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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.3

                              SOFTWIRE CORPORATION

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


        1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Option Plan are to
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and to promote the success of the Company's
business. Options granted under the Plan may be incentive stock options (as
defined under Section 422 of the Code) or nonstatutory stock options, as
determined by the Administrator at the time of grant of an option and subject to
the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code, as amended, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

        2.     Definitions.  As used herein, the following definitions shall
               apply:

               (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees
appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.

               (b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

               (c) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

               (d) "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board of
Directors in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

               (e) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

               (f) "Company" means Softwire Corporation, a California
corporation.

               (g) "Consultant" means any person who is engaged by the Company
or any Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services and is
compensated for such services, and any director of the Company whether
compensated for such services or not. If and in the event the Company registers
any class of any equity security pursuant to the Exchange Act, the term
Consultant shall thereafter not include directors who are not compensated for
their services or are paid only a director's fee by the Company.

               (h) "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" means that
the employment or consulting relationship with the Company, any Parent, or
Subsidiary, is not interrupted or terminated. Continuous Status as an Employee
or Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave
of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. A
leave of absence approved by the Company shall include sick leave, military
leave, or any other personal leave approved by an authorized representative of
the Company. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed
90 days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by
statute or contract, including Company policies. If reemployment upon expiration
of a leave of absence approved by the Company

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is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option
held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and
shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

               (i) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and
directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
The payment of a director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company.

               (j) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

               (k) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

                          (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the
Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the
closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were
reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day
prior to the time of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or
such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                          (ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ
System (but not on the Nasdaq National Market thereof) or regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair
Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the
Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination,
or;

                          (iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Administrator.

               (l) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

               (m) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

               (n) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

               (o) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

               (p) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.


               (q) "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an
Option.

               (r) "Parent" means a "parent corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as


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defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

               (s) "Plan" means this 1996 Stock Option Plan.

               (t) "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

               (u) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 11 below.

               (v) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

        3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 724,143 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or
reacquired Common Stock.

               If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been
exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option Exchange Program, the
unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become available for future
grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated); provided,
however, that Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution
under the Plan, except that if unvested Shares are repurchased by the Company at
their original purchase price, and the original purchaser of such Shares did not
receive any benefits of ownership of such Shares, such Shares shall become
available for future grant under the Plan. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, voting rights shall not be considered a benefit of Share ownership.

        4.     Administration of the Plan.

               (a) Initial Plan Procedure. Prior to the date, if any, upon which
the Company becomes subject to the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered
by the Board or a committee appointed by the Board.

               (b) Plan Procedure after the Date, if any, upon Which the Company
becomes Subject to the Exchange Act.

                          (i) Administration with Respect to Directors and
Officers. With respect to grants of Options to Employees who are also Officers
or directors of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board if
the Board may administer the Plan in compliance with the rules under Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor thereto ("Rule 16b-3")
relating to the disinterested administration of employee benefit plans under
which Section 16(b) exempt discretionary grants and awards of equity securities
are to be made, or (B) a Committee designated by the Board to administer the
Plan, which Committee shall be constituted to comply with the rules under Rule
16b-3 relating to the disinterested administration of employee benefit plans
under which Section


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16(b) exempt discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be
made. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve in its designated
capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may
increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members thereof,
remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution
therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of the
Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent
permitted by the rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested
administration of employee benefit plans under which Section 16(b) exempt
discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be made.

                          (ii) Multiple Administrative Bodies. If permitted by
Rule 16b-3, the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to
directors, non-director Officers and Employees who are neither directors nor
Officers.

                          (iii) Administration With Respect to Consultants and
Other Employees. With respect to grants of Options to Employees or Consultants
who are neither directors nor Officers of the Company, the Plan shall be
administered by (A) the Board or (B) a committee designated by the Board, which
committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to satisfy the legal
requirements relating to the administration of incentive stock option plans, if
any, of California corporate and securities laws, of the Code, and of any
applicable stock exchange (the "Applicable Laws"). Once appointed, such
Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or
without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies,
however caused, and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly
administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws.

