Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7

                               CONVOY CORPORATION
                             1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                      As Adopted Effective January 2, 1997
                           As Amended on July 9, 1998

        1. Purpose. The purpose of the Convoy Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") is to provide incentives to attract, retain and motivate eligible
employees, officers and directors of, and consultants to, Convoy Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and its Affiliates, if any. To accomplish
the foregoing objectives, the Plan provides a means whereby eligible employees,
directors and consultants may receive stock options ("Options") to purchase
shares of the Company's common stock ("Common Stock"). As used in the Plan, the
term "Affiliates" shall mean any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of
the Company as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Plan is intended to
be a written compensatory benefit plan within the meaning of Rule 701
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

        2. Stock Options. Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan may, at the
discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company ("Board"), be granted as
either an Incentive Stock Option ("ISO") or a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").
An ISO shall mean an option described in Section 422 of the Code. An NSO shall
mean any option not meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and any
other option designated as an NSO in the document by which it is granted.

        3. Administration. The Board, whose authority shall be plenary, shall
administer the Plan unless and until such time as the Board delegates
administration of the Plan pursuant to subsection 3(b), below.

                (a) Subject to and within the limits of the express provisions
of the Plan, the Board, whose determinations shall be conclusive, shall have the
power to:

                        (i) Grant Options pursuant to the Plan;

                        (ii) Determine from time to time which of the eligible
persons are to receive Options under the Plan (such persons upon such grants
becoming "Optionees"), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each
Option grant, the price at which the holder of an Option may purchase the shares
of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Option ("Exercise Price"), the
time or times within which all or portions of each Option may be exercised, and
the other terms and conditions of each Option;

                        (iii) Construe and interpret the Plan and Options
granted under it and to establish, amend, and revoke rules and regulations for
its administration. The

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Board, in the exercise of this power, shall generally determine all questions of
policy and expediency that may arise and may correct any defect, omission or
inconsistency in the Plan, any Option or any exercise document in a manner and
to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully
effective;

                        (iv) Grant Options in exchange for cancellation of
Options granted earlier at the same or different Exercise Prices; provided,
however, nothing contained herein shall empower the Board to grant an ISO under
conditions or pursuant to terms that are inconsistent with the requirements of
subsection 4(b), below, or Section 422 of the Code;

                        (v) Determine the vesting and exercisability of Options;

                        (vi) Prescribe the forms of written instruments that
shall constitute the stock option acceptance letters ("Stock Option Acceptance
Letters") and the stock restriction agreements ("Stock Restriction Agreements"),
standard forms of which shall be attached hereto from time to time, and all
other documents used in conjunction with Option grants and exercises under the
Plan;

                        (vii) Amend the Plan as provided in Section 14 below;

                        (viii) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform
such acts as are deemed necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of
the Company;

                        (ix) Take appropriate action to cause any Option granted
hereunder to cease to be an ISO; provided, however, no such action may be taken
by the Board without the written consent of the affected Optionee; and

                        (x) To accelerate the vesting of any or all unvested
Options or Restricted Shares (as defined in the Plan documents referenced
herein) to the fullest extent permissible pursuant to Section 260.140.41(f) of
Title 10, California Code of Regulations, or any replacement regulation, for
officers, directors and consultants of the Company, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein.

                (b) The Board may delegate administration of the Plan
(including, without limitation, the Board's powers under subsection 3(a) above)
to committee acting under the authority of the Board. In the event that the
Company has registered any equity security under Section 12 of the Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), such committee shall
consist of not less than two (2) members of the Board, each of whom shall be a
"disinterested person" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and
an "outside director" as such term is defined for purposes of Section 162(m) of
the Code. The Board shall have complete discretion to determine the composition,
structure, form, term and operation of any committee established to administer
the Plan. The Board may, at any time, terminate the functions of the committee
and reassume all powers and authority previously delegated to the committee.

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For purposes of the Plan, the "Plan Administrator" shall mean the Board or any
committee administering the Plan under the authority of the Board, as the case
may be.

        4. Common Stock Subject to Plan and to Option.

                (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 13 below (relating to
adjustments upon changes in stock), the total number of shares reserved and
available for grants of Options and issuance pursuant to the Plan shall not
exceed an aggregate of one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) shares of
Common Stock. If any Options granted under the Plan shall for any reason
terminate or expire without having been exercised in full, or if any shares of
Common Stock are issued upon the exercise of an Option and repurchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 9(b) below, then the shares of Common Stock not
purchased under such Options or the shares of Common Stock issued upon Option
exercise and then repurchased by the Company, as the case may be, shall be
available again for the purpose of the Plan.

                (b) The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the
respective dates of grant) of shares of Common Stock with respect to which ISOs
are exercisable for the first time by an Optionee during any calendar year
(under the Plan, and under any other incentive stock option plans of the Company
and its Affiliates) cannot exceed $100,000. If the aggregate fair market value
(determined as of the respective dates of grant) of shares of Common Stock with
respect to which Options that otherwise would be ISOs are exercisable for the
first time by an Optionee during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, then the
Options for $100,000 worth of shares of Common Stock becoming exercisable in
such calendar year that were granted earliest will be ISOs and the Options for
the amount in excess of $100,000 that become exercisable in that calendar year
will be NSOs. In the event that the Code or the regulations promulgated
thereunder are amended after the effective date of the Plan to provide for a
different limit (or no limit) on the fair market value of shares of Common Stock
permitted to be subject to ISOs, then such different limit automatically will be
incorporated herein and will apply to any Options to which such amendment
applies.

        5. Eligibility.

                (a) All employees of the Company and its Affiliates (including
officers and directors who are also employees of the Company) are eligible to
receive ISOs. NSOs (as defined in Section 2 of the Plan) may be granted to
employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates;
provided, however, any such consultants must render bona fide services
("Services") to the Company not in connection with the offer and sale of
securities in a capital raising transaction. A person may be granted more than
one Option under the Plan and may hold more than one Option at any time.

