adopted, and on May 6, 1996 the
shareholders  approved,  the Company's  1995 Employee  Stock Purchase  Plan (the
"ESPP"). The Company has  reserved 250,000 shares of  Common Stock for  issuance
under the ESPP. The purpose of the ESPP is to provide a convenient and practical
means  by which employees may participate in stock ownership of the Company. The
Board of  Directors  believes that  the  opportunity to  acquire  a  proprietary
interest  in the  success of  the Company through  the acquisition  of shares of
Common Stock  pursuant to  the ESPP  is  an important  aspect of  the  Company's
ability  to attract  and retain  highly qualified  and motivated  employees. The
following is a summary of the basic terms and provisions of the ESPP.
 
    The ESPP  is administered  by the  Compensation Committee  of the  Board  of
Directors.  The Compensation Committee  has the power to  make and interpret all
rules and regulations it  deems necessary to administer  the ESPP and has  broad
authority to amend the ESPP, subject to certain amendments requiring shareholder
approval.
 
    All  regular employees  of the Company  and its  subsidiaries, including the
Company's officers, are eligible  to participate in the  ESPP if they: (i)  have
been  customarily employed by the Company more  than five months in any calendar
year, and (ii) are employed in a position with regular hours of more than twenty
hours per week. Eligible  employees may elect  to contribute from  1% to 10%  of
their cash compensation during each pay period. The ESPP provides for two annual
six-month  offering periods, beginning on  February 1 and August  1 of each year
(the "Enrollment Dates"). During  the offering periods, participants  accumulate
funds in an account via payroll deduction. At the end of each six-month offering
period,  the purchase price is determined and  the accumulated funds are used to
automatically purchase shares of Common Stock.  The purchase price per share  is
equal  to 85% of the lower  of the fair market value  of the Common Stock (a) on
the Enrollment Date of the offering period or (b) the date of purchase. Unless a
participant files a withdrawal notice before the beginning of the next  offering
period, such participant will automatically be re-enrolled for the next offering
period.
 
    Neither  payroll  deductions credited  to  a participant's  account  nor any
rights with regard to  the purchase of  shares under the  ESPP may be  assigned,
transferred,  pledged or  otherwise disposed of  in any way  by the participant.
Upon termination  of  a participant's  employment  for any  reason  the  payroll
deductions  credited  to  the  participant's account  will  be  returned  to the
participant. As of December  31, 1996, there were  231 employees of the  Company
eligible to participate in the ESPP and 102 employees participating.
 
    The  ESPP is intended to qualify as an "employee stock purchase plan" within
the meaning of Section  423 of the  Code. Under the Code,  no taxable income  is
recognized  by the participant  with respect to shares  purchased under the ESPP
either at the  time of enrollment  or at  any purchase date  within an  offering
period.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
    If  the participant disposes  of shares purchased pursuant  to the ESPP more
than two years from the Enrollment Date and more than one year from the date  on
which  the shares were purchased, the participant will recognize ordinary income
equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares  at
the  time of disposition over the purchase price, or (ii) 15% of the fair market
value of the  shares on  the Enrollment  Date. Any  gain on  the disposition  in
excess  of  the amount  treated as  ordinary  income will  be capital  gain. The
Company is not entitled to  take a deduction for the  amount of the discount  in
circumstances indicated above.
 
    If  the participant disposes of shares purchased pursuant to the ESPP within
two years after the Enrollment Date or within one year after the purchase  date,
the  employee will recognize  ordinary income on  the excess of  the fair market
value of the stock on the purchase date over the purchase price. Any  difference
between  the sale price of the shares and  the fair market value on the purchase
date will be capital gain or loss.  The Company is entitled to a deduction  from
income  equal  to the  amount the  employee  is required  to report  as ordinary
compensation income.
 
    The federal  income tax  rules  relating to  employee stock  purchase  plans
qualifying  under Section 423 of the  Code are complex. Therefore, the foregoing
outline is intended  to summarize only  certain major federal  income tax  rules
concerning qualified employee stock purchase plans.
 
EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
 
    On  July 1, 1996, the Company implemented an Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan (the "Deferred Compensation  Plan") for the  purpose of providing  eligible
executives and employees with a program for deferring compensation earned during
employment.  Under  the  terms  of  the  Deferred  Compensation  Plan,  eligible
executives and employees of the Company may make voluntary contributions to  the
Plan  as a percentage  of compensation, but  such percentage may  not exceed the
limitations  stated   in  the   Deferred   Compensation  Plan.   The   voluntary
contributions are invested in a variety of investment funds for the intended use
of  paying  plan benefits  when  participating executives  and  employees become
eligible to receive such benefits under  the terms of the Deferred  Compensation
Plan.  These investments have been included  in Other Assets in the accompanying
balance sheets.  The Company  currently  does not  match executive  or  employee
contributions and does not intend to do so in the forseeable future.
 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
 
    The  Company has entered  into Employment Agreements with  each of the named
executive officers.  Each  such Employment  Agreement  is terminable  by  either
party.  If the executive  officer resigns voluntarily  or is properly terminated
for cause, all pay and benefits under the agreement will cease as of the date of
such resignation or termination.  If the executive  officer is terminated  other
than  for cause (including the voluntary resignation by an officer upon a breach
by the  Company of  its obligations  to the  executive officer),  the  executive
officer  would receive all  base salary, commissions  and bonuses earned through
the date  of termination  plus a  payment equal  to all  accumulated but  unused
vacation and sick leave. In addition, the officer would be entitled to continued
vesting  of options  (or alternatively  be paid  the in-the-money  value of such
options), certain benefits, and payment of  base salary for a severance  period,
which  is two  years in the  case of Mr.  Barnes, 18  months in the  case of Mr.
Ramadan and  six months  for each  other executive  officer. By  agreement  with
Cadence,  Cadence would also  accelerate any Cadence  options that the executive
officer may hold  which would, by  their original vesting  schedule, vest on  or
before  July 1, 1997. If there  is a change in control  of the Company, then the
vesting schedule of  the Company options  held by the  named executive  officers
would  accelerate so that all such options would be immediately exercisable, and
all Cadence options that would have vested by July 1, 1997 (or the  in-the-money
value) would also be paid.
 
    The  Company has entered into a separation agreement with Marvin S. Wolfson,
the Company's  former  General  Manager,  Test  Software  Division.  Under  this
agreement,  Mr. Wolfson will  remain an employee  of the Company  at his current
salary and benefits  through June  1997. From  July through  December 1997,  Mr.
Wolfson  will remain a  consultant of the  Company and would  be compensated for
consulting services as rendered.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
    The following is  a description  of certain  transactions and  relationships
entered  into or existing  within the past  three years between  the Company and
Cadence.
 
HISTORICAL TRANSACTIONS
 
    In certain  foreign  markets, primarily  Europe,  the Company  invoices  its
customers  through Cadence subsidiaries. The  Company reimburses Cadence through
the intercompany account for the cost of the Company's dedicated sales agents in
these markets plus  an agency fee  due to  the fact that  these dedicated  sales
agents  are  employees  of  Cadence  subsidiaries  and  are  located  in Cadence
facilities. During the  last three  fiscal years  ended December  31, 1996,  the
amount  of such  reimbursements equaled  $1,240,000, $2,260,000  and $2,223,000,
respectively.  The  dedicated  sales  agents,  who  are  employees  of   Cadence
subsidiaries,  sell  and  support  Company products  on  a  full-time  basis and
coordinate their efforts with the Company's manufacturing facility in the United
States.
 
    In addition,  Cadence  provides  selling,  service  and  production  support
related  to the Company's Virtual Test Software  and charges the Company for the
cost of such  services. These  costs, which have  been charged  to the  Company,
equaled  $410,000, $211,000 and $287,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1994, 1995 and  1996, respectively,  and have  been reflected  in the  Financial
Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
    For  the fiscal years ended December 31,  1995 and 1996, Cadence charged the
Company approximately  $227,000 and  $98,000, respectively,  for utilization  of
certain  domestic sales offices, general liability insurance and other services.
Prior to 1995,  Cadence had  not charged the  Company, but  the estimated  costs
equaled $191,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. These amounts have
been   reflected  in  the  Financial   Statements  included  elsewhere  in  this
Prospectus.
 
    Under Cadence corporate policy, interest is charged on past due intercompany
balances. Interest is charged beginning the first day of the fourth month  after
the  charge originated. The rate is computed using the applicable fed funds rate
compounded semi-annually. For the year ended December 31, 1994, the Company paid
Cadence $20,000 for  net interest  on past  due intercompany  balances. For  the
years  ended December 31, 1995  and 1996, there was no  net interest on past due
intercompany balances.
 
    On March 31, 1995, the Company declared a $1.0 million non-cash dividend  to
Cadence for the purpose of settling intercompany accounts.
 
    Other  than the transactions described above and certain income tax matters,
the Company has  operated substantially independently  of Cadence. Although  the
Company has experienced substantial independence as a subsidiary of Cadence, its
operating  history while a wholly-owned  or majority-owned subsidiary of Cadence
cannot necessarily be  regarded as indicative  of the Company's  prospects as  a
fully independent company.
 
    In  December, 1996, the Company sold  a mixed-signal Test Station to Cadence
for a purchase price of approximately $1,260,000.
 
AGREEMENTS WITH CADENCE
 
    In managing  the intercompany  relationship between  them, the  Company  and
Cadence  have entered into several agreements  for the purpose of defining their
ongoing relationship.  These agreements  were reached  while the  Company was  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of Cadence and certain of these agreements were amended
during May 1996. Such agreements should not  be regarded as the result of  arm's
length  negotiations between independent parties. There can be no assurance that
such agreements, or the transactions provided for therein, have been or will  be
effected  on  terms at  least as  favorable to  the Company  as could  have been
obtained  from  unaffiliated  third  parties.  Management  believes  that  these
agreements,  had  they been  in  place on  a  historical basis,  would  not have
resulted in any material change in the Company's historical financial  condition
or results of operations.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
    The  Company and Cadence entered into  an Asset Transfer Agreement effective
as of June 30, 1994, under which the Company acquired the Dantes technology from
Cadence for  a purchase  price of  $55,000. Under  this Agreement,  the  Company
acquired  all  of Cadence's  right,  title and  interest  in and  to  the Dantes
technology and  all  related  intellectual  property  rights;  however,  Cadence
retained  a  perpetual,  worldwide  royalty-free right  to  use,  modify, create
derivative works based upon, market,  distribute and sublicense the  transferred
assets  in the form delivered by Cadence. Prior to June 30, 1999, Cadence is not
permitted to transfer its retained rights, except in connection with a  business
combination  involving Cadence or any Cadence subsidiary, nor is it permitted to
use the transferred assets to create  products equivalent to Dantes before  June
30, 1999.
 
    Cadence  and the Company are parties to  a Joint Sales Agreement dated as of
June 30, 1994,  which was amended  as of April  1, 1995 and  May 20, 1996.  This
agreement  provides that  each company's  sales force  may sell  certain defined
software  products  of  the  other.  The  agreement  covers  Company's  software
products,  including Dantes and  STL, and those Cadence  products needed for the
operation of Dantes and  STL. The agreement provides  for cooperative sales  and
customer  support for each party from the other, Cadence's continued manufacture
of the Company's software  products, and fees generally  equal to 10 percent  of
net  sales  of the  software  for such  services  to be  paid  reciprocally. The
agreement operates on a worldwide  basis, and extends to Cadence's  subsidiaries
and any future subsidiaries formed by either company. The term of this agreement
expires June 30, 1998, and it is renewable by mutual agreement of the parties.
 
    Cadence  and  the  Company  are parties  to  an  Amended  Corporate Services
Agreement under  which Cadence  provides  certain services  and support  to  the
Company.  The agreement provides  for Cadence to  act as the  Company's agent in
Germany, England,  France,  Israel  and  Taiwan.  Under  the  agreement  Cadence
provides  dedicated agents who are employees  of Cadence or Cadence subsidiaries
that sell and support Company products on a full-time basis and coordinate their
efforts with  the Company's  manufacturing facility  in the  United States.  The
agreement  requires the Company to pay Cadence an agency fee with respect to the
dedicated agents, and provides  further that the  Company owns the  intellectual
property such dedicated agents create. All of these dedicated agents are located
in  countries  outside the  United States.  In  addition, the  Amended Corporate
Services Agreement grants the Company  the option to acquire insurance  coverage
through  Cadence policies and to hire the dedicated agents if the Company elects
to commence  operations  where such  dedicated  agent is  located.  The  Amended
Corporate  Services Agreement will  expire on June 1,  1999, provided that after
June 1, 1997 Cadence may terminate its obligations with respect to the provision
of particular facilities on 180 days advance notice to the Company.
 
    Cadence and the Company are parties to a Tax Sharing Agreement that provides
for the  allocation between  Cadence and  the Company  of all  responsibilities,
liabilities  and benefits relating to taxes paid or payable by either Cadence or
the Company for all taxable periods, whether beginning before, on, or after  the
Company's  July 21, 1995,  initial public offering. Prior  to the initial public
offering, the Company was included in  the consolidated tax returns of  Cadence.
The  Company's  share of  Cadence's consolidated  income  tax liability  for the
period before the initial public offering  was determined on a separate  company
basis  computed under  Internal Revenue Code  guidelines and  was $1,160,000 and
$381,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994, and the three months ended  March
31,  1995,  respectively.  The Company  estimates  that there  is  no additional
obligation to Cadence  for the  period from  April 1, 1995  to the  date of  the
initial  public offering. In lieu  of payment by the  Company to Cadence of this
separate Company liability, Cadence has contributed such annual tax  obligations
to  the Company's capital. Any adjustments (for example, pursuant to an Internal
Revenue Service audit) discovered during the post-offering period, but  relating
to  the pre-offering period, will be settled  between the Company and Cadence in
cash. Subsequent  to  the Company's  initial  public offering,  the  Company  is
responsible for filing its own income tax returns.
 
    The  Company and Cadence are parties  to a Shareholder Agreement that limits
the ability of  Cadence to  sell and  vote the Common  Stock owned  by it  under
certain  circumstances. The  Shareholder Agreement  provides that  in connection
with any  sale or  series  of sales  of  Common Stock  by  Cadence to  a  single
purchaser  or related group of purchasers of in excess of 10% of the outstanding
shares of Common  Stock in a  private transaction exempt  from the  registration
provisions of the Securities Act (i) the outstanding shares of Common Stock will
not  be sold at  a price in  excess of the  average closing price  of the Common
Stock during
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
the ten business days preceding the date of the notice required by clause  (iii)
below;  (ii) that  the purchaser  will be  required to  agree in  writing not to
institute or participate in any  business combination or other transaction  that
will  result in the purchase or exchange of  the shares of Common Stock owned by
the remaining shareholders of the  Company, provided that this restriction  will
not   apply  to  a  transaction  approved   by  a  majority  of  such  remaining
shareholders; and  (iii) the  transaction  will not  be consummated  before  the
fifteenth  business day after receipt  by the Company of  notice of the proposed
transaction, including a description of  the principal terms thereof. Except  as
otherwise expressly provided, the restrictions on the ability of Cadence to sell
Common Stock terminate when Cadence ceases to own 35% or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock.
 
    The  Shareholder Agreement also provides that (i) except with respect to the
election or  removal  of  directors  and  voting  on  any  "Significant  Event,"
including  any amendment to  the Company's articles  of incorporation or bylaws,
disposition of  the  Company,  recapitalization,  liquidation  or  other  action
presented  for a vote of shareholders, which Cadence determines to be materially
adverse to  Cadence's interests  and which  is  out of  the ordinary  course  of
business  of  the Company,  Cadence  will vote  its  shares of  Common  Stock in
accordance with the recommendations  of the Board of  Directors in at least  the
same proportion as the shares held by all other shareholders are voted, (ii) all
of  the shares of Common Stock owned by Cadence will be represented in person or
by proxy at all meetings of shareholders  of the Company and (iii) Cadence  will
not  solicit proxies with respect  to the Common Stock.  The restrictions on the
ability of Cadence  to vote its  shares of  Common Stock will  terminate on  the
earlier  of the date that  Cadence ceases to own 35%  or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock or such date as Cadence's stock ownership decreases to  a
level  where Cadence  ceases to  be able  to elect  a majority  of the  Board of
Directors, and therefore such  restrictions are expected  to terminate upon  the
consummation  of  this offering.  The Shareholder  Agreement also  provides that
Cadence is entitled to  certain rights with respect  to the registration of  its
shares  of Common Stock under  the Securities Act. The  Company and Cadence have
agreed  to  indemnify   each  other  against   certain  liabilities,   including
liabilities  under  the Securities  Act. See  "Description  of Capital  Stock --
Registration Rights."
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the  beneficial
ownership  of  the Company's  Common  Stock as  of  January 15,  1997,  and such
beneficial ownership as adjusted  to reflect the sale  of 675,000 shares by  the
Company  and  825,000  shares  by  the  Selling  Shareholder  pursuant  to  this
Prospectus, by (i)  each person known  by the Company  to own beneficially  more
than  five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each director
of the Company, (iii)  each of the named  executive officers, (iv) all  officers
and  directors of the Company as a group and (v) the Selling Shareholder. Unless
otherwise indicated below, to the knowledge  of the Company, all persons  listed
below  have sole  voting and  investment power with  respect to  their shares of
Common Stock,  except  to  the  extent authority  is  shared  by  spouses  under
applicable law.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SHARES BENEFICIALLY                 SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                        OWNED PRIOR TO                        OWNED AFTER
                                                        OFFERING (1)(2)      SHARES TO   OFFERING (1) (2) (3)
DIRECTORS, NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND 5%           ---------------------  BE SOLD IN   ---------------------
SHAREHOLDERS                                           NUMBER     PERCENT    OFFERING      NUMBER     PERCENT
- ---------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  -----------  ----------  ---------
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.  .....................   3,709,000      55.1%     825,000    2,884,000      39.0%
 2655 Seely Road
 Building 5, MS 5B2
 San Jose, CA 95134
Kopp Investment Advisors, Inc. (4)  ...............     702,550      10.4%      --          702,550       9.5%
 LeRoy C. Kopp
 6600 France Avenue South
 Suite 672
 Edina, MN 55435
Keith L. Barnes....................................      58,893      *          --           58,893      *
Sar Ramadan........................................      27,479      *          --           27,479      *
W. Barry Baril.....................................      35,622      *          --           35,622      *
Marvin S. Wolfson..................................      15,563      *          --           15,563      *
Donald E. Grant....................................      25,675      *          --           25,675      *
Mark Allison.......................................       8,509      *          --            8,509
H. Raymond Bingham.................................       8,666      *          --            8,666      *
C. Scott Gibson....................................      10,766      *          --           10,766      *
James M. Hurd......................................       6,666      *          --            6,666      *
James E. Solomon...................................       6,666      *          --            6,666      *
All Officers and Directors as a Group
 (13 persons)......................................     219,928       3.2%      --          219,928       2.9%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
*   Less than one percent of the outstanding Common Stock.
 
(1)  Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the SEC, and
    includes voting power and  investment power with  respect to shares.  Shares
    that  a person has  the right to  acquire beneficial ownership  of within 60
    days from January 15, 1997, including  shares issuable upon the exercise  of
    outstanding   stock  options  that  are   currently  exercisable  or  become
    exercisable within 60 days from January 15, 1997, are considered outstanding
    for the purpose of calculating the percentage of Common Stock owned by  such
    person,  but not  for the  purpose of  calculating the  percentage of Common
    Stock owned by any other person. The number of shares which persons have the
    right to acquire within 60 days of  January 15, 1997 is as follows:  Messrs.
    Bingham,  Gibson,  Hurd, and  Solomon --  6,666; Mr.  Barnes --  53,506; Mr.
    Ramadan -- 25,921; Mr. Baril -- 35,622; Mr. Wolfson -- 15,563; Mr. Grant  --
    25,675;  Mr. Allison  -- 8,509;  all Executive  Officers and  Directors as a
    group -- 206,030.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
(2) Excludes,  with respect  to  each of  the  following principal  and  selling
    shareholders,  the number  of shares issuable  upon the  exercise of options
    that are not currently exercisable and  do not become exercisable within  60
    days  of  January 15,  1997 as  follows: Messrs.  Bingham, Gibson,  Hurd and
    Solomon -- 6,334; Mr. Barnes -- 150,494; Mr. Ramadan -- 71,078; Mr. Baril --
    55,002; Mr. Wolfson -- 20,437; Mr.  Grant -- 61,623; Mr. Allison --  26,491;
    all Executive Officers and Directors as a group -- 497,793.
 
