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                                                                    Exhibit 10.1


                       RETENTION AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

                  THIS RETENTION AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"),
dated as of March 1, 2000, is made by and between DAOU Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("DAOU"), and Eric Ringwall ("EMPLOYEE").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, DAOU and each of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively,
the COMPANY") recognize that the possibility of a Change in Control (as defined
below) of DAOU exists and that such possibility, including the uncertainty that
such possibility may raise among the Company's key employees, may result in the
departure or distraction of such employees to the detriment of the Company and
DAOU's stockholders;

         WHEREAS, DAOU's Board of Directors has determined that appropriate
steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued employment of the
Company's key employees without distraction from the possibility of a Change in
Control of DAOU or any related events and circumstances;

         WHEREAS, Employee is a key employee of the Company;

         WHEREAS, the Company considers that providing Employee with certain
retention and severance benefits will operate as an incentive for Employee to
remain employed by the Company in the event of a Change in Control of DAOU.

         NOW THEREFORE, to induce Employee to remain employed by the Company,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, DAOU and Employee agree as follows:

                                   AGREEMENT

1.       DEFINITIONS.

         1.1 "BASE SALARY" shall mean the Employee's gross annual salary as of
the Termination Date.

         1.2 "CAUSE" shall mean:

             (a) [Reserved.]

             (b) Employee's material failure to adhere to any written policy of
the Company generally applicable to officers of the Company if Employee has been
given a reasonable opportunity (but in no event later than thirty (30) days) to
comply with such policy or cure his failure to comply;

             (c) the appropriation (or attempted appropriation) of a material
business opportunity of the Company, including attempting to secure or securing
any personal profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of
the Company;


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             (d) the misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) of any of
the Company's funds or property;

             (e) the conviction of, or the entering of a guilty plea or plea of
no contest with respect to, a felony, the equivalent thereof, or any other crime
with respect to which imprisonment is a possible punishment;

             (f) willful misconduct;

             (g) physical or mental disability or other inability to perform the
essential functions of his position, with or without reasonable accommodation;
or

             (h) death.

         1.3 "CHANGE OF CONTROL" is defined to have occurred if, and only if,
during Employee's employment:

             (a) any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association,
trust, unincorporated organization or other entity or person, or any syndicate
or group deemed to be a person under Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act is or
becomes the "Beneficial Owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities
of DAOU representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of
DAOU's then outstanding securities entitled to vote in the election of directors
of DAOU;

             (b) there occurs a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other
corporate transaction involving DAOU (a "TRANSACTION"), in each case, with
respect to which the stockholders of DAOU immediately prior to such Transaction
do not, immediately after the Transaction, own more than fifty percent (50%) of
the combined voting power of DAOU or other corporation resulting from such
Transaction; or

             (c) all or substantially all of the assets of DAOU are sold,
liquidated or distributed.

         1.4 "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         1.5 "CONTINGENT COMPENSATION PAYMENT" shall mean any payment (or
benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or supplied (under this
Agreement or otherwise) to a "disqualified individual" (as defined in Section
280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Control of the Company.

         1.6 "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

         1.7 "EXCISE TAX" shall mean the amount, if any, of the excise tax
payable pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code by Employee with respect to a
Contingent Compensation Payment.


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         1.8 "GROSS-UP PAYMENT" shall mean an amount equal to the sum of (i) the
amount of the Excise Tax payable with respect to a Contingent Compensation
Payment, and (ii) the amount necessary to pay all additional taxes imposed on
(or economically borne by) Employee (including the Excise Tax, state and federal
income taxes and all applicable withholding taxes) attributable to the receipt
of such Gross-Up Payment. For purposes of the preceding sentence, all taxes
attributable to the receipt of the Gross-Up Payment shall be computed assuming
the application of the maximum tax rates provided by law.

         1.9 "RETENTION BONUS" shall mean the payment made pursuant to SECTION 4
of this Agreement.

         1.10 "RESIGNATION FOR GOOD REASON" shall mean the voluntary resignation
by Employee of his employment with the Company within two (2) years following a
Change in Control and within three (3) months of the following "GOOD REASONS":

              (a) any reduction in Employee's Base Salary or Target Bonus;

              (b) any significant reduction in Employee's responsibilities and
authority; or

              (c) a relocation by the Company of Employee's place of Employment
outside a thirty-five (35) mile radius of Employee's current place of
employment.

              An event described in Section 1.10(a) through (c) will not
constitute Good Reason unless Employee provides written notice to the Company
(or its successor) of his intention to resign for Good Reason and unless the
Company (or its successor) does not cure the Good Reason within ten (10) days of
the Company's (or its successor's) receipt of the written notice.