                (b) No Option granted under the Plan may be granted to a person
who, at the time such Option is granted, owns stock possessing more than ten
percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding
capital stock of the Company or any of its Affiliates, unless the Exercise Price
is at least one hundred percent

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(100%) in the case of an NSO, or one hundred ten percent (110%) in the case of
an ISO, of the fair market value of the stock subject to the Option and such
Option by its terms is not exercisable after five (5) years from the date such
Option is granted. For purposes of this subsection 5(b), in determining stock
ownership, an Optionee shall be considered as owning the voting capital stock
owned, directly or indirectly, by or for his or her brothers and sisters,
spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants. Voting capital stock owned, directly
or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust shall be
considered as being owned proportionately by or for its stockholders, partners
or beneficiaries, as applicable. For purposes of this subsection 5(b),
outstanding capital stock shall include all capital stock actually issued and
outstanding at the time of the grant of the Option to the Optionee. Outstanding
capital stock shall not include capital stock authorized for issue under
outstanding Options held by the Optionee or by any other person.

        6. Terms of Options. Options granted pursuant to the Plan need not be
identical, but each Option shall be granted within ten (10) years from the date
the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by the stockholders, whichever is
earlier, shall specify the number of shares of Common Stock to which it pertains
and shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

                (a) Options shall become exercisable at such times (including,
if the Board so determines, immediately, subject to repurchase pursuant to
Section 9 below) and upon such events as may be determined by the Board and set
forth in the respective Stock Option Acceptance Letters governing such Options.

                (b) The Exercise Price for shares of Common Stock under each
Option shall be determined by the Plan Administrator at the time the Option is
granted. In no event shall such Exercise Price be less than eighty-five percent
(85%) in the case of an NSO, or one hundred percent (100%) in the case of an
ISO, of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the
Option on the date the Option is granted, or, if applicable, such greater amount
as is set forth in Section 5(b) above. For all purposes of the Plan, the fair
market value of the Common Stock shall be determined as follows:

                        (i) if such Common Stock is publicly traded and is then
listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, then its
closing price on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common
Stock is listed or admitted to trading as reported in The Wall Street Journal
for the last trading date immediately preceding the date of determination;

                        (ii) if such Common Stock is publicly traded and is then
quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System, but is not then listed or admitted
to trading on a national securities exchange, then its closing price on the
NASDAQ National Market System as reported in The Wall Street Journal for the
last trading date immediately preceding the date of determination;

                        (iii) if such Common Stock is publicly traded but is not
then quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System nor listed or admitted to
trading on a

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national securities exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on
the last trading date immediately preceding the date of determination as
reported by The Wall Street Journal (or, if not so reported, as otherwise
reported by any newspaper or other source as the Board may determine); or

                        (iv) if none of the foregoing is applicable, then by the
Board in good faith taking into consideration the following factors: the
Company's net worth, prospective earning power and dividend-paying capacity, and
other relevant factors including the goodwill of the business; the economic
outlook in the particular industry; the Company's position in the industry and
its management; the degree of control of the business represented by the block
of stock to be valued; and the values of securities of corporations engaged in
the same or similar lines of business which are listed on a stock exchange. In
addition to the relevant factors described above, consideration also shall be
given to nonoperating assets including proceeds of life insurance policies
payable to or for the benefit of the Company, to the extent such nonoperating
assets have not been taken into account in the determination of net worth,
prospective earning power, and dividend-paying capacity.

                (c) The term of any Option shall not be greater than ten (10)
years from the date it is granted, or, if applicable, such shorter period as is
set forth in Section 5(b) above.

                (d) An Option by its terms, shall not be transferable otherwise
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercisable,
during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee. Notwithstanding the
above, if an Optionee is determined to be incompetent by a court of proper
jurisdiction, his or her legal representative may exercise the Option on his or
her behalf.

                (e) Each Option shall become exercisable on an annual basis as
to not less than twenty percent (20%) of the total number of shares of Common
Stock subject thereto.

                (f) Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6(g) below,
Options under the Plan may be exercised by an Optionee regardless of whether he
or she is employed or retained by the Company or its Affiliates at the time of
exercise.

                (g) Upon an Optionee's Separation (as defined below), the
Optionee's right to exercise an Option shall be as follows:

                        (i) If an Optionee is Separated (as defined below) for
any reason other than the death or Disability (as defined herein) of the
Optionee, then, within three (3) months following the date of such Separation,
or within such longer period as the Plan Administrator may fix, the Optionee
shall have the right to exercise the Option to the extent such Option was
exercisable on Optionee's Separation Date (as defined below).

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                        (ii) If an Optionee is Separated due to disability (as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and determined by the Plan
Administrator) ("Disability"), then, within twelve (12) months following the
date of such Separation, or within such longer period as the Plan Administrator
may fix, the Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option to the extent
such Option was exercisable on the Optionee's Separation Date.

                        (iii) If an Optionee is Separated as a result of the
Optionee's death, the Optionee's estate shall have the right for a period of
twelve (12) months following the date of death, or for such longer period as the
Plan Administrator may fix, to exercise the Option to the extent such Option was
exercisable on the Optionee's Separation Date, or to the extent otherwise
specified by the Plan Administrator. An Optionee's estate shall mean his or her
legal representative or any person who acquires the right to exercise an Option
by reason of the Optionee's death.

                        (iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may an
Option be exercised after the expiration of the term of the Option.

