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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") made as of this 1st day of October,
1998 ("Effective Date") by and between The viaLink Company, an Oklahoma
corporation with its principal place of business at 13800 Benson Road, Edmond,
Oklahoma, 73013 ("viaLink"), and Robert N. Baker ("Baker").

     WHEREAS, viaLink desires to hire Baker as its President and Chief Operating
Officer, and

     WHEREAS the Board of Directors of viaLink has determined that the
employment of Baker as its President and Chief Operating Officer is material to
the success of viaLink, and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to set forth certain terms and conditions
of Baker's employment with viaLink.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and the mutual
covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.   Employment. viaLink hereby employs Baker, and Baker hereby accepts such
     employment, as the President and Chief Operating Officer of viaLink upon
     the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein.

2.   Duties. During the term ("Term") of this Agreement (as defined in Section
     6.1 of this Agreement), but subject to all terms, covenants and conditions
     of this Agreement:

     2.1  As President and Chief Operating Officer, Baker shall have the
          following duties and responsibilities:

          2.1.1.  Baker shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of
                  viaLink;

          2.1.2.  Baker shall perform such duties and functions as are assigned
                  to him by viaLink's Chief Executive Officer and/or its Board
                  of Directors ("Board") to accomplish the operational
                  objectives set for viaLink by its Board and/or its Chief
                  Executive Officer in conjunction with and in reference to the
                  duties and responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer of
                  viaLink;

          2.1.3.  Baker shall faithfully, diligently and to the best of his
                  ability perform such duties as are assigned to him by
                  viaLink's Board or its Chief Executive Officer;

          2.1.4.  Baker shall devote his full time, attention, knowledge and
                  skills during normal business hours in furtherance of the
                  business of viaLink;

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          2.1.5.  Baker shall observe and carry out all state, federal and local
                  laws, rules and regulations to the extent applicable to him.

          2.1.6.  Baker shall at all times be subject to, observe and carry out
                  such reasonable rules, regulations, policies, directions and
                  restrictions promulgated by viaLink's Board and/or its Chief
                  Executive Officer, as viaLink's Board may from time to time
                  establish, to the extent they are consistent with Baker's
                  duties and responsibilities under this Agreement;

     2.2  In carrying out his duties as President and Chief Operating Officer:

          2.2.1.  Baker shall have the authority to delegate special powers and
                  duties to other officers and/or employees, so long as such
                  delegation is not inconsistent with (i) any applicable laws,
                  rules or regulations, (ii) viaLink's Articles of Incorporation
                  or Bylaws or (iv) any action(s) of the Board or the Chief
                  Executive Officer regarding the same; and

          2.2.2.  Baker shall have the power to execute and shall execute bonds,
                  deeds, mortgages extensions agreements, modifications of
                  mortgage agreements, leases and contracts or other instruments
                  of viaLink except where required by law to be otherwise signed
                  and executed and except where the signing and execution
                  thereof shall be expressly delegated by the viaLink's Board or
                  by its Chief Executive Officer to some other person(s); and

          2.2.3.  Baker shall have such other powers and duties as may be
                  prescribed by the Board from time to time regarding his duties
                  and responsibilities; and

          2.2.4.  Baker shall have such other powers and duties as may be
                  reasonably necessary to carry out his duties and
                  responsibilities set forth in this Agreement.

3.   Covenants. In order to induce viaLink to enter into this Agreement, Baker
     hereby agrees as follows:

     3.1. Except when he is directed to do otherwise by viaLink's Board, and
          except as may be required by law, court order or subpoena, Baker shall
          keep confidential and shall not divulge to any other person or entity,
          during the Term of Baker's employment or thereafter, any of the
          business secrets or other confidential information of or regarding
          viaLink and/or its subsidiaries (i) which have not otherwise become
          public knowledge, (ii) which were not already known to Baker as of the
          Effective Date of this Agreement or (iii) which have not been
          disclosed by viaLink to others without substantial restriction on
          further disclosure. The obligations of this Subsection shall survive
          the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

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     3.2. All papers, books and records of every kind and description relating
          to the business and affairs of viaLink, whether or not prepared by
          Baker, shall be the sole and exclusive property of viaLink, and Baker
          shall surrender them to viaLink at any time upon request by viaLink's
          Board. The obligations of this Subsection shall survive the
          termination or expiration of this Agreement.

