<PAGE>   1




                                                                    Exhibit 10.9




                           WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                             LAWSON ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                       AND

                               CIS Holdings, Inc.

                                  July 18, 2000



<PAGE>   2


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                                                ----
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
SECTION 1 AUTHORIZATION AND SALE OF THE WARRANT                                                                   1

1.1      AUTHORIZATION                                                                                            1

1.2      SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE WARRANT                                                                         1

SECTION 2 CLOSING DATE: DELIVERY                                                                                  1

2.1      CLOSING DATE                                                                                             1

2.2      CLOSING                                                                                                  1

SECTION 3 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE COMPANY                                                                          1

3.1      ORGANIZATION AND STANDING                                                                                1

3.2      CORPORATE POWER                                                                                          2

3.3      CAPITALIZATION                                                                                           2

3.4      AUTHORIZATION                                                                                            2

3.5      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                                                                     2

3.6      ABSENCE OF CHANGES                                                                                       3

3.7      TITLE TO PROPERTIES AND ASSETS, LIENS, ETC.                                                              3

3.8      NO CONFLICT WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS, COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS                                                 3

3.9      PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND TRADE SECRETS                                                                    3

3.10     LITIGATION, ETC.                                                                                         4

3.11     GOVERNMENTAL CONSENT ETC.                                                                                4

3.12     OFFERING                                                                                                 4

3.13     PERMITS                                                                                                  4

3.14     ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY LAWS                                                                            4

3.15     TAX RETURNS AND PAYMENTS                                                                                 4

SECTION 4 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS                                                                              4

4.1      AUTHORIZATION                                                                                            4

4.2      EXPERIENCE                                                                                               4

4.3      INVESTMENT                                                                                               5

4.4      RULE 144 AND RULE 144A                                                                                   5

4.5      NO PUBLIC MARKET                                                                                         5

4.6      ACCESS TO DATA                                                                                           5
</TABLE>




                                       i
<PAGE>   3


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>

4.7      LEGENDS                                                                                                  5

SECTION 5 CONDITIONS TO INVESTORS' OBLIGATIONS AT THE CLOSING                                                     5

5.1      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CORRECT                                                                   5

5.2      COVENANTS                                                                                                5

5.3      COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE                                                                                   5

5.4      MATERIAL ADVERSE EVENT                                                                                   6

5.5      PROCEEDINGS AND DOCUMENTS                                                                                6

SECTION 6 CONDITIONS TO COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS AT CLOSINGS                                                         6

6.1      REPRESENTATIONS CORRECT                                                                                  6

6.2      QUALIFICATIONS, LEGAL INVESTMENT                                                                         6

6.3      COVENANTS                                                                                                6

SECTION 7 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY                                                                    6

7.1      CORPORATE EXISTENCE                                                                                      6

7.2      BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND RESERVES                                                                            7

7.3      RULE 144A                                                                                                7

SECTION 8 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS                                                                                   7

8.1      REQUESTED REGISTRATION                                                                                   7

8.2      COMPANY REGISTRATION                                                                                     8

8.3      EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION                                                                                 9

8.4      REGISTRATION PROCEDURES                                                                                  9

8.5      INDEMNIFICATION                                                                                         10

8.6      INFORMATION BY THE INVESTOR                                                                             12

8.7      RULE 144 REPORTING                                                                                      12

8.8      "MARKET STAND-OFF" AGREEMENT                                                                            12

8.9      TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS                                                                      13

8.10     RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL                                                                                  13

8.11     NOTICE OF INTENDED DISPOSITION                                                                          13

8.12     EXERCISE OF RIGHT                                                                                       13

8.13     NON-EXERCISE OF RIGHT                                                                                   13

8.14     RECAPITALIZATION                                                                                        14

8.15     LAPSE                                                                                                   14
</TABLE>



                                       ii
<PAGE>   4


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
SECTION 9 MISCELLANEOUS                                                                                          14

9.1      GOVERNING LAW                                                                                           14

9.2      SURVIVAL                                                                                                14

9.3      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS                                                                                  14

9.4      ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT                                                                             14

9.5      NOTICES, ETC.                                                                                           14

9.6      MINNESOTA CORPORATE SECURITIES LAW.                                                                     15

9.7      EXPENSES                                                                                                15

9.8      COUNTERPARTS                                                                                            15

9.9      SEVERABILITY                                                                                            15

EXHIBITS

A.       Warrant

B.       Schedule of Exceptions
</TABLE>




                                      iii
<PAGE>   5


                             LAWSON ASSOCIATES, INC.

