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                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.37.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                [Conformed copy]

 THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), effective as of October 30, 2000
(the "Effective Date"), is between APERIAN, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and WAYNE A. IRWIN ("Irwin"). The Company and Irwin are collectively
referred to in this Agreement as the "Parties."

                                   BACKGROUND

The Company wishes to employ Irwin as its President and Chief Operating Officer.
The Company and Irwin wish to set the terms and conditions of the employment of
Irwin commencing on the Effective Date in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.


                               TERMS OF AGREEMENT

The Parties agree as follows:

1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs Irwin to devote his personal services
to the business and affairs of the Company, and Irwin hereby accepts such
employment, on the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

         1.1. DUTIES. Irwin's title and position shall be President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company. Irwin's duties will be those customarily
performed by persons acting in that capacity and those that may be designated by
the Board of Directors of the Company consistent with the titles and positions
of President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Irwin shall report
directly to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Irwin shall
also serve, upon request and without additional compensation, as a director of
the Company or as an officer or a director, or both, of any subsidiary,
division, or affiliate of the Company or any other entity in which the Company
holds an equity interest or which it sponsors. 1.2. FULL-TIME EMPLOYEe. Irwin
shall devote his full time (except for reasonable vacation time and absence for
any disability), attention, and best efforts to the performance of his duties
described in Article 1.1.


2. TERM. The term of Irwin's employment under this Agreement (the "Term") shall
be as follows:

         2.1. INITIAL TERM. The initial term shall commence on the date of this
Agreement and shall expire at 11:59:59 p.m., Central Time, on the day preceding
the third anniversary of the date of this Agreement, unless terminated earlier
pursuant to Article 5.

         2.2. EXTENDED TERMS. Beginning with the third anniversary of the date
of this Agreement, the Term shall be extended automatically for an additional
successive one-year period as of each anniversary date of the date of this
Agreement that occurs while this Agreement is in effect; provided, however, that
if either party shall give written notice to the other not less than ninety
days' prior any such anniversary the that no such automatic extension shall
occur, then Irwin's employment shall terminate on the anniversary date of the
date of this Agreement that next occurs after such notice is given.


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3. COMPENSATION. As compensation for the services rendered by Irwin under this
Agreement, the Company shall, during the Term, pay or provide Irwin during the
Term the following:

         3.1. BASE SALARY. The Company shall pay Irwin during the Term an annual
base salary equal to at least Two Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($230,000)
during the remainder of the current fiscal year, Two Hundred Fifty Thousand
($250,000) during the next fiscal year and Three Hundred Thousand (300,000)
during the remainder of the Term, including any extension of the Term described
in Article 2.2, unless the Parties otherwise agree. The annual amount of base
salary in effect at the time is referred to in this Agreement as "Base Salary."
The Base Salary shall be paid in equal installments semi-monthly, in arrears, at
the Company's regular and routine payroll dates, or at such intervals as may
otherwise be agreed upon by the Parties, and in accordance with any other
payroll procedures of the Company. The Base Salary shall be prorated (on a daily
basis) for any partial payroll period of employment under this Agreement.

         3.2. ANNUAL BONUS OPPORTUNITY. During the Term, Irwin shall be eligible
to earn and receive from the Company an annual incentive bonus based upon
satisfaction of goals established by the Compensation Committee. Bonuses shall
be determined with respect to during each fiscal year of the Company during the
Term, with the first bonus period being the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001.
Irwin target bonus for each fiscal year shall be 60% of Irwin's salary during
that fiscal year, based on revenue, EBITA and such other metrics of Company
operating performance for the fiscal year as the Compensation Committee, in
consultation with Irwin and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, shall
determine at or about the beginning of each fiscal year of the Company during
the Term (or as expeditiously as is practicable in the case of the current
fiscal year). The bonus, if any, with respect to a fiscal year will be payable
to Irwin no later than thirty (30) days after completion of the audit for that
fiscal year. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee of the
Board or as provided in this Agreement, no annual incentive bonus shall be
payable to Irwin unless he is employed by the Company on the day the bonus is
paid.

         3.3. INCENTIVE PLANS AND RESTRICTED STOCK. Irwin shall participate in
any stock option, performance share, phantom stock, or similar long-term
stock-based incentive plan adopted by the Company for its executive employees in
effect during the Term, including the Company's 2000 Stock Option Plan (the
"Option Plan"). Except as described in the remainder of this paragraph, the
extent to which Irwin shall participate in any such plan will be determined by
the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, but in no event shall
Irwin's participation be less than that of any Vice President of the Company. On
the date of this Agreement, Irwin will be granted 170,000 shares of restricted
stock in accordance with the Option Plan and the Restricted Stock Agreement
attached hereto as Exhibit A.