(3) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option, which grants
    the  Underwriters the  option to  purchase an  additional 100,000  shares of
    Common Stock from the Company and 125,000 shares of Common Stock held by the
    Selling Shareholder.
 
(4) This information as to beneficial ownership is based on a schedule 13G filed
    by Kopp Investment Advisors, Inc. on behalf of itself, LeRoy C. Kopp and the
    Caring and  Sharing  Foundation. Kopp  Investment  Advisors, Inc.  had  sole
    voting  power over 55,000  shares and shared  dispositive power over 682,000
    shares; LeRoy  C. Kopp  had sole  voting power  over 55,000  shares,  shared
    voting  power over 20,000  shares and shared  dispositive power over 702,550
    shares; The Caring  and Sharing Foundation  had sole voting  power and  sole
    dispositive  power  over 20,000  shares. The  schedule  13G states  that the
    parties disclaim beneficial ownership of 702,550 shares which are held in  a
    representative or fiduciary capacity.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 15,000,000 shares of
Common  Stock, par  value $.01,  and 10,000,000  shares of  Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share. The following summary description of the Company's capital
stock does not purport to  be complete and is qualified  in its entirety by  the
provisions  of  the Company's  Restated Articles  of Incorporation  and Restated
Bylaws, which have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    After this offering, approximately 7,401,257 shares of Common Stock will  be
outstanding.  Holders of Common Stock are  entitled to receive such dividends as
may from time to time be declared by  the Board of Directors of the Company  out
of funds legally available therefor. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one
vote  per share on all matters on which the holders of Common Stock are entitled
to vote and do not  have any cumulative voting  rights. Holders of Common  Stock
have  no preemptive, conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. In the event
of a liquidation, dissolution  or winding up of  the Company, holders of  Common
Stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets of the Company, if
any, remaining after the payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company and
the  liquidation  preference of  any outstanding  class  or series  of Preferred
Stock. The outstanding  shares of  Common Stock are,  and the  shares of  Common
Stock  offered  by  the Company  hereby  when  issued will  be,  fully  paid and
nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of Common Stock
are subject to any series of Preferred Stock which the Company may issue in  the
future as described below.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The  Company is  authorized to  issue up  to 10,000,000  shares of Preferred
Stock. The Board of Directors has the authority to issue Preferred Stock in  one
or more series and to fix the number of shares constituting any such series, the
voting  powers, designations, preferences  and relative, participating, optional
or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof,
including the dividend  rights, dividend rate,  terms of redemption,  redemption
price or prices, conversion and voting rights and liquidation preferences of the
shares  constituting  any series,  without  any further  vote  or action  by the
shareholders of the  Company. The issuance  of Preferred Stock  by the Board  of
Directors  could adversely  effect the  rights of  holders of  Common Stock. For
example, issuance of  Preferred Stock  could result  in a  series of  securities
outstanding  that would  have preference over  the Common Stock  with respect to
dividends and  in liquidation,  and that  could (upon  conversion or  otherwise)
enjoy all of the rights appurtenant to the Common Stock.
 
    The  authority possessed by the Board  of Directors to issue Preferred Stock
could potentially be used to discourage attempts by others to obtain control  of
the  Company  through merger,  tender offer,  proxy  or consent  solicitation or
otherwise by making such attempts more difficult or more costly to achieve.  The
Board  of Directors may  issue Preferred Stock  without shareholder approval and
with voting rights that  could adversely affect the  voting power of holders  of
Common  Stock. There  are no  agreements or  understandings for  the issuance of
Preferred Stock, and the Board of Directors has no present intention of  issuing
any shares of Preferred Stock.
 
OREGON CONTROL SHARE AND BUSINESS COMBINATION STATUTES; CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
RESTATED ARTICLES
 
    The  Company  is subject  to  the Oregon  Control  Share Act  (OBCA Sections
60.801-60.816) (the  "Control  Share  Act"). The  Control  Share  Act  generally
provides  that a person (the "Acquiring Person") who acquires voting stock of an
Oregon corporation  in a  transaction  which results  in such  Acquiring  Person
holding  more  than 20%,  33  1/3% or  50%  of the  total  voting power  of such
corporation (a "Control Share Acquisition")  cannot vote the shares it  acquires
in  the Control  Share Acquisition ("control  shares") unless  voting rights are
accorded to such control shares by the holders of a majority of the  outstanding
voting  shares, excluding  the control shares  held by the  Acquiring Person and
shares  held  by  the  Company's  officers  and  inside  directors  ("interested
shares"),  and by the  holders of a  majority of the  outstanding voting shares,
including interested shares. The foregoing vote would be required at the time an
Acquiring Person's holdings exceed 20% of  the total voting power of a  company,
and again at the time the Acquiring Person's holdings
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
exceed  33  1/3% and  50%. The  term  "Acquiring Person"  is broadly  defined to
include persons  acting as  a group.  A  transaction in  which voting  power  is
acquired solely by receipt of an immediately revocable proxy does not constitute
a "Control Share Acquisition."
 
    The  Acquiring Person may, but is not  required to, submit to the Company an
"Acquiring  Person  Statement"  setting  forth  certain  information  about  the
Acquiring  Person and its plans for acquiring the Company's stock. The Acquiring
Person Statement may  also request that  the Company call  a special meeting  of
shareholders  to determine whether the control  shares will be allowed to retain
voting rights. If  the Acquiring Person  does not request  a special meeting  of
shareholders, the issue of voting rights of control shares will be considered at
the  next annual meeting  or special meeting  of shareholders that  is held more
than 60 days after the date of  the Control Share Acquisition. If the  Acquiring
Person's  control shares are accorded voting  rights and represent a majority or
more of  all  voting  power, shareholders  who  do  not vote  in  favor  of  the
restoration  of such voting rights will have  the right to receive the appraised
"fair value" of their shares, which may not be less than the highest price  paid
per share by the Acquiring Person for the control shares.
 
    The Company is subject to the Oregon Business Combination Act (OBCA Sections
60.825-60.845)  (the "Business  Combination Act"). The  Business Combination Act
generally provides that in the event a person or entity acquires 15% or more  of
the  voting stock  of an Oregon  corporation (an  "Interested Shareholder"), the
corporation and the Interested  Shareholder, or any  affiliated entity, may  not
engage  in certain business combination transactions for a period of three years
following the  date  the  person  became  an  Interested  Shareholder.  Business
combination  transactions for this purpose include (a) a merger or plan of share
exchange, (b) any sale,  lease, mortgage or other  disposition of the assets  of
the  corporation where the assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or
more of the aggregate  market value of the  corporation's assets or  outstanding
capital  stock  and (c)  certain  transactions that  result  in the  issuance of
capital  stock  of  the  corporation   to  the  Interested  Shareholder.   These
restrictions  do not apply if (i) the Interested Shareholder, as a result of the
transaction in which such person became an Interested Shareholder, owns at least
85% of  the outstanding  voting stock  of the  corporation (disregarding  shares
owned  by directors who are also  officers, and certain employee benefit plans),
(ii)  the  Board  of  Directors  approves  the  share  acquisition  or  business
combination  before  the  Interested Shareholder  acquired  15% or  more  of the
corporation's voting stock, or (iii) the  Board of Directors and the holders  of
at  least  two-thirds  of  the  outstanding  voting  stock  of  the  corporation
(disregarding  shares  owned   by  the  Interested   Shareholder)  approve   the
transaction  after  the  Interested  Shareholder acquires  15%  or  more  of the
corporation's voting stock. The Control  Share Act and the Business  Combination
Act  may have the effect of encouraging any potential acquiror to negotiate with
the Company's  Board of  Directors and  will also  discourage certain  potential
acquirors unwilling to comply with its provisions.
 
    The  Company's  Restated Articles  and Bylaws  contain provisions  which (i)
classify the Board of Directors into three classes as nearly equal in number  as
possible,  each of  which, after  an interim  arrangement, will  serve for three
years with one class being elected each year (the "Classified Board Provisions")
and (ii) provide that  directors may be removed  by shareholders only for  cause
and  only upon the  vote of 75%  of the votes  then entitled to  be cast for the
election of directors. The Classified  Board Provisions and the availability  of
Preferred Stock for issuance without shareholder approval may have the effect of
lengthening  the time required  for a person  to acquire control  of the Company
through a proxy contest or the election of a majority of the Board of  Directors
and may deter any potential unfriendly offers or other efforts to obtain control
of  the Company. This could deprive  the Company's shareholders of opportunities
to realize a premium for their Common Stock and could make removal of  incumbent
directors more difficult. At the same time, these provisions may have the effect
of  inducing  any persons  seeking  control of  the  Company to  negotiate terms
acceptable to  the  Board of  Directors.  In  addition, the  provisions  of  the
Restated  Articles regarding removal  of directors will make  the removal of any
director more difficult even if such removal is believed by the shareholders  to
be in their best interests. Since these provisions make the removal of directors
more  difficult,  they increase  the  likelihood that  incumbent  directors will
retain their  positions  and,  since the  Board  has  the power  to  retain  and
discharge management, could perpetuate incumbent management.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
    The  Company and  Cadence are parties  to a  Shareholder Agreement providing
Cadence with certain registration rights. In the event that the Company proposes
to register any of its securities under the Securities Act, Cadence is  entitled
to  notice of such registration and is  entitled to include its shares of Common
Stock in such registration, subject to certain marketing and other  limitations.
Cadence  also  has the  right  to require  the Company,  on  no more  than three
occasions, to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in order to
register its shares  of Common Stock.  Cadence may also  require the Company  to
file  a Form S-3  registration with respect  to its shares  of Common Stock. The
Company may,  under  certain circumstances,  defer  such registration,  and  the
underwriters  involved in such registrations have  the right, subject to certain
limitations, to limit the number of shares included in such registrations.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
    The Transfer  Agent  and  registrar  for the  Common  Stock  is  ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, Seattle, Washington.
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
    Future  sales of  substantial amounts of  Common Stock in  the public market
could adversely  affect  prevailing  market  prices.  Upon  completion  of  this
offering,  the Company will have approximately  7,401,257 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, of which  approximately 4,517,257  shares (approximately  4,742,257
shares  if  the  over-allotment option  is  exercised  in full)  will  be freely
tradeable without restriction or further  registration under the Securities  Act
except  for shares purchased by an existing  "affiliate" of the Company, as that
term is defined under the Securities  Act ("Affiliates"), which resales will  be
subject  to the resale limitations of  Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities
Act. Upon completion of this offering,  Cadence will continue to hold  2,884,000
shares (2,759,000 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised
in  full),  and will  be  eligible to  sell these  shares  in the  public market
pursuant to Rule 144, subject to certain contractual restrictions on resale.  In
addition, approximately 982,108 shares are issuable upon exercise of outstanding
options  as of the date of this Prospectus. The Company has filed a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 covering an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of Common  Stock
reserved  for issuance  under its  stock option  plans permitting  the resale of
shares issued upon  the exercise of  such options in  the public market  without
restriction.  On January 23, 1997, the  Company's Board of Directors approved an
amendment to its  1995 Stock  Incentive Plan  to reserve  an additional  600,000
shares  of Common  Stock for  issuance under  such Plan.  This amendment remains
subject to shareholder approval. Upon approval of the proposed amendment by  the
Company's  shareholders, the Company intends  to register such additional shares
on Form S-8. The  Company has also  filed a Registration  Statement on Form  S-8
covering  250,000 shares  that have  been reserved  for issuance  under its 1995
Employee Stock Purchase Plan permitting the resale of such shares in the  public
market  without restrictions  under the Securities  Act. Sales of  shares in the
public market, or  the availability  of such  shares for  sale, could  adversely
affect the market price of the Common Stock.
 
    In  general, under  Rule 144  as currently in  effect, a  person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned "restricted  securities"
within  the meaning of  Rule 144 ("Restricted  Shares") for at  least two years,
including persons  who may  be  deemed "affiliates"  of  the Company,  would  be
entitled  to sell within any three month period a number of shares that does not
exceed the  greater  of  1%  of  the number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  then
outstanding  (which will equal approximately 74,013 shares immediately after the
offering) or  the average  weekly trading  volume  of the  Common Stock  on  all
exchanges and/or reported through the automated quotation system of a registered
securities  association during  the four  calendar weeks  preceding the  date on
which notice of the sale is  filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission.
Such  sales  are  also subject  to  certain  manner of  sale  provisions, notice
requirements and  the  availability  of current  public  information  about  the
Company.  In addition, a person (or persons  whose shares are aggregated) who is
not and is  not deemed  to have been  an affiliate  of the Company  at any  time
during the 90 calendar days preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned for
at  least three years the shares proposed to  be sold, would be entitled to sell
such shares under Rule 144 as currently  in effect without regard to the  volume
limitations  described above. The  Company is unable  to estimate accurately the
number of Restricted
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
Shares that ultimately will be sold under the foregoing rules because the number
of shares will  depend in part  on the market  price for the  Common Stock,  the
circumstances  of the sellers and other  factors. Subject to certain exceptions,
the Company,  the Selling  Shareholder and  the directors  and officers  of  the
Company  have agreed for a period of 90  days after the date of this Prospectus,
without the prior  written consent of  Morgan Stanley &  Co. Incorporated,  they
will  not (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract
to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or
warrant  to  purchase,  or  otherwise  transfer  or  dispose  of,  directly   or
indirectly,  any shares  of Common stock  or any securities  convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable  for Common  Stock or (2),  directly or  indirectly,
enter  into any swap or  similar agreement that transfers,  in whole or in part,
the economic  risk  of ownership  of  the Common  Stock.  Morgan Stanley  &  Co.
Incorporated  may, in its  sole discretion, at any  time without notice, release
all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements.
 
    Restricted Shares  also may  be sold  pursuant to  a registration  statement
filed by the Company under the Securities Act in the future or another exemption
from   registration  that  might  be   available  without  compliance  with  the
requirements of Rule 144. Cadence and  the Company are parties to a  Shareholder
Agreement  providing Cadence with certain registration rights covering shares of
Common Stock that are owned by Cadence. Pursuant to such Shareholder  Agreement,
Cadence  has the right, subject to certain  terms and conditions, to require the
Company to register  its shares  of Common Stock  under the  Securities Act  for
offer  and  sale to  the  public (including  by  way of  an  underwritten public
offering). Exercise of these registration rights by Cadence could result in  the
distribution  of substantial amounts of Common Stock, including distributions in
underwritten public offerings. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration
Rights Agreement."
 
    The Company can make no prediction as  to the effect, if any, that sales  of
shares  of Common Stock, or the availability  of such shares for sale, will have
on the  market  price prevailing  from  time  to time.  Nevertheless,  sales  of
substantial  amounts  of Common  Stock in  the  public market  (including shares
issued upon the exercise of options that may be granted pursuant to any employee
stock option or other equity plan of  the Company), or the perception that  such
sales  may occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common
Stock.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITERS
 
    Under the  terms and  subject  to conditions  contained in  an  Underwriting
Agreement  dated the date hereof, the  Underwriters named below, for whom Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Cowen & Company and SoundView Financial Group,  Inc.
are  serving as the Representatives, have  severally agreed to purchase, and the
Company and the Selling Shareholder have agreed to sell to the Underwriters, the
respective number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite their  respective
names below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           NUMBER OF
                                          NAME                                               SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated........................................................
Cowen & Company..........................................................................
SoundView Financial Group, Inc...........................................................
 
                                                                                           ----------
    Total................................................................................   1,500,000
                                                                                           ----------
                                                                                           ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The  Underwriting  Agreement provides  that the  obligations of  the several
Underwriters to  pay for  and accept  delivery  of the  shares of  Common  Stock
offered  hereby are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by counsel,
and to certain  other conditions, including  the conditions that  no stop  order
suspending  the effectiveness of the Registration  Statement is in effect and no
proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the  Securities
and  Exchange Commission and that  there has been no  material adverse change or
any development involving a prospective material adverse change in the business,
financial condition or results of operations of the Company from that set  forth
in  the Registration Statement.  The Underwriters are obligated  to take and pay
for all of the shares of Common  stock offered hereby (other than those  covered
by the over-allotment option described below) if any such shares are taken.
 
    The  Underwriters initially  propose to offer  part of the  shares of Common
Stock offered hereby  directly to the  public at the  public offering price  set
forth  on the  cover page hereof  and part to  certain dealers at  a price which
represents a concession not  in excess of $         per  share under the  public
offering  price.  Any Underwriter  may allow,  and such  dealers may  reallow, a
concession not in excess of $       a share to other Underwriters or to  certain
other dealers.
 
    The  Company and the Selling Shareholder have granted to the Underwriters an
option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up
to an additional 225,000 shares of Common Stock at the public offering price set
forth on the cover page hereof, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The
Underwriters may  exercise  such  option  solely for  the  purpose  of  covering
over-allotments,  if any, incurred in the sale of shares of Common Stock offered
hereby.
 
    In connection with  this offering,  certain Underwriters  and selling  group
members  (if any)  or their respective  affiliates who  are qualified registered
market makers on the Nasdaq National Market may engage in passive market  making
transactions  in the  Common Stock on  the Nasdaq National  Market in accordance
with Rule  10b-6A under  the Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934 during  the  two
business day period before
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
commencement  of  offers or  sales of  Common Stock.  The passive  market making
transactions must  comply  with  applicable  price  and  volume  limits  and  be
identified  as such. In general, a passive market maker may display its bid at a
price not in  excess of the  highest independent  bid for the  security; if  all
independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker's bid, however, such
bid  must  then  be  lowered  when certain  purchase  limits  are  exceeded. Net
purchases by a  passive market  maker on  each day  are generally  limited to  a
specified  percentage of the passive market  making average daily trading volume
in the Common Stock  during a price  period and must  be discontinued when  such
limit  is reached. Passive market  making may stabilize the  market price of the
Common Stock  at  a level  above  that which  might  otherwise prevail  and,  if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
    The  Company, the  Selling Shareholder and  the Underwriters  have agreed to
indemnify each other  against certain liabilities,  including liabilities  under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
    Subject  to certain exceptions, the Company and the Selling Shareholder each
have agreed in the Underwriting  Agreement that it will not  for a period of  90
days  after the date  of this Prospectus,  without the prior  written consent of
Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated, (1) offer, pledge,  sell, contract to  sell,
sell  any option  or contract  to purchase, purchase  any option  or contract to
sell, grant any option, right or  warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer  or
dispose of any shares of, directly or indirectly, Common Stock or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (2) directly
or  indirectly enter into any swap or similar agreement that transfers, in whole
or in part, the economic risk of ownership of the Common Stock.
 