     3.3. Baker agrees that any and all inventions, developments, discoveries,
          copyrightable works, or contributions thereto, including, without
          limitation, any written works, software products or code, images,
          designs, and/or instructions created in whole or part by Baker during
          his employment with viaLink hereunder or otherwise or relating in any
          way to the business of viaLink (hereinafter "Work Product") are and
          shall be the sole and exclusive property of viaLink. Baker conveys,
          transfers and assigns all rights, title and interest in and to any
          Work Product to viaLink, and further agrees to execute any written
          assignment or other agreement viaLink deems necessary at any time to
          effect the foregoing and to obtain or uphold, for viaLink's benefit,
          all copyright, patent, and/or other rights of viaLink in such Work
          Product. The obligations of this Subsection shall survive the
          termination or expiration of this Agreement.

4.   Compensation. As full compensation for Baker's services hereunder and in
     exchange for his promises contained herein, viaLink shall compensate Baker
     in the manner set forth below. The amounts set forth below shall be subject
     to any withholding or other deductions required by law.

     4.1. Beginning on October 1, 1998 Baker shall receive a biweekly salary of
          $6,735.65 ($175,127 per year), paid two weeks in arrears. Baker's
          salary may not be decreased during the Term of this Agreement without
          the prior, written consent of Baker.

     4.2. Beginning with first quarter of quarter of 1999 and for each quarter
          of the Term of this Agreement, but subject to the terms and conditions
          of this Section 4.2 and all of its Subsections, Baker shall be
          eligible to receive a quarterly bonus equal to one/eighth of his then
          current annual salary ("Bonus"). Notwithstanding anything to the
          contrary in this Agreement, to be eligible to receive a Bonus for any
          given quarter, Baker must fully meet the criteria for such Bonus as is
          established by viaLink's Board for that quarter. The Bonus criteria
          for the first quarter of 1999 is set forth in Subsection 4.2.1 of this
          Agreement. The Bonus criteria for quarters subsequent thereto shall be
          established pursuant to the procedure as set forth in Subsection
          4.2.2.

          4.2.1.  The Bonus criteria for the first quarter of 1999 is that
                  viaLink's Board must approve and viaLink must execute the
                  documents required by a transaction(s) which have will bring
                  investment(s)

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                  and/or financing into viaLink of at least five million dollars
                  ($5,000,000).

          4.2.2.  The Bonus criteria for each quarter of the Term of this
                  Agreement after the first quarter of 1999 shall be determined
                  as follows:

                  4.2.2.1.  At least forty five (45) days, but not earlier than
                            sixty (60) days, prior to the beginning of each such
                            quarter, the officer to whom Baker reports or such
                            other designee of the Board shall submit to
                            viaLink's Board his recommendations for Baker's
                            eligibility criteria for such Bonus for the upcoming
                            quarter. The Board, at its discretion, may direct
                            Baker to make such recommendations.

                  4.2.2.2.  At least fifteen (15) days prior to the beginning of
                            each such quarter, after receipt of such
                            recommendations pursuant to Subsection 4.2.2. 1,
                            viaLink's Board shall establish such criteria as it,
                            in its sole discretion, deems appropriate for
                            Baker's eligibility for the Bonus for that quarter
                            and advise Baker of the same.

                  4.2.2.3.  If the Board directs Baker to make the
                            recommendations required by Subsection 4.2.2.1
                            hereof and Baker fails to meet his obligations under
                            Subsection 4.2.2.1 of this Agreement, no Bonus shall
                            be due to Baker for that quarter.

                  4.2.2.4.  If Baker has met his obligations under Subsection
                            4.2.2.1 of this Agreement, and if viaLink's Board
                            fails to meet its obligations under Subsection 4.2.2
                            of this Agreement, Baker shall be automatically
                            eligible to receive his Bonus for that quarter.

          4.2.3.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to
                  be eligible for a Bonus for a given quarter, Baker, except as
                  otherwise stated in Section 6 of this Agreement, must be an
                  employee of viaLink as of the end of such quarter.