               (c) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board
to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities,
including the approval, if required, of any stock exchange upon which the Common
Stock is listed, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

                          (i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock, in accordance with Section 2(k) of the Plan;

                          (ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom
Options may from time to time be granted hereunder;

                          (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options
are granted hereunder;

                          (iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock
to be covered by each such award granted hereunder;

                          (v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the
Plan;


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                          (vi) to determine the terms and conditions of any
award granted hereunder;

                          (vii) to determine whether and under what
circumstances an Option may be settled in cash under subsection 9(f) instead of
Common Stock;

                          (viii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to
the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
covered by such Option has declined since the date the Option was granted; and

                          (ix) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan
and awards granted pursuant to the Plan.

               (d) Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all Optionees and any other holders of any Options.

        5.     Eligibility.

               (a) Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted to Employees and
Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. An
Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option may, if otherwise
eligible, be granted additional Options.

               (b) Each Option shall be designated in the written option
agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate
Fair Market Value:

                          (i) of Shares subject to an Optionee's Incentive Stock
Options granted by the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, which

                          (ii) become exercisable for the first time during any
calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary)
exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options. For purposes of this Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be
taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market
Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect
to such Shares is granted.

               (c) The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with
respect to continuation of employment or consulting relationship with the
Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his or her right or the
Company's right to terminate his or her employment or consulting relationship at
any time, with or without cause.

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               (d) Upon the Company or a successor corporation issuing any class
of common equity securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act or upon the Plan being assumed by a corporation having a class of
common equity securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, the following limitations shall apply to grants of Options to
Employees:

                          (i) No Employee shall be granted, in any fiscal year
of the Company, Options to purchase more than 200,000 Shares.

                          (ii) In connection with his or her initial employment,
an employee may be granted options to purchase up to an additional 200,000
shares which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i)
above.

                          (iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted
proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as
described in Section 11.

                          (iv) If an Option is canceled in the same fiscal year
of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a
transaction described in Section 5(d)(i)), the canceled Option will be counted
against the limit set forth in Section 5(d)(i). For this purpose, if the
exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a
cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

        6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
shareholders of the Company, as described in Section 17 of the Plan. It shall
continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under
Section 13 of the Plan.

        7. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in
the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten
(10) years from the date of grant thereof. However, in the case of an Incentive
Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns
stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter
term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

        8.     Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

               (a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued
pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the
Board, but shall be subject to the following:

                          (i)       In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                                    (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time
of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than
ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than
110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

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                                    (B) granted to any Employee other than an
Employee described in the preceding paragraph, the per Share exercise price
shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.

                         (ii)       In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option

                                    (A) granted to a person who, at the time of
the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of the grant.

                                    (B) granted to any person, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

               (b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant) and may consist entirely of (1) cash, (2)
check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares which (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the
date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which said Option shall be exercised, (5) delivery of a properly executed
exercise notice together with such other documentation as the Administrator and
the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and
delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the
exercise price, or (6) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In
making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Board
shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to
benefit the Company.

        9.     Exercise of Option.

               (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions
as determined by the Board, including performance criteria with respect to the
Company and/or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible under the terms of the
Plan, but in no case at a rate of less than 20% per year over five (5) years
from the date the Option is granted.

                      An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

                      An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written
notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the
terms of the Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been
received by the Company. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist
of any consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(b) of the
Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of
the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends


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or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or
cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option.
No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 11 of the Plan.

                      Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a
decrease in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for
purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as
to which the Option is exercised.

               (b) Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship. In the
event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant with the Company (but not in the event of an Optionee's change of
status from Employee to Consultant (in which case an Employee's Incentive Stock
Option shall automatically convert to a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the date
three (3) months and one day from the date of such change of status) or from
Consultant to Employee), such Optionee may, but only within such period of time
as is determined by the Administrator, of at least thirty (30) days, with such
determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option not exceeding three (3)
months after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the
expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement), exercise his or her Option to the extent that Optionee was entitled
to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that Optionee was
not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such termination, or if
Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

               (c) Disability of Optionee. In the event of termination of an
Optionee's consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee as a
result of his or her disability, Optionee may, but only within twelve (12)
months from the date of such termination (and in no event later than the
expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it
at the date of such termination; provided, however, that if such disability is
not a "disability" as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in
the case of an Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock Option shall
automatically convert to a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the day three months and
one day following such termination. To the extent that Optionee is not entitled
to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not
exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein,
the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert
to the Plan.


