Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 15, 1996 (the "Agreement"), between
SynQuest, Inc., a New York corporation (the "Corporation"), and Timothy M.
Harvey (the "Executive") residing at 211 Southern Hill Drive, Duluth, Georgia
30136.

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to establish and set forth the terms
of the Executive's employment by the Corporation.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
herein contained the parties do hereby agree as follows:

         1.       Employment. The Corporation hereby employs the Executive and
the Executive hereby accepts employment all upon the terms and conditions set
forth herein. The Executive shall serve as Vice President Field Operations of
the Corporation and shall perform such duties and exercise such supervision and
powers over and with regard to the business of the Corporation customarily
associated with such position, as well as such other services for the
Corporation and its subsidiaries as the Board of Directors of tile Corporation
(the "Board") shall from time to time assign.

         2.       Term. The initial term of this Agreement shall be
from August 15,. 1996 through August 15, 1999 unless the Executive's employment
is sooner terminated as hereinafter provided in Section 9 hereof. After the
initial term, the term of employment hereunder shall automatically be extended
on the same terms and conditions contained herein for successive one-year
periods, except that if the Executive gives notice in writing to the Board or
the Board gives notice in writing to the Executive not less than 90 days prior
to the date on which such term of employment would otherwise have been renewed
indicating such party's intent to terminate this Agreement at the end of the
period in which such notice is given, then this Agreement shall terminate on the
date such period expires. The initial term of employment and the renewal periods
are each referred to herein as a "Period of Employment".

         3.       Compensation: Grant of Stock Options.

         (a)      During the first year of employment, the Corporation shall pay
the Executive a base salary of $120,000 per annum payable in accordance with the
Corporation's payroll practice as from time to time in effect (the "Base
Salary").

         (b)      Executive shall be paid a draw against bonus of $65,000 paid
by the Corporation in 24 equal installments annually.

         (c)      Executive shall be paid an annual bonus of $80,000 based on
mutually acceptable objectives.

         (d)      On the date hereof, the Corporation will grant to the
Executive options (the "Options") to purchase 108,487 shares of common Stock,
par value $.01 per share, of the

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Corporation pursuant to a stock option agreement between the Executive and the
Corporation as follows:

                  (i) The Options shall be granted under the Corporation's
Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "Option Plan");

                  (ii) 36,162 Options shall vest on each of the first and second
anniversaries of the date of grant and 36,163 Options shall vest on the third
anniversary of the date of grant;

                  (iii) Each of the Options shall have a exercise Price; and

                  (iv) The issuance of the Options shall be conditioned upon the
Option Plan being amended by the Corporation's shareholders to increase the
number of shares available for issuance under the Option Plan to cover the
Options.

         (e)      The company hereby grants to the executive the option to
purchase 125,000 shares of common stock at $1.80 per share. This option expires
90 days following the execution of this agreement.

         4.       Reimbursement of Business Expenses. The Corporation shall
reimburse the Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the
Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder, provided that the
Executive presents vouchers therefor or other evidence thereof to the
Corporation in accordance with the Corporation's general reimbursement policy as
in effect from time to time for executives of the Corporation.

         5.       Additional Benefits and Perquisites. The Executive shall have
those additional benefits and perquisites from time to time hereafter authorized
for the Executive in accordance with the Corporation's policies in effect from
time to time.

         6.       Participation in Group Plans: Life Insurance. The
Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Corporation's existing benefit
plans and any other employee compensation, welfare, insurance and other benefit
plans that may from time to time be provided by the Corporation to key executive
personnel.

         7.       Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in
accordance with the Corporation's policies in effect from time to time.

         8.       Termination of Employment.

         (a)      Death. The Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate
upon his death.

         (b)      Disability. If the Board determines in good faith, based on
medical evidence considered by it to be reliable and after giving the Executive
an opportunity to present evidence on his own behalf, that as a result of a
medically determinable physical or mental impairment the Executive has become
substantially unable to perform his duties hereunder at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation for any period of six consecutive months, or nine
months in any 12-month period, then the Executive shall be deemed to be disabled
for the purposes of this Agreement and the Board may give the Executive a Notice
of Termination (as hereinafter

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defined) and terminate the Executive's employment hereunder. The Executive's
compensation, title and status shall continue during any such period of
disability until the Date of Termination (as hereinafter defined). All
determinations by the Board pursuant to this Section 9 9b) shall be final and
binding upon the Executive.

         (c)      Termination for Cause. The Board may terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder for Cause. For the purpose of this Agreement, the Board
shall have "Cause" to terminate the Executive's employment hereunder upon: (i)
tile determination by the Board that Executive has ceased to perform his duties
hereunder (other than as a result of his incapacity due to physical or mental
illness or injury), which failure amounts to an intentional and extended neglect
of his duties hereunder; (ii) conviction of the Executive for a felony or any
crime involving theft, fraud or moral turpitude; (iii) commission by the
Executive of any act involving dishonesty or fraud against the Corporation or
its subsidiaries, or which adversely affects the .Corporation or its
subsidiaries; (iv) failure by the Executive to comply with a reasonable, written
order of the Board; (v) a misrepresentation made willfully, recklessly or in bad
faith by the Executive to the stockholders of the Corporation or the Board which
causes injury to the Corporation or its subsidiaries or the stockholders or the
Corporation; or (vi) a material breach by the Executive of his obligations under
Sections 11 or 12 hereof. The Executive's employment shall not be deemed to have
been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to
the Executive a Notice of termination specifying the particulars thereof in
reasonable detail.

         (d)      Termination Without Cause.

                  (i) The Board may terminate the Executive's employment without
Cause at any time by delivering to the Executive a Notice of Termination.