                           Warrant Purchase Agreement

         This Agreement is made as of July 18, 2000, by and between Lawson
Associates, Inc. a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), and CIS Holdings,
Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Investor").

         In consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and conditions
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:

                                   SECTION 1

                      Authorization and Sale of the Warrant

         1.1 Authorization. The Company has, or before the Closing (as
hereinafter defined) will have, authorized the sale and issuance of a stock
purchase warrant (the "Warrant") in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A for
the purchase of up to 750,000 shares (the "Warrant Shares") of Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share of the Company (the "Common Stock").

         1.2 Sale and Purchase of the Warrant. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof and in reliance upon the representations and agreements
contained herein, at the Closing the Company will issue and sell to the Investor
and the Investor will purchase from the Company the Warrant at a purchase price
of $0.01 per share.

                                   SECTION 2

                             Closing Date: Delivery

         2.1 Closing Date. The closing for the purchase and sale of the Warrant
(the "Closing") shall be held at the offices of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 220 South
Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402, at such other time and place as the Company
and the Investor mutually agree upon (the "Closing Date").

         2.2 Closing. At the Closing, the Company will deliver to the Investor
the Warrant against payment of the purchase price therefor by check payable to
the order of the Company or wire transfer.

                                   SECTION 3

                         Representations of the Company

         Subject to and except as disclosed by the Company in the Schedule of
Exceptions attached hereto as Exhibit B, the Company hereby represents to the
Investor as follows:

         3.1 Organization and Standing. The Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Minnesota. The Company has all requisite corporate power to own and operate its
properties and assets, and to carry on its



                                       1

<PAGE>   6


business as presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company is
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which
such qualification is required and where the failure to be so qualified would
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations
or financial condition.

         3.2 Corporate Power. The Company has all requisite legal and corporate
power to execute and deliver this Agreement, to sell and issue the Warrant and
to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement.

         3.3 Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists, of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 50,997,915 shares are
issued and outstanding as of May 31, 2000. All issued and outstanding shares
have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and
nonassessable. The Company by appropriate action by the Board of Directors has
reserved (or shall have reserved prior to the Closing) the appropriate number of
shares of Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of the Warrant. As of May 31,
2000, the Company has reserved 27,773,002 shares of Common Stock for issuance
pursuant to stock options, of which 23,142,151 shares are subject to outstanding
options and of which 4,631,851 shares remain available for future issuance to
employees, directors, officers, consultants and advisors of the Company,
pursuant to stock purchase or stock options to be approved by the Company's
Board of Directors. The Company has reserved 2,250,000 shares of Common Stock
for issuance pursuant to outstanding warrants as of May 31, 2000.

         Except as set forth above, there are no preemptive or other outstanding
rights, options, warrants, conversion rights, understandings or agreements for
the purchase or acquisition from the Company of any shares of its capital stock
or other securities of the Company. To the best of the Company's knowledge,
there are not any agreements, understandings or arrangements among the
shareholders relating to the transfer of outstanding capital stock of the
Company.

         3.4 Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its
directors and shareholders necessary for the sale and issuance of the Warrants
and Warrant Shares and the performance of the Company's obligations hereunder
and the reservation of the Warrant Shares has been taken or will be taken prior
to the Closing. This Agreement and the Warrant are valid and binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject
to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief
of debtors and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on the
availability of equitable relief, including specific performance. The Warrant
Shares, when issued in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the
Warrant, will be validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable, and
will be free of any liens or encumbrances; provided, however, that the Warrant
Shares and the Underlying Stock may be subject to restrictions on transfer under
state and/or federal securities laws and as set forth herein.

         3.5 Financial Statements. The Company has delivered to the Investor its
unaudited financial statements (balance sheet and profit and loss statement,
statement of shareholders' equity and statement of cash flows but excluding the
notes thereto) at May 31, 2000 and for the fiscal year then ended (the
"Financial Statements"). The Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods indicated and with each other. The Financial
Statements fairly



                                       2
<PAGE>   7


present the financial condition and operating results of the Company as of the
dates, and for the periods, indicated therein. Except as set forth in the
Financial Statements, the Company has no material liabilities, contingent or
otherwise, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of
business subsequent to May 31, 2000 and (ii) obligations under contracts and
commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business and not required under
generally accepted accounting principles to be reflected in the Financial
Statements, which, in both cases, individually or in the aggregate, are not
material to the financial condition or operating results of the Company.

