<PAGE>
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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                   FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
   /X/     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
           SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</TABLE>

                FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
                                       OR

<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
   / /     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
           SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</TABLE>

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-12194

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

                               ZITEL CORPORATION

             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
              CALIFORNIA                                    94-2566313
    (State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

        47211 BAYSIDE PARKWAY,
          FREMONT, CALIFORNIA                               94538-6517
    (Address of principal executive                         (Zip Code)
               offices)
</TABLE>

                                 (510) 440-9600
              Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

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

    Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the Registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /X/  No / /

    The number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of
January 31, 2000 was 26,244,933.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                       ZITEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                     INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PAGE
                                                               NUMBER
                                                              --------
<S>                                                           <C>
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Item 1.  Financial Statements

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 1999
     (unaudited) and September 30, 1999.....................      3

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
     (unaudited)--Three Months Ended December 31, 1999 and
     1998...................................................      4

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
     (unaudited)--Three Months Ended December 31, 1999 and
     1998...................................................      5

    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements....      7

  Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
    Condition and Results of Operations.....................     10

  Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
    Market Risk.............................................     11

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

  Item 1.  Legal Proceedings................................     12

  Item 2.  Changes in Securities............................     12

  Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities..................     12

  Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
    Holders.................................................     12

  Item 5.  Other Information................................     12

  Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.................     16
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>
                       ZITEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                    ($000'S)

                                   UNAUDITED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                  1999           1999
                                                              ------------   -------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
                                          ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................    $  2,364       $  1,670
  Accounts receivable, net..................................       9,797          3,719
  Refundable taxes..........................................         203            205
  Other current assets......................................       2,596          1,218
                                                                --------       --------
    Total current assets....................................      14,960          6,812

Fixed assets, net...........................................         712            738
Other assets, net...........................................       4,112          4,102
                                                                --------       --------
  Total assets..............................................    $ 19,784       $ 11,652
                                                                ========       ========
                           LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................    $  4,273       $  2,568
  Accrued liabilities.......................................       1,561          1,114
  Short-term debt...........................................       1,128             --
  Deferred revenue..........................................       7,789          2,073
                                                                --------       --------
    Total current liabilities...............................      14,751          5,755

Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock...........................................       2,000          2,000
  Common stock..............................................      71,392         71,340
  Accumulated deficit.......................................     (68,359)       (67,443)
                                                                --------       --------
  Total shareholders' equity................................       5,033          5,897
                                                                --------       --------
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity................    $ 19,784       $ 11,652
                                                                ========       ========
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                       ZITEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                      (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------
                                                                1999       1998
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Net product sales...........................................  $ 3,332    $ 2,940
Services and other..........................................    2,188      2,960
                                                              -------    -------
Net sales...................................................    5,520      5,900

Cost and expenses:
  Cost of products sold.....................................      221        361
  Cost of services and other................................    1,621      1,861
  Research and development expenses.........................      651        615
  Selling, general & administrative expenses................    3,851      3,887
  Loss from unconsolidated company..........................       --      1,512
                                                              -------    -------
  Operating loss............................................     (824)    (2,336)

