EXHIBIT 10.23


                         EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - Rob Owen
                         -------------------------------

This Deed of Agreement  dated  [October 21, 2002],  2001 is made between  [David
Robert Owen] ("I" or "me") and MDSI MOBILE DATA SOLUTIONS  INC.,  including each
of its corporate subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, "MDSI").

The parties agree as follows:

1.   Definitions

1.1  In this  Agreement  the following  words shall have the meanings  described
     below:

(a)  "Confidential  Information" means any information  identified or reasonably
     identifiable as confidential and proprietary information of MDSI concerning
     MDSI's scientific and business  interests not generally  available to third
     parties  including:  (i)  production  processes,  business  plans and other
     materials or  information  relating to the business of MDSI;  (ii) computer
     software,  in source and executable code, and related  documentation in any
     media  including  all  modifications,  enhancements  and  versions  and all
     options available for such software;  and (iii) information  defined herein
     as a  Trade  Secret  but  which  is  determined  by a  court  of  competent
     jurisdiction  not to rise to the level of a trade secret  under  applicable
     law.

(b)  "Trade Secret" means any information identified or reasonably  identifiable
     as  confidential  and  proprietary  information of MDSI which:  (i) derives
     economic  value,  actual or potential,  from not being  generally  known to
     other persons who might obtain  economic  value from its disclosure or use;
     or  (ii)  is  the  subject  of  efforts  that  are  reasonable   under  the
     circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

(c)  "Work Product" means any work, research or development  produced or created
     by me during  the term of this  Agreement  pertinent  to MDSI's  technical,
     scientific or business  interests  including  Confidential  Information and
     Trade Secret material.

(d)  "Client"  means any  Person  who or which at any time  during the period of
     [six months] immediately prior to the Termination Date was a client of MDSI
     or any Relevant Associated Company and with whom or which I dealt on behalf
     of MDSI or any Relevant Associated Company during such period;

(e)  "Directly or Indirectly" means (without  prejudice to the generality of the
     expression)  whether as  principal or agent;  whether  alone,  jointly,  in
     partnership  with  another  or for or on behalf of  another;  whether  as a
     shareholder,  director  (including a shadow  director),  agent,  principal,
     partner,  consultant,  employee  or  otherwise;  or by virtue of  providing
     financial assistance;

(f)  "Key  Person"  means a person who was at any time  during the period of six
     months  immediately prior to the Termination Date engaged or employed as an
     employee, director, consultant (other than a professional adviser) or agent
     of MDSI or any  Associated  Company  and who was both a person  with whom I
     personally dealt during my employment by MDSI; and employed or engaged in a
     senior capacity and/or remunerated at over (pound)50,000 per year.

(g)  "Materially  Interested"  means  employed  or  engaged by or  concerned  or
     interested in (whether  directly or indirectly) other than as a shareholder
     holding directly or indirectly by way of bona fide investment only up to 3%
     in nominal value of the issued  shares or other  securities of any class of
     any company listed or dealt in on any Recognised Investment Exchange;

(h)  "Person" means person,  firm,  company,  association,  corporation or other
     organisation or entity;

(i)  "Prospective Client" means any Person with whom or which at any time during
     the period of [six]  months prior to the  Termination  Date I, on behalf of
     MDSI or any Relevant  Associated  Company,  have been in negotiation with a
     view to the  provision  of  MDSI's  or any  Relevant  Associated  Company's
     services to such Person;

(j)  "Recognised  Investment  Exchange"  means  a  body  which  is a  recognised
     investment exchange for the purposes of the Financial Services Act 1986;



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(k)  "Relevant  Associated Company" means any Associated Company to which I have
     rendered services both in the period of 12 months  immediately prior to the
     Termination Date and in the course of my employment by MDSI;

(l)  "Restricted Area" means Europe;

(m)  "Restricted  Services"  means services which compete with those provided by
     MDSI or any  Relevant  Associated  Company  in the  ordinary  course of its
     business  during  the  period  of  12  months   immediately  prior  to  the
     Termination  Date;  and the  provision of which I was  concerned or engaged
     during my employment by MDSI;

(n)  "Supplier"  means any Person who or which at any time  during the period of
     six months prior to the Termination Date has provided goods and/or services
     to MDSI or any Relevant  Associated Company and who or which dealt directly
     or indirectly with me in the course of such supply.

(o)  "Termination  Date" means the date of the termination of my employment with
     MDSI.

2.   Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information, Trade Secrets or Work Product

2.1  I agree to keep  confidential and not,  directly or indirectly,  divulge or
     disclose  to  anyone  nor  use  or   otherwise   appropriate   Confidential
     Information,  Trade Secrets or Work Product either during or any time after
     the term of my  employment  other than for the benefit of MDSI.  I agree to
     keep such information  confidential  unless it has become readily available
     to the public in the same form or is lawfully  obtained in the same form by
     me from an independent third party without breach to this agreement.