                  (ii) The Executive shall be permitted to terminate his
employment, as hereinafter provided, and such employment shall be considered to
have been constructively terminated without Cause if there occurs a material
change in the position held by the Executive, or in the duties of the Executive,
without the Executive's consent such that the position held by the Executive or
the duties of the Executive shall not be comparable to the position and duties
of the Executive prior to such change.

         (e)      Voluntary Termination. The Executive may effect a Voluntary
Termination (as hereinafter defined) of his employment hereunder at any time by
delivering to the Board a Notice of Termination at least 60 days (or such
shorter period of time as the Board shall specify in its sole discretion after
receiving such Notice of Termination) before the effective date of such
termination. For the purposes of this Agreement, "Voluntary Termination" means
the termination by the Executive of his employment with Corporation for any
reason other than death or disability or as permitted by Section 9(d) hereof;
provided, however, that if at the time of such Voluntary Termination the
Executive could be terminated by the Board for Cause, the Executive shall be
deemed to have been terminated for Cause.

         (f)      Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Board pursuant
to Sections 9(b), (c) or (d) hereof shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the Executive. Any termination by the Executive pursuant to
sections 9((1) or (e) hereof shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to
the Board. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean
a notice that shall indicate the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon and, if delivered pursuant to Sections 9(b), (c) or (d)
hereof, shall set forth the basis for

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termination of the Executive's employment under the provisions
indicated and, if delivered by the Board pursuant to Sections 9(c ) or (d)
hereof or by the Executive pursuant to Section 9(e) hereof, shall specify the
effective date of termination.

         (g)      Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean:

                  (i) If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
death pursuant to Section 9(a) hereof, the date of death;

                  (ii) If the Executive's employment is terminated for
disability pursuant to Section 9(b) hereof, 30 days after Notice of Termination
is given;

                  (iii) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Board
pursuant to Sections 9(c ) or (d) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of
Termination;

                  (iv) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Executive pursuant to Section 9(d) hereof, the date of the Notice of Termination
is given; and

                  (v) If the Executive effects a Voluntary Termination pursuant
to Section 9(e) hereof, 60 days after Notice of Termination is given (or such
shorter period of time as the Board shall specify in its discretion after
receiving such Notice of Termination).

         (h)      Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer on
the Executive any right to continue in the employ of the Corporation or its
subsidiaries, or to interfere in any way with the right of the Board to
terminate the Executive's employment at any time.

         (i)      Survival of Terms. The rights and obligations of the
Corporation and the Executive pursuant to Sections 11, 12 and 13 of this
Agreement shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

         9.       Compensation upon Termination or During Disability.

         (a)      No Further Obligation. Upon any termination of employment, the
Corporation and its subsidiaries shall have no further obligation to the
Executive except to pay the Executive (or his estate in the case of death) the
compensation and other benefits provided in this Section 10.

         (b)      Death. If the Executive's employment shall be terminated by
reason of his death, the Corporation shall pay to his estate his Base Salary and
any other amounts due to the Executive from the Corporation (whether pursuant to
benefit plans or otherwise) through the Date of Termination.

         (c)      Disability. During any period that the Executive fails to
perform his duties hereunder as a result of disability referred to in Section
9(b) hereof, the Executive shall continue to receive payment of his Base Salary
earned and any other amounts due to the Executive from the Corporation (whether
pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise) through the Date of Termination. After
payment of amounts set forth in this Section 10(c), the Executive's

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compensation shall be in accordance with such long-term disability plans, if
any, of the Corporation as may then be in effect with respect to the Executive.

         (d)      Cause: Voluntary Termination. If the Executive's employment is
terminated for Cause or if the Executive effects a Voluntary termination of his
employment, he shall receive payment of his Base Salary earned and any other
amounts due to him from the Corporation (whether pursuant to benefit plans or
otherwise) through the Date of Termination.

         (e)      Termination Without Cause. If the Executive's employment is
terminated without Cause pursuant to Section 9(d) hereof, then if the Executive
is not then in violation of the provisions of the Section 11 or 12 hereof, (I)
within 15 days after the Date of Termination, the Corporation shall pay the
Executive his Base Salary earned and any other amounts due to him from the
Corporation (whether pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise) through the Date of
Termination; and (ii) the Corporation shall pay to the Executive $120,000 in
accordance with the Corporation's payroll practice as then in effect over the
applicable period of time specified below and shall permit the Executive to
participate in the Corporation's group benefit plans on the same basis that the
Executive participated before termination, in each case until the earlier off
(A) the first anniversary of the Date of Termination, or (B) the date the
Executive accepts other employment, including, without limitation, employment as
a full time consultant in any enterprise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
Executive accepts other employment prior to the first anniversary of the Date of
Termination and the total annual compensation for the Executive under such new
position is less than $120,000 the Corporation shall only pay the Executive, for
the period from the date the Executive accepts such other employment until the
first anniversary of the Date of Termination, the difference between the annual
compensation payable from such other employment and $120,000 prorated over such
remaining period.

         10.      Confidential Information: Inventions.

         (a)      Confidential Information. The Executive recognizes and
acknowledges that the Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) are
valuable, special and unique assets of the Corporation's business, access to and
'knowledge of which are essential to the performance of the Executive's duties
hereunder. The Executive shall not, while employed by the Corporation or at any
time thereafter, for any reason or purpose whatsoever, disclose to any Person
(as hereinafter defined) any Confidential Information (except as such disclosure
may be required in the course of the performance of his duties hereunder during
the term of his employment and except as such disclosure may be required by law
after reasonable notice to the Corporation), and shall not use for his own
purposes or for the benefit of any other Person (except the Corporation and its
subsidiaries) any Confidential Information under any circumstances. Ail records,
files, memoranda, reports, business plans, customer lists and other property
relating to the Business of the Corporation (as hereinafter defined) which he
will use, prepare or come into contact with, will be and remain the sole
property of the Corporation, as applicable, will be returned by him to the
Corporation upon the termination of his employment and will not be copied or
used by him (except to the extent required in the course of his employment by
the Corporation).