    See  "Shares  Eligible  for  Future  Sale"  for  a  description  of  certain
arrangements  by which all directors and  executive officers of the Company have
agreed not to sell  or otherwise dispose  of Common Stock of  the Company for  a
period  of 90 days after the date  of this Prospectus, without the prior written
consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for  the
Company  by Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson  & Skerritt, LLP, Portland, Oregon. Certain
legal matters  in connection  with the  offering  will be  passed upon  for  the
Underwriters by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo
Alto, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The  financial statements and related schedule of the Company as of December
31, 1995 and  1996 and  for each  of the years  in the  three-year period  ended
December  31, 1996 included in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration
Statement  have  been  audited  by  Arthur  Andersen  LLP,  independent   public
accountants,  as  indicated  in their  reports,  with respect  thereto,  and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving
said reports.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    The Company is subject to  the informational requirements of the  Securities
Exchange  Act of  1934 (the "Exchange  Act"), and in  accordance therewith files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Reports,  proxy statements and other  information
filed  by  the Company  may  be inspected  and  copied at  the  public reference
facilities maintained by the  Commission at Room 1024,  450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,
Washington,  D.C. 20549 and at certain of  its regional offices located at Seven
World Trade Center, 13th  Floor, New York, New  York 10048 and Citicorp  Center,
500  West Madison  Street, Suite 1400,  Chicago, Illinois 60661.  Copies of such
material can be obtained  from the Public Reference  Section of the  Commission,
450  Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington, D.C.  20549,  at  prescribed  rates. The
Commission also maintains a  site on the World  Wide Web that contains  reports,
proxy  and information  statements, and other  information regarding registrants
that file  electronically with  the  Commission. The  address  of such  site  is
http://www.sec.gov.  The Common  Stock of  the Company  is quoted  on the Nasdaq
National Market. Reports  and other  information concerning the  Company may  be
inspected  at  the  National Association  of  Securities Dealers,  Inc.,  1735 K
Street, Washington, D.C.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
    A Registration Statement on Form S-1, including amendments thereto, relating
to the  Common Stock  offered hereby  has been  filed by  the Company  with  the
Securities  and Exchange Commission,  Washington, D.C. This  Prospectus does not
contain all of the information set  forth in the Registration Statement and  the
exhibits  and schedules thereto.  Statements contained in  this Prospectus as to
the contents of any contract or  other document referred to are not  necessarily
complete  and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or
other document filed  as an  exhibit to  the Registration  Statement. Each  such
statement  is qualified in all  respects by such reference  to such exhibit. For
further information with  respect to the  Company and the  Common Stock  offered
hereby,  reference is made  to such Registration Statement  and the exhibits and
schedules filed  as  a  part  of  the Registration  Statement.  A  copy  of  the
Registration   Statement,  including  Exhibits  and  schedules  thereto  may  be
inspected without charge at  the public reference  facilities maintained by  the
Commission  at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Judiciary Plaza, Washington D.C. 20549, and
copies of all or any part thereof  may be obtained from the Commission upon  the
payment of certain fees prescribed by the Commission.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                       INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants..................................  F-2
Balance Sheets............................................................  F-3
Statements of Income......................................................  F-4
Statements of Shareholders' Equity........................................  F-5
Statements of Cash Flows..................................................  F-6
Notes to the Financial Statements.........................................  F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc.:
 
    We  have audited the  accompanying balance sheets  of Integrated Measurement
Systems, Inc. (an Oregon corporation) as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and  the
related  statements of income, shareholders' equity,  and cash flows for each of
the years in  the three-year  period ended  December 31,  1996. These  financial
statements   are   the   responsibility  of   the   Company's   management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based upon
our audits.
 
    We conducted  our  audits in  accordance  with generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence  supporting
the  amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles used  and  significant estimates  made  by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the financial  statements referred to above present  fairly,
in  all  material respects,  the  financial position  of  Integrated Measurement
Systems, Inc.  as  of  December 31,  1995  and  1996, and  the  results  of  its
operations  and its cash  flows for each  of the years  in the three-year period
ended December  31,  1996  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Portland, Oregon,
January 24, 1997
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                              --------------------
                                                                                                1995       1996
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                           <C>        <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................  $   8,930  $   9,545
  Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $338 and $489..................      8,117     11,352
  Receivable from Cadence, net..............................................................      1,094      2,125
  Inventories...............................................................................      5,830      7,940
  Deferred income taxes.....................................................................      1,420      1,690
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................................................        735      1,118
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total current assets....................................................................     26,126     33,770
Property, plant and equipment, net..........................................................      5,178      5,924
Service spare parts, net....................................................................      2,223      2,567
Software development costs, net.............................................................      1,573      1,446
Other assets, net...........................................................................         84        607
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total assets............................................................................  $  35,184  $  44,314
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                       LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<S>                                                                                           <C>        <C>
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................................................  $   2,660  $   2,251
  Accrued compensation......................................................................      1,629      2,036
  Accrued warranty..........................................................................        801        500
  Deferred revenue..........................................................................      2,291      1,727
  Income taxes payable......................................................................     --            979
  Other current liabilities.................................................................        810        750
  Capital lease obligations -- current......................................................        164        247
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total current liabilities...............................................................      8,355      8,490
Deferred income taxes.......................................................................        291        417
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion...........................................         54        278
Deferred compensation.......................................................................     --            270
Commitments
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued and
   outstanding..............................................................................     --         --
  Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 15,000,000 shares; 6,699,803 and 6,726,257 issued
   and outstanding..........................................................................         67         67
  Additional paid-in capital................................................................     20,467     22,676
  Retained earnings.........................................................................      5,950     12,116
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total shareholders' equity..............................................................     26,484     34,859
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity..............................................  $  35,184  $  44,314
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
                                                                                              ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                   -------------------------------
                                                                                     1994       1995       1996
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                <C>        <C>        <C>
Product sales....................................................................  $  23,981  $  33,076  $  40,244
Service and other sales..........................................................      6,071      8,017     10,593
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net sales......................................................................     30,052     41,093     50,837
Cost of product sales............................................................     10,090     12,827     14,203
Cost of service and other sales..................................................      2,345      2,939      3,935
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total cost of sales............................................................     12,435     15,766     18,138
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
  Gross margin...................................................................     17,617     25,327     32,699
 
Operating expenses:
  Research, development and engineering..........................................      3,664      6,177      7,796
  Selling, general and administrative............................................     10,972     13,681     15,408
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total operating expenses.....................................................     14,636     19,858     23,204
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
    Operating income.............................................................      2,981      5,469      9,495
Other income, net................................................................        142        349        250
Interest expense.................................................................        (28)       (30)       (33)
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before income taxes.......................................................      3,095      5,788      9,712
Provision for income taxes.......................................................      1,185      2,253      3,546
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net income.....................................................................  $   1,910  $   3,535  $   6,166
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Net income per share.............................................................  $    0.30  $    0.53  $    0.88
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding.......      6,366      6,685      7,003
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                       STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  COMMON STOCK        ADDITIONAL                    TOTAL
                                                            ------------------------    PAID-IN     RETAINED    SHAREHOLDERS'
                                                              SHARES       AMOUNT       CAPITAL     EARNINGS       EQUITY
                                                            -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Balance, December 31, 1993................................       6,324    $      63    $  13,509    $   1,532    $    15,104
  Contributed capital.....................................      --           --            1,255       --              1,255
  Net income..............................................      --           --           --            1,910          1,910
                                                                 -----          ---   -----------  -----------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1994................................       6,324           63       14,764        3,442         18,269
  Contributed capital.....................................      --           --              177       --                177
  Net proceeds from initial public offering...............         375            4        3,253       --              3,257
  Stock issued under employee stock option plans..........           1       --                3       --                  3
  Dividend to Cadence.....................................      --           --           --           (1,027)        (1,027)
  Tax benefit from Cadence stock option transactions by
   IMS employees..........................................      --           --            2,270       --              2,270
  Net income..............................................      --           --           --            3,535          3,535
                                                                 -----          ---   -----------  -----------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995................................       6,700           67       20,467        5,950         26,484
  Stock issued under employee stock plans.................          26       --              288       --                288
  Tax benefit from Cadence stock option transactions by
   IMS employees..........................................      --           --            1,921       --              1,921
  Net income..............................................      --           --           --            6,166          6,166
                                                                 -----          ---   -----------  -----------  -------------
Balance, December 31, 1996................................       6,726    $      67    $  22,676    $  12,116    $    34,859
                                                                 -----          ---   -----------  -----------  -------------
                                                                 -----          ---   -----------  -----------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                ----------------------------------
                                                                                   1994        1995        1996
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Cash received from customers................................................  $   29,565  $   36,994  $   47,958
  Interest received...........................................................         203         320         428
  Payments to suppliers.......................................................     (13,030)    (16,986)    (22,782)
  Payments to employees.......................................................      (9,792)    (14,082)    (17,717)
  Income taxes paid...........................................................      --            (495)       (629)
  Other taxes paid............................................................        (575)       (733)     (1,257)
  Interest paid...............................................................         (28)        (30)        (33)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net cash provided by operating activities.................................       6,343       4,988       5,968
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of equipment and software.........................................      (1,724)     (1,874)     (3,299)
  Purchases of service spare parts............................................        (295)       (600)     (1,057)
  Software development costs..................................................      (1,062)       (974)       (715)
  Purchases of long-term investments..........................................      --          --            (270)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net cash used in investing activities.....................................      (3,081)     (3,448)     (5,341)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Principal payments under capital leases.....................................        (168)       (254)       (300)
  Net proceeds from initial public offering...................................      --           3,257      --
  Proceeds from employee stock plans..........................................      --               3         288
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.......................        (168)      3,006         (12)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.................................       3,094       4,546         615
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year................................       1,290       4,384       8,930
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year......................................  $    4,384  $    8,930  $    9,545
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
  Net income..................................................................  $    1,910  $    3,535  $    6,166
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
   activities:
    Depreciation and amortization.............................................       2,300       3,071       3,492
    Contributed capital.......................................................       1,255         177      --
    Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes.............................          25        (763)       (144)
    Increase in deferred compensation.........................................      --          --             270
  Net change in receivable from Cadence.......................................      (1,985)       (373)     (1,031)
  (Increase) decrease in trade receivables....................................       1,119      (3,693)     (3,235)
  (Increase) decrease in inventories..........................................         670      (2,606)     (2,110)
  (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets............          28        (485)       (383)
  Decrease in notes receivable................................................         235      --          --
  Increase in income taxes payable............................................      --          --           2,900
  Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses...........................         507       4,963         607
  Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue.....................................         279       1,162        (564)
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash provided by operating activities.....................................  $    6,343  $    4,988  $    5,968
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                ----------  ----------  ----------
Supplemental schedule of noncash financing activities:
  Purchases of assets through capital leases..................................  $      244  $      181  $      607
  Tax benefit from Cadence stock option transactions by IMS
   employees..................................................................  $   --      $    2,270  $    1,921
  Noncash dividend to Cadence.................................................  $   --      $    1,027  $   --
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                       NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
1.  COMPANY BACKGROUND AND INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING:
    Integrated   Measurement  Systems,  Inc.  (the  Company  or  IMS)  commenced
operations in August 1983. The Company  was independent until acquired by  Valid
Logic  in 1989. In  1991, Valid Logic  merged with Cadence  Design Systems, Inc.
(Cadence) in a transaction accounted for as a pooling. From that time until July
21, 1995, the Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of Cadence.
 
    On July  21, 1995,  the  Company successfully  completed an  initial  public
offering  of common stock. A  total of 2,990,000 shares were  sold at a price of
$11 per share. Of these, 375,000 shares were sold by the Company, and  2,615,000
were  sold by Cadence. The net proceeds to the Company from this offering, after
deduction of expenses directly related to the offering, were $3.3 million, while
net proceeds to Cadence amounted to approximately $26.6 million. At December 31,
1996, Cadence owned 55% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, with the
remaining 45% publicly owned.
 
    The Company is  engaged in designing,  developing, manufacturing,  marketing
and  servicing high-performance engineering  Test Stations and  test software to
test and measure the performance of complex electronic devices. In addition, the
Company develops, markets  and supports  a line  of Virtual  Test Software  that
permits  design and test  engineers to automate test  program development and to
conduct simulated tests of electronic device designs prior to the fabrication of
a prototype of  the actual device.  Virtual Test Software  and related  services
accounted for approximately 5% of net sales for both of the years ended December
31, 1994 and 1995 and 9% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
    The Company markets and supports its products worldwide through a network of
direct  sales  force personnel,  independent  distributors and  dedicated agents
employed by Cadence in international locations.
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
    USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformance  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions that  affect the  reported  amounts of  assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure  of contingent  assets and liabilities  at the date  of the financial
statements and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
    REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    The  Company generally  recognizes revenue  from product  sales and software
licenses  as  the  product  ships  and  there  are  no  significant  obligations
remaining.  Contract service and support revenues that are billed in advance are
recorded as deferred revenue and recognized ratably over the contractual  period
as  the services and support are performed. Revenue from other services, such as
consulting and training, is recognized as the related services are performed  or
when certain milestones are achieved.
 
    PRODUCT WARRANTY
 
    The  Company  provides  a  warranty  for  its  products  and  establishes an
estimated accrual at  the time  of sale  considered adequate  to cover  warranty
costs during the warranty period.
 
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    The  Company  classifies all  highly  liquid investments  purchased  with an
original maturity  of three  months or  less as  cash equivalents.  The  Company
invests  with  high credit  quality  financial institutions  which  bear minimal
credit risk.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
    INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories,  consisting  principally   of  computer  hardware,   electronic
sub-assemblies   and  test  equipment,  are   valued  at  standard  costs  which
approximate the lower of  cost (first-in, first-out) or  market. Costs used  for
inventory valuation purposes include material, labor and manufacturing overhead.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1995       1996
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Raw materials........................................................................  $   2,613  $   4,098
Work-in-progress.....................................................................      2,945      2,912
Finished goods.......................................................................        272        930
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
  Total inventories..................................................................  $   5,830  $   7,940
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property,  plant and equipment is stated at cost and consists principally of
computer  equipment,  furniture  and  leasehold  improvements.  Depreciation  of
computer  equipment  and furniture  is computed  principally on  a straight-line
basis over the  estimated useful lives  of the assets,  generally three to  five
years.  Leasehold improvements are  amortized on a  straight-line basis over the
lesser of  the  term  of  the  lease, or  the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the
improvements.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    --------------------
                                                                                      1995       1996
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                 <C>        <C>
Leasehold improvements............................................................  $     200  $     313
Computer equipment and furniture..................................................     13,053     14,756
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
                                                                                       13,253     15,069
Less accumulated depreciation.....................................................     (8,075)    (9,145)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
  Net property, plant and equipment...............................................  $   5,178  $   5,924
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
                                                                                    ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    SERVICE SPARE PARTS
 
    Service  spare  parts consist  of electronic  components  which are  used to
service  Test  Stations  for  which  the  Company  has  entered  into  equipment
maintenance  agreements  with customers.  Subsequent to  December 31,  1995, the
Company reclassified  its  service spare  parts  from inventory  to  non-current
assets to more accurately reflect the use of such parts in the Company's service
business.  These assets are not held for sale, diminish in value in a reasonably
predictable manner, and therefore are subject to depreciation. Beginning January
1, 1996, depreciation of the Company's service spare parts is being computed  on
a  straight-line basis over the estimated  useful lives of the assets, generally
eight years, and charged to Cost of Service and Other Sales. Prior to 1996,  the
Company charged normally recurring adjustments necessary to present inventory at
its  estimated net realizable value to Cost of Service and Other Sales. In order
to reflect this change,  the Company recorded  a charge to  Cost of Service  and
Other  Sales  of  $327  during  the  first  quarter  of  1996,  representing the
cumulative  difference  in  financial  statement  carrying  value  between   the
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
depreciated  cost under the new accounting method at January 1, 1996 and the net
inventory carrying value of the service spare parts assets at December 31, 1995.
Cost and accumulated depreciation of service spare parts are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1995       1996
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Service spare parts, at cost.........................................................  $   2,675  $   3,732
Less accumulated depreciation........................................................       (452)    (1,165)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
  Net service spare parts............................................................  $   2,223  $   2,567
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING COSTS
 
    Research, development and engineering costs are expensed as incurred.
 
    SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS
 
    The Company  capitalizes certain  software development  costs incurred  once
technological  and economic  feasibility of  the product  has been demonstrated.
These capitalized costs are  amortized over the estimated  economic life of  the
related  product, generally three years, computed principally on a straight-line
basis. Amortization is  included in Cost  of Product Sales  in the  accompanying
Statements of Income.
 
    The Company capitalized software development costs amounting to $1,062, $974
and  $715 in 1994, 1995 and  1996, respectively. Related amortization expense of
$625, $1,277 and $842 was recorded in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1995       1996
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Software development costs...........................................................  $   4,516  $   5,231
Less accumulated amortization........................................................     (2,943)    (3,785)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
  Net software development costs.....................................................  $   1,573  $   1,446
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    INCOME TAXES
 
    The Company accounts for income taxes  under the asset and liability  method
as  defined by  the provisions  of Statement  of Financial  Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No.  109, "Accounting  for  Income Taxes".  Under this  method,  deferred
income  taxes are  recognized for  the future  tax consequences  attributable to
temporary differences  between  the  financial statement  and  tax  balances  of
existing  assets  and  liabilities.  Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities are
measured using enacted  tax rates  expected to apply  to taxable  income in  the
years  in  which those  temporary differences  are expected  to be  recovered or
settled. Under SFAS 109, the effect on  deferred taxes of a change in tax  rates
is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
    The  Company accounts for its  stock-based plans under Accounting Principles
Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25").  In
1996,  the Company adopted  the disclosure provisions  of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation"  ("SFAS
123").
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (CONTINUED)
    NET INCOME PER COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE
 
    Net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common
and  dilutive common equivalent shares (stock options) assumed to be outstanding
during the period, using the treasury stock method. The Company's stock  options
which  were granted during  the twelve-month period prior  to its initial public
offering have been considered outstanding for all periods presented.
 
    RECLASSIFICATIONS
 
    Certain reclassifications  have  been  made in  the  accompanying  financial
statements for 1994 and 1995 to conform with the 1996 presentation.
 
3.  CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS:
    The  Company leases  certain equipment  under capital  lease agreements. All
lease obligations are secured by the related asset. A schedule of future minimum
lease payments under  capital lease  agreements as of  December 31,  1996 is  as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
1997.................................................................  $     240
1998.................................................................        169
1999.................................................................        175
                                                                       ---------
Total minimum payments...............................................        584
Amount representing interest.........................................        (59)
                                                                       ---------
Present value of future minimum lease payments.......................        525
  Less current portion...............................................       (247)
                                                                       ---------
Long-term capital lease obligation...................................  $     278
                                                                       ---------
                                                                       ---------
</TABLE>
 
4.  COMMITMENTS:
    The  Company  leases its  facilities and  certain equipment  under operating
leases that expire  from 1998 to  2001. The approximate  minimum lease  payments
under these operating leases at December 31, 1996 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
1997................................................................  $   1,081
1998................................................................      1,046
1999................................................................        118
2000................................................................         90
2001................................................................         60
</TABLE>
 
    Rent  expense was approximately $875, $1,111  and $1,189 for the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
5.  LINE OF CREDIT:
    In December 1995, the Company secured a revolving line of credit with a bank
allowing maximum borrowings of $10,000. The Company can borrow, with interest at
the bank's prime lending  rate, or if lower,  at certain margins above  bankers'
acceptance  on interbank offering  rates. There have  been no borrowings against
the line of  credit to date.  Certain financial covenants  are included in  this
agreement,  which the Company was  in compliance with at  December 31, 1996. The
line of credit is renewable April 30, 1997.
 
6.  EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLANS:
    The Company has a profit sharing plan and trust that qualifies as a deferred
salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under  the
terms of the plan, the employees of the Company may make voluntary contributions
to  the  plan  as  a  percentage  of compensation,  but  not  in  excess  of the
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
6.  EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLANS: (CONTINUED)
maximum allowed under the Code. Employees become eligible to participate in  the
plan  upon completion of six months of continuous employment and having attained
the age of 21. The Company  currently does not match employee contributions  and
does not intend to do so in the future.
 
    On  July 1, 1996, the Company implemented an Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan (the "Plan") for the purpose of providing eligible executives and employees
with a program for deferring compensation earned during employment. The Plan  is
intended  to constitute  an unfunded  deferred compensation  arrangement for the
benefit of a select group of  management or highly compensated employees of  the
Company.  Under the terms of the Plan,  eligible executives and employees of the
Company may  make  voluntary  contributions  to the  Plan  as  a  percentage  of
compensation,  but not in excess of limitations  stated in the Plan. The Company
has invested these voluntary contributions in a variety of investment funds  for
the  intended  use of  paying plan  benefits  when participating  executives and
employees become eligible to receive such benefits under the terms of the  Plan.
These investments have been included in Other Assets in the accompanying Balance
Sheets. The Company currently does not match executive or employee contributions
and does not intend to do so in the near future.
 