         3.6 Absence of Changes.

         To the Company's knowledge, since May 31, 2000, the Company has not
incurred or experienced any material loss or interference with its business from
fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance;
and there has not been any material adverse change in the business, properties,
results of operations, prospects or financial condition of the Company.

         3.7 Title to Properties and Assets; Liens, etc. The Company has good
and marketable title to all of its properties and assets, in each case subject
to no mortgage, pledge, lien, lease, encumbrance or charge, other than (i) the
lien of current taxes not yet due and payable, and (ii) possible minor liens and
encumbrances which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the
property subject thereto or materially impair the operations of the Company, and
which have not arisen otherwise than in the ordinary course of business. With
respect to the property and assets it leases, the Company is in material
compliance with such leases and, to the best of its knowledge, holds a valid
leasehold interest free of any material liens, claims or encumbrances.

         3.8 No Conflict with Other Instruments; Compliance with Laws. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Warrant will not
result in any violation of, be in conflict with, or constitute a default under,
with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice: (i) any provision
of the Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; (ii) any provision of any
judgment, decree or order to which the Company is a party or by which it is
bound; (iii) any material contract, obligation or commitment to which the
Company is a party or by which it is bound; or (iv) to the Company's knowledge,
any statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to the Company.

         3.9 Patents, Trademarks and Trade Secrets. There are no pending or, to
the Company's knowledge, threatened claims against the Company alleging that the
Company's business, as conducted or as proposed to be conducted, infringes or
conflicts with the rights of others under patents, service marks, trade names,
trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or other proprietary rights. To the
Company's knowledge, the Company's business as now conducted does not, and as
proposed to be conducted will not, infringe or conflict with the rights of
others, including rights under patents, service marks, trade names, trademarks,
copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary rights. To the Company's
knowledge, it owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to all the patents,
copyrights, trademarks, trade names, service marks, trade secrets and other
rights necessary for the operation of its business as now conducted and as
proposed to be conducted without conflict or infringement against the rights of
others.




                                       3
<PAGE>   8


         3.10 Litigation, etc. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending, which question the validity of this Agreement or the right of the
Company to enter into such agreement; or which might result, either individually
or in the aggregate, in any material adverse change in the assets, conditions or
affairs of the Company, financial or otherwise.

         3.11 Governmental Consent etc. No consent, approval or authorization
of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any governmental authority on
the part of the Company is required in connection with the valid execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement, or the offer, sale or issuance of
the Warrant and the Warrant Shares.

         3.12 Offering. Based in part on the representations of the Investor set
forth in Section 4 hereof, the offer, sale and issuance of the Warrant and the
Warrant Shares in conformity with the terms of this Agreement constitute
transactions exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

         3.13 Permits. To its knowledge, the Company has all franchises,
permits, licenses, and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its
business as now being conducted by it, the lack of which could materially and
adversely affect the business, properties, results of operations or financial
condition of the Company. To its knowledge, the Company is not in default in any
material respect under any of such franchises, permits, licenses, or other
similar authority.

         3.14 Environmental and Safety Laws. To its knowledge, the Company is
not in violation of any applicable statute, law, or regulation relating to
environment or occupational health and safety, and to the best of its knowledge,
no material expenditures are or will be required in order to comply with any
such existing statute, law, or regulation.

         3.15 Tax Returns and Payments. The Company has filed all tax returns
and reports as required by law. These returns and reports are true and correct
in all material respects. The Company has paid all taxes and other assessments
due.

                                   SECTION 4

                           Investment Representations

         The Investor hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

         4.1 Authorization. The Investor has all the requisite power and is duty
authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and has taken all necessary
action to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by the investor and constitute valid and
binding obligations of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency and the relief of debtors and subject to general equity principles
and to limitations on the availability of equitable relief, including specific
performance.

         4.2 Experience. The Investor is an "accredited investor" as such term
is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act.




                                       4
<PAGE>   9


         4.3 Investment. The Investor is acquiring the Warrant for investment
for its own account and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with,
any distribution thereof, and it has no present intention of selling or
distributing the Warrant or Warrant Shares. The Investor understands that the
Warrant and the Warrant Shares to be purchased by it have not been registered
under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption from the registration
provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the
bona fide nature of the investment intent as expressed herein.