2.2  I also  certify  that I have not brought and shall not bring to MDSI or use
     any  materials or  documents of a former  employer or third party which are
     not  generally  available to the public.  I further  understand  that while
     employed by MDSI, I am not to breach any  obligation  of confidence or duty
     that I may have to a former  employer or third party. I further warrant and
     represent to the best of my knowledge  and belief that I have  disclosed to
     MDSI any  documentation  and matters  relating to legal  obligations  to my
     former  employer that would prevent me from accepting  employment with MDSI
     or impinge on my ability to perform my contract of  employment  to the best
     of my ability. I further agree that if MDSI deems it necessary to terminate
     my  employment  as a result of an alleged  breach of any  obligation  to my
     former  employer then MDSI may terminate my  employment  without  notice or
     compensation.

2.3  During the term of my  employment at MDSI, I agree to devote my entire time
     and energy  during  normal  business  hours and use my best  efforts to the
     furtherance  of the  business  of MDSI  and  shall  not,  unless  expressly
     permitted  by  MDSI,  directly  or  indirectly,  in any  advisory  or other
     capacity work for any individual, firm or corporation other than for MDSI.

2.4  I further understand that while employed by MDSI,  provided that I have not
     breached  Sections 2, 3 or 4 of this  Agreement,  MDSI will not restrict my
     involvement or interest in any activities  which I may engage in outside of
     normal business hours.


3.   Ownership of Work Product

3.1  I agree that any Work Product created while I am employed with MDSI related
     to any  identifiable  project  carried out by MDSI either solely or jointly
     with another party shall be the sole and exclusive  property of MDSI.  MDSI
     is and  shall  be the sole  owner  of all  copyrights,  patents  and  other
     intellectual property rights in the Work Product.

3.2  I agree to assign to MDSI any rights that I may have or acquire in the Work
     Product and waive all claims to the Work Product including any moral rights
     I may  have in the  Work  Product  or to its use  including  the  right  to
     restrain  or  claim  damages  for  any  distortion,   mutilation  or  other
     modification  of the Work Product or any part of it, or to restrain the use
     or reproduction of the Work Product in any context, or



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     in  connection  with any product or service.  At any and all times,  either
     during or after  termination of my employment  with MDSI, I shall promptly,
     on the  request of MDSI,  perform all such acts and execute and deliver all
     such documents that may be necessary to vest in MDSI the entire right title
     and interest in and to any Work Product.  Should I render any such services
     after the termination of my employment,  a reasonable  compensation will be
     paid to me by MDSI.

3.3  I certify  that I have not brought any  confidential  information  from any
     other  source  with me to MDSI and will  not  incorporate  it into any Work
     Product of MDSI.

3.4  I further understand that MDSI has no interest,  financial or otherwise, in
     any work product that I may have been involved in previous to my employment
     at MDSI.

3.5  I also understand  that provided I have not breached this  Agreement,  MDSI
     will  have  no  interest,  financial  or  otherwise,  in any  work  product
     developed by me subsequent to the termination of my employment with MDSI.

4.   Conflict of Interest and Non-Competition

4.1  I agree  with and  undertake  to MDSI for  itself  and as agent  for  every
     Associated  Company that I will not Directly or  Indirectly  following  the
     Termination Date:

(a)  for the  period of [six]  months be  Materially  Interested  in any  Person
     providing  Restricted  Services  within the Restricted  Area in competition
     with MDSI or any Relevant  Associated  Company and acknowledge  that at the
     date of this agreement the list at Schedule A is a list of such Persons;

(b)  for the period of  [twelve]  months  solicit  the custom or entice  away or
     attempt or  endeavour to solicit the custom or entice away from MDSI or any
     Relevant Associated Company any Client or any Prospective Client;

(c)  for the period of [twelve] months supply Restricted  Services to any Client
     or any  Prospective  Client  in  competition  with  MDSI  or  any  Relevant
     Associated Company [within the Restricted Area];

(d)  for the period of [twelve]  months be employed or otherwise  engaged by any
     Client or any Prospective Client in a capacity which competes with or which
     may  compete  with  the  services  provided  by  MDSI  or by  any  Relevant
     Associated Company;

(e)  for the period of [twelve]  months  solicit or entice away from MDSI or any
     Relevant Associated Company any Key Person;

(f)  for the period of [twelve]  months offer  employment  to or employ or enter
     into  partnership  or  association  with (or offer so to do) or retain  the
     services (or offer so to do) whether as agent,  consultant  or otherwise of
     any Key Person; or

(g)  for the period of [ twelve ] months solicit or attempt to solicit;  accept;
     or place  orders  for,  the supply of goods or services  from any  Supplier
     where as a consequence  such Supplier may or is likely to cease  supplying,
     reduce its supply to or vary the terms on which it  supplies  such goods or
     services to MDSI or any Relevant Associated Company.