                        (v) For purposes of this Plan, "Separated" or
"Separation" shall mean with respect to an Optionee, that such Optionee has
ceased to provide services as an employee, officer, director or consultant to
the Company or its Affiliates for any reason. Subject to applicable law, the
Plan Administrator will have sole discretion to determine whether an Optionee
has ceased to provide services and the effective date on which the Optionee
ceased to provide services (the "Separation Date")

                (h) In the event of any of the following transactions (each a
"Corporate Transaction"):

                        (i) a merger or consolidation or other form of business
combination in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or the Company's
stockholders do not own a majority of the voting securities of the resulting
entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the
State of the Company's incorporation;

                        (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company;

                        (iii) the dissolution or complete liquidation of the
Company; or

                        (iv) any reverse merger in which the Company is the
surviving entity but in which all of the Company's outstanding voting stock is
transferred to the acquiring entity or its wholly-owned subsidiary,

then, any or all outstanding Options may be assumed, converted or replaced by
the successor corporation, (if any), which assumption, conversion or replacement
will be binding on all Optionees. In the alternative, the successor corporation
may substitute equivalent Options or provide substantially similar
considerations to Optionees as was

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provided to stockholders (after taking into account the existing provisions of
the Options). The successor corporation may also issue, in place of outstanding
shares of Common Stock held by the Optionee, substantially similar shares or
other property subject to repurchase restrictions and other provisions no less
favorable to the Optionee than those which applied to such outstanding shares of
Common Stock immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction. In the event such
successor corporation (if any) fails or refuses to assume or substitute Options,
as provided above pursuant to a Corporate Transaction, then notwithstanding any
other provision in this Plan to the contrary, such Options will expire on such
Corporate Transaction at such time and on such conditions as the Board will
determine.

        Each outstanding Option which is assumed in connection with the
Corporate Transaction or is otherwise to continue in effect shall be
appropriately adjusted immediately after such Corporate Transaction to apply and
pertain to the number and class of securities which would have been issuable, in
consummation of such Corporate Transaction, to an actual holder of the same
number of shares of Common Stock as are subject to such Option immediately prior
to such Corporate Transaction. Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the
Exercise Price payable per share, provided the aggregate Exercise Price payable
for such securities shall remain the same. In addition, the class and number of
securities available for issuance under the Plan following consummation of the
Corporate Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted.

        The grant of Options under the Plan shall in no way affect the right of
the Company to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate, sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

        7. Payments and Loans Upon Exercise.

                (a) Payment. Payment for Common Stock purchased pursuant to the
Plan may be made in cash (by check) or, where expressly approved by the Board
for an Optionee and where permitted by law:

                        (1)     by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company
                                to the Optionee;

                        (2)     by surrender of Common Stock that either: (1) is
                                owned by Optionee and has been paid for within
                                the meaning of the United States Securities and
                                Exchange Commission ("SEC") Rule 144 (and, if
                                such Common Stock were purchased from the
                                Company by use of a promissory note, such note
                                has been fully paid with respect to such Common
                                Stock); or (2) was obtained by the Optionee in
                                the public market;

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                        (3)     by tender of a full recourse promissory note
                                having such terms as may be approved by the
                                Board and bearing interest at a rate sufficient
                                to avoid imputation of income under Sections
                                483, 1274 and 7872 of the Code; provided,
                                however, that Optionees who are not employees or
                                directors of the Company will not be entitled to
                                purchase Common Stock with a promissory note
                                unless the note is adequately secured by
                                collateral other than the Common Stock;

                        (4)     by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the
                                Optionee for services rendered;

                        (5)     provided that a public market exists for the
                                Company's stock:

                                (i)     through a "same day sale" commitment
                                        from the Optionee and a broker-dealer
                                        that is a member of the National
                                        Association of Securities Dealers (an
                                        "NASD Dealer") whereby the Optionee
                                        irrevocably elects to exercise the
                                        Option and to sell a portion of the
                                        Common Stock so purchased to pay for the
                                        Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD
                                        Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt
                                        of such Common Stock to forward the
                                        Exercise Price directly to the Company;
                                        or

                                (ii)    through a margin commitment from the
                                        Optionee and a NASD Dealer whereby the
                                        Optionee irrevocably elects to exercise
                                        the Option and to pledge the Common
                                        Stock so purchased to the NASD Dealer in
                                        a margin account as security for a loan
                                        from the NASD Dealer in the amount of
                                        the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD
                                        Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt
                                        of such Common Stock to forward the
                                        Exercise Price directly to the Company;
                                        or

                        (6)     by any combination of the foregoing.

        8. Use of Proceeds from Stock. Proceeds from the sale of stock pursuant
to Options granted under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes,
or as determined by the Board.

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        9. Stock Transfer Restrictions; Repurchase Provisions. At the discretion
of the Plan Administrator, the Company may reserve to itself and/or its
assignee(s) (a) a right of first refusal to purchase all shares of Common Stock
issued pursuant to the exercise of Options granted under the Plan that Optionee
(or a subsequent transferee) may propose to transfer to a third party, unless
otherwise not permitted by Title 10, Section 260.140.42 of the California Code
of Regulations or any successor or other regulation with respect thereto, and/or
(b) in case of immediately exercisable Options, a right to repurchase shares of
Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of Options granted under the Plan
which are held by such Optionee following such Optionee's Separation at any time
within the later of (i) ninety (90) days after Optionee's Separation Date, or
(ii) ninety (90) days after such Optionee's exercise of an Option, in each case,
for cash and/or cancellation of indebtedness arising from the purchase of such
shares upon such exercise, at the Optionee's Exercise Price, provided, that such
right of repurchase shall lapse at the rate of at least twenty percent (20%) per
year over five (5) years from the date of grant of the Option. Common Stock
issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be
subject to such stock transfer restrictions and repurchase rights as shall be
set forth in the respective Stock Restriction Agreement applicable to the
exercise of such Option. Each Optionee exercising an Option shall be required to
execute such Stock Restriction Agreement prior to receiving his or her Common
Stock.

        10. Market Stand-Off. Optionee agrees in connection with any
registration of the Company's securities that, upon the request of the Company
or the underwriters managing any public offering of the Company's securities,
Optionee will not sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock without the
prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be,
for such period of time (not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days) after the
effective date of such registration requested by such managing underwriters and
subject to all restrictions as the Company or the underwriters may specify.