         3.4. SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. Irwin shall be eligible to
participate in any long-term bonus, savings, deferred compensation, retirement
or pension, or death benefit plan adopted by the Company for its executive
employees generally in effect during the Term.

         3.5. WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. Irwin shall be eligible to participate in
any life insurance, medical, dental, and hospitalization insurance, disability
insurance benefit, or other similar employee welfare benefit plan or program
adopted by the Company covering its executive employees generally in effect
during the Term.



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         3.6. VACATION. Irwin shall be entitled to twenty (20) days of paid
vacation per fiscal year. Such vacation time shall, however, be prorated in any
fiscal year during which Irwin is employed by the Company for less than the
entire fiscal year, in accordance with the number of days in that fiscal year
during which Irwin is so employed. Such vacation time shall be in addition to
any paid time off ("PTO") to which Irwin may be entitled under the Company's PTO
policy in effect during the Term.

         3.7. TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE. During the Term, the Company shall pay
Irwin a transportation allowance equal to Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) per
month ("Transportation Allowance"). The Transportation Allowance shall be
payable in equal installments together with the payments of Base Salary.

         3.8. TAX WITHHOLDING. The Company may deduct from any compensation or
other amount payable to Irwin under this Agreement (including under Article 5)
social security (FICA) taxes and all federal, state, municipal, and other taxes
or governmental charges as may, in the Company's judgment, be required. The
Company will consult with Irwin as to amounts to be withheld in this regard.

         3.9. PARTICIPATION IN COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT PLANS. Irwin's
participation during the Term in any or all of the plans or programs adopted by
the Company described in Articles 3.3 through 3.6 ("Compensation and Benefit
Plans") will be subject to the terms and conditions of those Compensation and
Benefit Plans as they now exist or may hereafter be adopted, amended, restated,
or discontinued by the Company, including the satisfaction of all applicable
eligibility requirements and vesting provisions of those Compensation and
Benefit Plans. The Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to
continue any or all of the Compensation and Benefit Plans that now exist or are
hereafter adopted. To the extent that Irwin is eligible to participate in any
Compensation and Benefit Plan existing on the date of this Agreement for which a
plan description or plan materials are available, the Company has provided to
Irwin.

4. EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. During the Term, Irwin may incur, and shall be
reimbursed by the Company for, reasonable, ordinary and necessary, and
documented business expenses to the extent that Irwin complies with, and
reimbursement is permitted by, the Company's policies, practices, and
procedures.

5. EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION. Either Party may terminate Irwin's employment under
this Agreement by giving written notice of termination to the other Party. If
the Company is terminating, it shall include in that notice a statement whether
the termination is because of Disability or for Cause or without Cause. The
Parties' respective rights and obligations upon the termination of Irwin's
employment under this Agreement are as follows:

         5.1. TERMINATION GENERALLY. Upon any termination of Irwin's employment
under this Agreement, the Company shall pay or provide Irwin the following:

                  5.1.a. Any amount of Base Salary and Transportation Allowance
         earned by, but not yet paid to, Irwin through the effective date of
         termination of employment, as further described below (the "Termination
         Date");

                  5.1.b. All benefits that have been earned by or vested in, and
         are payable to, Irwin under, and subject to the terms (including all
         eligibility requirements) of, the Compensation and Benefit Plans in
         which Irwin participated through the Termination Date;



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                  5.1.c. All reimbursable expenses due, but not yet paid, to
         Irwin as of the Termination Date under Article 4; and

                  5.1.d. An amount equal to all accrued and unused PTO,
         calculated in accordance with the Company's PTO policies, practices,
         and procedures (including authorized deductions and the deductions
         required by law), through the Termination Date.