         4.4 Rule 144 and Rule 144A. The Investor acknowledges that, because
they have not been registered under the Securities Act, the Warrant and Warrant
Shares it is purchasing must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered
under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available.
The Investor is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 and Rule 144A promulgated
under the Securities Act, which rules permit limited resale of securities
purchased in a private placement subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions.

         4.5 No Public Market. The Investor understands that no public market
now exists for any of the securities issued by the Company.

         4.6 Access to Data. The Investor has received and reviewed such
information that such Investor deemed necessary to make an informed decision
concerning the purchase of the Warrant and Warrant Shares and has had an
opportunity to discuss the Company's business, management and financial affairs
with its management and to obtain any additional information necessary to verify
the accuracy of the information given to such Investor. The foregoing, however,
does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in
Section 3 of this Agreement or the right of the Investor to rely thereon.

         4.7 Legends. The Investor acknowledges and accepts that all
certificates for the Warrant and Warrant Shares shall bear restrictive legends
preventing its free transfer.

                                   SECTION 5

               Conditions to Investors' Obligations at the Closing

         The Investor's obligation to purchase the Warrant at the Closing are
subject to the fulfillment on or prior to the Closing Date of all of the
conditions set forth below in this Section 5 to the extent not waived by the
Investor.

         5.1 Representations and Warranties Correct. The representations and
warranties made in Section 3 hereof shall be true and correct in all material
respects when made, and shall be true and correct in all material respects on
the Closing Date.

         5.2 Covenants. All covenants, agreements and conditions contained in
this Agreement to be performed by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date
shall have been performed or complied with in all respects.

         5.3 Compliance Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to the
Investor a certificate, executed by an authorized executive officer of the
Company, dated the Closing Date, certifying to the fulfillment of the conditions
specified in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of this Agreement.



                                       5
<PAGE>   10


         5.4 Material Adverse Event. No event that has or is reasonably likely
to have a material adverse affect on the Company's business, prospects,
financial condition, or results of operations shall have occurred after the date
of this Agreement.

         5.5 Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings in
connection with the transactions contemplated at the Closing hereby and all
documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably
satisfactory in substance and form to the Investor and its counsel, and the
Investor and its counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or
certified or other copies of such documents as they may reasonably request.

                                   SECTION 6

                 Conditions to Company's Obligations at Closings

         The Company's obligation to sell the Warrant at the Closing is subject
to the fulfillment of the following conditions to the extent not waived by the
Company:

         6.1 Representations Correct. The representations made by the Investor
in Section 4 hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects when
made, and shall be true and correct in all material respects on the Closing
Date.

         6.2 Qualifications, Legal Investment. All authorizations, approvals, or
permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United
States or of any state that are required in connection with the lawful sale and
issuance of the Warrant and Warrant Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall have
been duly obtained and shall be effective on and as of the Closing. No stop
order or other order enjoining the sale of the Warrant or the proposed issuance
of the Warrant Shares shall have been issued and no proceedings for such purpose
shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Minnesota Department of
Commerce, or any commissioner of corporations or similar officer of any other
state having jurisdiction over this transaction. At the time of the Closing, the
sale and issuance of the Warrant and the proposed issuance of the Warrant Shares
shall be legally permitted by all laws and regulations to which the Investors
and the Company are subject.

         6.3 Covenants. All covenants, agreements and conditions contained in
this Agreement to be performed by the Investor on or prior to the Closing Date
shall have been performed or complied with in all respects.

                                   SECTION 7

                      Affirmative Covenants of the Company

         The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:

         7.1 Corporate Existence. The Company will maintain its corporate
existence in good standing. The Company will comply with all applicable laws and
regulations of the United States or any state or states thereof or of any
political subdivisions thereof and of any governmental authority where failure
to so comply could reasonably be expected to have a



                                       6
<PAGE>   11


material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations,
financial condition or prospects.

         7.2 Books of Account and Reserves. The Company will keep books of
record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all of
its and their respective dealings, business and affairs, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.