               (d) Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee,
the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the
date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a
person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance,
but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at
the date of death. If, at the time of death, the Optionee was not entitled to
exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If, after death, the
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by
bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.

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<PAGE>   9



               (e) Rule 16b-3. Options granted to persons subject to Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act must comply with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such
additional conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify
for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to
Plan transactions.

               (f) Buy Out Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer
to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based
on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and
communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

        10. Non-Transferability of Options. Options may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

        11.    Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger.

               (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting
from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.

               (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the Optionee
at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent it has
not been previously exercised, the Option will terminate immediately prior to
the consummation of such proposed action.

               (c) Merger. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into
another corporation, the Option may be assumed or an equivalent option may be
substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such
successor corporation. If, in such event, the Option is not assumed or
substituted, the Option shall terminate as of the date of the closing of the
merger. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered
assumed if, following the merger, the option confers the right to purchase, for
each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the
merger, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property)
received in the merger by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the
effective date of the transaction (and


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<PAGE>   10


if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration
chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided,
however, that if such consideration received in the merger was not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or
its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger.

        12. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
granting such Option, or such other date as is determined by the Board. Notice
of the determination shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to whom an
Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

        13. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.


               (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, suspension
or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of any Optionee
under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In addition, to
the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange
Act or with Section 422 of the Code (or any other applicable law or regulation,
including the requirements of the NASD or an established stock exchange), the
Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner
and to such a degree as required.

               (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted, and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and
the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the
Company.

        14. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the
issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may
then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the
Company with respect to such compliance.

               As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may
require the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time
of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.


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<PAGE>   11




        15. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

               The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.

        16. Agreements. Options shall be evidenced by written agreements in such
form as the Board shall approve from time to time.

        17. Shareholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained
in the degree and manner required under applicable state and federal law and the
rules of any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed.

        18. Information to Optionees and Purchasers. The Company shall provide
to each Optionee, not less frequently than annually, copies of annual financial
statements. The Company shall also provide such statements to each individual
who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan while such individual owns such Shares.
The Company shall not be required to provide such statements to key employees
whose duties in connection with the Company assure their access to equivalent
information.


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<PAGE>   12
                              SOFTWIRE CORPORATION

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT



        Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.      NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT


[Optionee's Name and Address]

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________


        You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as
follows:

        Grant Number                      _________________________

        Date of Grant                     _________________________

        Vesting Commencement Date         _________________________

        Exercise Price per Share          $________________________

        Total Number of Shares Granted    _________________________

        Total Exercise Price              $________________________

        Type of Option:             ___   Incentive Stock Option

                                    ___   Nonstatutory Stock Option

        Term/Expiration Date:             _________________________


Vesting Schedule:

        This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with
the following schedule:

        [One forty-eighth (1/48) of the total Shares subject to the Option shall
vest on the monthly anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date.]


<PAGE>   13

        Termination Period:

        This Option may be exercised for 30 days after termination of your
employment or consulting relationship, or such longer period as may be
applicable upon death or disability of Optionee as provided in the Plan. In the
event of the Optionee's change in status from Employee to Consultant or
Consultant to Employee, this Option Agreement shall remain in effect. In no
event shall this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as
provided above.

II.     AGREEMENT

        1. Grant of Option. Softwire Corporation, a California corporation (the
"Company"), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the
"Optionee"), an option (the "Option") to purchase the total number of shares of
Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise
price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject
to the terms, definitions and provisions of the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") adopted by the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the
same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

        If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option
("ISO"), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as
defined in Section 422 of the Code. Nevertheless, to the extent that it exceeds
the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), this Option shall be treated as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").