4.2  I acknowledge  and agree that the  restrictions  in paragraph 4.1 above are
     reasonable in the  circumstances  due to the nature of the business of MDSI
     and the technologies with which MDSI is involved.  If any provisions of the
     covenants  contained  in  paragraph  4.1 are deemed  unenforceable  for any
     reason,  by any court of competent  jurisdiction,  then it is  specifically
     intended  and  agreed  by me,  that  the  terms of the  Agreement  shall be
     modified so as to be  enforceable  to the extent deemed  reasonable by such
     court.



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5.   Employment, Remuneration, Benefits Termination

5.1  MDSI  agrees  to  employ  me in the  position  described  in the  letter of
     engagement (the "Letter") and I agree to accept as compensation  for all my
     services  to be  rendered  to MDSI  under  this  Agreement  the  salary and
     benefits as set out in the Letter.  Such  employment  will  commence on the
     date  established  in the Letter and may be adjusted for merit from time to
     time at the sole discretion of MDSI during the term of this Agreement.

5.2  I shall be  entitled  to  vacation  periods in line with the MDSI  policies
     applicable to employees of the United Kingdom. If I do not use all vacation
     days in any  calendar  year,  I shall  be  permitted  to carry  over  those
     vacation  days  which must be taken or be  forfeited  within the first four
     months of the next calendar year.

5.3  I agree that upon my termination of my employment with MDSI for any reason,
     I shall  immediately  return to MDSI all  Confidential  Information,  Trade
     Secrets, Work Product, lists, books, records,  designs,  software codes and
     technical  material  (irrespective  of the  media or form it may be in) and
     other property  belonging to MDSI including keys,  security passes,  credit
     and calling cards and equipment.

5.4  I shall be entitled to terminate employment with MDSI, at will, at any time
     by providing three months notice in writing to MDSI.

5.5  MDSI may terminate my employment, at will and without cause, at any time by
     giving me three months notice (or pay in lieu of such notice) in writing of
     such  termination.  MDSI shall pay all bonuses  and salary  owing up to the
     date of termination.

6.   General

6.1  This  together  with the Letter is the full and  complete  statement of the
     agreement  between MDSI and myself  regarding this Agreement and supersedes
     and merges all prior  representations,  proposals,  understandings  and all
     other agreements,  oral or written,  express or implied, between MDSI and I
     relating to this  subject  matter.  This  Agreement  may not be modified or
     altered except in writing and signed by both MDSI and myself.

6.2  All  notices  under this  Agreement  shall be given in writing and shall be
     deemed  given  as of the  same  day the  notice  is  delivered  in  person,
     couriered or faxed to the other party.

6.3  This Agreement shall be governed by laws of the United Kingdom.

6.4  If any  provision  of this  Agreement  is held to be  invalid,  illegal  or
     unenforceable  under any  applicable  statute or rule of law, the validity,
     legality and enforceability of the remaining  provisions shall in no way be
     affected or impaired thereby.

6.5  The parties agree that MDSI may assign its rights under this  Agreement and
     this  Agreement  shall be for the benefit of the  successors and assigns of
     MDSI and shall be  binding  upon me, my heirs,  executors,  administrators,
     guardians or successors. I agree that I may not assign my rights, duties or
     obligations under this Agreement.

6.6  The  waiver or  failure  of either  MDSI or  myself to  exercise  any right
     provided for herein shall not be deemed a waiver of any further right under
     this  Agreement.  6.7 Sections 3 and 4 and  Paragraph 2.1 shall survive the
     termination or expiration of this Agreement.

6.8  I acknowledge  that  irreparable harm may result to MDSI if I breach any of
     my obligations under Sections 2 or 4 hereof.



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

SIGNED as a DEED by                                )
EMPLOYEE NAME_ in the presence of:                 )
                                                   )
                                                   )
Witness                                            )
Signature:  ___________________________            )   ----------------------
                                                   )   Rob Owen


EXECUTED AS A DEED by
MDSI MOBILE DATA SOLUTIONS INC.


Per: ________________________________
         Director


Per: ________________________________
         Director/Secretary



Witness
Signature: ___________________________


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                                   Schedule A
                                   ----------

                                MDSI Competitors


The following is a listing of those  companies in  competition  with MDSI. It is
understood  that  companies  which  enter  into  direct  competition  with  MDSI
subsequent  to the  signing of this  Agreement  may be  included  based upon the
characteristics of the company in relation to those found in this Schedule.

Astea International Inc.
CSG Systems (Workforce Management Division)
Telecordia (Workforce Management Division)
e-Dispatch.com Wireless Data Inc.
eMobile Data Inc.
iMedion Inc.
M3i Systems Inc.
Service Power
3X
W-6
Utility Partners
MobileForce Technologies Inc.
ClickSoftware Inc.
Metrix Inc.
Cerulean
PRC
Tiberon Systems
New World Systems
FieldCentrix
PointServe
X-Time
ViryaNet
Lucent (Workforce Management Division)
Oracle (Workforce Management Division)
PeopleSoft (Workforce Management Division)
Clarify (Workforce Management Division)
Dynamic Mobile Data
WebAppoint
MegaTribe
ServicePower
Aether
Thinque
Intergraph
SAP
Logica