         The amount of Base Salary and Transportation Allowance due under
Section 5.1.a shall be paid no later than thirty (30) business days after the
Termination Date; the amounts or benefits due under Section 5.1.b shall be paid
or provided in accordance with the terms of the Compensation and Benefit Plans
under which such amounts or benefits are due to Irwin; and the amounts due under
Sections 5.1.c and 5.1.d shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the
Company's policies, practices, and procedures regarding reimbursable expenses
and PTO, respectively. Except as expressly provided below in this Article 5,
upon paying or providing Irwin the preceding amounts or benefits, the Company
shall have no further obligation or liability under this Agreement for Base
Salary or any other cash compensation or for any benefits under any of the
Compensation and Benefit Plans. Upon termination of Irwin's employment, Irwin
shall be deemed to have resigned from any position as a director of the Company
or as an officer or director, or both, of any subsidiary, division, or affiliate
of the Company or any other entity in which the Company holds an equity interest
or which it sponsors that Irwin then holds; no written resignation need be given
or delivered to the Company.

         In this Agreement, the Termination Date shall be (i) the date of
Irwin's death, (ii) the third business day after the date on which the Company
gives notice of termination because of Disability, or (iii) the date of
termination specified in any other notice of termination, or if not specified in
the notice of termination, the date that notice of termination is given.

         In this Agreement, "Disability" means Irwin's permanent and total
disability, which shall be deemed to exist if he is unable reasonably to perform
his duties under this Agreement because of any medically determinable physical
or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has
lasted or can be expected to last for at least ninety (90) consecutive days. Any
Disability shall be determined by the Board or an authorized committee or
representative thereof ("Representative"), in its sole and absolute discretion,
upon receipt of competent medical advice from a qualified physician selected by
or acceptable to the Board or its Representative. Irwin shall, if there is any
question about his Disability, submit to a physical examination by a qualified
physician selected by the Board or its Representative.

         In this Agreement, "Cause" means any of the following: (i) Irwin's
willful failure to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement without
legal cause, other than any such failure resulting from his incapacity due to
physical or mental illness or Disability; (ii) Irwin's engaging willfully in any
action which, or omitting to engage in any action the omission of which, he
knows or should know is, or is reasonably expected to be substantially injurious
(monetarily or otherwise) to the Company or its business or reputation; (iii)
Irwin's performance of any illegal conduct or act or omission constituting
serious dishonesty that results, directly or indirectly, in significant gain or
enrichment of Irwin or his family or affiliates at the expense of the Company or
which adversely affects, or reasonably could in the future adversely affect,
Irwin's value, reliability, or performance in a material manner; or (iv) any
deliberate breach by Irwin of any material obligation under any of Articles 6,
7, 8 or 9. Whether an event or circumstance constituting Cause exists will be
determined in good faith the Board of Directors but only if such termination is
approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of



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Directors after Irwin has been given written notice by Company of the specific
reason for such termination and an opportunity, together with his counsel, to be
heard before the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors may
participate in any hearing that is required pursuant to this paragraph by means
of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which
all persons participating in the hearing can hear and speak to each other;
provided, however, that at least one-half of the members of the Board of
Directors (in addition to Irwin) shall attend the hearing in person. If the
Company determines that Cause for termination exists under clause (i) above in
this paragraph, the Company shall notify Irwin of that belief, and that notice
shall describe the event or circumstance believed to constitute Cause for
termination. If that event or circumstance may reasonably be remedied or
corrected, Irwin shall have thirty (30) days to effect that correction or
remedy. If not corrected or remedied within that thirty (30) day period (as
determined by at least two-thirds the members of the Board after opportunity for
a hearing as described above), Cause for termination shall immediately be deemed
to exist, and Irwin's employment shall be deemed terminated. If the Company
determines, as provided above, that Cause for termination exists under any of
clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) above in this paragraph, the Company shall notify
Irwin of that belief, and that notice shall constitute immediate termination of
Irwin's employment.

         In this Agreement, "Good Reason" means any of the following: (i) a
significant reduction in the nature or scope of Irwin authorities or duties from
those customarily performed by persons acting in the capacity of chief operating
officer, (ii) a change in Irwin's reporting relationship so that Irwin reports
to anyone other than the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, (iii) a reduction in Irwin's annual base salary or target
opportunity under any applicable bonus or incentive compensation plan or
arrangement, (iv) a diminution in Irwin's eligibility to participate in bonus,
stock option, incentive award and other compensation plans which provide
opportunities for compensation which are at least equivalent to the
opportunities afforded by the Company (including its subsidiaries) to its senior
executives; (v) a diminution in employee benefits (including but not limited to
medical, dental, life insurance, and long-term disability plans) and perquisites
applicable to Irwin from the employee benefits and perquisites provided by the
Company (including its subsidiaries) to its most senior executives; or (ii) a
change, without Irwin's consent, in the location of Irwin's principal place of
employment by the Company by more than 50 miles from the location where Irwin
was principally employed prior to such change. If Irwin determines that an event
constituting Good Reason has occurred, Irwin shall notify the Company and the
Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of that belief,
which notice shall set forth the bases for that belief. The Company shall have
30 days after receipt of such notice in which to either (a) rectify such event
to Irwin's reasonable satisfaction or (b) determine, in accordance with the
standards and procedures described in the preceding sentence that an event
constituting Cause exists. If the Company does not take either of such actions
within such 30-day period, Irwin may terminate his employment for Good Reason
immediately by giving written notice to the Company. Any termination by Irwin
under this paragraph shall for all purposes of this Agreement be deemed a
termination of Irwin's employment by the Company without Cause.