         1.11 "TARGET BONUS" shall mean the variable annual cash compensation
that Employee is eligible to receive, prior to a Change in Control, in the event
targeted goals are achieved for the year.

         1.12 "TERMINATION DATE" shall mean the date of termination of
Employee's employment relationship with the Company.

         1.13 "TERMINATION PAYMENTS" shall mean any payment or distribution of
compensation or benefits made pursuant to SECTIONS 5.1 (a)-(d) of this
Agreement.

2. TITLE AND DUTIES. Employee currently holds the positions of Chief Technology
Officer of DAOU and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
Enosus, Inc. Employee will: (i) devote his entire business time, attention,
skill, and energy exclusively to the business of the Company; (ii) use his best
efforts to promote the success of the Company's business; and (iii) cooperate
fully with the President and the Board of Directors of the Company in the
advancement of the best interests of the Company.

3. AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT. Employee reaffirms that Employee's employment
relationship with the Company is at-will, terminable at any time and for any
reason by either the Company or Employee. While certain paragraphs of this
Agreement describe events that could occur at a


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particular time in the future, nothing in this Agreement may be construed as a
guarantee of employment of any length.

4. RETENTION BONUS. If the Employee is continuously employed by the Company from
the date of this Agreement through the consummation of a Change in Control,
then, within fifteen (15) days after the consummation of such Change in Control,
DAOU (or its successor) shall pay to Employee a lump sum amount equal to Two
Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($275,000), less applicable state and
federal taxes and/or other payroll deductions (the "RETENTION BONUS").

5.       TERMINATION PAYMENTS.

         5.1 If, within two (2) years immediately following a Change in Control,
Employee's employment with the Company (or its successor or subsidiary)
terminates as the result of (i) termination by the Company (or its successor or
subsidiary) of Employee's employment for a reason other than Cause or (ii)
Employee's Resignation for Good Reason:

             (a) Employee will receive a pro-rata share of the Base Salary and
Target Bonus accrued and owing to Employee through the Termination Date, less
applicable state and federal taxes and/or other payroll deductions, and accrued
but unused vacation, sick days and floating holidays through the Termination
Date in accordance with the Company's (or its successor's) regular policies,
less applicable state and federal taxes and/or other payroll deductions;

             (b) Within fifteen (15) days after the Termination Date, DAOU (or
its successor) will pay to Employee a severance payment in a lump-sum amount
equal to Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($550,000), less applicable state
and federal taxes and/or other payroll deductions;

             (c) GROSS-UP PAYMENT. In the event that (i) DAOU undergoes a Change
in Control, and (ii) any payment to Employee under this Agreement triggers an
obligation to pay an Excise Tax, then DAOU shall, within fifteen (15) days after
the date on which such payment to Employee is made, pay to Employee the relevant
Gross-Up Payment.

             (d) If Employee elects to continue insurance coverage as afforded
to Employee according to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1985 ("COBRA"), DAOU (or its successor) will reimburse Employee the amount of
the premiums incurred by Employee during the period beginning on the Termination
Date and extend for twelve (12) months following the Termination Date. Nothing
in this Agreement will extend Employee's COBRA period beyond the period allowed
under COBRA, nor is the Company assuming any responsibility which Employee has
for formally electing to continue coverage;

         5.2 The payments set forth in SECTIONS 5.1(b), (c) AND (d) above are in
exchange for, and contingent upon Employee's execution of a release of all
claims as of the Termination Date, in substantially the form attached to this
Agreement as EXHIBIT 1.

         5.3 If Employee's employment terminates (i) for any reason after the
two (2) year period immediately following a Change in Control or (ii) during
that two (2) year period (A) for


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Cause or (B) due to Employee's resignation without Good Reason, then DAOU (or
its successor) will pay to Employee a pro-rata share of the Base Salary and
Target Bonus accrued and owing to Employee through the Termination Date, less
applicable state and federal taxes and/or other payroll deductions, and accrued
but unused vacation, sick days and floating holidays through the Termination
Date in accordance with the Company's (or its successor's) regular policies,
less applicable state and federal taxes and/or other payroll deductions.

         5.4 If Employee resigns his employment for Good Reasons described in
Section 1.10 (b) above, payment of the above Termination Payments is further
contingent upon Employee's willingness, at the Company's (or its successor's)
request, to continue performing his duties on behalf of the Company (or its
successor) in good faith for up to sixty (60) days following the occurrence of
the events described in Section 1.10 (b); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Employee shall
not be required to travel to perform his duties in good faith. DAOU (or its
successor) will pay to Employee a pro-rata share of the Base Salary and Target
Bonus and accrued but unused vacation, sick days and floating holidays according
to the Company's (or its successor's) regular policies, less applicable state
and federal taxes and/or other payroll deductions, during the up-to sixty (60)
day period and will receive the Termination Payments upon completion of that
period.

