<PAGE>   1

                                                                Exhibit 10(a)(3)


                                 PROMISSORY NOTE
                               (25% Recourse Note)

                                                   Dated as of February 17, 2000
                                                Executed at: Telluride, Colorado

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, THOMAS J. CROCKER ("Maker") hereby promises to pay
to the order of KOGER EQUITY, INC., a Florida corporation ("Lender"), at its
offices at 8880 Freedom Crossing Trial, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 (or at such
other place or places as Lender or the holder hereof may designate in writing,
from time to time), the principal sum advanced to Maker pursuant to the Loan
Agreement (defined below) as such principal sum is outstanding as indicated on
the Draw Schedule (defined below) upon Maker's purchase of Loan Stock pursuant
to Plan Purchases or Subsequent Plan Purchases (as defined in the Loan
Agreement), or such lesser sum as has been advanced and is outstanding at the
time when payment is due hereunder, in lawful money of the United States of
America, together with interest accruing thereon from the date of such advances
at the rates and times hereinafter provided, calculated on the daily principal
balances from time to time outstanding. This Promissory Note (this "Note") is
given by Maker pursuant to the terms of that certain Stock Purchase and Loan
Agreement dated the date hereof between Maker and Lender (the "Loan Agreement").
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to
such terms in the Loan Agreement.

         Lender is hereby authorized to record on the Draw Schedule attached
hereto as Exhibit "A" ("Draw Schedule") and incorporated herein the (a) date and
amount of each advance by Lender, and (b) date and amount of each principal
payment made by Maker with respect to the principal amount outstanding under
this Note; provided, however, that the failure of Lender to make any such entry
shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Maker under this Note, or
the right of Lender to enforce the terms of this Note against Maker. The
aggregate unpaid principal amount advanced and Outstanding as set forth from
time to time in the Draw Schedule, or any continuation thereof, shall be
rebuttable presumptive evidence of the unpaid principal amount due under this
Note.

         1.       Interest.

                  Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this
                  Note from the date such principal is advanced as set forth in
                  the Draw Schedule at the LIBOR Market Index Rate, plus one
                  hundred fifty (150) basis points, as that rate may change on
                  each Payment Date (defined below) in accordance with changes
                  in the LIBOR Market Index Rate (the "Interest Rate"). "LIBOR
                  Market Index Rate," for any day, is the rate for 1 month U.S.
                  dollar deposits as reported on Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00
                  a.m., London time, on such day, or if such day is not a London
                  business day, then the immediately preceding London business
                  day (or if not so reported, then as determined by Lender from
                  another recognized source of interbank quotation).
                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Interest Rate hereunder
                  shall be limited to a maximum of ten percent (10%) per annum.


                                  Page 1 of 7
<PAGE>   2

         2.       Payments. The debt evidenced by this Note shall be repaid as
follows:

                           (i)      Commencing on the last calendar day of June,
                                    and thereafter on the last calendar day of
                                    each of the months of September, December,
                                    March and June (each a "Payment Date") until
                                    the Maturity Date (defined below), monthly
                                    payments of interest only, in arrears, at
                                    the Interest Rate, shall be due and payable
                                    by Maker to Lender;

                           (ii)     Unless payable earlier pursuant to the terms
                                    hereof, the total unpaid principal amount
                                    disbursed by Lender to Maker under this
                                    Note, and then outstanding, plus all accrued
                                    but unpaid interest and any other sums owing
                                    by Maker to Lender under the terms of the
                                    Loan Documents, shall be due and payable on
                                    the last day of the earlier of: (i) ten (10)
                                    years from the date of this Note, to wit:
                                    February 17, 2010; or (ii) the second
                                    anniversary of Maker's termination of
                                    employment by Lender under the Employment
                                    Agreement with "Cause" pursuant to Section
                                    4(c) of Maker's Employment Agreement with
                                    Lender, dated as of February 17, 2000 (such
                                    date is referred to herein as the "Maturity
                                    Date"); and

         3.       Prepayment. This Note may be prepaid in whole or in part at
any time without penalty or premium.

         4.       Late Charge. In the event that Maker fails to pay any payment
of principal and/or interest within thirty (30) days after such payment is due,
a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such payment shall be
due and payable. From and after the date upon which any payment of principal or
interest hereunder becomes due and payable (whether by acceleration or
otherwise) if the same is not paid within thirty (30) days of such due date,
interest shall be payable on all sums outstanding hereunder at the maximum rate
permitted by applicable law, and shall be due and payable ON DEMAND.