          4.2.4.  Each quarterly Bonus, if any, shall be calculated and paid
                  quarterly; provided, however, the payment due hereunder for
                  any quarter for which a Quarter has been earned shall be paid
                  not later than the next regular payroll after the sixtieth
                  (60th) day following the end of each quarter for which the
                  Bonus is earned. If Baker fails to earn a Bonus for any given
                  quarter, the Bonus which otherwise could have been earned for
                  that quarter is not carried forward to the next or any
                  subsequent quarter.

     4.3  Baker shall be entitled to four (4) weeks vacation during each
          calendar year of the Term of this Agreement.

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     4.4  Baker shall be eligible for all viaLink group benefits programs
          provided to other viaLink employees.

     4.5  As additional consideration, viaLink shall grant to Baker options to
          purchase one hundred and fifty thousand (150, 000) shares of viaLink
          common stock in accordance with the Stock Option Agreement(s) attached
          hereto as Exhibits 1 and 2.

     4.6. In the event that Baker becomes subject to any excise tax imposed
          pursuant to Section 280(G) of the Internal Revenue Code or any
          amendment thereto, as a result of the payments made to Baker under
          this Agreement or as a result of the acceleration of any of the stork
          options granted under this Agreement, viaLink shall reimburse Baker
          for such portion of any such tax which is attributable thereto. Upon
          request by viaLink, Baker shall provide to viaLink such documentation
          as viaLink reasonably requests to support the demand of Baker for such
          reimbursement.

5.   Noncompetition.

     5.1  If viaLink terminates this Agreement for cause (as defined in Section
          6 of this Agreement) or if Baker terminates this Agreement for other
          than cause, for a period of one (1) year after the termination of this
          Agreement, Baker shall not, directly or indirectly, alone, or as a
          partner, officer, director, employee, stockholder, consultant or agent
          of any other corporation, partnership or other business organization,
          knowingly solicit the employment of, or hire, any employee of viaLink,
          or any viaLink subsidiary, or cause any such employee to terminate
          such employee's relationship with viaLink or any viaLink subsidiary,
          without the prior written approval of viaLink.

     5.2. If viaLink terminates Baker's employment without Cause, the provisions
          of Section 5.1 of this Agreement shall be enforceable against Baker
          only as long as Baker is receiving the compensation set forth in
          Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

     5.3. If viaLink terminates this Agreement for cause (as defined in Section
          6 of this Agreement) or it Baker terminates this Agreement for the
          uncured breach of this Agreement by viaLink, for a period of one (1)
          year after the termination of this Agreement, Baker shall not,
          directly or indirectly, alone, or as a partner, officer, director,
          employee, stockholder, consultant or agent of any other corporation,
          partnership or other business organization, knowingly solicit any of
          the accounts of viaLink which were customers of viaLink during the
          Term of this Agreement unless such solicitation is undertaken on
          behalf of a business venture which does not compete directly with the
          products or services owned, sold, manufactured, marketed, provided or
          developed by viaLink. For the purposes of this

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          Subsection, a business shall be deemed to be in competition with
          viaLink only if the products or services of such business are
          substantially similar in purpose, function or capability to the
          products or services then being developed, manufactured, marketed,
          provided or sold by viaLink.

     5.4. If viaLink terminates Baker's employment without Cause, the provisions
          of Section 5.3 of this Agreement shall be enforceable against Baker
          only as long as Baker is receiving the compensation set forth in
          Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

     5.5. The parties agree that Baker's services are unique and that any breach
          or threatened breach of the provisions of this Agreement will cause
          irreparable injury to viaLink and that money damages will not provide
          an adequate remedy. Accordingly, viaLink shall, in addition to other
          remedies provided by law, but subject nonetheless to the terms and
          conditions of this Agreement, be entitled to such equitable and
          injunctive relief as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of
          this Agreement against Baker or any person or entity participating in
          such breach or threatened breach. Nothing contained herein shall be
          construed as prohibiting viaLink from pursuing any additional remedies
          available to it, at law or in equity, for such breach or threatened
          breach including any recovery of damages from Baker and the immediate
          termination of his employment.

     5.6. During the Term of this Agreement, Baker shall not knowingly engage
          in, and shall not knowingly solicit any employees of viaLink or its
          subsidiaries or other affiliates to engage in any commercial
          activities which are in any way in competition with the activities of
          viaLink, or which in any way materially interfere with the performance
          of his or any such other employee's duties or responsibilities to
          viaLink.