Other expense...............................................       92        440
                                                              -------    -------
  Net loss..................................................  $  (916)   $(2,776)
                                                              =======    =======
Basic and diluted net loss per share........................  $  (.04)   $  (.13)
                                                              =======    =======
Shares used in basic and diluted per share calculation......   24,915     21,378
                                                              =======    =======
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>
                       ZITEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                    ($000'S)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 THREE MONTHS
                                                                     ENDED
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------
                                                                1999       1998
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $  (916)   $(2,776)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
    (used in) operating activities:
    Loss from unconsolidated company........................       --      1,512
    Discount amortization on subordinated debenture.........       --        273
    Interest accrued on convertible subordinated
      debenture.............................................       --        327
    Depreciation and amortization...........................      527        484
    Provision for doubtful accounts.........................       52        (80)
    Change in operating assets and liabilities:
      Increase in accounts receivable.......................   (6,107)    (2,792)
      Refundable income taxes...............................        2         (4)
      Increase in other current assets......................     (804)      (266)
      Increase in accounts payable..........................    1,017        276
      Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities............      417       (189)
      Deferred revenue......................................    5,212      1,101
                                                              -------    -------
  Net cash used in operating activities.....................     (600)    (2,134)
                                                              -------    -------
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
    Acquisition of fixed assets.............................      (81)       (49)
    Investment in unconsolidated company....................       --     (1,512)
    Capitalized software development costs..................     (370)      (100)
    Decrease in other assets................................       --         44
    Purchase of companies net of cash acquired..............      565         --
                                                              -------    -------
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities.......      114     (1,617)
                                                              =======    =======
</TABLE>

                                       5
<PAGE>
                       ZITEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

                                    ($000'S)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 THREE MONTHS
                                                                     ENDED
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------
                                                                1999       1998
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Cash flows provided by financing activities:
    Proceeds from short-term debt...........................   $1,128    $    --
    Issuance of common stock................................       52        103
                                                               ------    -------
  Net cash provided by financing activities.................    1,180        103
                                                               ------    -------
  Net increase (decrease) in cash...........................      694     (3,648)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period..............    1,670      6,589
                                                               ------    -------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period....................   $2,364    $ 2,941
                                                               ======    =======
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
    Liability related to business acquisition...............   $  619    $    --
    Conversion of subordinated debenture and accrued
      interest..............................................       --      4,912
                                                               ======    =======
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
                             financial statements.

                                       6
<PAGE>
                       ZITEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

1.  The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been
prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission and should be read in conjunction with
the audited financial statements contained in the Company's annual report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999. Certain information and
footnote disclosures, normally included in financial statements prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or
omitted although the Company believes the disclosures which are made are
adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Further, the
condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of
management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position
and results of operations as of and for the periods indicated. The results of
operations for the period ended December 31, 1999 are not necessarily indicative
of the results expected for the full year.

2.  RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

    In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 ("SAB 101") "Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements," which provides guidance on the recognition, presentation and
disclosure of revenue in financial statements filed with the SEC. SAB 101
outlines the basic criteria that must be met to recognize revenue and provides
guidance for disclosures related to revenue recognition policies. Management
believes that the impact of SAB 101 will not have a material effect on the
financial position or results of the Company.

    In December 1998, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC")
released Statement of Position 98-9, or SOP 98-9, "Modification of SOP 97-2,
'Software Revenue Recognition', with Respect to Certain Transactions". SOP 98-9
amends SOP 97-2 to require that an entity recognize revenue for multiple element
arrangements by each element delivered.

    The provisions of SOP 98-9 that extend the deferral of certain paragraphs of
SOP 97-2 became effective December 15, 1998. These paragraphs of SOP 97-2 and
SOP 98-9 were effective for transactions that were entered into in fiscal years
beginning after March 15, 1999. Retroactive application is prohibited. The
Company's adoption of SOP 98-9 did not have a significant impact on current
revenue recognition policies.

3.  OTHER ASSETS:

    Other assets consist of the following as of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                          1999             1999
                                                      -------------   --------------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>
Goodwill............................................     $ 2,768          $ 2,768
Purchased technology................................       2,588            2,588
Other assets........................................       2,037            1,782
Less accumulated amortization.......................      (3,281)          (3,036)
                                                         -------          -------
                                                         $ 4,112          $ 4,102
                                                         =======          =======
</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>
                       ZITEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

4.  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS:

    On October 19, 1999, the Company acquired Telemetrics Systems Corporation, a
company domiciled in Berne, Switzerland. The purchase price consisted of cash
payments totaling $1.2 million in exchange for the net assets of the acquired
company. No goodwill was generated by the transaction. The acquisition has been
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting; accordingly, the total
purchase price of $1.2 million was allocated to the net assets acquired based
upon their estimated fair values. The operating results of the acquired company
from October 19, 1999 through December 31, 1999, are included in the
consolidated results of operations. The wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
is now named Datametrics Systems AG.