         (b)      Inventions. The Executive shall disclose promptly and make
available to the Corporation all information, details and data pertaining to all
Inventions (as hereinafter defined) conceived, made or acquired by him, jointly
or severally, during tile term of his employment. All

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inventions which he may conceive, make or acquire during the term of his
employment shall remain the exclusive property of the Corporation, and the
Executive hereby sells, transfers and assigns to the Corporation, or to any
Person designated by the Corporation, the entire right, title and interest of
the Executive in and to all such Inventions. The Executive shall execute and
deliver to the Corporation such documents, formal transfers and assignments as
may be necessary or required to transfer such Inventions to the Corporation or
any Person designated by the Corporation, and to permit the Corporation or any
Person designated by the Corporation to file and prosecute patent applications,
and, as to copyrightable material, to obtain copyright thereof, including
patent, trademark and copyright applications and assignments, and shall deliver
to the Corporation any and all codes, documentation, facts, sketches, drawings,
models, figures and other information with respect to such Inventions. Any
Invention disclosed by the Executive within one year following termination of
his employment shall be deemed to fall within the provisions of this Section 11
(b) unless proved to have been first conceived and made following such
termination.

         (c)      Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have
the meanings set forth below:

                  (i) "Business of the Corporation" means the business of
developing, manufacturing, execution and scheduling software for large
discrete-part manufacturers and all other products, services, and business
activities attendant thereto or in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries
engages, or which are under consideration or in development, at any time during
the term of the Executive's employment.

                  (ii) "Confidential Information" means any and all trade
secrets, know-how and proprietary or confidential business data of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, customer lists,
customer activity, business plans or projections and other information of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries not generally known in the industry in which
the Corporation and its subsidiaries are engaged.

                  (iii) "Inventions" means any and all discoveries, concepts,
software codes, ideas, designs, applications, processes, disclosures,
(pound)ormulae, know-how, methods, inventions and/or improvements whether
patented or unpatented, or patentable or unpatentable, and copyrighted or
copyrightable material which relate to, or have application with respect to, the
products, processes or services, sold, leased, used or under consideration or
development by the Corporation or its subsidiaries, or which otherwise arise
from the efforts of the Executive during the course of his employment hereunder.

         11.      Interference with Relationships with Employees, Suppliers and
Customers: Non-Competition.

         (a)      Non-Interference. During the term of his employment by the
Corporation and for the greater of the remaining portion of the applicable
Period of Employment or two years following the termination of such employment,
the Executive shall not, for himself or on behalf of any other Person, directly
or indirectly, entice or in any other manner persuade or induce, or attempt to
persuade or induce, any employee, customer, principal, supplier of, lessor,
lessee, partner or other person with any material business relationship with
the Corporation or its

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subsidiaries to discontinue and/or reduce such relationship, and shall not
interfere with, disrupt or attempt to disrupt any such relationship.

         (b)      Non-Competition. During the term of his employment with the
Corporation and for the greater of the remaining portion of the applicable
Period of Employment or two years following the termination of such employment,
the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage, and shall not be
interested as a partner, trustee, director, officer, employee, shareholder,
option holder, consultant or other direct or indirect participant or beneficiary
in any Person that is a direct competitor of the Corporation or a customer of
the Corporation. Not withstanding the foregoing, the ownership for investment
purposes as a passive investor of common stock constituting not more than 2% of
the outstanding common stock of a Person which is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or which is authorized to be quoted on
the Nasdaq National Market, even though that Person is a competitor of the
Corporation, shall not be prohibited by this Section 12.

         (c)      Specific Performance. It is the desire and intent of the
parties that the provisions of this Section 12 shall be enforced to the fullest
extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each
jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular
portion of this Section 12 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable,
this Section 12 shall be deemed amended to delete therefrom the portion thus
adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such deletion to apply only with
respect to the operation of this Section 12 in the particular jurisdiction in
which such adjudication is made.

         12.      Miscellaneous.

         (a)      The covenants contained in Sections 11 and 12 hereof are
reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the
Corporation and will not create undue hardship for the Executive in the event of
termination of employment. The Executive acknowledges that damages for the
violation of any such covenants will not give full and sufficient relief to the
Corporation. In the event of any violation of any such covenants, the
Corporation shall be entitled to injunctive relief against the continued
violation thereof, in addition to any other rights which the Corporation may
have by reason of such violation.

         (b)      This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable by, the Executive and the Corporation, their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns. In the
event of any assignment of this Agreement by the Corporation, by operation of
law or otherwise, the Corporation, as applicable, shall remain primarily liable
for its obligations hereunder. This Agreement shall not be assignable by the
Executive.

         (c)      This Agreement shall for all purposes be construed as an
Agreement made within and to be wholly performed within the State of New York,
it being the intention of the parties that the substantive law of that state
control the construction and enforcement hereof.

         (d)      Every notice or other communication required or permitted to
be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by messenger,
transmitted by facsimile, sent by next-

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day air courier or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

(i)      If to the Executive:

         Timothy M. Harvey
         211 Southern Hills Drive
         Duluth, GA 30136

(ii)     If to the Corporation:

         SynQuest, Inc.
         5555 Triangle Parkway, Suite 350
         Norcross, GA 30092
         Attention: Board of Directors
         Facsimile: (770) 447-4995

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith. All such notices and communications shall be deemed to
have been duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when
receipt is acknowledged if by facsimile; one business day after being sent by
next-day air courier; and two business days after being deposited in the mail,
postage prepaid, if mailed, except that notices of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.