        11. Withholding Taxes. Whenever Common Stock is to be issued to an
Optionee upon exercise of an Option, the Company may require the Optionee to
remit to the Company cash in an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state
and local withholding tax requirements prior to the Company's delivery to the
Optionee of any certificate or certificates for such Common Stock. Whenever,
under the Plan, a cash payment is to be made to any Optionee in cancellation of
an Option or for the repurchase of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise
of an Option, such payment may be made net of any amount necessary to satisfy
any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements.

        When, under applicable tax laws, an Optionee incurs tax liability in
connection with the exercise or vesting of any outstanding Option or any shares
of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Option that is subject to tax
withholding and the Optionee is obligated to pay the Company the amount required
to be withheld, the Board may, in its sole discretion, allow the Optionee to
satisfy the minimum withholding tax obligation by electing to have the Company
withhold from the shares of Common Stock to be issued or becoming vested that
number of shares of Common Stock having a fair market value

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equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, determined as of the date
that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. All elections by an
Optionee to have Common Stock withheld for this purpose will be made in
accordance with the requirements established by the Board and be in writing in a
form acceptable to the Board.

        12. Voting and Dividends. No Optionee will have any of the rights of a
stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock until the shares of
Common Stock are issued to the Optionee. After shares of Common Stock are issued
to the Optionee, the Optionee will be a stockholder and have all of the rights
of a stockholder with respect to such shares of Common Stock, including the
right to vote and to receive all dividends or other distributions made or paid
with respect to such shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that the
Optionee will have no right to retain stock dividends or other distributions of
stock made with respect to shares of Common Stock that are repurchased or
subject to repurchase pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Plan until such repurchase
provisions lapse.

        13. Adjustments of and Changes in the Stock. In the event that shares of
Common Stock, as presently constituted, shall be changed into or exchanged for a
different number or kind of common stock or other securities of the Company or
of another corporation (whether by reason of merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reclassification, split-up, combination of Common Stock, or
otherwise), or if the outstanding Common Stock is increased through the payment
of a stock dividend or stock split, then there shall be substituted for or added
to each share of Common Stock theretofore appropriated or thereafter subject or
which may become subject to an Option under the Plan, the number and kind of
common stock or other securities into which each outstanding share of Common
Stock shall be so changed, or for which each such share shall be exchanged or to
which each such share shall be entitled, as the case may be. Outstanding Options
shall also be appropriately amended as to Exercise Price and other terms if
necessary to reflect the foregoing events. In the event there shall be any other
change in the number or kind of shares of the outstanding Common Stock, or of
any stock or other securities into which such Common Stock shall have been
changed, or for which it shall have been exchanged, then if the Board shall, in
its sole discretion, determine that such change equitably requires an adjustment
in any Option theretofore granted or which may be granted under the Plan, such
adjustment shall be made in accordance with such determination. No right to
purchase any fractional share of Common Stock shall result from any adjustment
in Options pursuant to this Section 13. In case of any such adjustment, the
shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall be rounded down to the
nearest whole share. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Company to
each holder of an Option which shall have been so adjusted and such adjustment
(whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all
purposes of the Plan.

        14. Amendment of the Plan. The Board may, at any time, amend the Plan in
any respect, including, without limitation, amendment of any form of Stock
Option Acceptance Letter, Stock Restriction Agreement or other document relating
to its administration and grants under the Plan, or any exercise instrument;
provided, however,

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that the Board alone cannot, without the applicable approval of the stockholders
of the Company, amend any provision of the Plan as it applies to ISOs in any
manner that requires such stockholder approval pursuant to the Code or the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

        It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any
respect necessary to provide the Company's employees with the maximum benefits
provided or to be provided under Section 422 of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder relating to ISOs and/or to bring the Plan or Options
granted under the Plan into compliance therewith.

        Rights and obligations under any Option granted before any amendment of
the Plan shall not be altered or impaired by amendment of the Plan, except with
the consent of the Optionee, which consent may be obtained in any manner the
Board considers to be appropriate.

        15. Certificates. All certificates for shares of Common Stock or other
securities delivered under the Plan will be subject to such stock transfer
orders, legends and other restrictions as the Board may deem necessary or
advisable, including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign
securities laws, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or
any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Common Stock may
be listed or quoted.

        16. Escrow; Pledge of Common Stock. To enforce any restrictions on
shares of Common Stock acquired by an Optionee on exercise of an Option, the
Board may require the Optionee to deposit all certificates representing such
shares of Common Stock, together with stock powers or other instruments or
transfer approved by the Board, appropriately endorsed in blank, with the
Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold such shares of Common
Stock in escrow until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated, and the Board
may cause a legend or legends referencing such restrictions to be placed on the
certificates. Any Optionee who is permitted to execute a promissory note as
partial or full consideration for the purchase of the shares of Common Stock
under this Plan will be required to pledge and deposit with the Company all or
part of the shares of Common Stock so purchased as collateral to secure the
payment of the Optionee's obligation to the Company under the promissory note;
provided, however, that the Board may require or accept other or additional
forms of collateral to secure the payment of such obligation and, in any event,
the Company will have full recourse against the Optionee under the promissory
note notwithstanding any pledge of the Optionee's shares of Common Stock or
other collateral. In connection with any pledge of shares of Common Stock,
Optionee will be required to execute and deliver a written pledge agreement.
Shares of Common Stock purchased with a promissory note may be released from the
pledge on a pro rata basis as the promissory note is paid.

        17. Exchange and Buyout of Options. The Board may, at any time,
authorize the Company, with the consent of the respective Optionees, to issue
new Options in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of any and/or all
outstanding Options. The

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Board may, at any time, acquire from an Optionee an Option previously granted
with payment in cash, Common Stock (including restricted stock) or other
consideration, based on such terms and conditions as the Board and the Optionee
may agree.