5.  INCOME TAXES:

    The benefit for income taxes was fully offset by a valuation allowance due
to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of the various favorable tax
components.

6.  EARNINGS PER SHARE ("EPS"):

    A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted EPS
is provided as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts) for the quarters
ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1999       1998
                                                            --------   --------
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>
Numerator--Basic and Diluted EPS
  Net loss................................................  $  (916)   $(2,776)
                                                            =======    =======
Denominator--Basic EPS
  Common stock outstanding................................   24,915     21,378
  Common equivalent stock.................................       --         --
                                                            -------    -------
                                                             24,915     21,378
                                                            -------    -------
Basic loss per share......................................  $  (.04)   $  (.13)
                                                            =======    =======
Denominator--Diluted EPS
  Denominator--Basic EPS..................................   24,915     21,378
  Effect of Dilutive Securities:
    Common stock options..................................       --         --
    Convertible preferred stock...........................       --         --
                                                            -------    -------
                                                             24,915     21,378
                                                            -------    -------
Diluted loss per share....................................  $  (.04)   $  (.13)
                                                            =======    =======
</TABLE>

    For the quarters ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, options to
purchase 147 thousand and 124 thousand shares were not included in the
computation of diluted EPS because of the anti-dilutive effect of including
these shares in the calculation for both periods.

                                       8
<PAGE>
                       ZITEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

        NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

7.  SEGMENT INFORMATION

    During each of the quarters presented, the Company had two reportable
segments--Datametrics and Year 2000 Services. The Datametrics business segment
develops and markets E-business performance management software solutions. The
Year 2000 segment provided service to review software code and identify areas
within the code where Year 200 problems might occur. As of October, 1999, this
segment is no longer in business.

    The following table presents certain segment financial information (in
thousands) for the quarters ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 DATAMETRICS   YEAR 2000    TOTAL
                                                 -----------   ---------   --------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>         <C>
1999:
Revenues from external customers...............     $5,128      $   392    $ 5,520
Segment loss from operations...................        669       (1,493)      (824)
                                                                           -------
Consolidated loss from operations..............                            $  (824)
                                                                           =======

1998:
Revenues from external customers...............     $5,421      $   479    $ 5,900
Segment loss from operations...................        859       (1,683)      (824)
Loss from unconsolidated company...............                             (1,512)
                                                                           -------
Consolidated loss from operations..............                            $(2,336)
                                                                           =======
</TABLE>

    The table below presents net sales (in thousands) by geographic area for the
quarters ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1999       1998
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Net sales:
US..........................................................   $2,561     $3,406
Europe......................................................    2,568      2,016
Other.......................................................      391        478
                                                               ------     ------
Total.......................................................   $5,520     $5,900
                                                               ======     ======
</TABLE>

    The table below presents long-lived asset information (in thousands) by
geographic area for the years ended September 30:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1999       1998
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Long-lived assets:
US..........................................................   $4,295     $6,243
Europe......................................................      545        702
                                                               ------     ------
Total.......................................................   $4,840     $6,945
                                                               ======     ======
</TABLE>

8.  COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:

    The Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income". There were no differences between comprehensive loss and
net loss as reported for each of the fiscal years 1997, 1998 and 1999.

                                       9
<PAGE>
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    The Company recorded a net loss of $916,000 ($0.04 per share) for the first
quarter of fiscal 2000, ended December 31, 1999, compared with a net loss of
$2,776,000 ($0.13 per share) for the same quarter of the prior year. Net sales
for the current quarter was $5,520,000 versus net sales of $5,900,000 for the
same period a year earlier. The prior year's quarterly net sales included
$561,000 not related to current business.