         (e)      This Agreement may not be changed, terminated, modified or
waived orally. Any change or termination must be signed by the Executive and the
Corporation. Any waiver must be signed by the parties thereto and must be
denominated as a waiver. No waiver of any provision in one instance shall be a
waiver of such provision in any other instance or be a waiver of any other
provision.

         (f)      This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted so as to be
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law and to the extent it shall be
deemed unenforceable or invalid in any jurisdiction, such invalidity and
unenforceability shall not affect its validity or enforceability or validity of
any other jurisdiction, nor shall it affect the enforceability or validity of
any provision hereof.

         (g)      Words of the masculine gender used herein shall include import
words of the feminine or neuter gender where appropriate.

         (h)      The term "Person" as used herein shall mean a natural person,
or any partnership, proprietorship, association, corporation or other entity.

         (i)      The term "affiliate" as used herein shall mean with respect to
any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, by itself or through
one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under direct or
indirect common control with, such person.

         (j)      This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement among the
parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and
all prior agreements and understandings with respect tot he employment of the
Executive by the Corporation. To the extent any terms contained herein are in
conflict with or are inconsistent with the terms of any

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other agreement to which the Executive or the Executive and the Corporation are
parties, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

         (k)      The Corporation shall deduct from all amounts payable under
this Agreement all Federal, state, local and other taxes required by law to be
withheld with respect to such payments.

         (l)      The section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect any provision hereof.

Accepted and Approved:

/s/ Timothy M. Harvey                     /s/ Joseph T. Trino
----------------------------------        ----------------------------------
By: Timothy M. Harvey                     By:  Joseph T. Trino
                                          Title:  President

Date:                                     Date:

                                       9<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated November 1, 1997, is
between SynQuest, Inc. ("SynQuest") and John Bartels ("Executive").

         The parties agree as follows:

         1.       Employment. SynQuest hereby employs Executive and Executive
hereby accepts employment, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. Executive will serve as Executive Vice-President - Finance and
Administration of SynQuest and will have the duties, rights and responsibilities
customarily associated with that position, as well as any other reasonable
duties relating to the operation of the business of SynQuest and SynQuest's
subsidiaries that the Board of Directors of SynQuest (the "Board") may from time
to time assign to Executive. Executive will devote his full business time,
skills and best efforts to rendering services on behalf of SynQuest and will
exercise such care as is customarily required by employees undertaking similar
duties for companies similar to SynQuest.

         Executive's employment under this Agreement will commence on November
1, 1997, and may be terminated at any time by either party, at will, subject to
the obligations of the Company under Section 6.6.

         2.       Compensation; Expenses; Additional Employment Benefits

         2.1      Salary. During the term of Executive's employment under this
Agreement, SynQuest will pay Executive an annual base salary equal to $200,000
(the "Base Salary"), which will be payable to Executive in accordance with
SynQuest's payroll procedures in effect with respect to other officers of
SynQuest, less all applicable withholding taxes. The Base Salary will be
reviewed annually by the Board and, based on the Board's review, the Base Salary
may be increased (at the sole discretion of the Board).

         2.2      Bonus. During the term of Executive's employment under this
Agreement, Executive will be entitled to receive (if earned) an annual bonus
("Bonus"). The terms and conditions under which the Bonus will be earned
(including corporate and individual goals and objectives upon which payment of
the Bonus may be based) will be established annually in accordance with
SynQuest's bonus plan for key executive personnel.

         2.3      Signing Bonus. The Company will pay to Executive a "Signing
Bonus" of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000), less all applicable withholdings,
which will be paid monthly for 12 months. The Signing Bonus will be in addition
to any Bonus earned as contemplated under Section 2.2 above.

         2.4      Executive Stock Option Plan. Executive will be eligible for
consideration for grants of stock options in accordance with the terms and
conditions of SynQuest's Stock Option Plan (or successor stock option plan
adopted by SynQuest during the term of this

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Agreement). The decision as to whether to grant options under the plan to
Executive (and, if so, how many) will be solely within the discretion of the
Board, and such grants, if any, will be subject to any terms and conditions
imposed thereon by the Board. An initial grant of options will be made effective
as November 1, 1997.

         2.5      Reimbursement of Business Expenses. SynQuest will reimburse
Executive for all reasonable business-related expenses incurred by Executive in
the performance of his duties under this Agreement, provided that Executive
presents vouchers for such expenses or other evidence thereof to SynQuest in
accordance with SynQuest's general reimbursement policy in effect for SynQuest's
executives.

         2.6      Participation in Benefit Plans. Executive will be eligible to
participate in SynQuest's existing benefit plans and any other compensation,
welfare, insurance and other benefit plans as SynQuest may maintain from time to
time for the benefit of SynQuest's key executive personnel, on the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in those plans.

         2.7      Vacation. Executive will receive four weeks paid vacation each
year during the term of Executive's employment.

         2.8      Additional Benefits and Prerequisites. Executive will have
additional benefits and prerequisites authorized from time to time for Executive
in accordance with SynQuest's policies then in effect with respect to other
SynQuest executives.

         3.       Termination of Employment. Executive's employment under this
Agreement may be terminated upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

         3.1      Death. Executive's death (a "Death Termination Event").

         3.2      Disability. If the Board determines in good faith, based on
medical evidence considered by the Board to be reliable and after giving
Executive an opportunity to present evidence on his own behalf, that as a result
of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment Executive has become
substantially unable to perform his duties under this Agreement at the principal
executive offices of SynQuest for any period of six (6) consecutive months, or
nine (9) months in any twelve (12) month period, then Executive will be deemed
to be disabled for the purposes of this Agreement and the Board may terminate
Executive's employment under this Agreement (a "Disability Termination Event").
All determinations by the Board pursuant to this Section 3.2 will be final and
binding upon Executive.