6. RETIREMENT AND PROFIT-SHARING PLANS. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, Employee's rights in any retirement, pension or
profit-sharing plans offered by the Company shall be governed by the rules of
such plans as well as by applicable law.

7. TAX CONSEQUENCES. The Company makes no representations regarding the tax
consequence of any provision of this Agreement. Employee is advised to consult
with his own tax advisor with respect to the tax treatment of any payment
contained in this Agreement.

8. [Reserved.]

9. DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. Any dispute or claim arising out of this
Agreement shall be subject to final and binding arbitration. The arbitration
will be conducted by one arbitrator who is a member of the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA") or of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services
("JAMS"). The arbitration shall be held in San Diego, California. The arbitrator
shall have all authority to determine the arbitrability of any claim and enter a
final and binding judgment at the conclusion of any proceedings in respect of
the arbitration. Any final judgment only may be appealed on the grounds of
improper bias or improper conduct of the arbitrator. The parties will be
entitled to conduct discovery (i.e., investigation of facts through depositions
and other means), which shall be governed by Section 1283.05 of the California
Code of Civil Procedure (the "CCP"). The arbitrator shall have all power and
authority to enter orders relating to such discovery as are allowed under the
CCP. The arbitrator shall apply California substantive law in all respects. The
party prevailing in the resolution of any such claim will be entitled, in
addition to such other relief as may be granted, to an award of all reasonable
attorneys' fees and costs incurred in pursuit of the claim, without regard to
any statute, schedule, or rule of court purported to restrict such award.

10. GENERAL PROVISIONS.


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10.1 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of California.

10.2 ASSIGNMENT. Employee may not assign, pledge or encumber his interest in
this Agreement or any part thereof.

10.3 AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS. No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall
be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by both of the parties.
No waiver of any provision or consent to any exception to the terms of this
Agreement or any agreement contemplated hereby will be effective unless in
writing and signed by the party to be bound and then only to the specific
purpose, extent, and instance so provided.

10.4 SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement are severable; and, if any
provision will be held to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in
part, then the remainder of the provisions, or enforceable parts of this
Agreement, will not be affected.

10.5 NOTICES. All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications under
this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given
when (a) delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by
facsimile (with written confirmation of receipt), provided that a copy is mailed
by registered mail, return receipt requested or (c) when received by the
addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service
(receipt requested), in each case to the appropriate addresses and facsimile
numbers set forth below (or to such other addresses and facsimile numbers as a
party may designate by notice to the other parties):

            If to the Company:      DAOU Systems, Inc.
                                    5120 Shoreham Place
                                    San Diego, CA  92122
                                    ATTENTION: Chief Executive Officer
                                    Facsimile No.: (619) 452-2789


            With a copy to:         Baker & McKenzie
                                    101 West Broadway, Twelfth Floor
                                    San Diego, California 92101-3890
                                    ATTENTION: Carlos D. Heredia, Esq.
                                    Facsimile No.: (619) 236-0429


            If to Employee:         Eric Ringwall
                                    13628 Sunset View Road
                                    Poway, CA 92064
                                    Facsimile No.: (858) 486-3465

10.6 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all
prior and


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contemporaneous negotiations, agreements and understandings between the parties,
oral or written.

10.7 MODIFICATION; WAIVERS. No modification, termination or attempted waiver of
this Agreement will be valid unless in writing, signed by the party against whom
such modification, termination or waiver is sought to be enforced.

10.8 FEES AND EXPENSES. If any proceeding is brought for the enforcement or
interpretation of this Agreement, or because of any alleged dispute, breach,
default or misrepresentation in connection with any provisions of this
Agreement, then the successful or prevailing party will be entitled to recover
from the other party reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in that
proceeding (including, in the case of an arbitration, arbitration fees and
expenses), in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled.

10.9 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended or supplemented only by a writing
signed by both of the parties hereto.

10.10 DUPLICATE COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in duplicate
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
such counterparts shall together constitute only one instrument.

10.11 INTERPRETATION. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.

10.12 DRAFTING AMBIGUITIES. Each party to this Agreement and its counsel have
reviewed and revised this Agreement. The rule of construction that any
ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed
in the interpretation of this Agreement or any of the amendments to this
Agreement.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

                           DAOU SYSTEMS, INC.