    Gross margin for the quarter ended December 31, 1999 was 67% of net sales
compared to 62% of net sales for the same quarter of the prior year. The
improvement in gross margin percentage is primarily attributable to product mix
as a result of increased net sales of software. The Company does not believe
that the gross margins reported for the current quarter just ended are
necessarily indicative of the gross margins to be expected. Gross margins may be
affected by several factors, including the mix of products sold, the price of
products sold and price competition.

    Research and development expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 1999
were 12% of net sales compared to 10% for the same period of the prior year. The
percentage increase is a result of lower net sales for the quarter as actual
spending only increased $36,000.

    Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the quarter ended
December 31, 1999 were 70% of net sales versus 66% for the same period a year
earlier. The percentage increase is due to lower net sales; actual spending
decreased $36,000 quarter to quarter

    Other expense was $92,000 for the quarter just ended versus $440,000 in the
same quarter of the prior year. For the current quarter, other expense included
$30,000 interest expense and $110,000 in translation losses, offset by interest
income of $48,000. For the comparable quarter of the prior year, other expense
included $494,000 interest expense related to the convertible subordinated
debentures, partially offset by interest income of $168,000.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    For the quarter ended December 31, 1999, working capital decreased $848,000
and cash flows used by operating activities totaled $600,000. The utilization of
cash in operating activities resulted primarily from the net loss of $916,000
and an increase in accounts receivable of $6,107,000, offset by an increase in
deferred revenue of approximately $5,212,000 and increases in accounts payable
and accrued liabilities of $1,434,000. Net cash provided by investing activities
of $114,000 is primarily made up of $565,000 from the acquisition of companies,
offset by $370,000 in capitalization of software development costs and the
acquisition of fixed assets in the amount of $148,000. Net cash provided by
financing activities of $1,180,000 was comprised of a $1,128,000 increase in
short-term debt and $52,000 from the sale of stock under the Company's employee
stock purchase plan.

    Management believes that the Company will meet its cash requirements for the
next twelve months from cash on hand, other working capital, and cash flow from
operations. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow from
operations or should management determine it to be prudent, it may attempt to
raise additional debt or equity. There can be no assurance that additional debt
or equity financing will be available to the Company on commercially reasonable
terms, or at all.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

    In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 ("SAB 101") "Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements," which provides guidance on the recognition, presentation and
disclosure of revenue in financial statements filed with

                                       10
<PAGE>
the SEC. SAB 101 outlines the basic criteria that must be met to recognize
revenue and provides guidance for disclosures related to revenue recognition
policies. Management believes that the impact of SAB 101 will not have a
material effect on the financial position or results of the Company.

    In December 1998, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC")
released Statement of Position 98-9, or SOP 98-9, "Modification of SOP 97-2,
'Software Revenue Recognition', with Respect to Certain Transactions". SOP 98-9
amends SOP 97-2 to require that an entity recognize revenue for multiple element
arrangements by each element delivered.

    The provisions of SOP 98-9 that extend the deferral of certain paragraphs of
SOP 97-2 became effective December 15, 1998. These paragraphs of SOP 97-2 and
SOP 98-9 were effective for transactions that were entered into in fiscal years
beginning after March 15, 1999. Retroactive application is prohibited. The
Company's adoption of the provisions of SOP 98-9 did not have a significant
impact on current revenue recognition policies.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

    The Company considered the provision of Financial Reporting Release No. 48,
"Disclosure of Accounting Policies for Derivative Financial Instruments and
Derivative Commodity Instruments, and Disclosure of Quantitative and Qualitative
Information about Market Risk Inherent in Derivative Financial Instruments,
Other Financial Instruments and Derivative Commodity Instruments". The Company
had no holdings of derivative financial or commodity instruments at
December 31, 1999. A review of other financial instruments and risk exposures at
that date revealed the Company did not have exposure to interest rate risk.