         In this Agreement "Change of Control" means the first to occur of the
following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one
transaction or series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company to any person or group of related persons for purposes
of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, (ii) a majority of the Board of Directors
of the Company shall consist of persons who are not Continuing Directors (as
defined below); (iii) the acquisition after the date of this Agreement by any
person or group of related persons of the power, directly or indirectly, to vote
or direct the voting of securities having more than 50% of the ordinary voting
power for the election of directors of the Company, or (iv) the approval by the



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stockholders of the Company of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any
other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the
voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity or such surviving entity's
parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by
the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or such surviving
entity's parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation. A
"Continuing Director" means, as of the date of determination, any person who (i)
was a member of the Board of Directors of the Company on the date of this
Agreement or (ii) was nominated for election or elected to the Board of
Directors of the Company with the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of
such nomination or election.

         Irwin may voluntarily terminate his employment under this Agreement
only by giving at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Company.
Irwin shall not be liable to the Company for breach of this Agreement because of
his termination of employment in accordance with the preceding sentence.

         5.2. TERMINATION UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY. If Irwin's employment is
terminated by death or by the Company because of Disability, Irwin (or his legal
representative, estate, or heirs) shall be entitled to receive from the Company:

                  5.2.a. The payment of a total Two Hundred Fifty Thousand
         Dollars ($250,000.00), in a lump sum (the "Termination Payment"); and

                  5.2.b. if Irwin elects and maintains continued coverage under
         the Consolidated Omnibus Benefits Reconciliation Act of 1985 and
         corresponding regulations ("COBRA"), then for up to the twelve (12)
         consecutive months immediately after the Termination Date, payments in
         an amount equal to the difference between (i) the premiums paid or
         payable by Irwin for coverage under COBRA for himself and his
         dependents (if any) and (ii) the premiums that he would have paid for
         comparable coverage under the Company's then current group insurance
         plan or plans if his employment under this Agreement had not ceased
         (the "Insurance Payments"); except that the Insurance Payments shall
         expire or terminate immediately upon Irwin's becoming eligible for
         coverage under another employer's plan or policy.

         In addition, subject to and upon the release executed and delivered
pursuant to Article 5.4 becoming irrevocable, (a) all shares of restricted stock
granted to Irwin as described in Section 3.4 will vest and become
non-forfeitable and (b) each stock option granted to Irwin, whether now
outstanding or granted in the future, shall vest and shall be exercisable until
the earlier of (x) one year from the date of such termination or (y) the
expiration of the option in accordance with its terms .

         The Company will make the Termination Payment and commence the
Insurance Payments within ten (10) business days after the first business day on
which the release executed and delivered in accordance with Section 5.4.a
becomes irrevocable by Irwin (or his legal representative, estate, or heirs).
The Company's obligations for the Insurance Payments are not intended to negate
or impair any obligation of the Company or right of Irwin under COBRA. The
Severance Payment and the Insurance Payments shall be in addition to the amounts
or benefits to which Irwin is entitled under Article 5.1. Any Severance Payment
or Insurance Payments (or




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both) under this Article 5.2 shall not be deemed the continuation of Irwin's
employment for any purpose.