7.  EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR STOCK PLANS:
 
    On  May 10, 1995, the Company's Board  of Directors approved the adoption of
the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the 1995 Plan) pursuant to which 1,250,000 shares
of the Company's  Common Stock have  been reserved for  issuance. Subsequent  to
December  31, 1996,  the Company's Board  of Directors approved  an amendment to
reserve an additional 600,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 1995
Plan. This amendment  remains subject  to shareholder approval.  Under the  1995
Plan,  incentive stock  options may  be granted  to selected  employees. Options
under the 1995 Plan vest ratably over a four-year period from the date of grant,
expire ten years from the date of grant, and are exercisable at prices generally
not less than the fair market value at the grant date. During 1996, the  Company
cancelled  and reissued certain  incentive stock options  granted to non-officer
employees. The reissued options were granted at fair market value on the date of
reissuance and have been reflected in  the following table as cancellations  and
new  grants. These  options vest ratably  over four  years from the  date of the
reissuance.
 
    On May 10, 1995, the  Board of Directors approved  the adoption of the  1995
Stock  Option Plan for  Nonemployee Directors (the  "Nonemployee Director Plan")
pursuant to  which  250,000 shares  of  the  Company's Common  Stock  have  been
reserved  for issuance. The  Nonemployee Director Plan  covers directors who are
not employees  of the  Company. The  Nonemployee Director  Plan allows  for  the
automatic  grant of  10,000 options upon  becoming a director  and 3,000 options
annually thereafter. Grants to-date have been  made at fair market value on  the
date  of grant.  These options vest  ratably over  three years from  the date of
grant. Since consummation of the Company's initial public offering, 65,000 stock
options were awarded under the Nonemployee Director Plan.
 
    On May 6, 1996, the shareholders approved the adoption of the 1995  Employee
Stock  Purchase  Plan  (the "ESPP")  pursuant  to  which 250,000  shares  of the
Company's  Common  Stock  have  been  reserved  for  issuance  to  participating
employees, of which 18,641 shares have been issued as of December 31, 1996. Each
eligible  employee  may elect  to  contribute up  to  10 percent  of  their cash
compensation during  each pay  period.  The ESPP  provides for  two  semi-annual
offering  periods, beginning February  1 and August  1 of each  year. During the
offering periods,  participants  accumulate  funds in  an  account  via  payroll
deduction.  At the end of each six-month  offering period, the purchase price is
determined and the accumulated funds  are used to automatically purchase  shares
of  the Company's  Common Stock.  The purchase  price per  share is  equal to 85
percent of the lower  of the fair market  value of the Common  Stock (a) on  the
Enrollment Date of the offering period or (b) on the date of the purchase.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
7.  EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR STOCK PLANS: (CONTINUED)
    During  1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 123 which
defines a fair value based method of accounting for an employee stock option  or
similar  equity instrument and  encourages all entities to  adopt that method of
accounting for all of their employee stock compensation plans. However, it  also
allows  an entity to continue to measure compensation cost for those plans using
the method of accounting prescribed in APB 25. Entities electing to remain  with
the  accounting in APB 25 must make pro  forma disclosures of net income and, if
presented, earnings per share, as if  the fair value based method of  accounting
defined in the Statement had been applied.
 
    The  Company has  elected to account  for its  stock-based compensation plan
under APB  25. However,  the  Company has  computed,  for pro  forma  disclosure
purposes,  the  value of  all options  granted  during 1995  and 1996  using the
Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model  as  prescribed  by  SFAS  123,  using  the
following weighted average assumptions for grants in 1995 and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                  <C>
Risk-free interest rate............................................  6%
Expected dividend yield............................................  0%
Expected life......................................................  4 years
Expected volatility................................................  61%
</TABLE>
 
    The  total value of options granted during  1995 and 1996 would be amortized
on a pro forma basis over the  vesting period of the options. Options  generally
vest  equally over four years.  If the Company had  accounted for these plans in
accordance with SFAS  123, the  Company's net income  and net  income per  share
would have decreased as reflected in the following pro forma amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
                                                                                     31,
                                                                             --------------------
                                                                               1995       1996
                                                                             ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>
Net income:
  As reported..............................................................  $   3,535  $   6,166
  Pro forma................................................................  $   3,194  $   5,092
Net income per share:
  As reported..............................................................  $    0.53  $    0.88
  Pro forma................................................................  $    0.49  $    0.74
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
7.  EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR STOCK PLANS: (CONTINUED)
    The  Company has not and  does not currently contemplate  any plans to issue
equity instruments other than options to  purchase Common Stock of the  Company.
Options  are issued  with an exercise  price equal  to the price  of the closing
trade on the Nasdaq National  Market on the date of  issuance. A summary of  the
status  of the  Company's stock  option plans and  changes are  presented in the
following table.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                    ----------------------------------------------
                                                             1995                    1996
                                                    ----------------------  ----------------------
                                                                WTD. AVG.               WTD. AVG.
                                                     SHARES     EX. PRICE    SHARES     EX. PRICE
                                                    ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
Options outstanding at beginning of year..........     --          --         534,264   $    9.36
Granted...........................................    542,250        9.36     442,200       14.57
Exercised.........................................        803        8.50       7,813        9.38
Cancelled.........................................      7,183        9.05     107,043       17.91
                                                    ---------       -----   ---------  -----------
Options outstanding at end of year................    534,264   $    9.36     861,608   $   10.97
                                                    ---------       -----   ---------  -----------
                                                    ---------       -----   ---------  -----------
Exercisable at end of year........................     78,433   $    8.85     241,698   $    9.81
                                                    ---------       -----   ---------  -----------
                                                    ---------       -----   ---------  -----------
Shares issued under the ESPP......................     --          --          18,641   $   11.26
                                                    ---------       -----   ---------  -----------
                                                    ---------       -----   ---------  -----------
Weighted average fair value of options granted....     --           $4.88      --           $6.85
Weighted average fair value of shares issued under
 the ESPP.........................................     --          --          --           $3.87
</TABLE>
 
    The following table sets  forth the exercise price  range, number of  shares
outstanding  at December 31, 1996,  weighted average remaining contractual life,
weighted average  exercise  price, number  of  exercisable shares  and  weighted
average  exercise price  of exercisable options  by groups of  similar price and
grant date:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
                         -------------------------------------------     OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                         WEIGHTED                     --------------------------
                                          AVERAGE        WEIGHTED                    WEIGHTED
                         OUTSTANDING     REMAINING        AVERAGE                     AVERAGE
                          SHARES AT     CONTRACTUAL      EXERCISE     EXERCISABLE    EXERCISE
 EXERCISE PRICE RANGE     12/31/96     LIFE (YEARS)        PRICE        OPTIONS        PRICE
- -----------------------  -----------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>
$ 8.50-$ 8.50               380,387           8.36       $    8.50       156,973     $    8.50
$10.00-$12.38                59,761           8.46       $   10.24        29.294     $   10.13
$12.50-$12.50               162,832           9.37       $   12.50        16,345     $   12.50
$12.75-$13.13                90,750           9.05       $   12.80        18,583     $   12.75
$13.25-$24.00               167,878           9.21       $   14.36        20,503     $   14.51
</TABLE>
 
    As of December 31,  1996, employees of the  Company also held  approximately
334,949 Cadence stock options, under the original terms of their issuance. These
options  were granted to  IMS employees by  Cadence prior to  1995 (see Note 1).
Upon exercise of Cadence  options, proceeds equal to  the option exercise  price
pass to Cadence, and there is no impact on the number of shares of Company stock
outstanding.
 
    Certain  unvested Cadence  stock options held  by Company  employees will be
cancelled as  a result  of  any offering  that  reduces Cadence's  Common  Stock
ownership  in  the Company  to  below certain  percentages  as specified  in the
Cadence Stock Option Plans. Cadence will  compensate such employees in the  form
of  cash for  the value of  these unvested stock  options. Such pay  out will be
contingent upon each  employees continued  employment with the  Company for  the
remaining unvested period related to these options.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
7.  EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR STOCK PLANS: (CONTINUED)
Compensation  expense, equal to the difference of  the option price and the fair
market value, as defined, of Cadence's Common Stock on the date of  cancellation
of  these options, will be reflected as  a charge in the Company's Statements of
Income over the remaining vesting period.
 
8.  INCOME TAXES:
    The accompanying  Statements  of Income  present  the Company's  income  tax
expense  computed on a separate return basis.  The taxable income of the Company
was included in  the Cadence consolidated  income tax returns  through July  20,
1995.  The Company has been filing independent income tax returns since July 21,
1995, the date of the Company's initial public offering.
 
    Income tax  liabilities  through March  31,  1995, have  been  settled  with
Cadence.  The settlement with Cadence is reflected as contributed capital in the
accompanying Statements of Shareholders' Equity. Income tax liabilities for  the
period April 1 through July 20, 1995 were settled with Cadence in cash.
 
    The provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             -------------------------------
                                                                               1994       1995       1996
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
Current:
  Federal..................................................................  $     934  $   2,529  $   3,098
  State....................................................................        226        487        592
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 1,160      3,016      3,690
Deferred...................................................................         25       (763)      (144)
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total....................................................................  $   1,185  $   2,253  $   3,546
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The effective tax rate differs from the Federal statutory rate as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                -------------------------------
                                                                                  1994       1995       1996
                                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
Federal statutory tax rate....................................................       34.0%      34.0%      34.0%
State taxes, net of Federal tax effect........................................        4.4        4.1        4.1
Research and development tax credits..........................................         --         --       (1.9)
Other, net....................................................................       (0.1)       0.8        0.3
                                                                                      ---        ---        ---
  Total.......................................................................       38.3%      38.9%      36.5%
                                                                                      ---        ---        ---
                                                                                      ---        ---        ---
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
8.  INCOME TAXES: (CONTINUED)
    The net deferred tax asset consists of the following tax effects relating to
temporary differences:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       --------------------
                                                                                         1995       1996
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Inventory valuation................................................................  $     641  $     723
  Accrued vacation and other compensation............................................        209        444
  Book in excess of tax depreciation.................................................        194         86
  Allowance for doubtful accounts....................................................        129        168
  Accrued warranty...................................................................        398        187
  Research and development credit carryforward.......................................         --        222
  Other..............................................................................        158         54
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                           1,729      1,884
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Service spare parts valuation......................................................         --        (69)
  Software development costs.........................................................       (600)      (542)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                            (600)      (611)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
  Net deferred tax asset.............................................................  $   1,129  $   1,273
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The  Company's research and development credit  carryforwards can be used to
reduce future federal and state income tax liabilities and expire in 2004.
 
    For the years ended  December 31, 1995 and  1996, income taxes payable  have
been  reduced by $2,270 and  $1,921, respectively, for the  tax benefit from tax
deduction of employee  gains upon  exercise of  Cadence stock  options. The  tax
benefit  of the stock option deduction is reflected as an increase in Additional
Paid-in Capital  in the  accompanying Statements  of Shareholders'  Equity.  The
employee gains are generally not expenses of the Company for financial reporting
purposes,  and the exercise of these stock  options does not increase the number
of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding.
 
9.  TRANSACTIONS WITH CADENCE:
    In certain foreign markets, primarily Europe, Cadence employees act as sales
agents for the Company. Cadence is reimbursed its cost plus a fee by the Company
through intercompany  accounts  for  related costs  incurred  on  the  Company's
behalf.
 
    Cadence  provides  selling, service  and production  support related  to the
Company's Virtual  Test Software.  These  expenses have  been reflected  in  the
accompanying  Statements of Income based on contractual agreements with Cadence,
which reflect estimated costs required to provide such support.
 
    Cadence provides facilities  for certain domestic  Company sales  personnel.
Intercompany  charges for utilization of these facilities have been reflected in
the accompanying Statements  of Income  as Selling,  General and  Administrative
expense.
 
    Certain  corporate services such as treasury, tax, legal and risk management
have been handled by Cadence in the  past and were not significant. The  Company
has managed these activities independently since the initial public offering.
 
    For  the years 1994, 1995 and 1996, the costs of the above services provided
by Cadence totaled $1,883, $2,698 and $2,608, respectively.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
9.  TRANSACTIONS WITH CADENCE: (CONTINUED)
    In December 1996, the  Company sold a mixed-signal  Test Station to  Cadence
for a purchase price of approximately $1,260.
 
    On  March 31,  1995, the  Company's Board  of Directors  approved a non-cash
dividend to  Cadence  in  the  amount  of  $1,027  which  was  the  intercompany
outstanding  balance due from Cadence at March  31, 1995. This dividend has been
reflected in  the accompanying  Statements of  Shareholders' Equity.  It is  the
intent of Cadence and the Company to settle all intercompany activity subsequent
to March 31, 1995 in cash.
 
10. GEOGRAPHIC AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION:
    The  Company  sells  to  customers  located  throughout  the  United States,
Asia-Pacific  and  Europe.  Credit  evaluations  of  its  customers'   financial
conditions  are  performed  periodically,  and the  Company  generally  does not
require collateral  from  its  customers. The  Company  maintains  reserves  for
potential  credit losses  and such losses  have been both  immaterial and within
management's expectations.
 
    In 1994, 1995, and 1996, one  customer accounted for 22 percent, 30  percent
and  36 percent  of net sales,  respectively. The concentrations  of credit risk
with respect  to  trade receivables  are,  in management's  opinion,  considered
minimal due to the size and financial stability of the Company's customers.
 
    Export   sales  represent  sales  to   the  Company's  customers  throughout
Asia-Pacific  and  Europe.  Sales  by  customer  geographic  region,   generally
denominated in U.S. dollars, were:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         -------------------------------
                                                                           1994       1995       1996
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
United States..........................................................  $  18,132  $  27,854  $  37,591
Asia-Pacific...........................................................      7,755      8,403      8,999
Europe.................................................................      3,982      4,656      3,790
Other..................................................................        183        180        457
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total................................................................  $  30,052  $  41,093  $  50,837
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Like most high technology, high growth companies, IMS faces certain business
risks  which  may  impact  the  Company's  results  of  operations.  For further
discussion of such risks, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
 
<TABLE>
<S>             <C>             <C>
                TEST STATIONS
 
   IMS Time                         TestVIEW
  Navigator                      Graphical Test
  identifies                      Environment
timing errors                     provides for
                                  fast program
                                  development
 
                  ATS Blazer
                Test Stations
                 provide high
                 performance
                 engineering
                     test
                  capability
 
   IMS-Link                       Shmoo Plots
accepts design                  provide graphic
data from EDA                   display of test
  databases                         results
</TABLE>
 
                                 TEST SOFTWARE
 
         Dantes Virtual Test software supports the design, development
             simulation and debugging of mixed-signal test programs
 
    (1) IMS TEST STATIONS
    The pictures portray:
    (A) Three different models of ATS Blazer Test Stations (center). Around this
       picture are four screen views of IMS software as follows
    (B)  TIME NAVIGATOR  which facilitates  identifying IC  timing errors (upper
       left-hand corner)
    (C) TEST VIEW which is a  test environment that provides for graphical  test
       program development (upper right-hand corner)
    (D) SHMOO PLOTS which provides graphic display of multivariable test results
       (lower right-hand corner)
    (E)  IMS-LINK which  accepts design  data from  electronic design automation
       data bases (lower left-hand corner)
    (2) TEST SOFTWARE
    The picture  shows a  screen  shot of  Dantes  Virtual Test  Software  which
supports, the design and debugging of mixed-signal test programs.
<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
    The   following  table  sets  forth  the  costs  and  expenses,  other  than
underwriting  discounts  and  commissions,  expected  to  be  incurred  by   the
Registrant  in  connection  with  the offering  described  in  this Registration
Statement. All amounts, except the SEC registration fee, the NASD filing fee and
the NASDAQ National Market System listing fee are estimates.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
SEC Registration Fee.............................................  $  10,455
NASD Filing Fee..................................................      3,950
NASDAQ Listing Fee...............................................     15,500
Printing and Engraving Expenses..................................    70,000*
Accounting Fees and Expenses.....................................    25,000*
Legal Fees and Expenses..........................................    60,000*
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses (including fees of Counsel)...........     3,000*
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees................................     3,000*
Director and Officer Liability Insurance.........................    90,000*
Miscellaneous Expenses...........................................    44,095*
                                                                   ---------
    Total........................................................  $325,000*
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
*Estimate.
 
ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    As an  Oregon corporation  the Company  is subject  to the  Oregon  Business
Corporation  Act ("OBCA") and the exculpation from liability and indemnification
provisions contained  therein. Pursuant  to Section  60.047(2)(d) of  the  OBCA,
Article  IV of the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles")
eliminates the  liability of  the  Company's directors  to  the Company  or  its
shareholders, except for any liability related to breach of the duty of loyalty,
actions not in good faith and certain other liabilities.
 
    Section  60.387 et seq.  of the OBCA allows  corporations to indemnify their
directors and officers against liability where the director or officer has acted
in good faith and with a reasonable  belief that actions taken were in the  best
interests  of the corporation or at least  not adverse to the corporation's best
interests and, if  in a criminal  proceeding, the individual  had no  reasonable
cause  to  believe  the  conduct  in  question  was  unlawful.  Under  the OBCA,
corporations may not indemnify against liability  in connection with a claim  by
or  in the  right of  the corporation but  may indemnify  against the reasonable
expenses associated with  such claims.  Corporations may  not indemnify  against
breaches of the duty of loyalty. The OBCA provides for mandatory indemnification
of  directors against all reasonable expenses incurred in the successful defense
of any claim made or threatened whether or not such claim was by or in the right
of the corporation. Finally, a court may order indemnification if it  determines
that   the  director   or  officer   is  fairly   and  reasonably   entitled  to
indemnification in view  of all the  relevant circumstances whether  or not  the
director  or  officer met  the  good faith  and  reasonable belief  standards of
conduct set out in the statute.
 
    The OBCA also provides that the statutory indemnification provisions are not
deemed exclusive  of any  other rights  to which  directors or  officers may  be
entitled  under  a  corporation's  articles  of  incorporation  or  bylaws,  any
agreement, general  or  specific action  of  the  board of  directors,  vote  of
shareholders or otherwise.
 
    The  Articles require the Company to indemnify its directors and officers to
the fullest extent not prohibited by law.
 
    In addition, the  Company has  entered into indemnity  agreements with  each
executive  officer of  the Company  and each  member of  the Company's  Board of
Directors.  These  indemnity  agreements  provide  for  indemnification  of  the
indemnitee to the fullest extent allowed by law.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
    Within  the  last  three  years, the  Company  has  sold  securities without
registration under the Securities  Act of 1933, as  amended (the "Act"), in  the
transactions  and  in reliance  on  the exemptions  from  registration described
below.
 
    During the period from May 10,  1995 through October 8, 1996, the  effective
date of the Company's Registration Statements on Form S-8 relating to its option
plans,  the Company has issued options to purchase an  aggregate of       shares
of Common Stock and has sold an aggregate of       shares of Common Stock for an
aggregate purchase price of $      , in each case pursuant to the Company's 1995
Stock Incentive Plan and  the 1995 Stock Option  Plan for Nonemployee  Directors
and in reliance on Rule 701 promulgated under the Act.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
    (a) Exhibits
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NUMBER                                                   DESCRIPTION
- -----------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
       1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement
       3.1   Restated Articles of Incorporation of Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc.*
       3.2   Restated Bylaws of Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc.*
       5.1   Opinion of Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson & Skerritt as to the legality of the securities being registered
      10.1   Form of Indemnity Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and each of its executive
              officers and directors*
      10.2   1995 Stock Incentive Plan*
      10.3   1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors*
      10.4   Form of Employment Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and each of its executive
              officers (with the terms relating to each executive officer attached as Exhibit A thereto)*
      10.5   Stockholder Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*
      10.6   Shareholder Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*
      10.7   Asset Transfer Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*
      10.8   Corporate Services Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Cadence Design Systems,
              Inc.*
      10.9   Tax Sharing Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*
     10.10   Lease Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Beaverton-Richmond Tech Properties, a
              Joint Venture, as amended by Amendment One and Amendment Two*
     10.11   Line of Credit Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and U.S. Bank of Oregon+
     10.12   Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.+
     10.13   Employment Agreement dated March 16, 1996 between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Keith L.
              Barnes++
     10.14   Employment Agreement dated March 16, 1996 between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Sar
              Ramadan.++
     10.15   Amended Stockholder Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Cadence Design Systems,
              Inc.
     10.16   Amended Corporate Services Agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Cadence Design
              Systems, Inc.
     10.17   Second Amendment to Joint Sales Agency Agreement between Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and Integrated
              Measurement Systems, Inc.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NUMBER                                                   DESCRIPTION
- -----------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.18   Employment Agreement dated December 31, 1996 between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and David
              Brinker.
<S>          <C>
     10.19   Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.+++
     10.20   Separation letter agreement between Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. and Marvin Wolfson
      16.1   Letter of Arthur Andersen LLP regarding change in accounting principles.++
      23.1   Consent of Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson & Skerritt (included in legal opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
      23.2   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
      24.1   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page on II-4)
      27.1   Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
*   Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
    S-1 (Registration No. 33-92408).
 