                           By:    /s/ Larry Grandia
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Larry Grandia, President and  Chief Executive
                              Officer

                              EMPLOYEE:



                              /s/ Eric Ringwall
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Eric Ringwall


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                                   EXHIBIT 1

                                GENERAL RELEASE

         THIS GENERAL RELEASE (this "RELEASE") is entered into effective as of
______________, ____, (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") by and between DAOU Systems, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, having its principal offices at 5120 Shoreham Place, San
Diego, California 92122 (the "COMPANY"), and Eric Ringwall ("EMPLOYEE"), with
reference to the following facts:

                                    RECITALS

         A. The parties entered into a Retention and Severance Agreement, dated
as of March 1, 2000 (the "AGREEMENT"), pursuant to which the parties agreed that
upon the occurrence of certain conditions, Employee would become eligible for
certain Termination Payments (as defined in the Agreement) in exchange for
Employee's release of the Company from all claims which Employee may have
against the Company as of the Termination Date (as defined in the Agreement).
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

         B. The parties desire to dispose of, fully and completely, all claims,
which Employee may have against the Company in, the manner set forth in this
Release.

                                   AGREEMENT

         1. RELEASE. Employee, for himself and his heirs, successors and
assigns, each fully releases, and discharges the Company, its officers,
directors, employees, shareholders, attorneys, accountants, other professionals,
insurers and agents of the other (collectively "AGENTS"), and all entities
related to each party, including, but not limited to, their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, assigns, parent, subsidiary
and sister corporations, affiliates, partners and co-venturers (collectively
"RELATED ENTITIES"), from all rights, claims, demands, actions, causes of
action, liabilities and obligations of every kind, nature and description
whatsoever, Employee now has, owns or holds or has at anytime had, owned or held
or may have against the Company, Agents or Related Entities from any source
whatsoever, whether or not arising from or related to the facts recited in this
Release. Employee specifically releases and waives any and all claims arising
under any express or implied contract, rule, regulation or ordinance, including,
without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights
Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the California Fair Employment
and Housing Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended
("ADEA").

         2. SECTION 1542 WAIVER. This Release is intended as a full and complete
release and discharge of any and all claims that Employee may have against the
Company, its Agents or Related Entities. In making this release, Employee
intends to release the Company, its Agents and Related Entities from liability
of any nature whatsoever for any claim of damages or injury or for equitable or
declaratory relief of any kind, whether the claim, or any facts on which such
claim might be based, is known or unknown to him. Employee expressly waives all
rights under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which Employee
understands provides as follows:


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                   A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS
                   WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR
                   SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF
                   EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM
                   MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT
                   WITH THE DEBTOR.

Employee acknowledges that he may discover facts different from or in addition
to those that he now believes to be true with respect to this Release. Employee
agrees that this Release shall remain effective notwithstanding the discovery of
any different or additional facts.

         3. WAIVER OF CERTAIN CLAIMS. Employee acknowledges that he has been
advised in writing of his right to consult with an attorney prior to executing
the waivers set out in this Release, and that he has been given a 21-day period
in which to consider entering into the release of ADEA claims, if any. In
addition, Employee acknowledges that he has been informed that he may revoke a
signed waiver of the ADEA claims for up to seven (7) days after executing this
Release.

         4. NO UNDUE INFLUENCE. This Release is executed voluntarily and without
any duress or undue influence. Employee acknowledges he has read this Release
and executed it with his full and free consent. No provision of this Release
shall be construed against any party by virtue of the fact that such party or
its counsel drafted such provision or the entirety of this Release.

         5. GOVERNING LAW. This Release is made and entered into in the State of
California and accordingly the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder
shall in all respects be construed, interpreted, enforced and governed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California as applied to contracts
entered into by and between residents of California to be wholly performed
within California, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

         6. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Release is held to be
invalid, void or unenforceable, the balance of the provisions of this Release
shall, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated.

         7. CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL. Employee acknowledges and agrees that he
has had the opportunity to consult and review this Release with counsel.

         8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. Any dispute or claim arising out of
this Release shall be subject to final and binding arbitration. The arbitration
will be conducted by one arbitrator who is a member of the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA") or of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services
("JAMS"). The arbitration shall be held in San Diego, California. The arbitrator
shall have all authority to determine the arbitrability of any claim and enter a
final and binding judgment at the conclusion of any proceedings in respect of
the arbitration. Any final judgment only may be appealed on the grounds of
improper bias or improper conduct of the arbitrator. The parties will be
entitled to conduct discovery (i.e., investigation of facts through depositions
and other means), which shall be governed by Section 1283.05 of the California
Code of Civil Procedure (the "CCP"). The arbitrator shall have all power and
authority to enter


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orders relating to such discovery as are allowed under the CCP. The arbitrator
shall apply California substantive law in all respects. The party prevailing in
the resolution of any such claim will be entitled, in addition to such other
relief as may be granted, to an award of all reasonable attorneys' fees and
costs incurred in pursuit of the claim, without regard to any statute, schedule,
or rule of court purported to restrict such award.



Dated:
      --------------------------      ----------------------------
                                      Eric Ringwall



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