        2. Exercise of Option.

           (a) Right to Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable during its
term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and
with the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In the
event of Optionee's death, disability or other termination of the employment or
consulting relationship, this Option shall be exercisable in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

           (b) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written
notice (in the form attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the election to
exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is
being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the
holder's investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as may be
required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written
notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by
certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be
accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be
exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the
Exercise Price.

        No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless
such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law
and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be
listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax


                                       -2-

<PAGE>   14

purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date
on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.

        3. Optionee's Representations. In the event the Shares purchasable
pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time this Option is exercised,
Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of
all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment
Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, and shall
read the applicable rules of the Commissioner of Corporations attached to such
Investment Representation Statement.

        4. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

           (a) cash;

           (b) check;

           (c) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company which
(A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company option,
have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of
surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to
the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or

           (d) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with
such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if applicable,
shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of
the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price.

        5. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised until such
time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Regulation G") as
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board.

        6. Termination of Relationship. In the event an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates, Optionee may, to the extent
otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "Termination Date"),
exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of
Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at
the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

        7. Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's consulting relationship or
Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of his or her disability, Optionee
may, but only within twelve (12) months from the date of such



                                       -3-

<PAGE>   15
termination (and in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent
otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination; provided,
however, that if such disability is not a "disability" as such term is defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such
Incentive Stock Option shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option
and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the day
three months and one day following such termination. To the extent that Optionee
was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if
Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.

        8. Death of Optionee. In the event of termination of Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of the death of
Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration
of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at
the date of death.

        9. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of
this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.

        10. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. The limitations set out
in Section 7 of the Plan regarding Options designated as Incentive Stock Options
and Options granted to more than ten percent (10%) shareholders shall apply to
this Option.

        11. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
of this Option of some of the federal and California tax consequences of
exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS
NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING
OF THE SHARES.

            (a) Exercise of ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there will
be no regular federal income tax liability or California income tax liability
upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be
treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes
and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of
exercise.

            (b) Exercise of ISO Following Disability. If the Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result of
disability that is not total and permanent disability as defined in Section
22(e)(3) of the Code, to the extent permitted on the date of termination, the
Optionee must exercise an ISO within 90 days of such termination for the ISO to
be qualified as an ISO.



                                       -4-

<PAGE>   16

            (c) Exercise of Nonstatutory Stock Option. There may be a regular
federal income tax liability and California income tax liability upon the
exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Optionee will be treated as having
received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the
excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise
over the Exercise Price. If Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the
Company will be required to withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect
from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash
equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and
may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such
withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

            (d) Disposition of Shares. In the case of an NSO, if Shares are held
for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain for federal and California income tax
purposes. In the case of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option
are held for at least one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two
years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares
will also be treated as long-term capital gain for federal and California income
tax purposes. If Shares purchased under an ISO are disposed of within such
one-year period or within two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized
on such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary
income rates) to the extent of the difference between the Exercise Price and the
lesser of (1) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or
(2) the sale price of the Shares.

            (e) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the Option
granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise
disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the
later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one
year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify the
Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized by the Optionee.

        12. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by California law except for that body of
law pertaining to conflict of laws.


                                          SOFTWIRE CORPORATION
                                          a California corporation


                                          By: ____________________________



                                       -5-

<PAGE>   17

        OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE
WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS
OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL
IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT
CAUSE.

        Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that
he is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this
Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed
the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the
advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all
provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon
any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to
notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.


Dated: _______________                    ______________________________
                                          Optionee

                                          Residence Address:


                                          ______________________________

                                          ______________________________

                                          ______________________________




                                       -6-

<PAGE>   18

                                    EXHIBIT A

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


                                 EXERCISE NOTICE



Softwire Corporation
[Address]



Attention:  Secretary

        1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ___________, 19__, the
undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to exercise Optionee's option to purchase
_________ shares of the Common Stock (the "Shares") of Softwire Corporation (the
"Company") under and pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the
"Plan") and the [ ] Incentive [ ] Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement dated
________, 19__ (the "Option Agreement").