+   Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
    the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
++   Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
    for the quarter ended March 31, 1996.
 
+++ Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
    the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
 
    (b) Financial Statement Schedules
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    (a)   The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  undertakes  to  provide  to  the
underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates
in  such  denominations  and  registered  in  such  names  as  required  by  the
underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
    (b)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted  to directors, officers and controlling persons  of
the   registrant  pursuant  to  the  foregoing  provisions,  or  otherwise,  the
registrant has been advised that in  the opinion of the Securities and  Exchange
Commission  such indemnification  is against public  policy as  expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim  for
indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by  the
registrant of expenses incurred  or paid by a  director, officer or  controlling
person  of  the registrant  in the  successful  defense of  any action,  suit or
proceeding) is  asserted by  such  director, officer  or controlling  person  in
connection  with the securities being registered hereunder, the registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by  controlling
precedent,  submit to a  court of appropriate  jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification  by  it  is  against public  policy  as  expressed  in  the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    (c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
        (1)  For purposes of determining any  liability under the Securities Act
    of 1933, the information omitted from  the form of prospectus filed as  part
    of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
    form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4)
    or  497(h)  under the  Securities Act  shall be  deemed to  be part  of this
    registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
        (2) For the purpose  of determining any  liability under the  Securities
    Act  of  1933,  each  post-effective  amendment  that  contains  a  form  of
    prospectus shall be deemed  to be a new  registration statement relating  to
    the  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
    time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant  to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused  this Amendment to  Registration Statement to  be signed on  its
behalf  by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Beaverton,
State of Oregon, on the 24th day of January, 1997.
 
                                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                                      By:           /s/ KEITH L. BARNES
 
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                     Keith L. Barnes
                                          PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN  BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each person  whose signature  appears
below  constitutes and appoints Keith L. Barnes and Sar Ramadan and each of them
singly, as  true and  lawful attorneys-in-fact  and agents  with full  power  of
substitution  and resubstitution, for him  and in his name,  place and stead, in
any and all capacities to sign the Registration Statement filed herewith and any
or all  amendments  to  said Registration  Statement  (including  post-effective
amendments  and new registration statements pursuant  to Rule 462 or otherwise),
and to  file  the  same, with  all  exhibits  thereto, and  other  documents  in
connection  therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents and full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
foregoing, as  full to  all intents  and purposes  as he  might or  could do  in
person,  hereby  ratifying and  confirming all  that said  attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, this  Amendment
to  Registration Statement has been duly signed  by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on January 24, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   SIGNATURE                                       TITLE
- ------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------
 
<C>                                               <S>                                      <C>
              /s/ KEITH L. BARNES
     --------------------------------------       President, Chief Executive Officer and
                Keith L. Barnes                    Director (Principal Executive Officer)
 
                /s/ SAR RAMADAN
     --------------------------------------       Chief Financial Officer (Principal
                  Sar Ramadan                      Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
             /s/ H. RAYMOND BINGHAM
     --------------------------------------       Chairman of the Board
               H. Raymond Bingham
 
              /s/ C. SCOTT GIBSON
     --------------------------------------       Director
                C. Scott Gibson
 
               /s/ JAMES M. HURD
     --------------------------------------       Director
                 James M. Hurd
 
              /s/ JAMES E. SOLOMON
     --------------------------------------       Director
                James E. Solomon
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                  SCHEDULE II
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 ADDITIONS
                                                                BALANCE AT      CHARGED TO
                                                               BEGINNING OF      COSTS AND                   BALANCE AT END
DESCRIPTION                                                       PERIOD         EXPENSES      DEDUCTIONS       OF PERIOD
- ------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------  -------------  -------------  ---------------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1994:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts...........................     $     147       $      69      $     (34)      $     182
Year Ended December 31, 1995:
  Allowance for doubtful accounts...........................           182             220            (64)            338
Year Ended December 31, 1996
  Allowance for doubtful accounts...........................           338             151         --                 489
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-1

<PAGE>


                                1,500,000 Shares



                      INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.

                           Common Stock, $.01 par value



                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT





February __, 1997

<PAGE>

                                                               February __, 1997



Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Cowen & Company
SoundView Financial Group, Inc.
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
    1585 Broadway 
    New York, New York  10036

Dear Sirs:

     Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc., an Oregon corporation (the
"Company"), and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. ("Cadence"), a Delaware Corporation
and a majority stockholder of the Company, propose to issue and sell to the
several Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters"), an
aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of the common stock, $.01 par value, of the
Company (the "Firm Shares"), of which 675,000 shares are to be issued and sold
by the Company and 825,000 shares are to be sold by Cadence.

     In addition, the Company and Cadence propose to sell to the Underwriters
not more than an additional 225,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $.01
per value (the "Additional Shares"), of which 100,000 shares are to be issued
and sold by the Company and 125,000 shares are to be sold by Cadence, if and to
the extent that you, as Managers of the offering, shall have determined to
exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase such shares of
common stock granted to the Underwriters in Article III hereof.  In the event
that the Underwriters exercise their option with respect to less than the total
number of Additional Shares which may be purchased by them, then the
Underwriters shall purchase such Additional Shares from the Company and Cadence
in proportion, as near as practicable, to the number of total Additional Shares
sold by each of them, as set forth above.  The Firm Shares and the Additional
Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Shares.  The shares of
common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company to be outstanding after giving
effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the
Common Stock.   The Company and Cadence are hereinafter sometimes collectively
referred to as the Sellers. 

     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to the
Shares.  The registration statement as amended at the time it becomes effective,
including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration
statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), is hereinafter
referred to as the "Registration Statement;" the prospectus in the form first
used to confirm sales of Shares is hereinafter referred to as the "Prospectus." 
If the Company files a registration statement to register a portion of the
Shares and relies on Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act for such registration
statement to become effective upon filing with the Commission (the "Rule 462
Registration Statement"), then any reference to the "Registration Statement"
shall be deemed to refer to both the registration statement referred to above
(Commission File No. 333-    ) and the Rule 462 Registration Statement, in each
case as amended from time to time.


<PAGE>



                                       I.

     A.   The Company and Cadence, jointly and severally, represent and warrant
to each of the Underwriters that:

          (i)  The Registration Statement has become effective, no stop order
     suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect,
     and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the
     Commission.

         (ii)  (I) Each document filed pursuant to the Exchange Act complied
     when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and the applicable rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder; (II) each part of the
     Registration Statement, when such part became effective, did not contain
     and each such part, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will 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 not misleading, (III) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
     comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all
     material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder and (IV) the Prospectus does not
     contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain
     any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
     necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the
     representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph I.A (ii) do not
     apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to
     the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use
     therein.

        (iii)  The Company has been duly incorporated, and is an active
     corporation under the laws of the State of Oregon, has the corporate power
     and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described
     in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good
     standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its
     ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the
     extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not
     have a material adverse effect on the Company.
     
         (iv)  The Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly authorized,
     and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this
     Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the
     issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar
     rights.

          (v)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company.

         (vi)  There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
     development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the
     condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
     operations of the Company and the Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined),
     taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Prospectus. 

        (vii)  There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or
     threatened to which the Company or the Subsidiary is a party or to which
     any of the properties of the Company or the Subsidiary is subject that are
     required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
     and are not so described or any statutes,


                                       -2-

<PAGE>

     regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described
     in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits
     to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required.

       (viii)  Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the registration
     statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed
     pursuant to Rule 424 or Rule 462 under the Securities Act, complied when so
     filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder.

         (ix)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiary maintains a system of
     internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance
     that (1) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general
     or specific authorization; (2) transactions are recorded as necessary to
     permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
     accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (3)
     access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general
     or specific authorization; and (4) the recorded accountability for assets
     is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and
     appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

          The representations and warranties of Cadence set forth in paragraphs
(ii), (iii), (vi), (vii) and (ix) are  made on the basis that, after due
inquiry, Cadence has no knowledge of or reasonable grounds to believe in the
existence of any facts which would make such representations and warranties
untrue, incomplete or incorrect. 

     B.   The Company represents and warrants to each of the Underwriters that:

          (i)  The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the
     performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will
     not contravene any provision of applicable law or the articles of
     incorporation or bylaws of the Company or the Subsidiary or any agreement
     or other instrument binding upon the Company or the Subsidiary that is
     material to the Company and the Subsidiary, taken as a whole, or any
     judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having
     jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiary, and no consent, approval,
     authorization or order of or qualification with any governmental body or
     agency is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations
     under this Agreement, except such as may be required by the securities or
     Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale
     of the Shares.

         (ii)  Integrated Measurement Systems FSC, Inc., a Guam corporation
     (the "Subsidiary"), has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a
     corporation in good standing under the laws of Guam, has the corporate
     power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as
     described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and
     is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its
     business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
     qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or
     be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the Company
     and the Subsidiary, taken as a whole.  All of the issued shares of capital
     stock of the Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly
     authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and owned
     directly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
     equities or claims.  The Subsidiary is not required to be set forth in
     Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement and the Company does not own,
     directly or indirectly, an interest in any other corporation, partnership,
     business, trust or other entity required to be set forth in Exhibit 21 to
     the Registration Statement.

        (iii)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiary has all necessary
     consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates and permits of
     and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all federal,
     state, 


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

     local and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations
     and all courts and other tribunals, to own, lease, license and use its 
     properties and assets and to conduct its business in the manner described
     in the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to obtain or file
     would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and the 
     Subsidiary, taken as a whole.

         (iv)  The shares of Common Stock (including the Shares to be sold by
     Cadence) outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares to be sold by the
     Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
     non-assessable.

          (v)  The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to legal
     matters to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. 

         (vi)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiary (i) is in compliance with
     any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and
     regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
     environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
     contaminants (collectively, "Environmental Laws"), (II) has received all
     permits, licenses or other approvals required of it under applicable
     Environmental Laws to conduct its business and (III) is in compliance with
     all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except
     where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive
     required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the
     terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not,
     singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company
     and the Subsidiary, taken as a whole.

        (vii)  The costs and liabilities associated with Environmental Laws
     (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures
     required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with
     Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related
     constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third
     parties) would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to 
     have a material adverse effect on the Company and the Subsidiary, taken as
     a whole.

       (viii)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiary owns or possesses
     adequate licenses or other rights to use all patents, copyrights,
     trademarks, service marks, trade names, maskwork rights, technology and
     know-how necessary (in any material respect) to conduct its business in the
     manner described in the Prospectus and, except as disclosed in the
     Prospectus, neither the Company nor the Subsidiary have received any notice
     of infringement or conflict with (and neither the Company nor the
     Subsidiary know of any infringement or conflict with) asserted rights of
     others with respect to any patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks,
     trade names, maskwork rights, technology or know-how which could result in
     any material adverse effect upon the Company and the Subsidiary, taken as a
     whole; and, except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the discoveries,
     inventions, products or processes of the Company referred to in the
     Prospectus do not, to the knowledge of the Company or the Subsidiary,
     infringe or conflict with any right or patent of any third party, or any
     discovery, invention, product or process which is the subject of a patent
     application filed by any third party, known to the Company or the
     Subsidiary which could have a material adverse effect on the Company and
     the Subsidiary, taken as a whole.

               (ix)      The Company is not and, after giving effect to the
     offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof
     as described in the Prospectus will not be, an "investment company" as such
     term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 


                                       -4-

<PAGE>

               (x)  There is no owner of any securities of the Company who has
     any rights, not effectively satisfied or waived, to require registration of
     any shares of capital stock of the Company in connection with the filing of
     the Registration Statement.

               (xi)      As of the date the Registration Statement becomes
     effective, the Company's Common Stock will be listed on the Nasdaq National
     Market System.

               (xii)     The Company has complied with all provisions of Section
     517.075, Florida Statutes (Chapter 92-198, Laws of Florida), relating to
     issuers doing business with Cuba.

                                       II.

     Cadence represents and warrants to each of the Underwriters that:

            (i)  it is duly incorporated and is validly existing as a 
     corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. 

           (ii) To the best of its knowledge, that all the representations 
     of the Company set forth in Section I.B are true and correct.

          (iii)  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by Cadence and constitutes a valid and binding obligation upon Cadence.

           (iv) The execution and delivery by Cadence and the performance by
     Cadence of its obligations under, this Agreement and any lock-up agreement
     signed by Cadence relating to resale restrictions on the Company stock
     owned or held by Cadence ("Lock-Up Agreement"), will not contravene
     Cadence's certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws, or any
     agreement or other instrument binding upon Cadence or any judgment, order
     or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction
     over Cadence, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of or
     qualification with any governmental body or agency is required for the
     performance by Cadence of its obligations under this Agreement the Lock-Up
     Agreement, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky
     laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the
     Shares. 

            (v) Cadence has, and on the Closing Date will have, good and
     valid marketable title to the Shares to be sold by Cadence and the legal
     right and power, and all authorization and approval required by law, to
     enter into this Agreement and to sell, transfer and deliver the Shares to
     be sold by Cadence.

           (vi) The Shares to be sold by Cadence pursuant to this Agreement have
     been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

          (vii)  Upon delivery of and payment for the Shares to be sold by
     Cadence pursuant to this Agreement, the Underwriters will receive good and
     valid title to such Shares free and clear of any security interests,
     claims, liens and other encumbrances.

                                      III.

     Each Seller, severally and not jointly, hereby agrees to sell to the
several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the
representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions 


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from such
Seller at $________ a share -- the purchase price -- the number of Firm Shares
(subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may
determine) that bears the same proportion to the number of Firm Shares to be
sold by such Seller as the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto
opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

     On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company and Cadence
hereby agree to sell to the Underwriters the Additional Shares, and the
Underwriters shall have a one-time right to purchase, severally and not jointly,
up to 225,000 Additional Shares at the purchase price.   Additional Shares may
be purchased as provided in Article V hereof solely for the purpose of covering
over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares.  If any
Additional Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and
not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such
adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the
same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased as the
number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such
Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

     The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during
the period ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, (1) offer, pledge,
sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock, or (2) enter into any swap or similar arrangement that transfers,
in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of the Common Stock, whether
any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by
delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, other
than (i) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (ii) any shares of such Common Stock
sold by the Company upon the exercise of an option under the Company's stock
option plans outstanding on the date hereof, (iii) any option to purchase Common
Stock, and any shares of Common Stock sold by the Company upon the exercise of
such options, granted under the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and the 1995
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors ,provided that, the holder of such
option enters into a lock-up agreement similar to the agreement set forth in
this paragraph for the period from the date of such grant until the date 90 days
after the date of the Prospectus, and (iv) any shares of Common Stock issued
and sold by the Company pursuant to the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  The
Company hereby further agrees that during the period ending 90 days after the
date of the Prospectus, it will not waive, amend or alter any lock up provision
contained in any stock option agreement between the Company and any person
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf
of the Underwriters.

     Cadence hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during
the period ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, (1) offer, pledge,
sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or
otherwise transfer or dispose of directly or indirectly, any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock, or (2) enter into any swap or similar arrangement that transfers,
in whole or in part, the economic risk


                                       -6-

<PAGE>

of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in
clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such
other securities, in cash or otherwise.  In addition, Cadence agrees that,
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf
of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 90 days after the
date of the Prospectus, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect
to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock.  
     
                                       IV.

     The Sellers are advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a
public offering of their respective portions of the Shares as soon after the
Registration Statement and this Agreement have become effective as in your
judgment is advisable.  The Sellers are further advised by you that the Shares
are to be offered to the public initially at $____ a share (the public offering
price) and to certain dealers selected by you at a price that represents a
concession not in excess of $___ a share under the public offering price, and
that any Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession, not
in excess of $____ a share, to any Underwriter or to certain other dealers.


                                       V.

          Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made in Federal or other funds
immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for
the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 A.M., New York City
time, on _________, or at such other time on the same or such other date, not
later than _________, as shall be designated in writing by you.   The time and
date of each such payment are hereinafter referred to as the Closing Date. 

          Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made in Federal or other
funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Additional
Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 A.M.,
New York City time, on such date (which may be the same as the Closing Date but
shall in no event be earlier than the Closing Date nor later than ten business
days after the giving of the notice hereinafter referred to) as shall be
designated in a written notice from you to the Company of your determination, on
behalf of the Underwriters, to purchase a number, specified in said notice, of
Additional Shares, or on such other date, in any event not later than
___________ as shall be designated in writing by you.  The time and date of such
payment are hereinafter referred to as the Option Closing Date.   The notice of
the determination to exercise the option to purchase Additional Shares and of
the Option Closing Date may be given at any time within 30 days after the date
of this Agreement.

          Certificates for the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be in
definitive form and registered in such names and in such denominations as you
shall request in writing not later than two full business days prior to the
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be.  The certificates
evidencing the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on
the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable
in 


                                       -7-

<PAGE>

connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid,
against payment of the purchase price therefor.

                                       VI.

     The obligations of the Sellers and the several obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder are subject to the condition that the Registration
Statement shall have become effective not later than the date hereof.

     The several obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the
following further conditions:

          (a)  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
     prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any change, or any
     development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or
     otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations, of the Company and
     the Subsidiary, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Registration
     Statement, that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and that makes
     it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and
     in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

          (b)  The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
     certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the chief executive
     officer and the chief financial officer of the Company, to the effect set
     forth in clause (a) above, and to the effect that the representations and
     warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct
     as of the Closing Date and that the Company has complied with all of the
     agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed
     or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

          The officers signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the
     best of their knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

          (c)  The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
     certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by each of the chief
     executive officer and the chief financial officer of Cadence to the effect
     set forth in clause (a) above, and to the effect that the representations
     and warranties of Cadence contained in this Agreement are true and correct
     as of the Closing Date and that Cadence has complied with all of the
     agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed
     or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date (the officers signing
     and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of their knowledge
     as to proceedings threatened).