         7.3 Rule 144A. Upon the request of any holder of the Warrant or Warrant
Shares, the Company shall promptly provide to any person who proposes to
purchase the Warrant or Warrant Shares pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under
the Securities Act from such investor (but in any case within 15 days of
request) the following information: (a) a brief statement of the nature of the
business of the Company and the products and services it offers; (b) the
Company's most recent consolidated balance sheets and profit and loss and
retained earnings statements, and similar financial statements for such part of
the two preceding fiscal years prior to such request as the Company has been in
operation (such financial information shall be audited, to the extent reasonably
available); and (c) such other information about the Company, and its business,
prospects, financial condition and results of operations as the requesting
person shall request in order to comply with Rule 144A promulgated under the
Securities Act and the antifraud provisions of the federal and state securities
laws.

                                   SECTION 8

                              Additional Agreements

         8.1 Requested Registration. (a) After the Company has qualified for the
use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, Investor shall have the right to
request registrations of Warrant Shares on Form S-3 thereafter under this
Section 8.1 (such requests shall be in writing and shall state the number of
Warrant Shares to be disposed of and the intended method of disposition of such
shares), provided that the Company shall not be required to effect a
registration pursuant to this Section 8.1 unless the Investor proposes to
dispose of Warrant Shares which it reasonably anticipates will have an aggregate
disposition price (before deduction of underwriting discounts and expenses of
sale) of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000), provided further that the
Company shall not be required to effect a registration pursuant to this Section
8.1 if at the time of the request for a registration on Form S-3, the Company in
good faith gives notice within thirty (30) days of such request that it is
engaged or has fixed plans to engage within sixty (60) days of the time of the
request in a firmly underwritten registered public offering (but such notice may
not be given more than once in any six (6) month period), provided further that
the Company shall not be required to effect more than one registration pursuant
to this Section 8.1 in any twelve (12) month period, and provided further that
the Company shall not be required to file more than two registrations on Form
S-3 with respect to Warrant Shares. Upon receipt of a proper request for
registration pursuant to this Section 8.1, the Company will as soon as
practicable but in any event within ninety (90) days, use its diligent efforts
to effect such registration (including, without limitation, the execution of an
undertaking to file post-effective amendments, appropriate qualification under
applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance
with applicable regulations issued under the Securities Act) as may be so
requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or
such portion of the Warrant Shares as are specified in such request provided
that the Company shall not be



                                       7
<PAGE>   12


obligated to take any action to effect any such registration, qualification or
compliance pursuant to this Section 8.1 in any particular jurisdiction in which
the Company would be required to execute a general consent to service of process
in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance unless the Company
is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required
by the Securities Act.

         Subject to Section 8.1(c), the Company shall file a registration
statement covering the Registrable Securities so requested to be registered as
soon as practicable after receipt of the request of the Investor.

         (b) Underwriting. If the Investor intends to distribute Warrant Shares
by means of an underwriting, it shall so advise the Company as a part of their
request made pursuant to Section 8.1.

         The Company shall together with Investor enter into an underwriting
agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for
such underwriting by the Company with the approval of the Investor, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

         If the Investor disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, the
Investor may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and
the underwriter.

         If the underwriter does not limit the number of shares of Common Stock
to be underwritten, the Company may include securities for its own account or
the account of others in such registration if the underwriter so agrees and if
the number of shares of Common Stock which would otherwise have been included in
such registration and underwriting will not thereby be limited.

         (c) Delay of Registration. If the Company shall furnish to the Investor
a certificate signed by the president of the Company stating that, in the good
faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be seriously
detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such registration statement
to be filed on or before the date filing would be required and it is therefore
essential to defer the filing of such registration statement, then the Company
may direct that such request for registration be delayed for a period not in
excess of ninety (90) days, such right to delay a request to be exercised by the
Company not more than once in any 180-day period.

         8.2 Company Registration.

         (a) If at any time or from time to time, the Company shall determine to
register any of its Common Stock, for its own account or for the account of
others, other than a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans or a
registration relating solely to a reorganization, merger or other transaction on
Form S-4 (or any comparable or successor form or forms), the Company will:

                  (i) promptly give to the Investor written notice thereof
         (which shall include a list of the jurisdictions in which the Company
         intends to attempt to qualify such securities under the applicable blue
         sky or other state securities laws); and



                                       8
<PAGE>   13


                  (ii) include in such registration (and any related
         qualification under blue sky laws or other compliance), and in any
         underwriting involved therein, all Warrant Shares specified in a
         written request or requests, made within ten (10) days after receipt of
         such written notice from the Company, by the Investor; provided that
         the rights set forth in this Section 8.2 shall not apply to the
         Company's initial public offering of shares of Common Stock.