                  5.3 TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. If Irwin's employment is
terminated by the Company without Cause or by Irwin for Good Reason, Irwin (or
his legal representative, estate, or heirs) shall be entitled to receive from
the Company (except if and to the extent waived by Irwin in accordance with
Article 7), as liquidated damages:

                  5.3.a. The payment, in the manner provided below, of all
         remaining amounts of salary under Section 3.1 hereof and bonus (based
         on targeted amounts) under Section 3.2 hereof payable during the
         remainder of the Term (including the pro rata portion of the fiscal
         year in which the Term ends), provided that the Company shall pay at
         least one year's salary and provided further that if such termination
         shall occur on or within two years following the date of a Change of
         Control, the payment shall not be less than the amount of salary and
         bonus (based on targeted amounts) that would have been payable
         hereunder for the two years following the date of such termination had
         this Agreement continued in effect throughout such period (the
         "Severance Payment"); and

                  5.3.b. if Irwin elects and maintains continued coverage under
         the Consolidated Omnibus Benefits Reconciliation Act of 1985 and
         corresponding regulations ("COBRA"), then for up to the twenty-four
         (24) consecutive months immediately after the Termination Date,
         payments in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the premiums
         paid or payable by Irwin for coverage under COBRA for himself and his
         dependents (if any) and (ii) the premiums that he would have paid for
         comparable coverage under the Company's then current group insurance
         plan or plans if his employment under this Agreement had not ceased
         (the "Insurance Payments"); except that the Insurance Payments shall
         expire or terminate immediately upon Irwin's becoming eligible for
         coverage under another employer's plan or policy.

One-half the Severance Payment shall be paid in a lump sum, and shall pay the
remaining one-half of the Severance Payment in equal semi-monthly installments
over a period not greater than the remainder of the Term.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if prior to April 1, 2001 (and only if a Change
of Control has not occurred) every member of the Board of Directors of the
Company who is not also an employee of the Company votes to terminate Irwin's
employment without Cause then the amount of the Severance Payment the Company
shall be required to pay Irwin pursuant to Section 5.3.a shall be one-half the
amount provided in such Section, which amount shall be paid in a lump sum within
ten (10) business days after the first business day on which the release
executed and delivered in accordance with Section 5.4.a becomes irrevocable by
Irwin. Any vote under this paragraph shall take place at a meeting of the Board
of Directors for which notice has been properly given to all directors
(including Irwin) stating the purpose of the meeting. Members of the Board of
Directors may participate in the meeting means of conference telephone or
similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in
the hearing can hear and speak to each other; provided, however, that at least
one-half of the members of the Board of Directors (in addition to Irwin) shall
attend the meeting in person.

         In addition, subject to and upon the release executed and delivered
pursuant to Article 5.4 becoming irrevocable, (a) all shares of restricted stock
granted to Irwin as described in Section 3.4 will vest and become
non-forfeitable and (b) each stock option granted to Irwin, whether now



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outstanding or granted in the future, shall vest and shall be exercisable until
the earlier of (x) one year from the date of such termination or (y) the
expiration of the option in accordance with its terms.

         The Company will make the first payment of the Severance Payment (that
is, the amount payable in a lump sum) and commence the Insurance Payments within
ten (10) business days after the first business day on which the release
executed and delivered in accordance with Section 5.4.a becomes irrevocable by
Irwin (or his legal representative, estate, or heirs). The Company's obligations
for the Insurance Payments are not intended to negate or impair any obligation
of the Company or right of Irwin under COBRA. The Severance Payment and the
Insurance Payments shall be in addition to the amounts or benefits to which
Irwin is entitled under Article 5.1. Any Severance Payment or Insurance Payments
(or both) under this Article 5.3 shall not be deemed the continuation of Irwin's
employment for any purpose.

         5.4. CONDITIONS TO SEVERANCE BENEFITS. Except as provided in Section
5.2.b or 5.3.b, none of the Termination Payment, Severance Payment or the
Insurance Payments under Articles 5.2 and 5.3 will be subject to reduction as
the result of future compensation earned or received by Irwin (including by
self-employment), and Irwin shall have no duty to mitigate his damages. The
Severance Payment and the Insurance Payments and the vesting of restricted
stock, shall, however, be conditioned upon the Company's receipt of a Settlement
Agreement, General Release, and Covenant Not to Sue executed and performed by
Irwin (or his legal representative, estate, or heirs) in substantially the form
of Exhibit B to this Agreement (the "Release Agreement").

         5.5. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE OR BY IRWIN. If Irwin's employment is
terminated by the Company for Cause or is voluntarily terminated by Irwin, then
Irwin shall not be entitled to any payments under this Agreement other than the
amounts or benefits to which he is entitled under Article 5.1.