          (d)  You shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Ater
     Wynne Hewitt Dodson & Skerritt, counsel for the Company, dated the Closing
     Date, to the effect that

               (i)  the Company has been duly incorporated and is an active
          corporation under the laws of the State of Oregon, has the corporate
          power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as
          described in the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business
          and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of
          its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
          qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so
          qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse
          effect on the Company;


                                       -8-

<PAGE>


              (ii)  based solely on such counsel's review of the stock records
          of the Subsidiary, the Company owns all of the shares of capital stock
          of the Subsidiary;

             (iii)  the authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to
          legal matters to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus;

              (iv)  the shares of Common Stock (including the Shares to be sold
          by Cadence) outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares to be sold
          by the Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully
          paid and non-assessable;

               (v)  the Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly
          authorized when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of
          this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable,
          and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any statutory
          preemptive or, to such counsel's knowledge, similar rights;

              (vi)  the Company has corporate power and authority to enter into
          this Agreement and to issue, sell and deliver to the Underwriters the
          Shares to be issued and sold by the Company and this Agreement has
          been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

             (vii)  the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the
          performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement
          will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the articles of
          incorporation or bylaws of the Company or, to the best of such
          counsel's knowledge, any agreement or other instrument binding upon
          the Company or the Subsidiary that is material to the Company and the
          Subsidiary, taken as a whole, or, to the best of such counsel's
          knowledge, any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body,
          agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiary
          and no consent, approval, authorization or order of or qualification
          with any governmental body or agency is required for the performance
          by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except such as
          may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various
          states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares or under
          the rules or regulations of the National Association of Securities
          Dealers (the "NASD") with respect to underwriting arrangements;

            (viii)  the statements (1) in the Prospectus under the captions
          "Risk Factors -- Effect of Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions," "Risk
          Factors--Shares Eligible for Future Sale," "Management," "Certain
          Transactions--Description of Agreements with Cadence," "Description of
          Capital Stock," and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale," and (2) in the
          Registration Statement in Items 14 and 15, in each case insofar as
          such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters, documents
          or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present the information
          called for with respect to such legal matters, documents and
          proceedings and fairly summarize the matters referred to therein;

              (ix)  after due inquiry, such counsel does not know of any legal,
          regulatory or governmental proceeding pending or threatened to which
          either the Company or the Subsidiary is a party or to which any of the
          properties of the Company or the Subsidiary is subject that are
          required to be described in the Registration Statement or the
          Prospectus and are not so described or of any statutes, regulations,
          contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the
          Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to
          the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as
          required;


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

               (x)  the Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering
          and the sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof
          as described in the Prospectus will not be, an "investment company" or
          an entity "controlled" by an "investment company," as such terms are
          defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
     
                  
     
              (xi)  to the best of such counsel's knowledge: (i) the
          Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act,
          no stop order proceedings with respect thereto have been instituted or
          are pending or threatened under the Securities Act; and (ii) any
          required filing of the Prospectus and any supplement thereto pursuant
          to Rule 424(b) of the rules and regulations has been made in the
          manner and within the time period required by such Rule 424(b); 
     
             (xii)  to such counsel's knowledge, each document filed pursuant to
          the Exchange Act (except for financial statements and schedules and
          other financial information derived therefrom included therein as to
          which such counsel need not express any opinion) complied when so
          filed as to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act and
          the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, 

            (xiii)  such counsel is of the opinion that the Registration
          Statement and Prospectus (except for financial statements and
          schedules and other financial data included therein as to which such
          counsel need not express any opinion) comply as to form in all
          material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and
          regulations of the Commission thereunder, (2) believes that (except
          for financial statements and schedules and other financial data as to
          which such counsel need not express any belief) the Registration
          Statement and the prospectus included therein at the time the
          Registration Statement became effective did 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 not
          misleading and (3) believes that (except for financial statements and
          schedules and other financial data as to which such counsel need not
          express any belief) the Prospectus does not contain any untrue
          statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
          necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
          circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

          (e) You shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Cooley
     Godward LLP, counsel for Cadence, dated the Closing Date, to the 
     effect that

               (i)  Cadence has been duly incorporated and is validly existing
          as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
          Delaware.

              (ii)  this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by Cadence; 

             (iii)  the execution and delivery by Cadence of, and the
          performance by Cadence of its obligations under, this Agreement will
          not contravene any provision of applicable law, or the certificate of
          incorporation or bylaws of Cadence or, to the best of such counsel's
          knowledge, any agreement or other instrument binding upon Cadence that
          is material Cadence or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, any
          judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court
          having jurisdiction over Cadence where such judgment order or decree
          would have, singly or in the aggregate,


                                      -10-

<PAGE>

          an material adverse effect on Cadence, and no consent, approval,
          authorization or order of or qualification with any governmental body
          or agency is required for the performance by Cadence of its
          obligations under this Agreement, except such as have been obtained or
          may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various
          states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares or under
          the rules or regulations of the NASD with respect to underwriting
          arrangements;

                    (iv) Cadence has the corporate power, and all authorization
          and approval required by law, to enter into this Agreement and to
          sell, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by Cadence; and, to
          such counsel's knowledge, Cadence has valid title to the Shares to be
          sold by it and such sale, transfer and delivery is not subject, to the
          best of our knowledge, to any right of first refusal or other
          contractual restriction and each of the certificates evidencing such
          Shares is in proper legal form; and

                    (v)  assuming the Underwriters purchase the Shares to be
          sold by Cadence for  value, in good faith and without notice of any
          adverse claim, upon delivery of and payment for the Shares to be sold
          by Cadence pursuant to this Agreement, the Underwriters will receive
          valid title to such Shares free and clear of any security interests,
          claims, liens, equities and other encumbrances.

          (f) You shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Wilson
Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, counsel for the
Underwriters, dated the Closing Date, covering the matters referred to in
subparagraphs (v), (vi), (x) and (xiv) of paragraph (d) above and to the effect
that the statements in the Prospectus under "Underwriters," insofar as such
statements constitute a summary of this Agreement, fairly present the
information called for with respect to such Agreement.

     With respect to subparagraph (xiv) of paragraph (d) above, Ater Wynne
Hewitt Dodson & Skerritt and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati may state that
their opinion and belief are based upon their participation in the preparation
of the Registration Statement and Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but are without
independent check or verification except as specified.

     The opinions of Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson & Skerritt and Cooley Godward
LLP described in paragraphs (d) and (e) above shall be rendered to you 
at the request of the Company or Cadence, as the case may be, and shall so 
state therein.

          (g) You shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the
     Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the
     case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to you, from Arthur
     Andersen L.L.P., independent public accountants, containing statements and
     information of the type ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort
     letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and
     certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and
     the Prospectus.

          (h) The "lock-up" agreements between you and certain officers and
     directors of the Company relating to sales of shares of Common Stock of the
     Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
     for such Common Stock, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall
     be in full force and effect on the Closing Date. 

          (i) The shares of Common Stock of the Company are listed on the
     Nasdaq National Market System, and the shares of Common Stock to be sold
     hereby shall have been included as additional shares for listing with
     Nasdaq National Market System.


                                      -11-

<PAGE>


     All the agreements, opinions, certificates and letters mentioned above or
elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed in compliance with the provisions
hereof only if Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, counsel for the Underwriters,
shall be reasonably satisfied that they comply in form and scope.

     The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Shares
hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the Option Closing Date of such
documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the
Company, the due authorization, issuance and sale of the Additional Shares and
other matters related to the issuance and sale of the Additional Shares. 

                                      VII.

     In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters herein
contained, the Company covenants as follows:

          (a) To furnish to you, without charge, four (4) signed copies of
     the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and for delivery to
     each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration Statement
     (without exhibits thereto) and, during the period mentioned in paragraph
     (c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus and any supplements and
     amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably
     request.  In the case of the Prospectus, to furnish copies of the
     Prospectus in New York City, prior to 5:00 p.m., local time, on the
     business day following the date of this Agreement, in such quantities as
     you may reasonably request. 

          (b) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or
     the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or
     supplement and to file no such proposed amendment or supplement to which
     you reasonably object.

          (c) If, during such period after the first date of the public
     offering of the Shares as in the opinion of your counsel the Prospectus is
     required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter
     or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it
     is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus
     is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the opinion of your
     counsel, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply
     with law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at
     its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and
     addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been
     sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon
     request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the
     statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the
     light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser,
     be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will
     comply with law.

          (d) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the
     securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably
     request and to pay all expenses (including fees and disbursements of
     counsel) in connection with such qualification and in connection with any
     review of the offering of the Shares by the National Association of
     Securities Dealers, Inc; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
     required to qualify the Shares under the laws of any jurisdiction where the
     Company is not otherwise subject to suit if such qualification would
     constitute or require the consent of the Company to suit in such
     jurisdiction. 


                                      -12-

<PAGE>

          (e) To make generally available to the Company's security holders and
     to you as soon as practicable an earning statement covering the
     twelve-month period ending December 31, 1997 that satisfies the provisions
     of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the
     Commission thereunder.

          (f) The Company will comply with all registration, filing and
     reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which may from time to time be
     applicable to the Company.

     
                                      VIII.

     Cadence agrees to pay or cause to be paid all taxes, if any, on the 
transfer and sale of the Shares being sold by Cadence and the fees and 
expenses of counsel retained by Cadence.  The Company agrees to pay all costs 
and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of Cadence and 
the Company under this Agreement (except as set forth above), including, but 
not limited to, all expenses incident to (i) the preparation and filing of 
the Registration Statement (including all exhibits thereto) and the 
Prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, (ii) the preparation, 
issuance and delivery of the Shares, including any transfer taxes payable in 
connection with the transfer and sale of the Shares to the Underwriters, 
(iii) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel and accountants, 
(iv) the qualification of the Shares under state securities or Blue Sky laws 
in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of Article VII hereof, 
including filing fees and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the 
Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation 
of any Blue Sky or Legal Investment Memoranda, (v) the printing and delivery 
to the Underwriters, in quantities as hereinabove stated, of copies of the 
Registration Statement (including all exhibits thereto) and all amendments 
thereto and of each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus and any 
amendments or supplements thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the 
Underwriters of copies of any Blue Sky or Legal Investment Memoranda, (vii) 
the filing fees and expenses, if any, incurred with respect to any filing 
with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., made in connection 
with the offering of the Shares, (viii) any expenses incurred by the Company 
in connection with a "road show" presentation to potential investors, (ix) 
the listing of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market and (x) all 
document production charges and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters (but 
not including their fees for professional services) in connection with the 
preparation of this Agreement; PROVIDED, however, that Cadence agrees to pay 
or cause to be paid its pro rata share (based on the percentage which the 
number of Shares sold by Cadence bears to the total number of Shares sold) of 
all underwriting discounts and commissions.

                                       IX.

     The Company and Cadence, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold
harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter
within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or is
under common control with, or is controlled by, any Underwriter, from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without
limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with
defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus or
the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the 


                                      -13-

<PAGE>

Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused
by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any
such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based
upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing
by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein; provided, however,
that the foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary
prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the
person asserting such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased Shares,
or any person controlling such Underwriter, if a copy of the Prospectus (as then
amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter
to such person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the
written confirmation of the sale of the shares to such person, and if the
Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving
rise to such loss, claim, damage or liability.  The liability of Cadence under
the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph or for breach of its
representations and warranties under Article I and Article II hereof shall be
limited to an amount equal to 1.25 times the total proceeds to Cadence of the
sale of the Firm Shares and Additional Shares, if applicable, sold by Cadence. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cadence shall not be required to make any payment
required by the provisions of this paragraph unless the parties indemnified
under this paragraph have demanded payment from the Company and the Company has
refused to make such payment or failed to make such payment in full within 30
days from the date of such demand.

     Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and 
hold harmless the Company, Cadence, the directors of the Company, the 
officers of the Company who sign the Registration Statement and each person, 
if any, who controls the Company or Cadence within the meaning of either 
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and 
against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, 
without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in 
connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused 
by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact 
contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any 
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the 
Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or 
caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact 
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not 
misleading, but only with reference to information relating to such 
Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through 
you expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary 
prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto.

     In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be
instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought
pursuant to any of the two preceding paragraphs, such person (the "Indemnified
Party") shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be
sought (the "Indemnifying Party") in writing and the Indemnifying Party, upon
request of the Indemnified Party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party and any others the
Indemnifying Party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and
disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.  In any such
proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified
Party shall have 

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to
any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the
Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party and representation of both parties
by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing
interests between them.  It is understood that the Indemnifying Party shall not,
in respect of the legal expenses of any Indemnified Party in connection with any
proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for
(a) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any
local counsel) for all Underwriters and all persons, if any, who control any
Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act, (b) the fees and expenses of more than one
separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Company, its directors,
its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of either such Section and (c) the fees
and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel)
for Cadence and all persons, if any, who control Cadence within the meaning of
either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as
they are incurred.  In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriters
and such control persons of Underwriters, such firm shall be designated in
writing by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.  In the case of any such separate
firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and control persons of the
Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company.  In the case
of any such separate firm for Cadence and such controlling persons of Cadence,
such firm shall be designated in writing by Cadence.  The Indemnifying Party
shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final
judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify the
Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment.   Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time
an Indemnified Party shall have requested an Indemnifying Party to reimburse the
Indemnified Party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second
and third sentences of this paragraph, the Indemnifying Party agrees that it
shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after
receipt by such Indemnifying Party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such
Indemnifying Party shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Party in accordance
with such request prior to the date of such settlement.  No Indemnifying Party
shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any
settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding. 

     If the indemnification provided for in the first or second paragraph of 
this Article IX is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient in 
respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, 
then each Indemnifying Party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying 
such Indemnified Party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or 
payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages 
or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the 
relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Party or parties on the one 
hand and the Indemnified Party or parties on the other hand from the offering 
of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not 
permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect 
not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the 
relative fault of the Indemnifying Party or parties on the one hand and of 
the Indemnified Party or parties on the other hand in connection with the 
statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or 
liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Sellers on the one hand
and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the
Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net
proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by
each Seller and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the
Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the
Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Shares.  The
relative fault of the Sellers on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other
hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Sellers
or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. 
The Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Article
IX are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares they have
purchased hereunder, and not joint. 

     The Sellers and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Article IX were determined by PRO
RATA allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. 
The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party
in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article IX, no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were
offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter
has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.  Cadence shall not be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which 1.25 times the total
proceeds to Cadence of the sale of the Firm Shares and Additional Shares, if
applicable, sold by Cadence,  exceeds the amount of any damages which Cadence
has otherwise been required to pay be reason of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph and in no case shall Cadence be required to
contribute any amounts under this paragraph or the immediately preceding
paragraph which in the aggregate when taken together with any amounts paid by
Cadence under the first paragraph of this Article IX exceeds 1.25 times the
total proceeds to Cadence of the sale of the Firm Shares and Additional Shares,
if applicable, sold by Cadence.  No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.  The remedies provided for in this Article IX are
not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be
available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

     The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Article IX and
the representations and warranties of the Company and Cadence contained in this
Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of
(i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on
behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, Cadence or
any person controlling Cadence,


                                      -16-

<PAGE>

or the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company
and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares. 


                                       X.

     This Agreement shall be subject to termination, in your sole discretion, by
notice given by you to the Company, if (a) after the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have
been suspended or materially limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the
New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any
securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any
over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking
activities in New York shall have been declared by either Federal or New York
State authorities, or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation
of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis
that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and (b) in the case of any of
the events specified in clauses (a)(i) through (iv), such event singly or
together with any other such event makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to
market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

                                       XI.

     This Agreement shall become effective upon the later of (i) execution and
delivery hereof by the parties hereto and (ii) release of notification of the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement by the Commission.

     If, on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any
one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it
or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number
of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or
refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the
Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated
severally in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite
their respective names in Schedule I bears to the aggregate number of Firm
Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or
in such other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Shares which such
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase
on such date; PROVIDED, however, that in no event shall the number of Shares
that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to Article III be increased
pursuant to this Article XI by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number
of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter.  If, on the Closing
Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter or
Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares and the aggregate number of
Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the
aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements
satisfactory to you, the Company and Cadence for the purchase of such Shares are
not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate
without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter, the Company or
Cadence. In any such case either you or the relevant Sellers shall have the
right to postpone the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may
be, but


                                      -17-

<PAGE>

in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if
any, in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus or in any other
documents or arrangements may be effected.  Any action taken under this
paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect
of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

     If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of them,
because of any failure or refusal on the part of any Seller to comply with the
terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any
reason any Seller shall be unable to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Sellers will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as
have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all
out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel)
reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or
the offering contemplated hereunder.

     This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and
hereto were upon the same instrument. 


                                      -18-

<PAGE>

     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
internal laws of the State of New York. 

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Keith L. Barnes
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                                        CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           H. Raymond Bingham
                                           Chief Financial Officer


Accepted, February __, 1997
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
COWEN & COMPANY
SOUNDVIEW FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Acting severally on behalf of
  themselves and the several
  Underwriters named herein.

By: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED


By:
   ----------------------------------
       Paul E. Chamberlain
       Principal


                                      -19-

<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I

                                                     Number of Firm Shares to be
     Underwriter                                                Purchased
- ---------------------------------                    ---------------------------
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated                             [            ]
Cowen & Company                                               [            ]
Soundview Financial Group, Inc.                               [            ]
                                                               ------------

                         TOTAL. . . .  . . . . . . . . .       ------------
                                                               ------------


 

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 5.1

                       ATER WYNNE HEWITT DODSON & SKERRITT, LLP
                            222 S.W. Columbia, Suite 1800
                               Portland, Oregon  97201
                                (503) 226-1191 (Phone)
                                 (503) 226-0079 (Fax)


                                   January 24, 1997


Board of Directors
Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc.
9525 S.W. Gemini Drive
Beaverton, OR  97008

    In connection with the public offering of up to 1,725,000 shares of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Integrated Measurement
Systems,Inc., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), under the Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement") and the proposed sale of
the Common Stock pursuant to the terms of an underwriting agreement (the
"Underwriting Agreement") to be entered into by and among the Company, certain
shareholders of the Company, and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Cowen &
Company and SoundView Financial Group, Inc., as representatives of the several
underwriters, we have examined such corporate records, certificates of public
officials and officers of the Company and other documents as we have considered
necessary or proper for the purpose of this opinion.

    Based on the foregoing and having regard to legal issues which we deem
relevant, it is our opinion that the shares of Common Stock to be sold pursuant
to the Underwriting Agreement, when such shares have been delivered against
payment therefor as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
above-mentioned Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under
the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus constituting a part of the
Registration Statement.  In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we
are in the category of persons whose consent is required to be filed pursuant to
Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules thereunder.
This opinion has been prepared solely for your use in connection with the
Registration Statement and should not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise
be referred to, nor be relied upon by, nor be filed with or furnished to any
governmental agency or other person or entity, except as otherwise provided in
this paragraph, without the prior written consent of this firm.

                        Very truly yours,

                        /s/ Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson & Skerritt, LLP

                        ATER WYNNE HEWITT DODSON & SKERRITT, LLP


<PAGE>

                                                               EXHIBIT 10.15

                                       AMENDED
                                STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT

    This Amended Stockholder Agreement, dated May 20, 1996, supersedes and
replaces the Stockholder Agreement dated May 10, 1995, by and between Integrated
Measurement Systems, Inc., an Oregon corporation (the "Company" or "IMS") and
Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Stockholder" or
"Cadence".)

    In consideration of the mutual promises and agreements hereinafter set
forth, and for other valuable consideration, the Company and the Stockholder
agree as follows:

    1.   HANDLING OUTSTANDING CADENCE OPTIONS HELD BY IMS EMPLOYEES.  The
Company and Stockholder acknowledge that, as of the date of this Agreement,
there are issued and outstanding options for the purchase of Stockholder's
common stock held by employees of the Company (the "Employee Cadence Options")
granted under both Stockholder's 1987 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1987 Cadence
Options") and Stockholder's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1993 Cadence
Options.")  The 1987 Cadence Options include both qualified Incentive Stock
Options, and nonqualified stock options.  The 1993 Cadence Options are all
nonqualified stock options.

    1.1  MODIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS.  Cadence consents to the
modification of the commitments made in employment agreements entered into
between IMS and certain of its key executives effective May 10, 1995, to conform
those employment agreements to the covenants and commitments contained herein.

    1.2  1993 CADENCE PLAN.  Cadence warrants that its 1993 Stock Option Plan
has been amended to provide continuing vesting under the plan, provided that
Cadence continues to be a stockholder in a company that has employee
participants in the plan.  Cadence further warrants that it will continue to be
a shareholder of IMS, with a minimum holding of at least 100 shares, until at
least December 31, 1999.

    1.3  PRESERVATION OF VALUE OF CADENCE OPTIONS BELOW THRESHOLDS.  The
parties recognize that if Cadence's percentage of ownership of IMS' outstanding
stock drops below 50%, 1987 Cadence Options held by IMS employees will cease to
vest.  The parties wish to preserve the value of those stock options to the IMS
employees, in ways that maximize the benefit to each of their shareholder groups
that the options represent.  The parties agree to achieve those goals as stated
in the following sections:

    1.4  CONSULTANTS.  Cadence has determined that consulting services from the
employees designated as "consultants" on the attached list would be useful to
Cadence, and wishes to use their services in that capacity in a manner that does
not interfere with their primary duties to IMS.  Cadence therefore commits that,
if Cadence's ownership of IMS issued and outstanding common stock drops below
50% at any time while 1987 Cadence Options remain unvested, Cadence will offer
the IMS employees on the attached list the opportunity to consult with Cadence
at least through the vesting term of their unvested 1987 Cadence Options or
longer if useful to Cadence.

         1.4.1     TERMS OF CONSULTANCY.  The consulting agreements shall
    provide for consulting within the consultants' areas of expertise at such
    times as to not interfere with


1 - AMENDED STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT


<PAGE>

    their duties to IMS, on appropriate terms to be memorialized in a
    consulting agreement, while the consultants remain employees of IMS.