    This Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements which are made
in reliance on the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially.
Certain of these risks and uncertainties are discussed herein under the section
"Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Report as well in the Company's other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Zitel is a registered trademark of Zitel Corporation. Datametrics and
ViewPoint are registered trademarks of Datametrics Systems Corporation.
VisualRoute, VisualPulse, VisualProfile, VisualAnalyze, VisualPoint, and the
E-Business Performance Experts are trademarks of Datametrics Systems
Corporation. All other service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks are
the property of their respective holders. All other product names and brand
names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

                                       11
<PAGE>
                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    None

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES

    None

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

    None

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

    The Company did not submit any matters to a vote of security holders during
the first quarter of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

                                  RISK FACTORS

RECENT LEVELS OF NET SALES HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT

    Zitel has not generated net sales sufficient to produce an operating profit
in recent years. The Company has relied on significant financings to support its
activities. Operations in prior years were also partially funded by a stream of
royalty payments under an agreement with IBM. This agreement was terminated in
April 1998. Zitel sustained substantial operating losses and net losses in
fiscal years 1997 through 1999. The Company must generate substantial additional
net sales and gross margins on its products and services and must continue to
successfully implement programs to manage cost and expense levels in order to
remain a viable operating entity. There is no assurance that Zitel can achieve
these objectives.

SIGNIFICANT LOSSES

    For the first quarter of fiscal year 2000, the Company reported a net loss
of $916,000. The Company reported a total net loss for fiscal year 1999 of
$13,103,000. The Company reported total net losses of $43,205,000 and
$17,501,000 for fiscal years 1998 and 1997, respectively.

    The Company has taken a number of steps to attempt to return to
profitability, although there is no assurance that it will be successful. A
significant portion of the cumulative losses were caused by the funding of
MatriDigm, and operations of the Company's former storage systems business,
which was sold in July 1998. MatriDigm filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in
October 1999 so there will be no additional funding. The Company began
subleasing a portion of its Fremont, CA headquarters, and is considering a move
to substantially smaller and less costly premises.

    The Company continues to consider options and take actions necessary to
bring costs into line with anticipated revenues. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be successful in this effort and remain a viable operating
entity.

                                       12
<PAGE>
FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS

    Zitel's quarterly operating results have in the past varied and may in the
future vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including:

    - The level of competition, the size, timing, cancellation or rescheduling
      of significant orders;

    - Market acceptance of new products and product enhancements;

    - New product announcements or introductions by Zitel's competitors;

    - Deferrals of customer orders in anticipation of new products or product
      enhancements;

    - Changes in pricing by Zitel or its competitors;

    - The ability of Zitel to develop, introduce and market new products and
      product enhancements on a timely basis;

    - Zitel's success in expanding its sales and marketing programs;

    - Technological changes in the market for Zitel's products;

    - Product mix and the mix of sales among Zitel's sales channels;

    - Levels of expenditures on research and development;

    - Changes in Zitel's strategy; personnel changes; and,

    - General economic trends and other factors.

    Due to all of the foregoing factors, Zitel believes that period-to-period
comparisons of its results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and
should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance. It is possible
that in some future quarter the Company's operating results may be below the
expectations of public market analysts and investors.

ZITEL STOCK PRICE HAS BEEN VOLATILE

    The price of Zitel's Common Stock was subject to extreme volatility during
fiscal 1998, as the closing bid price ranged between a low of 2 7/32 and a high
of 23 5/8. Zitel feels that one of the reasons for this volatility was rumored
progress of and rumored problems in the product development program and
marketing efforts of MatriDigm. The price of Zitel's Common Stock during fiscal
year 1999 demonstrated significantly less volatility, ranging from the low
closing bid price of 1 7/32 to the high closing bid price of 6 15/32. In the
first quarter of fiscal year 2000, such price ranged between a low of 21/32 and
a high of 6 1/4.