         5.6 FAILURE TO EXTEND. If at any time, the Company elects not to extend
the Term as described in Article 2.1, then Irwin shall continue to perform under
this Agreement until the expiration of the Term and shall then be entitled to
continued payment of the Base Salary then in effect for an additional six (6)
months after the expiration date. The obligation of the Company to make such
payments under this Article 5.6 shall be subject to the same conditions, and
shall have the same effect, as Severance Payment under this Agreement.

         5.7. POST-TERMINATION SURVIVAL. The provisions of this Article 5 shall
survive the termination of Irwin's employment by the Company and its
subsidiaries to the extent necessary to effect the post-termination payments or
benefits to which Irwin is entitled under the terms of this Article 5.

6. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Company shall provide to Irwin, during the
Term, access to various trade secrets, confidential information, and proprietary
information of the Company (which, in this Article 6 as well as in Articles 7, 8
and 9, shall include the Company's subsidiaries and affiliates) which are
valuable and unique to the Company ("Confidential Information"). Confidential
Information includes the Company's plans, policies, and procedures relating to
its BBN Certification as well as the terms of, and the Company's plans,
policies, and procedures relating to, the Company's relationships with any
supplier of telecommunications services, network services or other services, and
other persons having relationships that are material to the Company's business
and affairs. Irwin shall not, either while in the employ of the




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Company or at any time thereafter, (i) use any of the Confidential Information,
or (ii) disclose any of the Confidential Information to any person not an
employee of the Company or not engaged to render services to the Company, except
(in either case) to perform his duties under this Agreement or otherwise with
the Company's prior written consent. Nothing in this Article 6 shall preclude
Irwin from the use or disclosure of information generally known to the public or
not considered confidential by the Company or from any disclosure to the extent
required by law or court order (though Irwin must give the Company prior notice
of any such required disclosure and must cooperate with any reasonable requests
of the Company to obtain a protective order regarding, or to narrow the scope
of, the Confidential Information required to be disclosed). All files, records,
documents, information, data, and similar items relating to the business or
affairs of the Company, whether prepared by Irwin or otherwise coming into his
possession, shall remain the exclusive property of the Company and shall not be
removed from the premises from the Company, except in the ordinary course of
business as part of Irwin's performance of his duties under this Agreement, and
(in any event) shall be promptly returned or delivered to the Company (without
Irwin's retaining any copies) upon the termination of employment under this
Agreement.

7. NONCOMPETITION. Irwin acknowledges that, in addition to his access to and
possession of Confidential Information, during the Term he will acquire valuable
experience and special training regarding the Company's business and that the
knowledge, experience, and training he will acquire would enable him to injure
the Company if he were to engage in any business that is competitive with the
business of the Company. Therefore, Irwin shall not, at any time during the Term
and for the twelve (12) consecutive months immediately after the Termination
Date, directly or indirectly (as an employee, employer, consultant, agent,
principal, partner, shareholder, officer, director, or manager or in any other
individual or representative capacity), engage, invest, or participate in any
business in direct competition with the business of the Company within a fifty
(50)-mile radius of each location, or set or group of locations, (i) at, from,
or to which the Company conducts or has conducted business or renders, provides,
or delivers, or has rendered, provided, or delivered, services or products
during the Measurement Period (as defined below) or (ii) that is or has been,
during the Measurement Period, the subject of a Proposal (as defined below) to
conduct business or render, provide, or deliver services or products thereat,
therefrom, or thereto. "Measurement Period" means, with respect to Irwin's
activity (A) at any time during the Term, the Term and (B) at any time on or
after the termination of Irwin's employment, the six (6) consecutive months
preceding, and including, the date of such termination. "Proposal" means a
written or formal proposal, bid, arrangement, understanding, or agreement by the
Company to or with another person that reflects or contains negotiated or
substantive terms, but does not include any marketing contact by the Company
where the other person has not solicited that contact or indicated any interest
in doing business with the Company. (Irwin shall not be prohibited, however,
from owning, as a passive investor, less than five percent (5%) of the publicly
traded stock or other securities of any entity engaged in a business competitive
with that of the Company.) Irwin represents and agrees that (x) the Company has
agreed to provide him, and he will receive from the Company, special experience
and knowledge, including Confidential Information, (y) because the Confidential
Information is valuable to the Company, its protection (particularly from any
competitive business) constitutes a legitimate interest to be protected by the
Company by enforcement of the restriction in this Article 7, and (z) the
enforcement of the restriction in this Article 7 would not be unduly burdensome
to Irwin and that, in order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement
(which contains various benefits to Irwin and obligations of the Company with
respect to Irwin's employment), Irwin is willing and able to engage, invest or
participate in business after the termination of his employment so as not to
violate this Article 7. The parties agree that the restrictions in this Article
7 regarding scope of activity, duration, and geographic area are reasonable;
however, if any court should determine that any of those restrictions is
unenforceable, that restriction shall not thereby