         (b) Underwriting. If the registration of which the Company gives notice
is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the Company shall
so advise the Investor as a part of the written notice given pursuant to Section
8.2(a)(i). In such event the right of the Investor to registration pursuant to
Section 8.2 shall be conditioned upon its participation in such underwriting and
the inclusion of its Warrant Shares in the underwriting to the extent provided
herein. The Investor shall (together with the Company) enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters
selected for such underwriting by the Company. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Section 8.2, if the underwriter determines that marketing
factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, the
underwriter may limit the number of Warrant Shares to be included in the
registration and underwriting pursuant to this Section 8.2 to not less than five
percent (5%) of the total number of shares covered by the registration. The
Company will advise the Investor of any such limitation.

         No Warrant Shares excluded from the underwriting by reason of the
underwriter's marketing limitation shall be included in such registration. If
the Investor disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, the Investor may
elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the
underwriter. The Warrant Shares so withdrawn from such underwriting shall also
be withdrawn from such registration.

         8.3 Expenses of Registration. All registration expenses incurred in
connection with any registration pursuant to Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 shall
be borne by the Company. All selling expenses incurred in connection with any
registrations hereunder shall be borne by the Investor. The Company shall not,
however, be required to pay for expenses of any registration which subsequently
is withdrawn by the Investor, unless the withdrawal is based upon material
adverse information concerning the Company of which the Investor was not aware
at the time of such request, in which case such expenses shall be borne by the
Investor.

         8.4 Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration,
qualification or compliance effected by the Company pursuant to this Article 8,
the Company will keep the Investor advised in writing as to the initiation of
each registration, qualification and compliance and as to the completion
thereof. At its expense the Company will:

         (a) keep such registration, qualification or compliance effective for a
period of one hundred twenty (120) days or until the Investor has completed the
distribution described in the registration statement relating thereto, whichever
first occurs; and

         (b) furnish such number of prospectuses and other documents incident
thereto as the Investor from time to time may reasonably request.




                                       9
<PAGE>   14


         8.5 Indemnification.

         (a) The Company will indemnify the Investor, each of its officers,
directors, agents and partners, and each person controlling the Investor within
the meaning of the Securities Act, with respect to which registration,
qualification or compliance has been effected pursuant to this Article 8,
against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arising out of or based on (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue
statement) of a material fact contained in any prospectus, offering circular or
other similar document (including any related registration statement,
notification or the like) incident to any such registration, qualification or
compliance, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, or (ii) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law
rule or regulation applicable to the Company in connection with any such
registration, qualification or compliance, and will reimburse the Investor, each
of its officers, directors, agents, partners and legal counsel, and each person
controlling the Investor, for any legal and any other expenses reasonably
incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss,
damage, liability or action, as incurred, provided that the Company will not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim, loss, damage,
liability or expense arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or
omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by the Investor
and stated to be specifically for use therein or furnished by the Investor to
the Company in response to a request by the Company stating specifically that
such information will be used by the Company therein.

         (b) The Investor will indemnify the Company, each of its directors and
officers, each legal counsel and independent accountant of the Company, each
person who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act,
against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue
statement) of a material fact contained in any such registration statement,
prospectus, offering circular or other similar document, or any omission (or
alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, and will reimburse the Company, such
directors, officers, persons, or control persons for any legal or any other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any
such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, as incurred, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue
statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration
statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Investor
and stated to be specifically for use therein or furnished by the Investor to
the Company in response to a request by the Company stating specifically that
such information will be used by the Company therein; provided, however, that
the obligations of the Investor hereunder shall be limited to an amount equal to
the proceeds to each the Investor of Warrant Shares sold in such transaction as
contemplated herein.

         (c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.5 (the
"Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the party required to provide
indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") promptly after such Indemnified Party
has received written notice of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought,
and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense



                                       10
<PAGE>   15


of any such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel
for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or
litigation, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not
unreasonably be withheld). The Indemnified Party may participate in such defense
at such party's expense; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall
bear the expense of such defense of the Indemnified Party if representation of
both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential conflicts of interest. The failure of any Indemnified Party to give
notice within a reasonable period of time as provided herein shall relieve the
Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Section 8.5 only to the extent
that such failure to give notice shall materially adversely prejudice the
Indemnifying Party in the defense of any such claim or any such litigation and
any such failure to give notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any
liability that it may have to any Indemnified Party otherwise than under this
Section 8.5. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or
litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to
entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or
litigation.