         3.3      Termination for Cause. The Board may terminate Executive's
employment under this Agreement for cause upon: (i) the determination by the
Board that Executive has failed to perform his duties under this Agreement
(other than as a result of Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental
illness or injury), and such failure is a result of an intentional and/or
extended neglect of Executive's duties under this Agreement; (ii) conviction of
Executive for a felony or any crime involving theft, fraud or moral turpitude;

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(iii) commission by Executive of any act involving dishonesty or fraud against
SynQuest or SynQuest's subsidiaries; (iv) failure by Executive to comply with a
reasonable written order of the Board; (v) a misrepresentation made willfully,
recklessly or in bad faith by Executive to SynQuest's stockholders or the Board,
which causes injury to SynQuest or SynQuest's subsidiaries or SynQuest's
stockholders; or (vi) a material breach by Executive of his obligations under
Sections 9 through 13 (a "Good Cause Termination Event").

         3.4      Termination Without Cause.

                  (a) The Board may terminate Executive's employment under this
Agreement without cause at any time by delivering to Executive a Notice of
Termination (as defined in Section 4 below).

                  (b) Executive may terminate his employment by delivering to
the Board a Notice of Termination, and such termination will be considered to be
without cause if (1) there occurs a material change in the position held by
Executive or in the duties of Executive, without Executive's consent, such that
Executive's position or duties are not comparable to Executive's position and
duties prior to such material change, or (2) Executive's principal place of
employment (or that of the key members of the staff reporting to the Chief
Financial Officer of SynQuest ) is relocated to a location other than the
metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area (Both termination events described in
Subsections (a) and (b) are referred to individually in this Agreement as a "No
Cause Termination Event").

         3.5      Voluntary Termination. Executive may voluntarily terminate his
employment under this Agreement at any time by delivering to the Board a Notice
of Termination as specified in Section 5(e) below (a "Voluntary Termination
Event"); provided, however, that (1) if at the time of such voluntary
termination by Executive, Executive could be terminated as a result of a Good
Cause Termination Event, Executive will be deemed to have been terminated as a
result of a Good Cause Termination Event instead of a Voluntary Termination
Event, (2) if Executive resigns under the circumstances described under Section
3.4, the termination will be deemed to have been resulted from a No Cause
Termination Event.

         4.       Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Board pursuant
to Sections 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4(a) of this Agreement will be communicated to
Executive by a Notice of Termination. Any termination by Executive pursuant to
Sections 3.4(b) or 3.5 of this Agreement will be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the Board. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of
Termination" means a notice that indicates the specific termination provision in
this Agreement relied upon for such termination, and if delivered pursuant to
Sections 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4(a) of this Agreement, sets forth the basis for
termination of Executive's employment under the provisions indicated.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

         5.       Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means:

                  (a) If Executive's employment is terminated as a result of a
Death Termination Event, the date of Executive's death;

                  (b) If Executive's employment is terminated as a result of a
Disability Termination Event, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is
given;

                  (c) If Executive's employment is terminated by the Board as a
result of a Good Cause Termination Event or a No Cause Termination Event, the
date the Notice of Termination is given (or such later date as may be specified
by the Board in the Notice of Termination);

                  (d) If Executive's employment is terminated by Executive as a
result of a No Cause Termination Event, the date the Notice of Termination is
given; and

                  (e) If Executive's employment is terminated as a result of a
Voluntary Termination Event, sixty (60) days after Notice of Termination is
given (or such shorter period of time as the Board may specify in the Board's
sole discretion after receiving Executive's Notice of Termination).

         6.       Compensation upon Termination or During Disability.

         6.1      No Further Obligation. Upon any termination of employment,
SynQuest and SynQuest's subsidiaries will have no further obligation to
Executive except to pay Executive (or Executive's estate in the case of
Executive's death) the compensation and other benefits provided in this Section
6. Amounts payable pursuant to this Section 6 are in lieu of any severance pay
that would otherwise be payable to Executive upon termination of Executive's
employment with SynQuest under SynQuest's severance pay policies.

         6.2      Death. If Executive's employment is terminated as a result of
a Death Termination Event, SynQuest will pay to Executive's estate any Base
Salary and Bonus earned but unpaid and any other amounts due to Executive from
SynQuest (whether pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise) through the date of
Executive's death.

         6.3      Disability. If Executive's employment is terminated as a
result of a Disability Termination Event, Executive will continue to receive
payment of any Base Salary and Bonus earned but unpaid and any other amounts due
to Executive from SynQuest (whether pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise)
through the Date of Termination. After payment of amounts set forth in this
Section 6.3, Executive's compensation will be paid in accordance with SynQuest's
long-term disability plans, if any, that may then be in effect with respect to
Executive.

         6.4      Good Cause. If Executive's employment is terminated as a
result of a Good Cause Termination Event, Executive will receive payment of any
Base Salary earned but unpaid and any other amounts due to Executive from
SynQuest (whether pursuant to

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

benefit plans or otherwise) through the Date of Termination.

         6.5      Voluntary Termination. If Executive's employment is terminated
as a result of a Voluntary Termination Event, Executive will receive payment of
any Base Salary and Bonus earned but unpaid and any other amounts due to
Executive from SynQuest (whether pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise) through
the Date of Termination.

         6.6      No Cause Termination. If Executive's employment is terminated
as a result of a No Cause Termination Event, then SynQuest will pay Executive
(i) within fifteen (15) days after the Date of Termination, any Base Salary and
Bonus earned but unpaid and any other amounts due to Executive from SynQuest
(whether pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise) through the Date of
Termination, and (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of Executive's then-current
Base Salary, but in no event less than $220,000.00.