        18. Securities Law and Other Regulatory Compliance. The Plan is intended
to comply with Section 25102(o) of the California Corporations Code. Any
provision of the Plan which is inconsistent with Section 25102(o) shall, without
further act or amendment by the Company or the Board, be reformed to comply with
the requirements of Section 25102(o). An Option issued under the Plan will not
be effective unless such Option is in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the
requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the
Common Stock may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the date of
grant of the Option and also on the date of exercise or other issuance.
Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, the Company will have no
obligation to issue or deliver certificates for shares of Common Stock under the
Plan prior to (a) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the
Company determines are necessary or advisable, and/or (b) compliance with any
exemption, completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares
of Common Stock under any state or federal law or ruling of any governmental
body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable. The Company will
be under no obligation to register the Common Stock with the SEC or to effect
compliance with the exemption, registration, qualification or listing
requirements of any state securities laws, stock exchange or automated quotation
system, and the Company will have no liability for any inability or failure to
do so.

        19. No Obligation to Employ. Nothing in the Plan or any Option granted
under the Plan will (a) confer or be deemed to confer on any Optionee any right
to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the
Company or its Affiliates; (b) limit in any way the right of the Company or its
Affiliates, to terminate Optionee's employment or other relationship at any time
for any reason or no reason; or (c) alter an Optionee's "at-will" employment or
contract status.

        20. Termination or Suspension of the Plan. The Board may, at any time,
suspend or terminate the Plan. The Plan, unless sooner terminated, shall
terminate at the end of ten (10) years from the date the Plan is adopted by the
Board or approved by the stockholders of the Company, whichever is earlier. An
Option may not be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it
is terminated.

        Rights and obligations under any Option granted while the Plan is in
effect shall not be altered or impaired by suspension or termination of the
Plan, except with the consent of the Optionee, which consent may be obtained in
any manner the Board considers to be appropriate.

<PAGE>   13

        21. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option hereunder,
for all purposes, shall be the date on which the Board (or committee under
authority of the Board) makes the determination granting such Option.

        22. Effective Date of Plan. The Plan will become effective on the date
that it is adopted by the Board (the "Effective Date"). The Plan will be
approved by the stockholders of the Company, consistent with applicable laws,
within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date. If such stockholder approval is
not obtained within the time period referenced above, then all Options
previously granted under the Plan shall terminate, and no further Options shall
be granted and no Common Stock shall be issued under the Plan. Subject to such
limitation, the Board may grant Options under the Plan at any time after the
Effective Date and before the date fixed herein for termination of the Plan;
provided; however, that no Option may be exercised prior to stockholder approval
of the Plan.

        23. Gender. The use of any gender specific pronoun or similar term is
intended to be without legal significance as to gender.

        24. Financial Reports. The Company shall provide financial and other
information regarding the Company, on an annual or more frequent basis, to each
person holding an outstanding Option under the Plan as required pursuant to
Section 260.140.46 of Title 10, California Code of Regulations.

                                    EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A - INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION ACCEPTANCE LETTER (IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE)

EXHIBIT B - NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION ACCEPTANCE LETTER (IMMEDIATELY
            EXERCISABLE)

EXHIBIT C - STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT (IMMEDIATELY EXERCISABLE)

EXHIBIT D - INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION ACCEPTANCE LETTER

EXHIBIT E - NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION ACCEPTANCE LETTER

EXHIBIT F - STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8

                             MICROSCRIPT, INC. 1997
                                STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                    ARTICLE I

                               PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

        The purpose of this Plan is to encourage and enable employees,
consultants, directors and others who are in a position to make significant
contributions to the success of the Corporation and of its affiliated
corporations upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Corporation depends
for the successful conduct of its business, to acquire a closer identification
of their interests with those of the Corporation by providing them with
opportunities to purchase stock in the Corporation pursuant to options granted
hereunder, thereby stimulating their efforts on behalf of the Corporation and
strengthening their desire to remain involved with the Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   DEFINITIONS

        2.1 "Affiliated Corporation" means any stock corporation of which a
majority of the voting common or capital stock is owned directly or indirectly
by the Corporation.

        2.2 "Award" means an option granted under Article V hereinbelow.

        2.3 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

        2.4 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time.

        2.5 "Corporation" means MicroScript, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation,
or its successor.

        2.6 "Employee" means any person who is a regular full-time or part-time
employee of the Corporation or an Affiliated Corporation on or after December 1,
1996.

        2.7 "Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Option
granted by the Board under Article V of this Plan in the form of a right to
purchase Stock evidenced by an instrument containing such provisions as the
Board may establish.

        2.8 "Optionee" means an individual who has been granted an Option.

        2.9 "Plan" means this 1997 Stock Option Plan.

<PAGE>   2

        2.10 "Incentive Stock Option" ("ISO") means an Option which qualifies as
an incentive stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code, as amended.2.11
"Non-Qualified Option" means any Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option.

        2.12 "Stock" means the Common Stock, with $0.05 par value, of the
Corporation or any successor, including any adjustments in the event of changes
in capital structure of the type described in Article X hereinbelow.

                                   ARTICLE III

                           ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

        3.1 Administration by Board. This Plan shall be administered by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation. The Board may, from time to time,
delegate any of its functions under this Plan to one or more committees. All
references in this Plan to the Board shall also include the committee or
committees, if one or more have been appointed by the Board. From time to time
the Board may increase the size of the committee or committees and appoint
additional members thereto, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint
new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies however caused, or remove
all members of the committee or committees and thereafter directly administer
the Plan. No member of the Board or a committee shall be liable for any action
or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Options
granted under it.