         (d) If the indemnification provided for paragraphs (a) through (c) of
this Section 8.5 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified
Party under such paragraphs in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities or actions in respect thereof referred to therein, then each
Indemnifying Party shall in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions in such proportion as
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and
the Investor, on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault shall be determined
by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on
the one hand, or the Investor, on the other, and to the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission. The Company and the Investor agree that it would not
be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this paragraph were
determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which did
not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this
paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or action in respect thereof, referred to
above in this paragraph, shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
paragraph, the Investor shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess
of the lesser of (i) the proportion that the public offering price of shares
sold by the Investor under such registration statement bears to the total public
offering price of all securities sold thereunder, but not to exceed the proceeds
received by the Investor for the sale of Warrant Shares covered by such
registration statement and (ii) the amount of any damages which they would have
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentations (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act), shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who is not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.




                                       11
<PAGE>   16


         (e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the customary
provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting
agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public offering are
in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting
agreement shall control.

         (f) The obligations of the Company and the Investor under this Section
8.5 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a
registration statement under this Article 8, and otherwise.

         8.6 Information by the Investor. The Investor shall furnish to the
Company such information regarding the Investor and the distribution proposed by
the Investor as the Company may request in writing and as shall be required in
connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in
this Article 8.

         8.7 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of
certain rules and regulations of the Commission which may at any time permit the
sale of the Warrant Shares to the public without registration, after such time
as a public market exists for the Common Stock of the Company, the Company
agrees to at all times after ninety (90) days after the effective date of the
first registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering
of its securities to the general public:

         (a) facilitate the sale of the Warrant Shares to the public, without
registration under the Securities Act, pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, provided that this shall not require the Company to file reports under the
Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "Exchange
Act") at any time prior to the Company's being otherwise required to file such
reports.

         (b) make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

         (c) file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
(at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements); and

         (d) so long as the Investor owns the Warrant or Warrant Shares to
furnish to the Investor forthwith upon request a written statement by the
Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of said Rule 144,
and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become
subject to such reporting requirements), a copy of the most recent annual or
quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed
by the Company as the Investor may reasonably request in availing itself of any
rule or regulation of the Commission allowing the Investor to sell any such
securities without registration.

         8.8 "Market Stand-off" Agreement. The Investor agrees not to sell or
otherwise transfer or dispose of any Common Stock (or other securities) of the
Company held by it for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days
following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed
under the Securities Act if so requested by the Company and underwriter of
Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company, provided that:



                                       12
<PAGE>   17


         (a) such agreement shall apply only to the first underwritten
registered public offering of the Company; and

         (b) such agreement shall not apply to securities included in such
registration statement pursuant to Section 8.2.

         8.9 Termination of Registration Rights. All rights and duties provided
for in this Section 8 shall terminate, at such time as the Investor is able to
dispose of all of his Registrable Securities in one three-month period pursuant
to the provisions of Rule 144.

         8.10 Right of First Refusal. The Company is hereby granted the right of
first refusal (the "First Refusal Right"), exercisable in connection with any
proposed sale or other transfer of the Warrant or any Warrant Shares. For
purposes of the First Refusal Right, the term "transfer" shall include any
assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition for value of the Warrant or
Warrant Shares intended to be made by the Investor.

         8.11 Notice of Intended Disposition. In the event the Investor desires
to accept a bona fide third-party offer for the Warrant or any or all of the
Warrant Shares (the Warrant or Warrant shares subject to such offer to be
hereinafter called, solely for the purposes of the First Refusal Right, the
"Target Shares"), the Investor shall promptly (i) deliver to the Secretary of
the Company written notice (the "Disposition Notice") of the offer and the basic
terms and conditions thereof, including the proposed purchase price, and (ii)
provide representations that the disposition of the Target Shares to the
third-party offeror would not be in contravention of the provisions set forth in
this Agreement and the Warrant.