         1.4.2     VESTING OF CADENCE OPTIONS FOR CONSULTANTS.  The consulting
    agreements will further provide that the consultant's 1987 Cadence Options
    shall continue to vest for the period of that consultancy.  Cadence further
    commits that 1987 Cadence Options vested as of the end date of that
    consultancy will remain exercisable for 30 days after that consultancy
    ends.

    1.5  IN THE MONEY VALUE FOR NON-CONSULTANTS.  The parties recognize that if
Cadence's ownership percentage of IMS drops below 50% with respect to the 1987
plan, the potential arises for IMS employees who hold 1987 Cadence Options which
have not then become exercisable under the particular plan, and who have not
been given the opportunity to act as consultants to Cadence, to be unable to
obtain the in-the-money value of those not yet exercisable options (the "Lapsed
Options.")  In recognition of the value IMS employees have, through their
performance, brought to Cadence, Cadence hereby commits to pay the in-the-money
value of the Lapsed Options that would become lost to IMS employees as a result
of a change in Cadence's percentage ownership of IMS, as follows.

         1.5.1     IN-THE-MONEY-VALUE.  Cadence and IMS agree that the
    in-the-money-value for a given share of Cadence stock represented by a
    Lapsed Option (an "Option Share") shall be calculated at, and fixed as, the
    value represented by the difference (if positive) obtained by subtracting
    the option exercise price from the average of the daily closing trade price
    for Cadence stock for the twenty business days next preceeding the date on
    which Cadence's ownership dropped below the requisite threshold.

         1.5.2     WHEN BECOMES DUE.  The "in the money value" for each Option
    Share held by a non-consultant shall become due on the same date that the
    option giving rise to the Option Share would have become exercisable but
    for the change in ownership.  That means, for example, that the
    in-the-money value would never become due with respect to Option Shares
    whose options would not have become exercisable because an employee
    resigned from or is terminated by the company.

         1.5.3     WHEN PAYABLE.  Cadence shall pay all accrued and due
    in-the-money-value within thirty days of the end of the calendar quarter in
    which the in-the-money value falls due, based on a schedule submitted by
    IMS, certified as true and correct by the Chief Financial Officer, to
    Cadence of all vested in-the-money value due to IMS employees.

    1.6  INFORMATION FLOW.  IMS shall inform Cadence's Stock Administration
department immediately of the departure of any IMS employee holding Employee
Cadence Options, and shall on request submit to Cadence a list of all remaining
IMS employee holders of Employee Cadence Options.  If IMS fails to give Notice
concerning the termination of an IMS employee to Cadence within 15 days
following termination, and as a result of that failure, the employee is able to
exercise an option which by its terms should have expired, IMS shall reimburse
Cadence for the difference between the exercise price and the market price of
each exercised share, measured as of the date of exercise of the wrongfully
exercised option.


2 - AMENDED STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT


<PAGE>

    1.7  GOOD FAITH DECISIONS.  In making decisions that may have the potential
to result in Cadence's holdings in IMS slipping below the 50% level, and
therefore triggering Cadence's obligations under this Section 1, IMS shall, in
determining the economic viability of such choices, consider in good faith the
cost to Cadence of that decision under this Section as if it is IMS' own cost.

    2.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION.  This Agreement sets forth the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof, and merges and supersedes any and all prior discussions,
agreements, and understandings between or among them with respect thereto, and
no party shall be bound by any condition, definition, warranty or
representation, other than those expressly set forth or provided for in this
Agreement or in any document or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement,
or as may be set forth in writing and signed by the party or parties to be bound
thereby on or subsequent to the date hereof.  This Agreement may not be changed
or modified, except by an agreement in writing executed by the Company and the
Stockholder.

    3.   GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by Oregon law
(excluding the choice of law provisions).

    4.   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts.

    5.   SEVERABILITY.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
contained in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, void, or unenforceable, then the remainder of this Agreement shall
remain operative and in full force and effect.  If any provision contained in
this Agreement is invalidated, the parties hereto will use their best efforts to
adopt an appropriate substitute for the invalidated provision consistent with
the intent of the parties.

    6.   BINDING EFFECT OF AGREEMENT.  The terms of this Agreement shall be
binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
subsidiaries, parents or other affiliated entities, agents, attorneys, heirs,
executors, successors, representatives and assigns.

    7.   NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if
delivered by hand or certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to
the addresses set forth below the signatures of the respective parties hereto.
In the case of communications to the Stockholder, a copy shall be delivered
concurrently to H. Raymond Bingham, Executive Vice President, and  to such other
person or persons or to such other address or addresses as may be designated by
Stockholder.  In the case of communications to the Company, a copy shall be
delivered concurrently to William C. Campbell, Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson &
Skerritt, 222 S.W. Columbia, Suite 1800, Portland, Oregon 97201 or to such other
person or persons or to such other address or addresses as may be designated by
IMS.

    8.   HEADINGS.  The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted
for convenience only and shall not constitute a part hereof.

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


3 - AMENDED STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT


<PAGE>

                        INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.


                        By:  /s/ Sar Ramadan
                           ----------------------------------------------------
                             Sar Ramadan, Chief Financial Officer,
                             Secretary and Treasurer


                        CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.


                        By:  /s/ Stephen Y. Fong
                           ----------------------------------------------------
                             Stephen Y. Fong, President of Finance and
                             Treasurer


4 - AMENDED STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT



<PAGE>

                                                               EXHIBIT 10.16

                         AMENDED CORPORATE SERVICES AGREEMENT

    This Amended Corporate Services Agreement is entered into between Cadence
Design Systems, Inc. (Cadence) and Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc. (IMS)
this first day of May, 1996.

    The parties entered into a Corporate Services Agreement effective May 1,
1995.  They now wish to modify and update that agreement, as shown here.

    The parties agree:

1.  DEFINITIONS.

    1.1  CADENCE AND IMS.  "Cadence" and "IMS" as used herein shall refer to
the parent companies, and wholly owned subsidiaries of either (except that for
these purposes, IMS will not be regarded as a Cadence subsidiary.)

    1.2  DEDICATED AGENT.  An employee of Cadence is a "Dedicated Agent" during
those periods with respect to which IMS is obligated to pay or has paid Cadence
a fee equal to the Agent Fees as provided for in this Agreement.  Numbers of
Dedicated Agents in particular Cadence facilities as of the date of this
agreement are listed on the attached Exhibit A.

2.  AGENT SERVICES AND FEE.  Cadence will supply the following services as
agent for IMS, and IMS will pay Cadence an Agent Fee for Cadence's services
hereunder, calculated as follows.

    2.1  FEE COMPONENT FOR OFFICE SPACE AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORT.

         2.1.1     PRINCIPLE.  Cadence supplies office space and associated
    office support (telephones and faxes, parking, use of conference rooms,
    employee lounges, and the like) to IMS at a number of locations around the
    United States and (through Cadence wholly-owned subsidiaries) elsewhere in
    the world.  IMS pays for that space and support at the price shown on
    Exhibit A, on an allocated charge per employee basis, as a part of its
    Agent Fee.

         2.1.2     CHANGES.  The parties may from time to time agree to add
    Dedicated Agents, or IMS personnel in those locations where IMS has direct
    business presence, at specific sites, and so increase the space needed, or
    to add sites; such changes will be reflected on revised "Exhibits A" to
    replace the original executed with this Agreement.  Cadence shall not be
    obligated to lease or outfit additional space for IMS' benefit, however,
    and any additional space will be provided on a "space available" basis
    only.

         2.1.3     COST AND FEE REVIEW.  The parties will meet semiannually to
    review the fair market value of the office space and associated services at
    each location, and will adjust the Agent Fees shown on Exhibit A to reflect
    that fair market value.


Page 1 -- Corporate Services Agreement


<PAGE>

    2.2  DEDICATED AGENTS.

         2.2.1     FEE COMPONENT FOR AGENT COST.  IMS shall pay Cadence, as
    part of its Agent Fee, an amount equal to the fully-loaded payroll cost for
    and discretionary expenses such as travel, materials and supplies, and
    communications incurred by each Dedicated Agent.  That cost shall include
    any extraordinary hiring, termination, or transfer expenses Cadence
    experiences due to IMS or Cadence policy or the law of the particular
    jurisdictions, provided that the parties shall work in good faith to
    minimize such expenses to be charged to IMS.

         2.2.2     CHANGES IN DEDICATED AGENTS.  In countries outside the
    United States where Dedicated Agents are employed, IMS may periodically
    request that Cadence add, transfer, or terminate Dedicated Agents.  During
    the term of this agreement, Cadence will add or subtract such Dedicated
    Agents for the applicable countries on thirty days' notice from IMS, or
    such longer period of time as may be required under Cadence policy or local
    law.  However, IMS shall not add any new Dedicated Agents in any country in
    which IMS has chosen to establish its own business presence, either itself
    or through an IMS subsidiary.

         2.2.3     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Cadence acknowledges that the Agent
    Fee paid by IMS fully covers Cadence's costs with respect to the Dedicated
    Agents, and hereby commits to assign and does assign to IMS, free of claims
    by Cadence, all intellectual property developed by Dedicated Agents while
    they are or were Dedicated Agents, to the extent Cadence has rights to that
    intellectual property under applicable agreements with the Dedicated Agent
    pursuant to local law.  Cadence will take such steps as may be necessary to
    document such assignment in order to preserve such rights, on request and
    at IMS' expense.  Likewise, IMS will require that such Dedicated Agents,
    when retained by IMS will honor confidentiality obligations to Cadence and
    its customers.

3.  INSURANCE.

    3.1  OPTION TO PURCHASE COVERAGE THROUGH CADENCE.  IMS may elect to
purchase insurance coverage through Cadence insurance policies, to the extent
and during the time those policies permit that coverage.

    3.2  PROCEDURE.  On request, Cadence will assist IMS to determine what
insurance coverage IMS can acquire more cost-effectively through Cadence (as a
part of Cadence policies) than independently.  IMS shall by Notice inform
Cadence of which coverages it wishes to purchase through Cadence, and which
coverages purchased through Cadence it wishes to terminate.  IMS' rights to
become covered by, or exclude itself from coverage under, Cadence policies shall
meet these conditions:

         3.2.1     TERMS OF POLICY.  IMS' Notice may request that IMS be added
    or deleted from Cadence policies only as of dates the policy itself permits
    for such modifications.

         3.2.2     QUALIFICATION.  IMS shall not be entitled to coverage under
    any Cadence policy as to which IMS does not qualify under the policy terms.


Page 2 -- Corporate Services Agreement


<PAGE>

    3.3  COPIES OF POLICIES.  Cadence shall, on request, provide IMS with
copies of all applicable insurance coverages, and shall request companies
writing such insurance to copy IMS with any policy changes affecting IMS.

    3.4  COST.  IMS shall reimburse Cadence the full incremental cost to
Cadence of IMS' coverage under any existing Cadence policy.  That incremental
cost shall be billed to IMS as part of Cadence's Agent Fee for all non-US
jurisdictions.

4.  SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

    4.1  INVOICING.  Cadence shall invoice IMS monthly for the services herein
provided.   Cadence shall bill for personnel costs under section 2.2 in the
local currency of the country in which such costs were incurred.  Cadence shall
bill for the dollar-denominated amounts shown on Exhibit A in dollars or in the
local currency at equivalent exchange rates, as Cadence determines.  If it is
more convenient administratively for Cadence to do so, Cadence may cause its
separate operating companies and subsidiaries to invoice IMS directly for
services they provide hereunder.

    4.2  PAYMENT.  Each party shall pay invoices properly tendered for any
matter between them within thirty days of receipt of the invoice. Overdue 
unpaid invoices shall bear interest at 9% per year until paid.

5.  DURATION.

    5.1  MAXIMUM TERM.  This Agreement will not last beyond June 1, 1999, 
unless expressly extended.

    5.2  INTERIM TERMINATION.  During the term of this agreement, IMS may elect
to decline particular space, or to reduce its space requirements at particular
locations, on thirty days' notice to Cadence, delivered both to Cadence's Notice
address as shown on this agreement and to the particular office location where
the space needs are being reduced.  During the term of this agreement, IMS may
also elect to transition particular Cadence Dedicated Agents to become IMS
employees, subject to the rights of the employee as described above.  Notice of
such action shall be delivered both to Cadence at the Notice address shown on
this agreement, and to the headquarters address of the particular Cadence
subsidiary for whom the Dedicated Agent works.  Cadence may elect to terminate
some or all of its obligations hereunder on thirty days' Notice in the event IMS
breaches a material obligation hereunder and such breach remains uncured for
thirty days after Notice to IMS.  After June 1, 1997 Cadence may elect to
terminate its agreement with respect to particular facilities or subsidiaries on
180 days' Notice to IMS.

6.  SOFTWARE.  Cadence has issued software licenses and provides maintenance 
and updates for its suite of software products to IMS without charge, for 
IMS' own use in designing and supporting its own products.  As of the date 
Cadence's ownership in IMS drops below 50%, in the absence of any other 
agreement Cadence will continue to permit IMS a no-charge license to its 
suite of design tools currently held by IMS, but will charge IMS for 
maintenance on those tools, at the rate Cadence charges its most favored 
strategic customers and technology partners.

Page 3 -- Corporate Services Agreement


<PAGE>

7.  OTHER MATTERS.

    7.1  NOTICE.  "Notice" means notice given as described here.  Notice will
be given to IMS at 9525 S.W. Gemini Drive, Beaverton, Oregon  97008, ATTN:
Chief Financial Officer.  Notice will be given to Cadence at 2655 Seely Road,
Building 5, MS 5B2, San Jose, Ca. 95134, ATTN:  Chief Financial Officer.  Notice
may be given in any form that leaves a hard copy in the hands of the recipient.
Each party can change its own Notice address and designated Notice recipient, by
Notice.  Notice shall be effective when actually received by the designated
person.  If sent certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested, notice is considered effective on the date the return receipt shows
the notice was accepted, refused, or returned undeliverable.

    7.2  SEVERABILITY.  Each clause of this agreement is severable.  If any
clause is ruled void or unenforceable, the balance of the agreement shall
nonetheless remain in effect.

    7.3  NON-WAIVER.  A waiver of one or more breaches of any clause of this
agreement shall not act to waive any other breach, whether of the same or
different clauses.

    7.4  ASSIGNMENT.  This agreement may not be assigned without the express
written consent of each party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

    7.5  GOVERNING LAW.  This agreement is governed by the laws of the state of
California.  Each party consents to service of process through the method
prescribed for notice in this agreement.

    7.6  INTEGRATION.  This agreement is the complete agreement between the
parties as of the date hereof with respect to Corporate Services, and supersedes
all prior agreements, written or oral.  It may be modified only in writing
signed by the original parties hereto, or by their successors or superiors in
office.

INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.  CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.

By: /s/ Sar Ramadan                    By: /s/ Stephen Y. Fong
   --------------------------------       --------------------------------
Print: Sar Ramadan                     Print: Stephen Y. Fong
      -----------------------------          -----------------------------
Title: Vice President of Finance,      Title: Vice President of Finance
       Secretary & Treasurer                  & Treasurer
      -----------------------------          -----------------------------
Date: May 23, 1996                     Date: May 23, 1996
      -----------------------------          -----------------------------


Page 4 -- Corporate Services Agreement


<PAGE>

                                      Exhibit A

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Cadence Dedicated Agents and Support Fees
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Location          Dedicated      Fee per Agent per       95 Total Fees
                         Agents              Month
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cadence UK                 5              Cost plus 650              $3,250
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cadence Germany            3              Cost plus 600               1,800
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cadence France             2              Cost plus 650               1,300
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cadence Israel             1              Cost plus 704                 704
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Cadence Taiwan             3              Cost plus 306                 918
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Arizona                    2              Cost plus 457                 914
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 California                 9              Cost plus 500               4,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maryland                   1              Cost plus 767                 767
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Massachusetts              7              Cost plus 262               1,834
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Minnesota                  2              Cost plus 731               1,462
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Texas                      2              Cost plus 705               1,410
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  TOTAL FEES PER MONTH:   COST PLUS $ 18,859
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   TOTAL FEES PER YEAR:   COST PLUS $226,308
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    "Cost" herein refers to Cadence's cost for the Dedicated Agent in question
as described in Section 2.1.


Page 5 -- Corporate Services Agreement



<PAGE>

                                                          EXHIBIT 10.17

                   SECOND AMENDMENT TO JOINT SALES AGENCY AGREEMENT
                                       between
                             Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
                                         and
                         Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc.

    As of May 20, 1996, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (Cadence) and Integrated
Measurement Systems, Inc. (IMS) agree to extend the initial term of the Joint
Sales Agency Agreement between the parties through June, 1998.

    Except as here provided, the Joint Sales Agreement between the parties
dated June 30, 1994, and as amended effective April 1, 1995, remains in full
force and effect.

CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.           INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.


By: /s/ Stephen Y. Fong                 By: /s/ Sar Ramadan
   ---------------------------             ---------------------------
Print: Stephen Y. Fong                  Print: Sar Ramadan
     ------------------------                ------------------------
Title: Vice President of                Title: Vice President of 
       Finance & Treasurer                     Finance, Secretary &
                                               Treasurer
     ------------------------                ------------------------


Page 1 -- Second Amendment to Joint Sales Agency Agreement


<PAGE>


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 1996, by and between Integrated
Measurement Systems, Inc., an Oregon corporation (hereinafter referred to as
the "Company"), and David L. Brinker (hereinafter referred to as "Employee").


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      WITNESSETH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Employee and Employee is desirous of being
so employed;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.  The Company hereby employs Employee and Employee hereby accepts employment
by the Company for the period beginning on December 31, 1996 (the "Employment 
Date"). The Company shall continue to employ Employee for such time as the 
Company is in need of, or desirous of, the services of Employee.  It is 
distinctly understood between the parties hereto that the duration of 
employment is unspecified and rests solely in the discretion of the Company.

2.  Employee shall perform such duties and functions and hold such positions as
the Board of Directors of the Company shall from time to time determine and in
the performance of his duties, comply with the policies of and be subject to
the reasonable direction of the Board of Directors of the Company.  Employee's
initial title and functions shall be General Manager, Test Software Division.
If requested by the Board of Directors of the Company, Employee shall serve as
an employee of one or more subsidiaries of the Company (hereinafter sometimes
termed, collectively, "subsidiary" or "subsidiaries") and shall, in the
performance of such duties, comply with the policies of the Board of Directors
of any subsidiary.

3.  As compensation for the services to be rendered by Employee hereunder,
including all services as an officer of the Company or of any subsidiary of
the Company,  the Company agrees to pay or cause to be paid to Employee, during
the period of Employee's employment pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, an annual
salary of $130,000 payable twice monthly.  The salary paid to Employee shall
be reviewed yearly by the Board which shall take into account the productivity
of the Company, available resources, the performance of Employee, the cost of
living and other factors deemed relevant; however, the Board shall have no
obligation to make any adjustments in the salary of the Employee.

4.  Employee's primary duties shall be performed at the Company's offices in
Washington County, Oregon, or in such other location as the Board of Directors
reasonably designates.

5.  Employee agrees to devote his entire working time, attention and energies to
the performance of the business of the Company and of any of its subsidiaries by
which he may be employed; and Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, alone
or as a member of any partnership, or as an officer, director or employee of any
other corporation, partnership or other organization, be actively engaged in or
concerned with any other duties or pursuits which interfere with the performance
of his duties hereunder, or which even if not interfering, may be inimical to or
contrary to the best interest of the Company.


                                          1

<PAGE>

6.  Employee agrees that the "Propietary Information and Inventions Agreement"
annexed hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit "A" to the Agreement and the
"Policy Statement on Conflicts of Interest" annexed hereto and made a part
hereof as Exhibit "B", shall both be deemed to be a part of this Employment
Agreement.

Employee further agrees that the termination or cessation of his employment or
the expiration of this Employment Agreement shall not release him from any
obligations contained in Exhibit "A".  Employee shall at no time be entitled to
any additional compensation for the services required by this paragraph or by
Exhibits "A" or "B" but shall be reimbursed for his reasonable expenses in
connection with securing patent protection and other similar rights for the
Company in connection with Exhibit "A". 

