Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                            ACLARA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
                                 1997 STOCK PLAN

        1.      Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 1997 Stock Plan are:

                -       to attract and retain the best available personnel for
                        positions of substantial responsibility,

                -       to provide additional incentive to Employees,
                        Consultants and Directors, and

                -       to promote the success of the Company's business.

Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory
Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant. Stock
Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan.

        2.      Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall
                apply:

                (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

                (b) "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements relating to
the administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are
granted under the Plan.

                (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                (e) "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board in
accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

                (f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

                (g) "Company" means ACLARA BioSciences, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

                (h) "Consultant" means any consultant or adviser if: (i) the
consultant or adviser renders bona fide services to the Company; (ii) the
services rendered by the consultant or adviser are not in connection with the
offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly
or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company's securities; and
(iii) the consultant or adviser is a natural person who has contracted directly
with the Company to render such services.

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                (i) "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" means that
the employment or consulting relationship with the Company, any Parent, or
Subsidiary, is not interrupted or terminated. Continuous Status as an Employee
or Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave
of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. A
leave of absence approved by the Company shall include sick leave, military
leave, or any other personal leave approved by an authorized representative of
the Company. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed
ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is
guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of
absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such
leave any incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated
as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option.

                (j) "Director" means a member of the Board.

                (k) "Disability" means total disability as defined in Section
22(e)(3) of the Code.

                (l) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

                (m) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

                (n) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

                        (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established
stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the
Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotation ("Nasdaq") System, the Fair Market Value of a Share of
Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing
bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such system or exchange (or the
exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) on the last market
trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street
Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                        (ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq System
(but not on the Nasdaq National Market thereof) or is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior
to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

                        (iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

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                (o) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder and which is designated as an Incentive
Stock Option by the Administrator.

                (p) "Independent Director" means a Director who is not an
Employee of the Company.

                (q) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and which is not designated as an Incentive
Stock Option by the Administrator.

                (r) "Notice of Grant" means a written notice evidencing certain
terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock Purchase Right grant. The
Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement in the case of an Option and is
accompanied by a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the case of a Stock
Purchase Right.

                (s) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

                (t) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

                (u) "Option Agreement" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.

                (v) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby
outstanding options are surrendered in exchange for options with a lower
exercise price.

                (w) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option
or Stock Purchase Right.

                (x) "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who holds an
outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right.

                (y) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

                (z) "Permanent Disability" means permanent disability as defined
under Section 10(c) below.

                (aa) "Plan" means this Amended and Restated ACLARA BioSciences,
Inc. 1997 Stock Plan.

                (bb) "Public Trading Date" means the first date upon which
Common Stock of the Company is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of
issuance on any securities

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exchange or designated (or approved for designation) upon notice of issuance as
a national market security on an interdealer quotation system.

                (cc) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 13 below.

                (dd) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written
agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and
restrictions applying to Common Stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right.
The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions
of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

                (ee) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any
successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with
respect to the Plan.

                (ff) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 16 of the Plan.

                (gg) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common
Stock pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.

                (hh) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

        3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 16 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be sold or optioned
and sold under the Plan is 3,281,374 Shares; provided, however, that, during the
term of the Plan, on each anniversary of the date of the Plan's adoption by the
Board (commencing with the first such anniversary), such maximum aggregate
number of Shares shall be increased by 750,000 Shares. The Shares may be
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

                If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes
unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant
to an Option Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto
shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan
has terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued
under the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution
under the Plan, except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the
Company at their original purchase price, and the original purchaser of such
Shares did not receive any benefits of ownership of such Shares, such Shares
shall become available for future grant under the Plan. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, voting rights shall not be considered a benefit of Share
ownership.

        4.      Administration of the Plan.

                (a) Procedure.

                        (i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. If permitted by Rule
16b-3, the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to
Directors, Officers who are not Directors, and Employees who are neither
Directors nor Officers.

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                        (ii) Administration With Respect to Directors and
Officers Subject to Section 16(b). With respect to Option or Stock Purchase
Right grants made to Employees who are also Officers or Directors subject to
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the
Board, if the Board may administer the Plan in compliance with the rules
governing a plan intended to qualify as a discretionary plan under Rule 16b-3,
or (B) a committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan, which
committee shall be constituted to comply with the rules governing a plan
intended to qualify as a discretionary plan under Rule 16b-3. Once appointed,
such Committee shall continue to serve in its designated capacity until
otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase the
size of the Committee and appoint additional members, remove members (with or
without cause) and substitute new members, fill vacancies (however caused), and
remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan,
all to the extent permitted by the rules governing a plan intended to qualify as
a discretionary plan under Rule 16b-3.

                        (iii) Administration With Respect to Other Persons. With
respect to Option or Stock Purchase Right grants made to Employees or
Consultants who are neither Directors nor Officers of the Company, the Plan
shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a committee designated by the
Board, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. Once
appointed, such Committee shall serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board. The Board may increase the size of the Committee and
appoint additional members, remove members (with or without cause) and
substitute new members, fill vacancies (however caused), and remove all members
of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent
permitted by Applicable Laws.

                (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of
the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties
delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion:

                        (i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock, in accordance with Section 2(n) of the Plan;

                        (ii) to select the Consultant, Directors and Employees
to whom Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;

                        (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options
and Stock Purchase Rights or any combination thereof, are granted hereunder;

                        (iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock
to be covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

                        (v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the
Plan;

                        (vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder. Such
terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the
time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may
be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of
forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option
or Stock Purchase

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Right or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such
factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

                        (vii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option or
Stock Purchase Right to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
have declined since the date the Option or Stock Purchase Right was granted;

                        (viii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan
and awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                        (ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to
sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment
under foreign tax laws;

                        (x) to modify or amend each Option or Stock Purchase
Right (subject to Section 18(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary
authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer
than is otherwise provided for in the Plan:

                        (xi) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right previously granted by the Administrator;

                        (xii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;

                        (xiii) to determine the terms and restrictions
applicable to Options and Stock Purchase Rights and any Restricted Stock; and

                        (xiv) to make all other determinations deemed necessary
or advisable for administering the Plan.