        3.2 Powers. The Board of Directors and/or any committee appointed by the
Board shall have full and final authority to operate, manage and administer the
Plan on behalf of the Corporation. This authority includes, but is not limited
to:

                (a) The power to grant Awards conditionally or unconditionally;

                (b) The power to prescribe the form or forms of the instruments
evidencing Awards granted under this Plan;

                (c) The power to interpret and amend the Plan in any and all
respects except as provided in Article IX hereinbelow;

                (d) The power to provide regulations for the operation of the
incentive features of the Plan, and otherwise to prescribe and rescind
regulations for interpretation, management and administration of the Plan;

                (e) The power to delegate responsibility for Plan operation,
management and administration on such terms, consistent with the Plan, as the
Board may establish;

                (f) The power to delegate to other persons the responsibility of
performing ministerial acts in furtherance of the Plan's purpose; and

<PAGE>   3

                (g) The power to engage the services of persons, companies, or
organizations in furtherance of the Plan's purpose, including but not limited
to, banks, insurance companies, accountants, attorneys, brokerage firms and
consultants.

        3.3 Additional Powers. In addition, as to each Option to purchase Stock
of the Corporation, the Board shall have full and final authority in its
discretion: (a) to determine the number of shares of Stock subject to each
Option; (b) to determine the time or times at which Options will be granted; (c)
to determine the Option price of the shares of Stock subject to each Option,
which price shall be not less than the minimum price specified in Article V of
this Plan; (d) to determine the time or times when each Option shall become
exercisable and the duration of the exercise period (including the acceleration
of any exercise period for any events which the Board deems appropriate,
including, but not limited to, public offerings of the Corporation's stock and
sales of all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets or stock or the
extension of any period), which shall not exceed the maximum period specified in
Article V; and (e) to determine whether each Option granted shall be an
Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Option.

        In no event may the Corporation grant an Employee any Incentive Stock
Option that is first exercisable during any one calendar year to the extent the
aggregate fair market value of the Stock (determined at the time the Options are
granted) exceeds $100,000 (under all stock Option plans of the Corporation and
any Affiliated Corporation); provided, however, that this paragraph shall have
no force and effect if its inclusion in the Plan is not necessary for Incentive
Stock Options issued under the Plan to qualify as such pursuant to Section
422(d) of the Code.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   ELIGIBILITY

        4.1 Eligible Employees. All Employees (including Directors who are
Employees) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified
Option Awards under this Plan.

        4.2 Consultants, Directors and other Non-Employees. Any Consultant,
Director (whether or not an Employee) and any other Non-Employee is eligible to
be granted Non-Qualified Option Awards under the Plan.

        4.3 Relevant Factors. In selecting individual Employees, Consultants,
Directors and Non-Employees to whom Awards shall be granted, the Board shall
weigh such factors as are relevant to accomplish the purpose of the Plan as
stated in Article I. An individual who has been granted an Award may be granted
one or more additional Awards, if the Board so determines. The granting of an
Award to any individual shall neither entitle that individual to, nor disqualify
him/her from, participation in any other grant of Awards.

<PAGE>   4

                                    ARTICLE V

                               STOCK OPTION AWARDS

        5.1 Number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Articles III and IX
of this Plan, the aggregate number of shares of Stock for which Options may be
granted under this Plan shall not exceed one million, five hundred thousand
(1,500,000) shares. The shares to be delivered upon exercise of Options under
this Plan shall be made available, at the discretion of the Board, either from
authorized but unissued shares or from previously issued and reacquired shares
of Stock held by the Corporation as treasury shares, including shares purchased
in the open market.

        Stock issuable upon exercise of an Option granted under the Plan may be
subject to such restrictions on transfer, repurchase rights or other
restrictions as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

        5.2 Effect of Expiration, Termination or Surrender. If an Option under
this Plan shall expire or terminate unexercised as to any shares covered
thereby, or shall cease for any reason to be exercisable in whole or in part, or
if the Corporation shall reacquire any unvested shares issued pursuant to
Options under the Plan, such shares shall thereafter be available for the
granting of other Options under this Plan.

        5.3 Term of Options. The full term of each Option granted hereunder
shall be for such period as the Board shall determine. In the case of Incentive
Stock Options granted hereunder, the term shall not exceed ten (10) years from
the date of granting thereof. Each Option shall be subject to earlier
termination as provided in Sections 6.3 and 6.4 hereof. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Options intended to qualify as "Incentive Stock Options" may not be
granted to any employee who at the time such Option is granted owns more than
ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company unless such Option must be exercisable within five (5) years from
the date such Option is granted.

        5.4 Option Price. The Option price shall be determined by the Board at
the time any Option is granted. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the
exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the
shares covered thereby at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted (but in
no event less than par value), provided that no Incentive Stock Option shall be
granted hereunder to any Employee if at the time of grant the Employee, directly
or indirectly, owns Stock possessing more than 10% of the combined voting power
of all classes of stock of the Corporation and its Affiliated Corporations
unless the Incentive Stock Option exercise price equals not less than 110% of
the fair market value of the shares covered thereby at the time the Incentive
Stock Option is granted.

        5.5 Fair Market Value. If, at the time an Option is granted under the
Plan, the Corporation's Stock is publicly traded, "fair market value" shall be
determined as of the

<PAGE>   5

last business day for which the prices or quotes discussed in this sentence are
available prior to the date such Option is granted and shall mean (i) the
average (on that date) of the high and low prices of the Stock on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Stock is traded, if the Stock is then
traded on a national securities exchange; or (ii) the last reported sale price
(on that date) of the Stock on the NASDAQ National Market List, if the Stock is
not then traded on a national securities exchange; or (iii) the closing bid
price (or average of bid prices) last quoted (on that date) by an established
quotation service for over-the-counter securities, if the Stock is not reported
on the NASDAQ National Market List. However, if the Stock is not publicly traded
at the time an Option is granted under the Plan, "fair market value" shall be
deemed to be the fair market value of the Stock as determined by the Board after
taking into consideration all factors which it deems appropriate, including,
without limitation, recent sale and offer prices of the Stock in private
transactions negotiated at arm's length, the ownership percentage which the
Optionee shall obtain if the Optionee exercises his/her option and the economic
conditions for the Corporation's business at the time the Option is granted.