COMPETITION

    The market for system management tools in which the Company's software
products business unit competes is intensely competitive. Many of the companies
with which the Company competes, such as TeamQuest Corporation, Computer
Associates International, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, and BMC Software, Inc.
have substantially larger installed bases and greater financial resources than
the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company's competitors will not
develop products comparable or superior to those developed by the Company or
adapt more quickly than the Company to new technologies, evolving industry
standards, new product introductions, or changing customer requirements.

                                       13
<PAGE>
DEPENDENCE ON NEW PRODUCTS; RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

    The markets in which the Company operates are characterized by rapid
technological change, changing customer needs, frequent new product
introductions and evolving industry standards. The introduction of products
embodying new technologies and/or the emergence of new industry standards could
render the Company's existing products and services obsolete and unmarketable.
The Company's future success will depend upon its ability to develop and to
introduce new products and services on a timely basis that keep pace with
technological developments and emerging industry standards and address the
increasingly sophisticated needs of its customers. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in developing and marketing products or
services that respond to technological changes or evolving industry standards,
that the Company will not experience difficulties that could delay or prevent
the successful development, introduction and marketing of new products or
services, or that its new products or services will adequately meet the
requirements of the marketplace and achieve market acceptance. If the Company is
unable, for technological or other reasons, to develop and introduce new
products or services in a timely manner in response to changing market
conditions or customer requirements, the Company's business, operating results
and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.

PRODUCT LIABILITY

    The Company's agreements with its customers typically contain provisions
intended to limit the Company's exposure to potential product liability claims.
It is possible that the limitation of liability provisions contained in the
Company's agreements may not be effective. Although the Company has not received
any product liability claims to date, the sale and support of products by the
Company and the incorporation of products from other companies may entail the
risk of such claims. A successful product liability claim against the Company
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.

DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY

    The Company's success depends significantly upon its proprietary technology.
The Company currently relies on a combination of patent, copyright and trademark
laws, trade secrets, confidentiality agreements and contractual provisions to
protect its proprietary rights. The Company seeks to protect its software,
documentation and other written materials under trade secret and copyright laws,
which afford only limited protection. The Company has registered its Zitel and
Datametrics trademarks and will continue to evaluate the registration of
additional trademarks as appropriate. The Company generally enters into
confidentiality agreements with its employees and with key vendors and
suppliers. The Company currently holds a United States patent on one of its
software technologies. There can be no assurance that this patent will provide
the Company with any competitive advantages or will not be challenged by third
parties, or that the patents of others will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's ability to do business. The Company believes that the rapidly
changing technology in the computer industry makes the Company's success depend
more on the technical competence and creative skills of its personnel than on
patents.

    There has also been substantial litigation in the computer industry
regarding intellectual property rights, and litigation may be necessary to
protect the Company's proprietary technology. The Company has not received
significant claims that it is infringing third parties' intellectual property
rights, but there can be no assurance that third parties will not in the future
claim infringement by the Company with respect to current or future products,
trademarks or other proprietary rights.

    The Company expects that companies in its markets will increasingly be
subject to infringement claims as the number of products and competitors in the
Company's target markets grows. Any such claims or litigation may be
time-consuming and costly, cause product shipment delays, require the

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Company to redesign its products or require the Company to enter into royalty or
licensing agreements, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results or financial condition. Despite the
Company's efforts to protect its proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may
attempt to copy aspects of the Company's products or to obtain and use
information that the Company regards as proprietary. There can be no assurance
that the Company's means of protecting its proprietary rights will be adequate
or that the Company's competitors will not independently develop similar
technology, duplicate the Company's products or design around patents issued to
the Company or other intellectual property rights of the Company.

INTERNATIONAL SALES AND OPERATIONS

    Sales to customers outside the United States have accounted for significant
portions of the Company's net sales, and the Company expects that the
acquisition of companies headquartered and operating in the United Kingdom, The
Netherlands and Switzerland, respectively, will result in international sales
representing an increasingly significant portion of the Company's net sales.