         8.12 Exercise of Right. The Company (or its assignees) shall, for the
period of ten (10) business days following receipt of the Disposition Notice,
have the right to repurchase all of the Target Shares specified in the
Disposition Notice upon substantially the same terms and conditions specified
therein. Such right shall be exercisable by written notice (the "Exercise
Notice") delivered to the Investor prior to the expiration of the ten (10)
business day exercise period. If such right is exercised, then the Company (or
its assignees) shall effect the repurchase of the Target Shares, including
payment of the purchase price, not more than five (5) business days after
delivery of the Exercise Notice; and at such time the Investor shall deliver to
the Company the certificates representing the Target Shares to be repurchased,
each certificate to be properly endorsed for transfer.

         Should the purchase price specified in the Disposition Notice be
payable in property other than cash or evidences of indebtedness, the Company
(or its assignees) shall have the right to pay the purchase price in the form of
cash equal in amount to the value of such property determined in good faith by
the Company's board of directors.

         8.13 Non-Exercise of Right. In the event the Exercise Notice is not
given to the Investor within ten (10) business days following the date of the
Company's receipt of the Disposition Notice, the Investor shall have a period of
thirty (30) days thereafter in which to sell or otherwise dispose of the Target
Shares upon terms and conditions (including the purchase price) no more
favorable to the third-party purchaser than those specified in the Disposition
Notice; provided, however, that any such sale or disposition must not be
effected in



                                       13
<PAGE>   18


contravention of the provisions of this Agreement and the Warrant. The
third-party purchaser shall acquire the Target Shares free and clear of all the
terms and provisions of this Agreement. In the event the investor does not sell
or otherwise dispose of the Target Shares within the specified thirty-(30) day
period, the Company's First Refusal Right shall continue to be applicable to any
subsequent disposition of the Target Shares by the Investor until such right
lapses in accordance with Section 8.16.

         8.14 Recapitalization. In the event of any stock dividend, stock split,
recapitalization or other transaction affecting the Company's outstanding common
stock as a class effected without receipt of consideration, then any new,
substituted or additional securities or other property which is by reason of
such transaction distributed with respect to the Warrant Shares shall be
immediately subject to the Company's First Refusal Right hereunder, but only to
the extent the Warrant Shares are at that time covered by such right.

         8.15 Lapse. The First Refusal Right shall lapse and cease to have
effect upon a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

                                   SECTION 9

                                  Miscellaneous

         9.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota without regard to that body
of law known as Conflict of Laws.

         9.2 Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
made by the parties herein shall survive any investigation made by the Investor
or the Company and shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby.

         9.3 Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the
successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.

         9.4 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement and the other documents
delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and
agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof.
Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this
Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), with the written consent of the Company and the
Investor.

         9.5 Notices, etc. All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective five days after
mailed by first-class, registered, or certified mail, postage prepaid, or upon
delivery if delivered by hand or by messenger or a courier delivery service,
addressed (a) if to the Investor, at such Investor's address as it shall have
furnished to the Company in writing, or (b) if to any other investor of the
Warrant and Warrant Shares, at such address as such investor shall have
furnished the Company in writing, or, until any such investor so furnishes an
address to the Company, then to and at the



                                       14
<PAGE>   19


address of the last investor of such Shares or Underlying Stock who has so
furnished an address to the Company, or (c) if to the Company, at the address
set forth below the Company's name on the signature page to this Agreement or at
such other address as the Company shall have furnished to each Investor and the
such other investor in writing.

         9.6 Minnesota Corporate Securities Law. THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES
WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN QUALIFIED WITH THE
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITIES OR THE
PAYMENT OR RECEIPT OF ANY PART OF THE CONSIDERATION THEREFOR PRIOR TO SUCH
QUALIFICATION OR IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH QUALIFICATION IS
UNLAWFUL. THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT ARE EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED
UPON SUCH QUALIFICATION BEING OBTAINED OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH QUALIFICATION
BEING AVAILABLE.

         9.7 Expenses. The Company and the Investor shall each bear its own
expenses and legal fees incurred on its behalf with respect to this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.

         9.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which may be executed by less than all of the Investors,
each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such
counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

         9.9 Severability. In the case any provision of this Agreement shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         The foregoing Warrant Purchase Agreement is hereby executed as of the
date first above written.

LAWSON ASSOCIATES, INC.


By: /s/ H. Richard Lawson
   ------------------------------------
   Its: CEO


CIS Holdings, Inc.


By: /s/ R. Milton Johnson
   -------------------------------------
   Its: SVP & Controller




                                       15