        5.6 Non-Transferability of Options. No Option granted under this Plan
shall be transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and such Option may be exercised during the Optionee's
lifetime only by the Optionee.

        5.7 Requirement for Shareholder Assent. Options may be awarded only if
each holder of 25 percent or more of the common stock of the Company ("Major
Shareholder"), or the holder of his or her duly authorized proxy or other duly
authorized representative, has assented to the award in one of the following
three ways: (1) by voting in favor of the award while present at a meeting of
the Board; or (2) by approving the award in writing; or (3) by electing in
writing not to participate in the Option award process. The Board shall record
the means of Major Shareholder assent for each Option award.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               EXERCISE OF OPTION

        6.1 Exercise. Each Option granted under this Plan shall be exercisable
on such date or dates and during such period and for such number of shares as
shall be determined pursuant to the provisions of the instrument evidencing such
Option. The Board shall have the right to accelerate the date of exercise of any
Option, provided that, the Board shall not accelerate the exercise date of any
Incentive Stock Option granted if such acceleration would violate the annual
Option exercise limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code.

        6.2 Notice of Exercise and Surrender of Option. A person electing to
exercise an Option shall give written notice to the Corporation of such election
and of the number of shares he or she has elected to purchase and shall at the
time of exercise tender the full exercise price for the shares he or she has
elected to purchase. The exercise price can be

<PAGE>   6

paid partly or completely in shares of the Corporation's stock valued at Fair
Market Value as defined in Section 5.5 hereof. Prior to receiving any stock
certificate for Options that have been exercised, the Option holder must
surrender the Option certificate to the Corporation or if such Option
certificate is lost, sign all documents reasonably requested by the Corporation
relating to the lost certificate. The Option holder must also execute any
shareholder agreements then in force or other documents reasonably requested by
the Corporation prior to receipt of the stock certificates. Until such person
has been issued a certificate or certificates for the shares so purchased and
executed and delivered to the Corporation the documents referred to in the prior
sentence, he or she shall possess no rights of a record holder with respect to
any of such shares.

        6.3 Cessation of Employment. No Incentive Stock Option (and, unless
otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, no Non-Qualified Option granted
to a person who is, on the date of the grant, an Employee of the Corporation or
an Affiliated Corporation) shall be affected by any change of duties or position
of the Optionee (including transfer to or from an Affiliated Corporation), so
long as he or she continues to be an Employee. Employment shall be considered as
continuing uninterrupted during any bona fide leave of absence (such as those
attributable to illness, military obligations or governmental service) provided
that the period of such leave does not exceed ninety (90) days or, if longer,
any period during which such Optionee's right to reemployment is guaranteed by
statute. A bona fide leave of absence with the written approval of the Board
shall not be considered an interruption of employment under the Plan, provided
that such written approval contractually obligates the Corporation or any
Affiliated Corporation to continue the employment of the Optionee after the
approved period of absence.

        If the Optionee shall cease to be an Employee for any reason other than
death or disability, then any remaining Options which are vested shall terminate
upon the earlier of (A) the expiration of the original term of the Options; or
(B) the date of termination of the Employee's term of employment with the
Corporation, provided however that the Board may vary or depart from or extend
these time limits by the terms of its option grant or otherwise in its sole
discretion.

        6.4 Death and Disability of Optionee. If the Employee's term of
employment with the Corporation terminates due to the disability of the
Employee, then any remaining Options of the Employee which are vested shall
terminate upon the earlier of (A) the expiration of the original term of the
Option; or (B) one (1) year from the date in which the Employee's term of
employment with the Corporation is terminated. For purpose of the Plan, the term
"disability" shall mean "permanent and total disability" as defined in Section
22(e)(3) of the Code.

        Should an Optionee die while in possession of the legal right to
exercise an Option or Options under this Plan, such persons as shall have
acquired, by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, the right to
exercise any Options theretofore granted, may, unless otherwise provided by the
Board in any instrument evidencing any Option, exercise such Options at any time
prior to ninety (90) days from the date of death; provided, that such Option or
Options shall expire in all events no later than the last day

<PAGE>   7

of the original term of such Option; provided, further, that any such exercise
shall be limited to the Options which have become vested as of the date when the
Optionee ceased to be an Employee by reason of death, unless the Board provides
in the instrument evidencing such Option that, in the discretion of the Board,
additional shares covered by such Option may become subject to purchase
immediately upon the death of the Optionee. Notwithstanding anything in this
Article to the contrary, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such Option
or Options shall expire in all events no later than ninety (90) days from the
date of death.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                         TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

        Options shall be evidenced by instruments (which need not be identical)
in such forms as the Board may from time to time approve. Such instruments shall
conform to the terms and conditions set forth in Articles V and VI hereof and
may contain such other provisions as the Board deems advisable which are not
inconsistent with the Plan, including restrictions applicable to shares of Stock
issuable upon exercise of Options. In granting any Non-Qualified Option, the
Board may specify that such Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the
restrictions set forth herein with respect to Incentive Stock Options, or to
such other termination and cancellation provisions as the Board may determine.
The Board may from time to time confer authority and responsibility on one or
more of its own members and/or one or more officers of the Corporation to
execute and deliver such instruments. The proper officers of the Corporation are
authorized and directed to take any and all action necessary or advisable from
time to time to carry out the terms of such instruments.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  BENEFIT PLANS

        Awards under the Plan are discretionary and are not a part of regular
salary. Awards may not be used in determining the amount of compensation for any
purpose under the benefit plans of the Corporation, or an Affiliated
Corporation, except as the Board may from time to time expressly provide.
Neither the Plan, an Option or any instrument evidencing an Option confers upon
any Employee the right to continued employment with the Corporation or an
Affiliated Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

        The Board may suspend the Plan or any part thereof at any time or may
terminate the Plan in its entirety. Awards shall not be granted after Plan
termination.