    International sales pose certain risks not faced by companies that limit
themselves to domestic sales. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies
relative to the U.S. dollar, for example, could make the Company's products less
price competitive. If the Company, in the future, denominates any of its sales
in foreign currencies, this could result in losses from foreign currency
transactions. International sales also could be adversely affected by factors
beyond the Company's control, including the imposition of government controls,
export license requirements, restrictions on technology exports, changes in
tariffs and taxes and general economic and political conditions. The laws of
some countries do not protect the Company's intellectual property rights to the
same extent as the laws of the United States. The Company does not believe these
additional risks are significant in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands or
Switzerland.

DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL

    The Company's future performance depends significantly upon the continued
service of its key technical and senior management personnel. The Company
provides incentives such as salary, benefits and option grants (which are
typically subject to vesting over four years) to attract and retain qualified
employees. The loss of the services of one or more of the Company's officers or
other key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. The Company's future
success depends on its continuing ability to retain highly qualified technical
and management personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there
can be no assurance that the Company can retain its key technical and management
employees or that it can attract, assimilate and retain other highly qualified
key technical and management personnel in the future.

    The Company believes there is significant competition for the few software
development professionals with the advanced technological skills necessary to
perform the services offered by the Company's business. The Company's ability to
maintain or renew existing relationships and obtain new business depends, in
large part, on its ability to hire and retain technical personnel. An inability
to hire such additional qualified personnel could impair the ability of the
business to manage and complete its existing projects and to bid for and obtain
new projects.

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ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS

    Certain provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
and restated, and Bylaws, as amended, California law and the Company's
indemnification agreements with certain officers and directors of the Company
may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect. Such provisions may delay, defer
or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that one or more stockholders
consider to be in the best interests of same, including attempts that might
result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.

    The Company's Board of Directors may issue additional shares of Common Stock
or establish one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock, having the number
of shares, designations, relative voting rights, dividend rates, liquidation and
other rights, preferences and limitations determined by the Board of Directors
without stockholder approval.

    The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the adoption of a
Preferred Share Purchase Rights Plan (the "Rights Plan"). Terms of the Rights
Plan provide for a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right
(a "Right") for each outstanding share of common stock, no par value per share
(the "Common Shares"), of the Company. Each Right entitles the registered holder
to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, no par value (the "Preferred Stock"), at an
exercise price of $69.50 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share (the
"Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment, and a redemption price of $.01 per
Right. Each one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock has designations and
the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and
restrictions which make its value approximately equal to the value of a Common
Share.

    The Rights are not exercisable until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days
following a public announcement that a person, entity or group of affiliated or
associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired beneficial ownership of
15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares or (ii) 10 business days (or such
later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to
such time as any person(s) or entity becomes an Acquiring Person) following the
commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial
ownership by an Acquiring Person of 15% or more of such outstanding Common
Shares.

    The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects, as they would cause
substantial dilution to a potential Acquiring Person that attempted to acquire
the Company on terms not approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The
Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination
approved by the Board of Directors, since the Rights may be redeemed by the
Company at $.01 per Right prior to the earliest of (i) the twentieth day
following the time that an Acquiring Person has acquired beneficial ownership of
15% or more of the Common Shares (unless extended for one or more 10 day periods
by the Board of Directors), (ii) a change of control, or (iii) the final
expiration date of the rights.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

    (a) Exhibits

       Exhibit 27--Financial Data Schedule

    (b) Reports on Form 8-K

    The Registrant filed no reports on Form 8-K during the first quarter ended
December 31, 1999.

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                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
                                                                     ZITEL CORPORATION

                                                                     /s/ ANNA M. MCCANN
                                                      ------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Anna M. McCann
Date: February 11, 2000                                           CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
</TABLE>

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