        2. Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has
received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

        3. Rights as Shareholder. Until the stock certificate evidencing such
Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote
or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with
respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly
after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or
other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate
is issued, except as provided in Section 11 of the Plan.

        Optionee shall enjoy rights as a shareholder until such time as Optionee
disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises the Right
of First Refusal hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no further
rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to receive
payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the
Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or
cancellation.

        4. Company's Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Optionee
or any transferee (either being sometimes referred to herein as the "Holder")
may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of
law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to
purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section (the
"Right of First Refusal").



<PAGE>   19

           (a) Notice of Proposed Transfer. The Holder of the Shares shall
deliver to the Company a written notice (the "Notice") stating: (i) the Holder's
bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of
each proposed purchaser or other transferee ("Proposed Transferee"); (iii) the
number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the
bona fide cash price or other consideration for which the Holder proposes to
transfer the Shares (the "Offered Price"), and the Holder shall offer the Shares
at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).

           (b) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. At any time within thirty
(30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may,
by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less than
all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the Proposed
Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (c)
below.

           (c) Purchase Price. The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the
Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this Section shall be
the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash,
the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.

           (d) Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the
option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of
all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company
(or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any
combination thereof within 30 days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner
and at the times set forth in the Notice.

           (e) Holder's Right to Transfer. If all of the Shares proposed in the
Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not purchased by the
Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section, then the Holder may
sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the
Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other transfer is
consummated within 120 days after the date of the Notice and provided further
that any such sale or other transfer is effected in accordance with any
applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that
the provisions of this Section shall continue to apply to the Shares in the
hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not
transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, a new Notice shall be
given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be
offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares held by the Holder may be
sold or otherwise transferred.

           (f) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary
contained in this Section notwithstanding, the transfer of any or all of the
Shares during the Optionee's lifetime or on the Optionee's death by will or
intestacy to the Optionee's immediate family or a trust for the benefit of the
Optionee's immediate family shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section.
"Immediate Family" as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or
antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister. In such case, the transferee or
other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred subject to the
provisions of this Section, and there shall be no further transfer of such
Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section.



                                       -2-


<PAGE>   20



           (g) Termination of Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal
shall terminate as to any Shares 90 days after the first sale of Common Stock of
the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed
with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        5. Tax Consultation. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax
consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

        6. Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.

           (a) Legends. Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall
cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto,
to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together
with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state or
federal securities laws:

           THE SECURITIES  REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
           UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND MAY NOT BE
           OFFERED,   SOLD  OR  OTHERWISE   TRANSFERRED,   PLEDGED  OR
           HYPOTHECATED  UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR,
           IN THE  OPINION  OF COUNSEL  SATISFACTORY  TO THE ISSUER OF
           THESE SECURI TIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER,  PLEDGE OR
           HYPO THECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.

           THE SHARES  REPRESENTED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO
           CERTAIN  RESTRICTIONS  ON  TRANSFER  AND A RIGHT  OF  FIRST
           REFUSAL HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS  ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH
           IN THE EXERCISE  NOTICE BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL
           HOLDER OF THESE SHARES,  A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT
           THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER.  SUCH TRANSFER RESTRIC-
           TIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES
           OF THESE SHARES.

           IT IS  UNLAWFUL  TO  CONSUMMATE  A SALE OR TRANSFER OF THIS
           SECURITY,  OR  ANY  INTEREST  THEREIN,  OR TO  RECEIVE  ANY
           CONSIDERATION  THEREFOR,  WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT
           OF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  CORPORATIONS  OF  THE  STATE  OF
           CALIFORNIA,  EXCEPT  AS  PERMITTED  IN  THE  COMMISSIONER'S
           RULES.



                                  -3-

<PAGE>   21

           Optionee understands that transfer of the Shares may be restricted by
Section 260.141.11 of the Rules of the California Corporations Commissioner, a
copy of which is attached to Exhibit B, the Investment Representation Statement.

           (b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure
compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue
appropriate "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and
that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate
notations to the same effect in its own records.

           (c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to
transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in
violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner
of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser
or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.