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<PAGE>   10


be terminated, but shall be deemed amended to the extent required to render it
enforceable. The post-employment restrictions in this Article 7 will not apply,
however, (i) if the Company terminates Irwin's employment for Disability or (ii)
in the case of a termination by the Company without Cause or by Irwin for Good
Reason, if and from the date Irwin waives all right to the remaining unpaid
severance benefits provided within this Agreement.

8. NONSOLICITATION. Irwin shall not, at any time within the twelve (12)
consecutive months immediately after the Termination Date, either directly or
indirectly:

         8.1. DISCLOSE CONTACT INFORMATION. Make known to any person the names
and addresses, or other contact information, of any of the customers, suppliers,
or other persons having significant business relationships with the Company
within the information technology industry, so that such person could affect, or
attempt to affect, any of those relationships to the detriment of the Company;
or

         8.2. SOLICIT EMPLOYEES. Solicit, recruit, or hire, or attempt to
solicit, recruit, or hire, any employee or consultant of the Company, or in any
other manner attempt to induce any employee or consultant of the Company to
leave the employ of the Company or cease his or her consulting or similar
business relationship with the Company. References in this Article 8.2 to "any
employee or consultant" shall include any person who was an employee or
consultant of the Company at any time within the six (6) consecutive months
preceding, and including, the Termination Date.

9. DEVELOPMENTS. Irwin shall promptly disclose to the Company all inventions,
discoveries, improvements, processes, formulas, ideas, know-how, methods,
research, compositions, and other developments, whether or not patentable or
copyrightable, that Irwin, by himself or in conjunction with any other person,
conceives, makes, develops, or acquires during the Term which (i) are or relate
to the properties, assets, or existing or contemplated business or research
activities of the Company, (ii) are suggested by, arise out of, or result from,
directly or indirectly, Irwin's association with the Company, or (iii) arise out
of or result from, directly or indirectly, the use of the Company's time, labor,
materials, facilities, or other resources ("Developments").

Irwin hereby assigns, transfers, and conveys to the Company, and hereby agrees
to assign, transfer, and convey to the Company during or after the Term, all of
his right and title to and interest in all Developments. Irwin shall, from time
to time upon the request of the Company during or after the Term, execute and
deliver any and all instruments and documents and take any and all other actions
which, in the judgment of the Company or its counsel, are or may be necessary or
desirable to document any such assignment, transfer, and conveyance to the
Company or to enable the Company to file and process applications for, and to
acquire, maintain, and enforce, any and all patents, trademarks, registrations,
or copyrights with respect to any of the Developments, or to obtain any
extension, validation, re-issue, continuance, or renewal of any such patent,
trademark, registration, or copyright. The Company will be responsible for the
preparation of any such instrument or document and for the implementation of any
such proceedings and will reimburse Irwin for all reasonable expenses incurred
by him in complying with this Article 9.

10. INDEMNIFICATION. To the extent Irwin is an officer or director of the
Company, the Company shall include Irwin under any existing or future (i)
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy that the Company obtains and
maintains or (ii) indemnification agreements between the Company and other
executives of the Company. Subject to the foregoing sentence, the Company will
indemnify Irwin to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the Company's




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state of incorporation in effect at that time or by the articles or certificate
of incorporation and by-laws of the Company, whichever affords the greater
protection to Irwin.

11. CERTAIN REMEDIES. Any breach or violation by Irwin of any of Articles 6, 7,
8 and 9 shall entitle the Company, as a matter of right, to an injunction issued
by any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any further or continued
breach or violation, or to specific performance requiring the compliance with
Irwin's covenants. This right to an injunction or other equitable relief shall
be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies to which the Company
may be entitled. The existence of any claim or cause of action of Irwin against
the Company, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, whether based on
this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement
by the Company of Irwin's covenants in any of Articles 6, 7, 8 and 9. The
covenants in Articles 6, 7,8 and 9 and in this Article 11 shall survive the
termination of Irwin's employment under this Agreement.