<PAGE>   8

        The Board may also amend the Plan from time to time, except that
amendments which change the requirements as to eligibility for grant of Options
in the Plan must be approved by a majority in interest of the stockholders of
the Corporation entitled it to vote, and any suspension of, alteration of, or
amendment to Section 5.7 of this Plan must be approved by the affirmative vote
of 75 percent of issued and outstanding common shares.

        Awards granted prior to suspension or termination of the Plan may not be
canceled solely because of such suspension or termination, except with the
consent of the grantee of the Award.

                                    ARTICLE X

                          CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE

        The instruments evidencing Options granted hereunder shall be subject to
adjustment, at the sole discretion of the Board, in the event of changes in the
outstanding Stock of the Corporation by reason of: Stock dividends, Stock
splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations,
combinations, exchanges or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring
after the date of an Award to the same extent as would affect an actual share of
Stock issued and outstanding on the effective date of such change. Such
adjustment to outstanding Options shall be made without change in the total
price applicable to the unexercised portion of such Options, and a corresponding
adjustment in the applicable Option price per share shall be made. In the event
of any such change, the aggregate number and classes of shares for which Options
may thereafter be granted under Section 5.1 of this Plan may be appropriately
adjusted as determined by the Board so as to reflect such change.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to this
Article X with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be made only after the
Board, after consulting with counsel for the Corporation, determines whether
such adjustments would constitute a "modification" of such Incentive Stock
Options (as that term is defined in Section 425 of the Code) or would cause any
adverse tax consequences for the holders of such Incentive Stock Options. If the
Board determines that such adjustments made with respect to Incentive Stock
Options would constitute a modification of such Incentive Stock Options, it may
refrain from making such adjustments.

        In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Corporation, each Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of
such proposed action or at such other time and subject to such other conditions
as shall be determined by the Board.

        Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Corporation of
shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of
any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with
respect to, the number or price of

<PAGE>   9

shares subject to any outstanding Options. No adjustments shall be made for
dividends paid in cash or in property other than securities of the Corporation.

        No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the Optionee
shall receive from the Corporation cash in lieu of such fractional shares.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                       EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN

        The Plan shall become effective upon the date of its adoption by the
Stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Plan shall continue until such time
as it may be terminated by action of the Board; provided, however, that no
Options may be granted under this Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the
effective date hereof.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                      CONVERSION OF ISOS INTO NON-QUALIFIED
                          OPTIONS; TERMINATION OF ISOS

        The Board, at the written request of any Optionee, may in its discretion
take such actions as may be necessary to convert such Optionee's Incentive Stock
Options, that have not been exercised on the date of conversion, into
Non-Qualified Options at any time prior to the expiration of such Incentive
Stock Options, regardless of whether the Optionee is an Employee of the
Corporation or an Affiliated Corporation at the time of such conversion. Such
actions may include, but not be limited to, extending the exercise period or
reducing the exercise price of such Options. At the time of such conversion, the
Board (with the consent of the Optionee) may impose such conditions on the
exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the Board in its discretion
may determine, provided that such conditions shall not be inconsistent with the
Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Optionee the right to have
such Optionee's Incentive Stock Options converted into Non-Qualified Options,
and no such conversion shall occur until and unless the Board takes appropriate
action. The Board, with the consent of the Optionee, may also terminate any
portion of any Incentive Stock Option that has not been exercised at the time of
such termination.

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                              APPLICATION OF FUNDS

        The proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of shares
pursuant to Options granted under the Plan shall be used for general corporate
purposes.

                                   ARTICLE XIV

                             GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION

<PAGE>   10

        The Corporation's obligation to sell and deliver shares of Stock under
this Plan is subject to the approval of any governmental authority required in
connection with the authorization, issuance or sale of such shares.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                     WITHHOLDING OF ADDITIONAL INCOME TAXES

        Upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Option or the making of a
Disqualifying Disposition (as defined in Article XVI) the Corporation, in
accordance with Section 3402(a) of the Code, may require the Optionee to pay
additional withholding taxes in respect of the amount that is considered
compensation includible in such person's gross income. The Board in its
discretion may condition the exercise of an Option on the payment of such
additional withholding taxes.

                                   ARTICLE XVI

             NOTICE TO THE CORPORATION OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION

        Each Employee who receives an Incentive Stock Option must agree to
notify the Corporation in writing immediately after the Employee makes a
disqualifying disposition (as defined herein) of any Stock acquired pursuant to
the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. A Disqualifying Disposition is any
disposition (including any sale) of such Stock before the later of (a) two years
after the date the Employee was granted the Incentive Stock Option or (b) one
year after the date the Employee acquired Stock by exercising the Incentive
Stock Option. If the Employee has died before such stock is sold, these holding
period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur
thereafter.

                                  ARTICLE XVII

                           GOVERNING LAW; CONSTRUCTION

The validity and construction of the Plan and the instruments evidencing Options
shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all
disputes related thereto shall be adjudicated in the state or federal courts
located in Boston, Massachusetts. In construing this Plan, the singular shall
include the plural and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
neuter, unless the context otherwise requires.

                             AS STOCKHOLDERS:

                             /s/ Francis D. Privitera
                             --------------------------------------------
                             Francis D. Privitera, as Trustee of

<PAGE>   11

                             The 26 Frost Street Trust

                             /s/ Phillip K. Ciolfi
                             --------------------------------------------
                             Phillip K. Ciolfi

                             AS DIRECTORS:

                             /s/ John Moriarty
                             --------------------------------------------
                             John Moriarty

                             /s/ Phillip K. Ciolfi
                             --------------------------------------------
                             Phillip K. Ciolfi

                             /s/ Francis D. Privitera
                             --------------------------------------------
                             Francis D. Privitera

                             /s/ Stephen Sweeney
                             --------------------------------------------
                             Stephen Sweeney

                             /s/ James Coppersmith
                             --------------------------------------------
                             James Coppersmith

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