        7. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights
under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to
the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding
upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns.

        8. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this
Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the
Company's Board of Directors or the committee thereof that administers the Plan,
which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of
such a dispute by the Board or committee shall be final and binding on the
Company and on Optionee.

        9. Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California excluding that
body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this
Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the
other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain
enforceable.

        10. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given
in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon
deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees
prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its
signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from
time to time to the other party.

        11. Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

        12. Delivery of Payment. Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the
full Exercise Price for the Shares.



                                       -4-

<PAGE>   22

        13. Entire Agreement. The Plan and Notice of Grant/Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan, the Option Agreement
and the Investment Representation Statement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Purchaser's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Purchaser.


Submitted by:                             Accepted by:

OPTIONEE:                                 SOFTWIRE CORPORATION


__________________________________        By:_______________________________
          (Signature)

                                          Its:______________________________



Address:                                  Address:

__________________________________        __________________________________

__________________________________        __________________________________




                                       -5-


<PAGE>   23

                                    EXHIBIT B

                       INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT


OPTIONEE       :

COMPANY        :     SOFTWIRE CORPORATION

SECURITY       :     COMMON STOCK

AMOUNT         :

DATE           :



        In connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, the
undersigned Optionee represents to the Company the following:

           (a) Optionee is aware of the Company's business affairs and financial
condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an
informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Optionee is
acquiring these Securities for investment for Optionee's own account only and
not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any "distribution" thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act").

           (b) Optionee acknowledges and understands that the Securities
constitute "restricted securities" under the Securities Act and have not been
registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption
therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide
nature of Optionee's investment intent as expressed herein. In this connection,
Optionee understands that, in the view of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the statutory basis for such exemption may be unavailable if
Optionee's representation was predicated solely upon a present intention to hold
these Securities for the minimum capital gains period specified under tax
statutes, for a deferred sale, for or until an increase or decrease in the
market price of the Securities, or for a period of one year or any other fixed
period in the future. Optionee further understands that the Securities must be
held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities
Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further
acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register
the Securities. Optionee understands that the certificate evidencing the
Securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the
Securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in
the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, a legend prohibiting their
transfer without the consent of the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of
California and any other legend required under applicable state securities laws.

           (c) Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule
144, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit
limited public resale of "restricted securities" acquired, directly or
indirectly from the issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer
qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the Option to the Optionee,
the exercise will be exempt from registration under the




<PAGE>   24

Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
ninety (90) days thereafter (or such longer period as any market standoff
agreement may require) the Securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold,
subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144,
including: (1) the resale being made through a broker in an unsolicited
"broker's transaction" or in transactions directly with a market maker (as said
term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and, in the case of
an affiliate, (2) the availability of certain public information about the
Company, (3) the amount of Securities being sold during any three month period
not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), and (4) the timely
filing of a Form 144, if applicable.

        In the event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the
time of grant of the Option, then the Securities may be resold in certain
limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires the
resale to occur not less than two years after the later of the date the
Securities were sold by the Company or the date the Securities were sold by an
affiliate of the Company, within the meaning of Rule 144; and, in the case of
acquisition of the Securities by an affiliate, or by a non-affiliate who
subsequently holds the Securities less than three years, the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in sections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the paragraph
immediately above.

           (d) Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any
representative of the underwriters in connection with any registration of the
offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, Optionee
shall not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares or other securities of the
Company during the 180-day period following the effective date of a registration
statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that
such restriction shall only apply to the first registration statement of the
Company to become effective under the Securities Act which include securities to
be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public
offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions
until the end of such 180-day period.

           (e) Optionee further understands that in the event all of the
applicable requirements of Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under
the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration
exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144
and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement
securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to
Rules 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an
exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such
persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so
at their own risk. Optionee understands that no assurances can be given that any
such other registration exemption will be available in such event.



                                       -2-

<PAGE>   25

           (f) Optionee understands that the certificate evidencing the
Securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the
Securities without the consent of the Commissioner of Corporations of
California. Optionee has read the applicable Commissioner's Rules with respect
to such restriction, a copy of which is attached.