12. BINDING AGREEMENT; SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Company and Irwin and their
respective legal representatives, heirs, executors, administrators, and
successors and assigns (as permitted by this Article 12), including any
successor to the Company by merger, consolidation, or reorganization and any
other person that acquires all or substantially all of the business and assets
of the Company. The rights, benefits, remedies, and obligations of Irwin under
this Agreement are personal to Irwin and may not be assigned or delegated by
him; except that this shall not preclude (i) Irwin from designating one or more
beneficiaries to receive any amount or benefit that may be paid or provided
after Irwin's death or (ii) the legal representative of Irwin's estate from
assigning any right or benefit under this Agreement to the person or persons
entitled thereto under Irwin's will or the laws of intestacy applicable to
Irwin's estate, as the case may be.

13. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or
unenforceable for any reason, then (i) that provision shall be severed from this
Agreement, (ii) this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if that
invalid or unenforceable provision never constituted a part of this Agreement,
and (iii) the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby
and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law. Further, in lieu of that invalid or unenforceable provision,
there shall be added to this Agreement a provision as similar in its terms to
that invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and
enforceable.

14. NOTICES. Any notice, request, or other communication to be given by either
Party under this Agreement by to the other shall be in writing and either (i)
delivered in person, (ii) delivered by prepaid same-day or overnight courier
service, (iii) sent by certified mail, postage prepaid with return receipt
requested, or (iv) transmitted by facsimile, in any case addressed to the other
Party as follows:

                  To the Company:
                  Aperian, Inc.
                  1121 East 7th  Street
                  Austin, Texas 78702
                  Facsimile: (512) 473-2371
                  Attention: Chairman of the Compensation Committee

                  with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
                  Aperian, Inc.
                  14131 Midway Road, Suite 800



                                       11
<PAGE>   12


                  Addison, Texas 75001
                  Facsimile: (972) 851-3563
                  Attention: Corporate Secretary

                  To Irwin:
                  Wayne A. Irwin
                  301 Oldenwood Ct.
                  Colleyville, Texas 76034

or to such other address or facsimile number as the Party to be notified may
have designated by notice previously given in accordance with this Article 13.
Communications delivered in person or by courier service or transmitted by
facsimile shall be deemed given and received as of actual receipt (or refusal)
by the addressee. Communications mailed as described above in this Article 14
shall be deemed given and received three (3) business days after mailing or upon
actual receipt, whichever is earlier.

15. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. In this Agreement, (i) "person" means an individual
or any corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated association, limited
liability company, or other legal entity, whether acting in an individual,
fiduciary, or other capacity, and any government, court, or governmental agency,
(ii) "include" and "including" do not signify any limitation, (iii) "Article"
and "Section" means any Article and any Section, respectively, of this
Agreement, unless otherwise indicated, (iv) an "affiliate" of a person means any
other person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with that
person, and (v) "business day" means any Monday through Friday, other than any
such weekday on which the executive offices of the Company are closed. In
addition, the use in this Agreement of "year," "annual," "month," or "monthly"
(or similar terms) to indicate a measurement period shall not itself be deemed
to grant rights to Irwin for employment or compensation for that period.

16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, with Exhibits "A" and "B", constitutes the
entire agreement between the Company and Irwin with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreement between the Company and Irwin
with respect to the same subject matter.

17. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER. No amendment to or modification of this Agreement,
or waiver of any term, provision, or condition of this Agreement, will be
binding upon a Party unless the amendment, modification, or waiver is in writing
and signed by the Party to be bound. Any waiver by a Party of a breach or
violation of any provision of this Agreement by the other Party shall not be
deemed a waiver of any other provision or of any subsequent breach or violation.

18. GENDER. Whenever the context requires in this Agreement, words denoting
gender in this Agreement include the masculine, feminine, and neuter.

19. GOVERNING LAW; VENUE. This Agreement, and the rights, remedies, obligations,
and duties of the Parties under this Agreement, shall be governed by, construed
in accordance with, and enforced under the laws of the State of Texas. The
exclusive venue of any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or its
subject matter shall be in Dallas County, Texas.



                                       12
<PAGE>   13


19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
constitutes an original, but all of which constitute one and the same document.

The Parties have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date stated
in the first paragraph.

APERIAN, INC.



By:   /s/ Peter E. Lorenzen
    ---------------------------------
    Peter E. Lorenzen, Vice President
    General Counsel and Secretary

WAYNE A. IRWIN



   /s/ Wayne A. Irwin
-------------------------------------



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