         7.       Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement confers on
Executive any right to continue in the employ of SynQuest or SynQuest's
subsidiaries, or to interfere in any way with the right of the Board to
terminate Executive's employment at any time.

         8.       Scope of Duties.

         8.1      Employment by SynQuest as Sole Occupation. Executive agrees to
devote Executive's full business time, attention, skill, and effort exclusively
to the performance of the duties that SynQuest may assign Executive from time to
time. Executive may not engage in any business activities or render any services
of a business, commercial, or professional nature for compensation for the
benefit of anyone other than SynQuest, unless SynQuest consents in writing, it
being agreed that SynQuest will not withhold its consent to any activity which
is not competitive with SynQuest's business and does not interfere with the
performance by Executive of Executive's duties and obligations to SynQuest under
this Agreement. It is the policy of SynQuest never to allow its personnel to
work for any competitive enterprise during their employment, including after
hours, on weekends, or during vacation time, even if only organizational
assistance or limited consultation is involved. This Agreement does not prohibit
the investment of a reasonable part of Executive's assets in the stock of a
company whose stock is traded on a national stock exchange.

         8.2      Noninterference With Third-Party Rights. SynQuest is employing
Executive with the understanding that (i) Executive is free to enter into
employment with SynQuest and (ii) only SynQuest is entitled to the benefit of
Executive's work. SynQuest has no interest in using any other person's patents,
copyrights, trade secrets, or trademarks in an unlawful manner. Executive should
be careful not to misapply proprietary rights that SynQuest has no right to use.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

         9.       Ownership of Executive Developments.

         9.1      Ownership of Work Product.

                  (a) SynQuest will own all Work Product (as defined below in
Section 9.1(e)). All Work Product will be considered work made for hire by
Executive and owned by SynQuest.

                  (b) If any of the Work Product may not, by operation of law,
be considered work made for hire by Executive for SynQuest, or if ownership of
all right, title, and interest of the intellectual property rights therein may
not otherwise vest exclusively in SynQuest, Executive agrees to assign, and upon
creation thereof automatically assigns, without further consideration, the
ownership of all Trade Secrets (as defined below in Section 10.2), U.S. and
international copyrights, patentable inventions, and other intellectual property
rights therein to SynQuest, its successors and assigns.

                  (c) SynQuest, its successors and assigns, will have the right
to obtain and hold in its or their own name copyright registrations, trademark
registrations, patents and any other protection available in the foregoing.

                  (d) Executive agrees to perform, upon the reasonable request
of SynQuest, during or after Executive's employment, such further acts as may be
necessary or desirable to transfer, perfect, and defend SynQuest's ownership of
the Work Product. When requested, Executive will:

                      (1)      Execute, acknowledge, and deliver any
                               requested affidavits and documents of
                               assignment and conveyance with respect to
                               any Work Product;

                      (2)      Assist in the preparation, prosecution,
                               procurement, maintenance and enforcement of
                               copyrights and, if applicable, patents with
                               respect to the Work Product in any
                               countries;

                      (3)      Provide testimony in connection with any
                               proceeding affecting the right, title, or
                               interest of SynQuest in any Work Product;
                               and

                      (4)      Perform any other acts deemed necessary or
                               desirable to carry out the purposes of this
                               Agreement.

                  SynQuest will reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by Executive at SynQuest's request in connection with the foregoing,
including (unless Executive is otherwise being compensated at the time) a
reasonable per diem or hourly fee for services rendered following termination of
Executive's employment.

                  (e) For purposes hereof, "Work Product" means all intellectual
property

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

rights, including all Trade Secrets, U.S. and international copyrights,
patentable inventions, discoveries and improvements, and other intellectual
property rights, in any programming, documentation, technology, or other Work
Product that relates to the business and interests of SynQuest and that
Executive conceives, develops, or delivers to SynQuest at any time during the
term of Executive's employment. "Work Product" does not include Executive's
"Residual Knowledge." "Residual Knowledge" means prior or existing knowledge or
skills obtained by Employee during the course of his employment, to the extent
retained in Employee's human memory (and not in any other form, such as written
form or electronic form, such as magnetic storage media). Residual Knowledge
will not include any Trade Secrets or other proprietary information of SynQuest
(or its subsidiaries or affiliates). Executive hereby irrevocably relinquishes
for the benefit of SynQuest and its assigns, and hereby agrees to waive and
never to assert, any moral rights in the Work Product recognized by applicable
law.

         9.2      Clearance Procedure for Proprietary Rights Not Claimed by
SynQuest. If Executive ever wishes to create or develop, on Executive's own time
and with Executive's own resources, anything that may be considered Work Product
but as to which Executive believes Executive should be entitled to the personal
benefit, Executive is required to follow the clearance procedure set forth in
this Section 9.2 in order to ensure that SynQuest has no claim to the
proprietary rights that may arise.

         Before Executive begins any development work on Executive's own time,
Executive must give SynQuest advance written notice of Executive's plans and
supply a description of the development under consideration. SynQuest will hold
in confidence and not disclose any proprietary and confidential information
contained in the description submitted by Executive. SynQuest will determine, in
good faith, within thirty (30) days after Executive has fully disclosed
Executive's plans to SynQuest, whether the development is claimed by SynQuest as
Work Product. If SynQuest determines that it does not claim such development,
Executive will be notified in writing and may retain ownership of the
development to the extent of what has been disclosed to SynQuest. Executive
should submit for further clearance any significant improvement, modification,
or adaptation so that it can be determined whether the improvement,
modification, or adaptation relates to the business or interests of SynQuest.