         5.       Intent Not to Commit Usury. Nothing herein contained, nor any
transaction related thereto, shall be construed or so operate as to require
Maker to pay interest at a greater rate than is now lawful in such case to
contract for, or to make any payment, or to do any act contrary to applicable
law. Should any interest or other charges paid by Maker, or parties liable for
the payment of this Note, in connection with the loan evidenced by this Note,
Loan Agreement securing the payment of this Note, or any other document
delivered in connection with the loan evidenced hereby, result in the
computation or earning of interest in excess of the maximum rate of interest
that is legally permitted under applicable law, then any and all such excess
shall be and the same is hereby waived by Lender and holder hereof, and any and
all such excess shall be automatically credited against and in reduction of the
balance due under this indebtedness, and the portion of said excess which
exceeds the balance due under this indebtedness shall be paid by Lender to Maker
and parties liable for the payment of this Note.


                                  Page 2 of 7
<PAGE>   3

         6.       Default. In addition to such other remedies as may be
available to Lender, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined in
the Loan Agreement or the Security Agreement) which remains uncured for a period
of thirty (30) days, then Lender or the holder hereof may, elect to declare and
may demand payment in full of the entire unpaid principal amount outstanding
hereunder, together with interest accrued thereon.

         7.       25% RECOURSE. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BELOW, THIS NOTE SHALL BE
NON-RECOURSE TO MAKER SUCH THAT LENDER SHALL NOT SEEK TO ENFORCE AGAINST MAKER
INDIVIDUALLY, ANY MONETARY JUDGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE SUMS DUE UNDER THIS
NOTE EXCEPT THROUGH RECOURSE TO THE COLLATERAL GIVEN AS SECURITY FOR THIS NOTE
AND SOLELY AGAINST SUCH COLLATERAL. THE NON-RECOURSE NATURE OF THIS NOTE IS A
MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO MAKER BORROWING FUNDS FROM LENDER UNDER THIS NOTE, ENTRY
INTO THE LOAN AGREEMENT AND OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING,
MAKER SHALL BE INDIVIDUALLY LIABLE FOR TWENTY FIVE PERCENT (25%) OF THE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AND ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE INTEREST DUE UNDER THE
NOTE INSOFAR AS THE COLLATERAL GIVEN AS SECURITY FOR REPAYMENT IS INSUFFICIENT
TO PAY THE SUMS DUE HEREUNDER.

         8.       Waivers; Attorneys' Fees; Venue. Maker and all endorsers and
guarantors of this Note hereby waive demand, presentment, notice of non-payment
(except as provided herein), dishonor and protest, and agree in case suit shall
be brought for the collection hereof, or if it is necessary to place the same in
the hands of an attorney for collection, to pay reasonable attorneys' fees for
making such collection, including but not limited to, all fees and costs
incident to any appellate, post-judgment, and bankruptcy proceedings that may
result, whether the holder hereof is obligated therefor or not. Maker agrees
that Palm Beach County, Florida is the proper venue for any and all legal
proceedings arising out of this Note.

         9.       Governing Law. The provisions of this Note and the provisions
of the Loan Agreement, and any other document or instrument evidencing or
securing the loan evidenced by this Note, shall be construed according to the
laws of the State of Florida, except if federal law would allow the payment of
interest hereunder at a higher maximum rate than would applicable Florida law,
such federal law shall apply to the determination of the highest applicable
lawful rate of interest hereunder.

         10.      Amendment. This Note may not be amended or modified, nor shall
any waiver of any provisions hereof be effective, except by an instrument in
writing executed by the holder of this Note.

         11.      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES HERETO MUTUALLY AND
WILLINGLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS MADE BETWEEN
THEM WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR ARISING IN THE FUTURE, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEFENSES,


                                  Page 3 of 7
<PAGE>   4

COUNTERCLAIMS, CROSSCLAIMS, THIRD PARTY CLAIMS AND INTERVENOR'S CLAIMS WHETHER
ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THE
TRANSACTIONS TO WHICH THIS DOCUMENT RELATES.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has executed and delivered this Note to
Lender as of the date and year first above written.

                                     MAKER:




                                     /s/ Thomas J. Crocker

                                     THOMAS J. CROCKER, individually


                                  Page 4 of 7
<PAGE>   5

                                   EXHIBIT "A"

                            DRAW SCHEDULE FOR DEMAND
                     PROMISSORY NOTE DATED _________, 2000


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
                  Amount of        Amount of         Balance of
Date of           Principal        Principal         Principal        Signature
Transaction       Advanced         Repaid            Outstanding      of Maker

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 5 of 7
<PAGE>   6

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
                  Amount of        Amount of         Balance of
Date of           Principal        Principal         Principal        Signature
Transaction       Advanced         Repaid            Outstanding      of Maker

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 6 of 7
<PAGE>   7

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>
                  Amount of        Amount of         Balance of
Date of           Principal        Principal         Principal        Signature
Transaction       Advanced         Repaid            Outstanding      of Maker

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------

------------      -----------      ----------        -----------      -----------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 7 of 7