                                          Signature of Optionee:

                                          _________________________________

                                          Date:________________, 19__





                                       -3-

<PAGE>   26

                                  ATTACHMENT 1
              STATE OF CALIFORNIA - CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

         Title 10. Investment - Chapter 3. Commissioner of Corporations



        260.141.11: Restriction on Transfer. (a) The issuer of any security upon
which a restriction on transfer has been imposed pursuant to Sections 260.102.6,
260.141.10 or 260.534 shall cause a copy of this section to be delivered to each
issuee or transferee of such security at the time the certificate evidencing the
security is delivered to the issuee or transferee.

        (b) It is unlawful for the holder of any such security to consummate a
sale or transfer of such security, or any interest therein, without the prior
written consent of the Commissioner (until this condition is removed pursuant to
Section 260.141.12 of these rules), except:

           (1) to the issuer;

           (2) pursuant to the order or process of any court;

           (3) to any person described in Subdivision (i) of Section 25102 of
the Code or Section 260.105.14 of these rules;

           (4) to the transferor's ancestors, descendants or spouse, or any
custodian or trustee for the account of the transferor or the transferor's
ancestors, descendants, or spouse; or to a transferee by a trustee or custodian
for the account of the transferee or the transferee's ancestors, descendants or
spouse;

           (5) to holders of securities of the same class of the same issuer;

           (6) by way of gift or donation inter vivos or on death;

           (7) by or through a broker-dealer licensed under the Code (either
acting as such or as a finder) to a resident of a foreign state, territory or
country who is neither domiciled in this state to the knowledge of the
broker-dealer, nor actually present in this state if the sale of such securities
is not in violation of any securities law of the foreign state, territory or
country concerned;

           (8) to a broker-dealer licensed under the Code in a principal
transaction, or as an underwriter or member of an underwriting syndicate or
selling group;

           (9) if the interest sold or transferred is a pledge or other lien
given by the purchaser to the seller upon a sale of the security for which the
Commissioner's written consent is obtained or under this rule not required;

           (10) by way of a sale qualified under Sections 25111, 25112, 25113 or
25121 of the Code, of the securities to be transferred, provided that no order
under Section 25140 or subdivision (a) of Section 25143 is in effect with
respect to such qualification;

           (11) by a corporation to a wholly owned subsidiary of such
corporation, or by a wholly owned subsidiary of a corporation to such
corporation;

           (12) by way of an exchange qualified under Section 25111, 25112 or
25113 of the Code, provided that no order under Section 25140 or subdivision (a)
of Section 25143 is in effect with respect to such qualification;

           (13) between residents of foreign states, territories or countries
who are neither domiciled nor actually present in this state;

           (14) to the State Controller pursuant to the Unclaimed Property Law
or to the administrator of the unclaimed property law of another state; or

           (15) by the State Controller pursuant to the Unclaimed Property Law
or by the administrator of the unclaimed property law of another state if, in
either such case, such person (i) discloses to potential purchasers at the sale
that transfer of the securities is restricted under this rule, (ii) delivers to
each purchaser a copy of this rule, and (iii) advises the Commissioner of the
name of each purchaser;

           (16) by a trustee to a successor trustee when such transfer does not
involve a change in the beneficial ownership of the securities;

           (17) by way of an offer and sale of outstanding securities in an
issuer transaction that is subject to the qualification requirement of Section
25110 of the Code but exempt from that qualification requirement by subdivision
(f) of Section 25102; provided that any such transfer is on the condition that
any certificate evidencing the security issued to such transferee shall contain
the legend required by this section.

        (c) The certificates representing all such securities subject to such a
restriction on transfer, whether upon initial issuance or upon any transfer
thereof, shall bear on their face a legend, prominently stamped or printed
thereon in capital letters of not less than 10-point size, reading as follows:

        "IT IS UNLAWFUL TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OR TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY, OR
        ANY INTEREST THEREIN, OR TO RECEIVE ANY CONSIDERATION THEREFOR, WITHOUT
        THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS OF THE
        STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED IN THE COMMISSIONER'S RULES."