         Clearance under this procedure does not relieve Executive of the need
to obtain the written consent of SynQuest pursuant to Section 8.1 before
engaging in business activities or rendering business, commercial, or
professional services for the benefit of anyone other than SynQuest (subject to
the provisions of Section 8.1). SynQuest thus reserves the right to exercise
greater control over development work that Executive might consider doing for
profit after hours, as opposed to mere hobby work pursued in Executive's spare
time.

         10.      Confidentiality.

         10.1     Consequences of Entrustment With Sensitive Information.
Executive's position with SynQuest requires considerable responsibility and
trust. Relying on

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

Executive's ethical responsibility and undivided loyalty, SynQuest expects to
entrust Executive with highly sensitive confidential, restricted, and
proprietary information involving Trade Secrets (as defined in Section 10.2) and
Confidential Information (as defined in Section 10.4). Executive is legally and
ethically responsible for protecting and preserving SynQuest's proprietary
rights for use only for SynQuest's benefit, and these responsibilities may
impose unavoidable limitations on Executive's ability to pursue some kinds of
business opportunities that might interest Executive during or after Executive's
employment.

         10.2     Trade Secrets Defined. For purposes of this Agreement, "Trade
Secrets" means information, without regard to form, including, but not limited
to, (i) technical or nontechnical data, formulas, patterns, compilations,
programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data,
financial plans, product plans relating to or reflected in SynQuest's computer
software products, or (ii) a list of actual or potential customers or suppliers
of SynQuest that: (A) derive economic value, actual or potential, from not being
generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by,
other persons who can obtain economic value from their disclosure or use; and
(B) are the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to
maintain their secrecy. The term "Trade Secret" will not include any information
which constitutes Confidential Information (as defined below in Section 10.4).

         Trade Secrets do not include information that Executive can show by
competent proof (i) was known to Executive prior to disclosure by SynQuest; (ii)
was generally known to the public at the time SynQuest disclosed the information
to Executive; (iii) became generally known to the public after disclosure to
Executive by the SynQuest through no act or omission of Executive; or (iv) was
disclosed to Executive by a third party having a bona fide right both to possess
the information and to disclose the information to Executive.

         10.3     Restrictions on Use and Disclosure of Trade Secrets. Executive
must hold in confidence at all times after the date of this Agreement all Trade
Secrets of SynQuest and must not disclose, publish or make use at any time after
the date of this Agreement of Trade Secrets without the prior consent of
SynQuest.

         10.4     Confidential Information Defined. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Confidential Information" means any data or information, other than
Trade Secrets, which (i) is valuable to SynQuest, (ii) is not generally known or
available to competitors of SynQuest, and (iii) is treated as confidential by
SynQuest.

         10.5     Use or Disclosure of Confidential Information. Executive
agrees that during the term of Executive's employment by SynQuest, and for a
period of two (2) years following termination of Executive's employment,
Executive will hold in confidence all Confidential Information and will not
disclose, publish or make use of Confidential Information without the prior
written consent of SynQuest.

         10.6     Screening of Public Releases of Information. In addition, and
without any

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

intention of limiting Executive's other obligations under this Agreement in any
way, Executive should not, during Executive's employment, reveal any non-public
information concerning the technology pertaining to the proprietary products and
manufacturing processes of SynQuest (particularly technology under current
development or improvement), unless Executive has obtained approval from
SynQuest in advance. In that connection, Executive should submit to SynQuest for
review any proposed scientific and technical articles and the text of any public
speeches relating to work done for SynQuest before they are released or
delivered. SynQuest has the right to disapprove and prohibit, or delete any
parts of, such articles or speeches that might disclose SynQuest's Trade Secrets
or other Confidential Information or otherwise be contrary to SynQuest's
business interests.

         10.7     SynQuest's Rights Under Applicable Trade Secret Law. Nothing
in this Agreement is intended to, nor will it, diminish the SynQuest's rights
regarding the protection of SynQuest's trade secrets pursuant to applicable
Georgia law.

         11.      Return of Materials. Upon the request of SynQuest and, in any
event, upon the termination of Executive's employment, Executive must return to
SynQuest and leave at SynQuest's disposal all memoranda, notes, records,
drawings, manuals, computer programs, documentation, diskettes, computer tapes,
and other documents or media pertaining to the business of SynQuest or
Executive's specific duties for SynQuest, including all copies of such
materials. Executive must also return to SynQuest and leave at SynQuest's
disposal all materials involving any Trade Secrets of SynQuest. This Section 11
is intended to apply to all materials made or compiled by Executive, as well as
to all materials furnished to Executive by anyone else in connection with
Executive's employment.

         12.      Non-interference with Personnel Relations. During Executive's
employment with SynQuest and for a period of one (1) year afterwards, Executive
will not knowingly solicit, entice or persuade any other Executives of SynQuest
to leave the services of SynQuest for any reason.

         13.      Non-competition Agreement.

         13.1     Definitions. For the purposes of this Section 13, the
following definitions will apply:

                  (a) "SynQuest Activities" means all activities of the type
conducted, authorized, offered, or provided by Executive within one (1) year
prior to termination of Executive's employment. For purposes of reference, such
activities at the date of this Agreement include the business of producing,
marketing, promoting and distributing computer software programs that have as
their primary content manufacturing or supply chain management material. The
term "SynQuest Activities" includes (without limitation) the production,
marketing and distribution of computer software programs which compete directly
with any of the computer software programs distributed by SynQuest on the date
of termination of Executive's employment.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

                  (b) "Noncompete Period" or "Nonsolicitation Period" means the
period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending one (1) year after the
Termination Date.

                  (c) "Territory" means any country throughout the world where
SynQuest is engaged in SynQuest Activities as of the Termination Date,
including, without limitation, the United States of America, its territories and
possessions.

         13.2     Trade Name. Executive agrees that during the Noncompete
Period, Executive must not, directly or by assisting others, own, manage,
operate, join, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or
control of any business conducted under any corporate or trade name of SynQuest
or name similar thereto without the prior written consent of SynQuest.