     5.7. Sections 5.1 through 5.5 of this Agreement shall survive the
          expiration or termination of this Agreement.

6.   Duration and Termination.

     6.1. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, the
          initial Term ("Initial Term") of this Agreement shall commence on
          October 1, 1998 and shall continue through September 30, 2001, and the
          same shall be automatically renewed on a year to year basis thereafter
          ("Extended Term") unless one party hereto notifies the other party
          hereto in writing, at least six (6) months prior to the end of the
          then current Initial Term or Extended Term, as the case may be, that
          such party giving the notice will terminate this Agreement at the end
          thereof. For purposes of this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated by
          the context of the reference, the word "Term" shall refer collectively
          to both the Initial Term and to any Extended Term.

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     6.2. This Agreement shall immediately terminate, and all rights, benefits
          and obligations hereunder shall cease, in the event of Baker's death,
          except such rights of Baker which have accrued as of the date of
          death.

     6.3. In the event that a physician, mutually acceptable to both viaLink and
          Baker, determines that Baker is unable to substantially perform his
          usual and customary duties under this Agreement for more than three
          (3) months in any calendar year, this Agreement shall immediately
          terminate and all rights, benefits and obligations hereunder shall
          cease, except such rights of Baker which have accrued as of the date
          of disability.

     6.4. If, and only if, Baker has fully met the Bonus criteria for the first
          quarter of 1999 established by viaLink's Board for him as set forth in
          Subsection 4.2.1 of this Agreement, and subject to all of the terms
          and conditions of this Agreement, upon the termination of this
          Agreement, unless such termination is (i) by viaLink for cause as
          defined in this Agreement, (ii) by Baker other than for the uncured
          breach of this Agreement by viaLink or (iii) pursuant to either
          Section 6.2 or 6.3 of this Agreement or (iv) as a result of the
          rejection of this Agreement by a Bankruptcy Court, Baker shall be
          entitled to the following payments:

          6.4.1.  The continuation of his then current salary as of the
                  effective date of the termination (without duty to mitigate)
                  for the remaining portion of the then current Term of this
                  Agreement; and

          6.4.2.  The continuation of the group employee benefits available to
                  Baker immediately prior to his termination to the extent that
                  the applicable plan(s) allow for the continuation of the same
                  or, to the extent that such plan(s) do not allow for the
                  continuation of the same, a payment equal to the cost of Cobra
                  benefits for Baker only, if Baker elects such Cobra option.
                  Such reimbursement, if any, shall be due within thirty (30)
                  days after Baker presents proof of payment for the same to
                  viaLink; and

          6.4.3.  A one time payment, which shall by made by viaLink not later
                  than sixty (60) days following the quarter in which the
                  termination occurs, and which payment shall be equal to the
                  greater of (i) the Bonus due pursuant to the applicable
                  Subsection of Section 4.2 of this Agreement or (ii) fifteen
                  percent (15%) of his the salary as of the effective date of
                  the termination;

          6.4.4.  A one time lump sum payment of four hundred thousand dollars
                  ($400,000) to be paid by viaLink not later than sixty (60)
                  days following the date of Baker's termination.

     6.5. viaLink shall have the right to terminate this Agreement in any of the
          following events, each of which shall constitute "Cause":

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          6.5.1.  Baker fails to earn the Bonus for the first quarter of 1999 as
                  set forth in Section 4.2.1 of this Agreement.

          6.5.2.  Baker's breach in respect of his duties under this Agreement
                  if such breach continues unremedied for thirty (30) days after
                  receipt of written notice thereof to Baker specifying in
                  detail the acts constituting the alleged breach and requesting
                  that the same be remedied; or

          6.5.3.  a conviction, plea of nolo contendere, plea to a lesser charge
                  in lieu of a felony, of a felony, a crime involving fraud or
                  misrepresentation, or any other crime, the effect of which is
                  likely to materially adversely affect viaLink, or

          6.5.4.  intentional violation of any Law which results in material
                  liability to viaLink. 

          6.5.5.  abuse of alcohol or other drugs, or the illegal use of drugs,
                  which materially interferes with the performance by Baker of
                  his duties hereunder.

          6.5.6.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no notice or
                  cure period is required to be given to Baker if the
                  termination is as a result of a violation of said Subsections
                  6.63, 6.6.4 or 6.6.5 of this Agreement.