7.  NONCOMPETITION.  In consideration for and as an inducement to the Company's
agreement to employ Employee hereunder, Employee agrees that:

(a) He will not, so long as he is an employee or officer of the Company or any
subsidiary, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, joint venturer, 
stockholder, employee, broker, agent, principal, trustee, corporate officer, 
director, or licensor, or in any capacity whatsoever engage in, become 
financially interested in, be employed by, or have any connection with, any 
business engaged in the research, development, testing, design, manufacture, 
sale, lease, marketing, utilization, or exploitation of custom logic test 
systems and such other products as the Company may develop and other 
competitive products with those of the Company or the application thereof and 
products based thereon which are (x) logically equivalent to or, (y) 
substantially identical to or (z) an emulation of any equipment, technology, 
or the application thereof or products based thereon designed, marketed, 
announced, leased, or sold by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in any 
geographic area where, during the time of his employment, the business of the 
Company or any of its subsidiaries is being or had been conducted in any 
manner whatsoever; provided, however, that the Employee may own any 
securities of any corporation or partnership which is engaged in such 
business and is publicly owned and traded but in an amount not to exceed at 
any one time one percent (1%) of any class of stock (or aggregate partnership 
interests) or securities of such company.

(b) If Employee terminates his employment with the Company or if the Company
terminates the Employee's employment, the Employee agrees that he shall at the
option of the Company for two (2) additional years have the duty of advising and
consulting on a part-time basis with the Company and its subsidiaries in
response to request for such services, provided the Company notifies the
Employee in writing within sixty (60) days after the termination of his
employment that such services are desired, and in such event the restrictions
contained in subparagraph 7(a) above shall be extended for such two additional
years.  The Company agrees that (1) such services shall be performed within the
United States of America; (2) the Employee shall not be required to devote such
of his time to such services as will interfere with the Employee obtaining
principal employment by others, and (3) the Employee shall not be required to
perform such services during usual vacation periods and reasonable periods of
illness or other incapacitation.  The Company shall pay the Employee for such
services compensation at the annual rate of twenty-five percent (25%) of the
salary payable to the Employee immediately prior to termination of his
employment.  Such compensation shall be payable in twenty-four (24) equal
monthly installments.  The Company shall, however, pay to the Employee
compensation at the full annual rate of salary payable to the Employee
immediately prior to termination of his employment commencing on the date of
such termination and ending on the later of the expiration of the Company's
option hereunder in the event it is not exercised (being sixty (60) days after
such termination) or sixty (60) days after notification to the Employee of the
Company's exercise of such option before the provisions of subparagraph 7(c)
here of become operative.

                                          2

<PAGE>

(c) If after conscientious effort (which the Company may ask the Employee to
establish to its reasonable satisfaction), during any period in which the
Employee is retained as a consultant by the Company and consequently subject to
the restrictions of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph 7, the Employee is unable
primarily due to such restrictions to obtain a comparable position (taking into
account the particular assigned duties and responsibilities of his employment
with the Company) which, together with any termination payments or consulting
fees then being paid to the Employee by the Company, shall be as remunerative
as his monthly remuneration with the Company when his employment terminated
(hereinafter his "remuneration"), then, the Company shall pay to the Employee
monthly, as an additional consulting fee or otherwise, a sum (the "Guarantee")
such that his then monthly remuneration shall be equal to not less than his
remuneration at the time of his termination.  The Employee shall notify the
Company in writing within fifteen (15) days after any calendar month as to which
he seeks the Guarantee hereunder.  The Employee must establish the amount of
such Guarantee sought to the Company's reasonable satisfaction, whereupon the
Company shall promptly (and, in any event, within fifteen (15) days of receipt
of his notification) pay to him the amount of the Guarantee so established.

(d) In case any one or more of the terms contained in subparagraphs (a), (b) or
(c) of this paragraph 7 shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect
any other terms herein, but such term shall be deemed deleted, and such
deletion shall not affect the validity of the other terms of this paragraph 7.
In addition, if any one or more of the terms contained in subparagraph (a), (b)
or (c) of this paragraph 7 shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad
with regard to time, duration, geographic scope or activity, that term shall be
construed in a manner to enable it to be enforced to the extent compatible with
applicable law.  

8.  The Company's obligation to issue warrants, options, or other securities to
Employee under any existing or future plan or agreement is conditioned upon (1)
his continued employment with the Company pursuant to this agreement at each
such issuance date, and (2) no termination of his employment pursuant to
paragraph 1 hereof having occurred.  For the purpose of this paragraph 8, if
Employee is advising or consulting with the Company and its subsidiaries, such
activity shall not be deemed employment so as to entitle Employee to the
issuance of warrants, options, or other securities or so as to prevent issued,
but unexercised warrants, options, or other securities from lapsing.

9.  The parties hereto agree that failure to comply with paragraph 7 Exhibits
"A" and "B" of this Agreement cannot reasonably be adequately compensated in
damages in an action at law, and breach of these provisions of this Agreement
will cause the Company irreparable damage.  Therefore, in addition to the other
remedies which may be available to it, in law or in equity, the Company shall be
entitled to injunctive relief without bond or other security with respect to the
breach of either paragraph 7, Exhibit "A", or Exhibit "B", or any one or more of
them.

10.  Employee represents and warrants that on December 31, 1996, he is free to
be employed by the Company upon the terms contained in the Agreement and that 
on December 31, 1996, there is no employment contract or restrictive covenants 
preventing full performance of his duties hereunder.

11.  This Employment Agreement shall be binding upon the legal representatives,
heirs, distributes, successors, and assigns of the parties hereto.  It contains
the entire agreement of the parties, and may not be changed orally, but only by
a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such a change is
sought.  It is agreed that a waiver by either party of a breach of any provision
of this Employment Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach by that same party.  Any notice required by this Agreement
shall be sent to the other party at the address set forth


                                          3

<PAGE>

at the beginning of this Agreement, or to such other address as a party 
supplies to the other party in writing.  This Employmeny Agreement shall be 
governed by the laws of the State of Oregon applicable to agreements made and 
to be performed therein.

This Employment Agreement supersedes all prior understandings and agreements
between the parties relating to the subject matter encompassed herein.

12.  The termination of Employee's employment hereunder shall not affect the
enforceability of paragraph 6, paragraph 7, paragraph 8, paragraph 9, and
Exhibits "A" and "B" hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed the day and year first above written.




                                       INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.

                                       By /s/ Gwyn Harney
                                          --------------------------------------

                                           /s/ David L. Brinker, Employee
                                          -----------------------





                                          4
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE A

The following is a list of all inventions, discoveries or improvements 
relating to the Company's business which have been made by Employee prior to 
his/her employment with the Company.

EMPLOYEE'S INITIALS (ONE LINE ONLY)

                DLB                 None
- -----------------------------------
                                    As listed below:
- -----------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ACKNOWLEDGED

INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.

BY:  /s/ Gwyn Harney
    -------------------------------
DATED:           1-7-97
       ----------------------------



                                          5

<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT A

                    PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE
                             INVENTIONS AGREEMENT

IT IS AGREED BETWEEN INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC., an Oregon 
corporation (hereinafter the "Company"), and      David L. Brinker
                                              --------------------------
(hereinafter "Employee"), as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT.

The Company has hired Employee to work in the position of GENERAL MANAGER, 
TEST SOFTWARE DIVISION.  Employee acknowledges that, as a part of his/her 
employment, he/she is expected to create inventions and/or ideas of value to 
the Company.

2. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF OTHERS.

Employee does not have in his/her possession any confidential information or 
documents belonging to others, and will not use, disclose to the Company, or 
induce the Company to use, any such information or documents during his/her 
employment. Employee represents that his/her employment will not require 
him/her to violate any obligation to or confidence with another.

3. DEFINITION OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.

As used herein, the term "Proprietary Information" refers to any and all 
information of a confidential, proprietary or secret nature which is or may 
be either applicable to, or related in any way to (i) the business, present 
or future, of the Company, (ii) the research and development or 
investigations of the Company, or (iii) the business of any customer of the 
Company.  Proprietary Information includes, for example and without 
limitation, trade secrets, processes, formulas, data, algorithms, source 
code, object code, know-how, improvements, inventions, techniques, marketing 
plans and strategies, and information concerning customers or vendors.

4. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION TO BE KEPT IN CONFIDENCE.

Employee acknowledges that the Proprietary Information is a special, valuable 
and unique asset of the Company, and Employee agrees at all times during the 
period of his/her employment and thereafter he/she will not directly or 
indirectly use the Proprietary Information other than in the course of 
performing duties as an employee of the Company, nor will Employee directly 
or indirectly disclose any Proprietary Information or anything relating 
thereto to any person or entity, except in the course of performing his/her 
duties as an employee of the Company and with the consent of the Company. 
Employee will abide by the Company's policies and regulations, as established 
from time to time, for the protection of its Proprietary Information.




                                      6

<PAGE>

5. OTHER EMPLOYMENT.

Employee agrees that during the period of his/her employment by the Company, 
he/she will not, without the Company's prior written consent, directly or 
indirectly engage in any employment, consulting, or activity other than for 
the Company relating to any line of business in which the Company is now or 
at such time is engaged, or which would otherwise conflict with his/her 
employment obligations to the Company.

6. RETURN OF MATERIALS AT TERMINATION.

In the event of any termination of his/her employment, whether or not for 
cause and whatever the reason, Employee will promptly deliver to the Company 
all documents, data, records and other information pertaining to his/her 
employment, and Employee shall not take with him/her any documents or data, 
or any reproduction or excerpt of any documents or data, containing or 
pertaining to any Proprietary Information.

7. DISCLOSURE TO COMPANY; INVENTIONS AS SOLE PROPERTY OF COMPANY.

Employee agrees to promptly disclose in writing to the Company any and all 
inventions, discoveries, improvements, trade secrets, formulas, techniques, 
processes, manuscripts, writings and know-how, whether or not patentable and 
whether or not reduced to practice, conceived or learned by the Employee 
during the period of his/her employment, either alone or jointly with others 
which relate to or result from the actual or anticipated business, work, 
research or investigations of the Company, or which result, to any extent, 
from use of the Company's premises or property (the work being hereinafter 
collectively referred to as the "Inventions").

Employee hereby agrees to assign to the Company all of his/her entire right 
and interest in and to all the Inventions. Within 30 days following the 
Company's receipt of Employee's written disclosure of an Invention, Employee 
shall assign to the Company or any other entity designated by it all domestic 
and foreign rights pertaining to such Invention, and assist the Company in 
every way (at the Company's expense) to obtain and from time to time enforce 
patents or copyrights on such Invention in any and all countries. To that 
end, by way of illustration but not limitation, Employee will testify in any 
suit or other proceeding involving any of the Inventions, execute 
all documents which the Company reasonably determines to be necessary or 
convenient for use in applying for and obtaining patents or 
copyrights thereon and enforcing same, and execute all necessary assignments 
thereof to the Company or persons designated by it.  Employee's obligation to 
assist the Company in obtaining and enforcing patents or copyrights for the 
Inventions shall continue beyond the termination of his/her employment, but 
the Company shall compensate Employee at a reasonable rate after such 
termination for the time actually spent by Employee at the Company's request 
on such assistance.

8. LIST OF PRIOR INVENTIONS.

All inventions, if any, which Employee made prior to his/her employment by 
the Company are excluded from the scope of this Agreement. As a matter of 
record, Employee has set forth on Schedule A attached hereto a complete 
list of all inventions, discoveries, or improvements relating to the 
Company's business which have been made by Employee prior to his/her 
employment with the Company. Employee represents and convenants that such 
list is complete.


                                      7
<PAGE>

9.  INJUNCTION.

Employee agrees that it would be difficult to measure damage to the Company from
any breach by Employee of the promises set forth in Paragraphs 4, 5, and 6 
herein, and that injury to the Company from any such breach would be 
impossible to calculate, and that money damages would therefore be an 
inadequate remedy for any such breach.  Accordingly, Employee agrees that if 
he/she shall breach any provision of Paragraphs 4, 5, or 6 or any of them, 
the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies it may have, 
to injunction or other appropriate orders to restrain any such breach by 
Employee without showing or proving any actual damage sustained by the 
Company.


10.  GENERAL.

(a)  To the extent that any of the agreements set forth herein, or any word,
phrase, clause, or sentence thereof shall be found to be illegal or
unenforceable for any reason, such agreement, word, clause, phrase or sentence
shall be modified or deleted in such a manner so as to make the agreement as
modified legal and enforceable under applicable laws, and the balance of the
agreements or parts thereof shall not be affected thereby, the balance being
construed as severable and independent.

(b)  This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee and his/her heirs, executors,
assigns, and administrators and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, its
successors and assigns and any Subsidiary.

(c)  This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oregon, which
state shall have jurisdiction of the subject matter hereof.

(d)  This Agreement may be signed in two counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original and which together shall constitute one instrument.

(e)  The use of the singular in this agreement includes the plural, as
appropriate.

(f)  This Agreement represents the entire agreement between Employee and the
Company with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all previous oral
or written communications, representations or agreements.  This agreement may be
modified only by a duly authorized and executed writing.


INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.:

By: /s/ Gwyn Harney
   -----------------------------

Title: Director, H R
      --------------------------

Date:      1-7-97
     ---------------------------

EMPLOYEE:

Print Name: David L. Brinker           CAUTION TO EMPLOYEE:
           ---------------------       --------------------
                                       THIS AGREEMENT AFFECTS IMPORTANT
Signature: /s/ David L. Brinker        RIGHTS.  DO NOT SIGN UNLESS YOU
          ----------------------       HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY AND ARE
                                       SATISFIED THAT YOU UNDERSTAND
Date:      12-23-96                         IT COMPLETELY.
     ---------------------------               -----------





                                          8

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      EXHIBIT B



                         INTEGRATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS, INC.


                                   (THE "COMPANY")
                      POLICY STATEMENT ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is generally accepted as good business practice that employees disclose in
detail any outside activities or interests which potentially may conflict or
even appear to conflict with the Company's best interest.  Accordingly, it is
the policy of the Company to require such disclosure.

While it is not possible to describe, or even anticipate all the circumstances
and situations that might involve or even appear to involve conflict of
interest, the following enumeration's of some such activities are given for
illustration and without limitation:

1.  Being connected directly or indirectly with any business (as owner, partner,
officer, director, participant, licensee, consultant, shareholder, or as the
recipient of wages, salary, bonus, fees, commissions, or other compensation of
value) which sells, provides materials, supplies, equipment, facilities, or
services to the Company or which is in direct or indirect competition with, or
which is a customer of the Company.  (Shares of stock in listed companies
acquired as a part of a normal investment program may be excluded).

2.  Giving or accepting gifts, entertainment, or any other personal favor or
preferment to or from anyone with whom the Company has or is likely to have any
business dealings, including an employee, prospective employee, customer,
competitor, or vendor which go beyond common courtesies usually associated with
accepted business practice.

3.  Disclosing directly or indirectly any confidential information acquired by
him or her in the course of his or her official duties or using such information
to further his or her personal interests to the Company's disadvantage.

4.  Acquiring directly or indirectly through ownership or lease, property, real
estate, or facilities in which the Company has an active or potential interest.

5.  Speculating or commercially dealing in the products (first quality, used,
obsolete, or scrap) sold by the Company or in any used property (machinery,
equipment, facilities, furniture, and fixtures) of the Company.

I have read the Company's Policy Statement on Conflicts of Interest and affirm
that to the best of my knowledge and belief, I am involved in no such situation
with might create or appear to create a conflict of interest, except as
explained fully and completely below.

I further agree to report immediately any circumstances or situations arising in
the future that might involve me or appear to involve me in a conflict of
interest.




NAME:   /s/ David L. Brinker                      DATE:  12/23/96
     ---------------------------------------           -------------------------

                                          9

<PAGE>

Dear Marv:

     In anticipation and in consideration of an amicable and friendly
separation, and in recognition of the work you have done here and the
contributions you have made, we would like to propose modifying the severance
terms described in your employment contract as follows.

     We will agree upon a transition period of one year.  During that period,
you will serve as a consultant to IMS, working in cooperation with and under the
guidelines established by me or managers I designate.  In that capacity, you
will be on call as we need you (subject to reasonable scheduling constraints on
your time as you line up other consulting work) for a smooth transition of all
outstanding matters on which you have had a hand.  You may be called upon also
to assist with marketing, customer relations, technology integration, product
development, or other matters.  You will be free to seek and accept other work
during this period, subject to the constraints described in Section 4.6 of your
employment agreement.  Your confidentiality obligations will continue to apply,
of course, as will your commitments with respect to ownership of inventions that
you develop or conceive while working on IMS matters during this period.

     During the first six months, when we anticipate we will need you with
relative frequency, you will continue on the payroll of IMS, and continue to
receive your benefits.  Your stock options that would become exercisable through
the end of June, 1997 will vest immediately, as your employment contract
commits.  But we will regard you as an employee during this period, to permit
you to defer the date on which you would be required to exercise your Incentive
Stock Options.  That will give you an additional six months in which to exercise
them.  (As you realize, incentive stock options provide you with the ability to
defer taxes until the sale of the stock itself, and provided you then have met
the required holding periods for the stock following exercise, to pay taxes on
the excess of the fair market value over the purchase price only at capital
gains rates.)

     During the second six months, you will continue to serve as a consultant to
IMS, subject again to scheduling constraints related to your work.  During that
time, you will be paid at the rate of $400 per day for any day you act as a
consultant for us.  In recognition of that commitment, we will permit your IMS
stock options to continue to vest during that six months, though you recognize
that the options that become exercisable first following the end of that six
month period will be nonqualified stock options.  You will have until three
months following the end of the transition year to exercise the stock options
that vest during the second half of the year.  The only vesting condition for
these options is that you continue as an "on call" consultant, and use good
faith efforts to schedule time and to assist with any transition matters that
arise.  (On nonqualified stock options, you will owe taxes with respect to the
difference between the exercise price and the market value on the date of
exercise, and at exercise, you will need to pay to us amounts we are required to
withhold from compensation due you under applicable statutes, if any.  Please
consult with Gwyn about what those amounts would be.)

     Except for a standard company press release about the change in management
at IMS, each of us agree we will not discuss your termination as an employee and
transition to consulting status

<PAGE>

with the press, or any party outside IMS itself (including as necessary IMS'
advisors).  You may of course speak with your own advisors as necessary.

     Marv, accepting this proposal will provide us with the framework for a
smooth transition.  By signing it, you give up any possibility of bringing
claims against IMS (except of course for salary, benefits, bonus, and stock
options due to you if for any reason we would fail to pay them), and you commit
yourself to provide the help outlined above.  Once you sign it, we will be
committed to the additional severance benefits described.

     If this proposal meets with your approval, please sign it below and return
a copy.

                                Very truly yours,


                                 /s/ Keith L. Barnes
                                 Keith L. Barnes

Proposal Accepted:



/s/ Marvin Wolfson               1/22/97
- -----------------------------------------
Marvin Wolfson



<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    As  independent  public accountants,  we hereby  consent to  the use  of our
reports and to all  references to our firm  included in or made  a part of  this
registration statement (No. 333-     ).
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Portland, Oregon
January 24, 1997
 
                  REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON
                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Integrated Measurement Systems, Inc.:
 
    We  have audited, in accordance  with generally accepted auditing standards,
the financial statements  of Integrated  Measurement Systems,  Inc. included  in
this registration statement and have issued our report thereon dated January 24,
1997.  Our  audits were  made for  the purpose  of forming  an opinion  on those
statements taken as a whole. The  Valuation and Qualifying accounts schedule  is
the  responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of
the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audits of  the basic financial statements and, in  our
opinion, fairly state in all material respects the financial data required to be
set  forth therein  in relation  to the  basic financial  statements taken  as a
whole.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Portland, Oregon
January 24, 1997

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE INCOME
STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND THE BALANCE SHEET AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANICAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           9,545
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,841
<ALLOWANCES>                                       489
<INVENTORY>                                      7,940
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                33,770
<PP&E>                                          15,069
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,145
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  44,314
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,490
<BONDS>                                            278
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            67
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,792
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    44,314
<SALES>                                         40,244
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                50,837
<CGS>                                           14,203
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   18,138
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,204
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  33
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,712
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,546
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,166
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,166
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .88
        

</TABLE>


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