13.3     Noncompetition.

                  (a) Coverage. The parties acknowledge that Executive will
conduct SynQuest Activities throughout the Territory. Executive acknowledges
that to protect adequately the interests of SynQuest in the business of
SynQuest, it is essential that any noncompete covenant with respect thereto
cover all SynQuest Activities and the entire Territory.

                  (b) Covenant. Executive hereby agrees that Executive must not,
during the Noncompete Period, in any manner (other than as an Executive of or as
a consultant to SynQuest), directly or by assisting others, conduct SynQuest
Activities in the Territory, without the prior express written consent of the
Board of Directors of SynQuest. It is specifically understood and agreed that
accepting employment with, or acting as a consultant to, any company that
directly competes with SynQuest during the Noncompete Period would constitute a
breach of this covenant. Notwithstanding this Section 13.3(b), Executive will be
permitted to (i) acquire up to five percent (5%) of any competitor of SynQuest
whose common stock is publicly traded on a national securities exchange or in
the over-the-counter market; or (ii) own shares of stock of SynQuest.

         13.4     Nonsolicitation. Executive hereby agree that Executive must
not, during the Nonsolicitation Period, in any manner (other than as an
Executive of or a consultant to SynQuest), directly or by assisting others:

                  (a) solicit or attempt to solicit, any business from any of
SynQuest's customers, including actively sought prospective customers, with whom
Executive had material contact during Executive's employment under for purposes
of providing products or services that are competitive with those provided by
SynQuest; or

                  (b) solicit or attempt to solicit for employment, on
Executive's behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm or corporation, any
other Executive of SynQuest or its affiliates with whom Executive had material
contact during Executive's employment under this Agreement.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

         13.5     Severability. If a judicial determination is made that any of
the provisions of this Section 13 constitute an unreasonable or otherwise
unenforceable restriction against Executive, the provisions of this Section 13
may be rendered void only to the extent that such judicial determination finds
such provisions to be unreasonable or otherwise unenforceable. In this regard,
Executive and SynQuest hereby agree that any judicial authority construing this
Agreement may be empowered to sever any portion of the Territory, any prohibited
business activity, or any time period from the coverage of this Section 13, and
to apply the provisions of this Section 13 to the remaining portion of the
Territory, the remaining business activities, and the remaining time period not
so severed by such judicial authority. Moreover, notwithstanding the fact that
any provision of this Section 13 is determined not to be specifically
enforceable, SynQuest will nevertheless be entitled to recover monetary damages
as a result of Executive's breach of such provision. The time period during
which the prohibitions set forth in this Section 13 will apply may be tolled and
suspended for a period equal to the aggregate quantity of time during which
Executive violates such prohibitions in any respect.

         14.      Miscellaneous.

         14.1     Survival of Terms; Injunction. The covenants in Sections 9
through 13 of this Agreement will survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the termination of Executive's employment, regardless of who
causes the termination and under what circumstances the termination occurred.
The covenants contained in Sections 9 through 13 are reasonably necessary to
protect the legitimate business interests of SynQuest and will not create undue
hardship for Executive in the event of termination of Executive's employment.
Executive acknowledges that damages for the violation of any such covenants will
not give full and sufficient relief to SynQuest. In the event of any violation
of any such covenants, SynQuest will be entitled to injunctive relief against
the continued violation thereof, in addition to any other rights which SynQuest
may have by reason of such violation.

         14.2     Related Parties; Non-assignability. This Agreement will be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of and will be enforceable by, Executive
and SynQuest, their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns. In the event of any assignment of this Agreement by SynQuest, by
operation of law or otherwise, SynQuest will remain primarily liable for
SynQuest's obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement is not assignable by
Executive, by operation of law or otherwise.

         14.3     Choice of Law. This Agreement will be governed by and enforced
under the laws of Georgia.

         14.4     Notices. Every notice or other communication required or
         permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and must
         be delivered by messenger, transmitted by facsimile, sent by next-day
         air courier or mailed by United States registered or certified mail,
         return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to Executive at
         the last address on SynQuest's records, and if to SynQuest, at

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

         SynQuest, Inc., 5555 Triangle Parkway, Suite 350, Norcross, GA or to
such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in
accordance with this Section.

         14.5     Modifications; Termination; Waiver. This Agreement may not be
changed, terminated, modified or waived orally. Any change, termination or
modification must be signed by Executive and SynQuest. Any waiver must be signed
by the parties thereto and must be denominated as a waiver. No waiver by either
party of any provision of this Agreement will constitute a waiver of such
provision in any other instance or a waiver of any other provision.

         14.6     Severability. The covenants in this Agreement will be
construed as covenants independent of one another and as obligations distinct
from any other contract between Executive and SynQuest. Any claim that Executive
may have against SynQuest will not constitute a defense to enforcement of this
Agreement by SynQuest.

         14.7     Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter contained in
this Agreement and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings
with respect to the employment of Executive by SynQuest. To the extent any terms
contained in this Agreement are in conflict with or are inconsistent with the
terms of any other agreement to which Executive or Executive and SynQuest are
parties, the terms of this Agreement will govern.

         14.8     Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for
reference only and do not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.

         14.9     Construction of Agreement. No provision of this Agreement or
any related document may be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage
of any party hereto by any court or other government or judicial authority by
reason of such party having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such
provision.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

         The parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of
November 1, 1997.

                                    SynQuest:

                                    SYNQUEST, INC.

                                    By: /s/ Joseph Landy
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Name: Joseph Landy
                                       Title: Director

                                    Executive:

                                    /s/ John Bartels
                                    --------------------------------
                                    John Bartels

                                     -13-

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