     6.6. Baker shall have the right to terminate this Agreement in the event of
          the following:

          6.6.1.  viaLink's breach in respect of its duties under this Agreement
                  if such breach continues unremedied for thirty (30) days after
                  receipt of written notice thereof directed to the Chairman of
                  viaLink's Board specifying in detail the acts constituting the
                  alleged breach and requesting that the same by remedied.

7.   Successors and Assigns. The rights and obligations of viaLink hereunder
     shall run in favor of and shall be binding upon viaLink, its successors,
     assigns, nominees or other legal representatives. Termination of Baker's
     employment shall not operate to relieve him of any remaining obligations
     hereunder. Baker may not assign his rights and obligations hereunder.

8.   Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder
     must be in writing and shall be given (i) by hand delivery, (ii) by
     telecopier, (iii) by overnight courier such as Federal Express, or (iv) by
     certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the other
     party. The Notice in each case shall be addressed as follows:

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     8.1. if to viaLink: The viaLink Company, 13800 Benson Road, Edmond,
          Oklahoma 73013 Attention to viaLink's then current Chairman of its
          Board; and
     
     8.2. if to Baker: Robert N. Baker, 3209 Adobe, Edmond, Oklahoma 73013.

     The address at which a party wants Notice under this Agreement to be sent
     may be changed by that party by giving Notice thereof to the other party
     pursuant to this Section 8.

9.   Severabili1y. If any provision of this Agreement shall be adjudged by any
     court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable for any
     reason, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder
     of this Agreement.

10.  Entire Understanding . This Agreement embodies the entire understating of
     the parties hereto, and supersedes all other oral or written agreements or
     understandings between them regarding the subject matter. No change,
     alteration or modification hereof may be made except in a writing, signed
     by both parties hereto.

11.  Captions. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience and reference
     only and shall not be construed as part of this Agreement or to limit or
     otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

12.  Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by the parties
     hereto in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be original, but
     all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument, and all
     signatures need not appear on any one counterpart.

13.  Choice of Law. Jurisdiction over disputes with regard to this Agreement
     shall be exclusively in the courts of the State of Oklahoma, and this
     Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of
     the state of Oklahoma without giving effect to principles of conflicts of
     law hereunder.

14.  Attorney Fees. In the event of any litigation between the parties hereto,
     the prevailing shall be entitled to all of its costs incurred in such
     litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.

15.  Nonwaiver. The waiver of any violation or breach of this Agreement by
     either party hereto shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any continuing
     violation or breach or a waiver of any other violation or breach of this
     Agreement.

16.  Arbitration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement,
     any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or
     its breach, or its validity or interpretation, except claims for injunctive
     relief and claims involving necessary third parties who refuse to
     participate shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance the then
     current Commercial Arbitration Rules

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     of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") subject, however, to the
     following:

     16.1. The location for the arbitration shall be at such location as agreed
           by the parties in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma or if the parties cannot
           agree at such location in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma as designate by
           the AAA.

     16.2. Such arbitration shall be heard and determined by a panel of three
           (3) arbitrators in accordance with the then current rules or
           regulations of the AAA relating to commercial disputes ("Rules"). All
           arbitrators shall be selected pursuant to the then current Rules
           thereof within thirty (30) days after the filing of a demand for
           arbitration. Each arbitrator shall be a person with experience in
           handling disputes relating to employment disputes regarding
           management or executive personnel.

     16.3. The hearing on the arbitration shall be heard not later than six (6)
           months after the demand for arbitration has been made by a party.

     16.4. The arbitration award shall be binding on the parties and may be
           enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

     16.5. The prevailing party in such arbitration shall be entitled to recover
           its reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in such arbitration
           proceeding.

17.  Exclusivity. Unless specifically otherwise stated in this Agreement, the
     rights and remedies granted to the parties in this Agreement are exclusive.

18.  Limitation of Actions. No arbitration or action, regardless of form,
     relating to or arising out of this Agreement may be brought by either party
     more than three (3) years after such party knew or should have known of the
     occurrence of the event(s) which gave rise to any claim, demand or cause of
     action.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

THE viaLink Company                    Baker

By:
   ------------------------------      ------------------------------
                                       Robert N. Baker

Its:
    -----------------------------

Date:                                  Date:
     ----------------------------           -------------------------

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