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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                                                                November 4, 1998


Jim Whitaker
1083 Belvedere Lane
San Jose, California 95129


Dear Jim,

We are delighted that you are considering joining us at The Vantive Corporation
(the "Company"). The purpose of this letter is to set forth the offer of
employment that we have discussed.

We propose that you begin employment with the Company as CIO, Chief Information
Officer, reporting to Leonard LeBlanc, Vantive CFO. The effective date of your
employment will be November 30, 1998.

Your base salary, before deductions computed on an annual basis and beginning on
the date you become an employee of the Company, will be initially $165,000 per
year. Such base salary shall be paid in installments in accordance with the
Company's US payroll policy for services performed prior to the date of payment.

You will be entitled to participate in Vantive's discretionary performance bonus
program for Corporate Vice Presidents. The targeted incentive bonus at this
level in 1998 has been $60,000 on an annual basis, subject to the achievement of
your quarterly performance goals, as well as Company performance goals. From
your first day through the end of 1998, your target bonus will be pro-rated.

Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors and your execution of the
Company's form of stock option agreement, you shall be awarded incentive stock
options under the Company's Stock Purchase and Option Plan to purchase a grant
of 60,000 shares of the common stock of the Company. This option agreement will
vest over a 48-month period at the rate of 6/48 after the first full six months
of employment, and 1/48 per month thereafter.

The price per share of this option agreement will be the fair market value of a
share of common stock of the Company as of the date of grant as determined by
the Board of Directors. The option grant is subject to your execution of a form
of the Company's standard form stock option agreement and will be governed by
the terms and conditions of that agreement.

Should The Vantive Corporation or an merging or acquiring entity terminate your
employment for any reason other than your voluntary resignation, death,

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disability or "just cause", you may invoke 3 months of paid COBRA coverage of
medical, dental, and other insurance, and a salary continuation of 3 months in
length, i.e. continuing to receive your base salary for a total of 3 months
beyond your last day of work on the same schedule as salary was paid prior to
such termination. As read herein, "just cause" shall mean: a) your commission of
a felony; b) your commission of an act of dishonesty, theft, misrepresentation,
or fraud; c) your commission of an act involving moral turpitude; d) your
failure to discharge the lawful directions given to you by your immediately
direct supervisor (that person to whom you report) or the Board of Directors of
The Vantive Corporation; e) your willful engagement in bad faith conduct or
professionally inappropriate conduct which is materially detrimental to Vantive;
f) the voluntary filing of bankruptcy petition by you; or g) the adjudication of
you as insane or incompetent.

In the case of any merger or acquisition or other business combination (a
"Transaction") involving all or substantially all of the assets of The Vantive
Corporation, other than re-incorporation where Vantive is not the surviving
company and where the acquiring company or merger partner controls a majority of
Vantive stock after a Transaction, any of your granted and unvested options will
have their vesting accelerated by six months, i.e. by 6/48, up to a maximum of
100% of your option shares.

This offer of employment is expressly subject to your executing the Company's
standard form of non-disclosure agreement in the form enclosed with this letter
as well as your agreement to follow all other rules, guidelines, and policies
that the Company may announce from time to time. The non-disclosure agreement
must be signed and returned to Vantive Human Resources in Santa Clara,
California, and received there before your start date.

As with all US-based employees, this offer of employment is not for any specific
period of time and your employment may be terminated with or without cause by
yourself or by the Company at any time and for any reason.

This offer of employment contains all terms and conditions of employment with
the Company and supersedes any and all prior, oral or written, representations
or agreements made by anyone employed by, or associated with, the Company.
Please note that on your first day of work, you will be asked to complete a
range of employment forms, including a US Employment Eligibility Verification
(I-9) form. The forms must be completed within three business days of the date
your employment begins, and will require you to present acceptable documentation
of that eligibility. Failure to do so may result in suspension without pay or
termination.

After you have commenced employment at Vantive, you authorize the Company to
capture your employee-related information in its worldwide database. This
information will be stored as part of your personnel record. You agree to
cooperate fully with such information requests from your manager or Human
Resources. Vantive will guarantee to do everything in its power to secure this
system and protect the sensitivity and integrity of the information.

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You shall be entitled to receive all other benefits of employment generally
available to the Company's other full time regular employees. All amounts
payable to you as taxable compensation shall be subject to income tax
withholdings as required by federal, state, and /or local authorities, and any
other applicable withholdings.

Jim, I believe your strengths and experience are well matched with Vantive's
requirements and opportunities. I hope that you will accept this offer. Please
be advised that this offer of employment is valid only until November 10, 1998.
Please acknowledge acceptance of this offer by signing and dating this letter
and returning it to us on or before the day the offer becomes invalid.

Sincerely,


Leonard LeBlanc
Chief Financial Officer


I agree to the terms and conditions of employment set forth above.

/s/ Jim Whitaker                                             November 4, 1998
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            Jim Whitaker                                           Date