                (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

        5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may
be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may
be granted only to Employees. If otherwise eligible, an Employee, Director or
Consultant who has been granted an Option or Stock Purchase Right may be granted
additional Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

        6. Limitations.

                (a) Each Option shall be designated in the Notice of Grant as
either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value:

                        (i) of Shares subject to an Optionee's Incentive Stock
Options granted by the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, which

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                        (ii) become exercisable for the first time during any
calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary)
exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be
taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market
Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time of grant.

                (b) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the
Optionee's employment or consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall
they interfere in any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to
terminate such employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or
without cause.

                (c) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options
and Stock Purchase Rights to Employees:

                No Employee shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the Company,
Options and Stock Purchase Rights to purchase more than 700,000 Shares;
provided, however, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply prior to the
Public Trading Date and, following the Public Trading Date, the foregoing
limitation shall not apply until the earliest of: (i) the first material
modification of the Plan (including any increase in the number of shares
reserved for issuance under the Plan in accordance with Section 3); (ii) the
issuance of all of the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
Plan; (iii) the expiration of the Plan; (iv) the first meeting of stockholders
at which Directors of the Company are to be elected that occurs after the close
of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which occurred the
first registration of an equity security of the Company under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act; or (v) such other date required by Section 162(m) of the Code and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The foregoing limitation shall
be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's
capitalization as described in Section 16. For purposes of this Section 6(c), if
an Option is canceled in the same calendar year it was granted (other than in
connection with a transaction described in Section 16), the canceled Option will
be counted against the limit set forth in this Section 6(c). For this purpose,
if the exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction shall be treated
as a cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

        7. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 22 of the Plan, the Plan shall
become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board or its
approval by the shareholders of the Company as described in Section 22 of the
Plan. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated
earlier under Section 18 of the Plan.

        8. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Notice
of Grant; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the
term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may
be provided in the Notice of Grant. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is
granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting of
all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such
shorter term as may be provided in the Notice of Grant.

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        9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

                (a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares
to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator, subject to the following:

                        (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                                (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time the
Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent
(10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                                (B) granted to any Employee other than an
Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.

                        (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per
Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator, but shall in no
event be less than the par value per Share.

                (b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised. In so doing, the Administrator may specify that an
Option may not be exercised until the completion of a service period.

                (c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall
determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such
consideration may consist entirely of:

                        (i) cash;

                        (ii) check;

                        (iii) money order;

                        (iv) promissory note;

                        (v) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as
to which said Option shall be exercised;

                        (vi) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice
together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if
applicable, shall require to effect an

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exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds
required to pay the exercise price;

                        (vii) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability
to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's
participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or
arrangement;

                        (viii) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment; or

                        (ix) such other consideration and method of payment for
the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

        10. Exercise of Option.

                (a) Procedure for Exercise: Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement.

                        An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a
Share.

                        An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company
receives: (i) written notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as evidenced by
the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized
transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to
be issued) such stock certificate promptly after the Option is exercised. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 16 of the Plan.

                        Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the
number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

                (b) Termination of Employment, Directorship or Consulting
Relationship. Upon termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant (but not in the event of a change of status
from Employee to Consultant (in which case an Employee's Incentive Stock Option
shall automatically convert to a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the ninety-first
(91st) day following such change of status) or from Consultant to Employee),
other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability, the Optionee may exercise
his or her Option, but only within such period of time as is specified in the
Notice of Grant, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to
exercise it at the date of termination (but in no event later than the
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). In
the absence of a

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specified time in the Notice of Grant, the Option shall remain exercisable for
thirty (30) days following the Optionee's termination of Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such
period of time shall not exceed ninety (90) days from the date of termination.
If, at the date of termination, the Optionee is not entitled to exercise his or
her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option
shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise
his or her Option within the time specified, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (c) Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 10(b) above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Consulting
relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee or Director as a result of his
Disability then the period during which each outstanding option held by the
Optionee is to remain exercisable shall be limited to the six (6)-month period
following the date of such cessation of service. However, should such Disability
be deemed to constitute Permanent Disability, then the period during which each
outstanding option held by the Optionee is to remain exercisable shall be
extended by an additional six (6) months so that the exercise period shall be
limited to the twelve (12)-month period following the date of the Optionee's
cessation of Service by reason of such Permanent Disability. For the purposes of
the Plan, Disability shall be determined by the Administrator on the basis of
such medical evidence as the Administrator deems warranted under the
circumstances. For purposes of the Plan, Disability shall be deemed to
constitute Permanent Disability in the event that such Disability is expected to
result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period
of not less than twelve (12) months.

               (d) Death of Optionee. In the event of the death of an Optionee,
the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months (or such other
period of time as is determined by the Administrator, with such determination in
the case of an Incentive Stock Option being made at the time of grant of the
Option) following the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration
of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the
Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option
by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled
to exercise the Option at the date of death. If, at the time of death, the
Optionee was not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares
covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall immediately revert to
the Plan. If, after death, the Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the
right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance does not exercise the
Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (e) Rule 16b-3. Options granted to individuals subject to Section
16 of the Exchange Act ("Insiders") must comply with the applicable provisions
of Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such additional conditions or restrictions as
may be required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption from Section 16
of the Exchange Act with respect to Plan transactions.

               (f) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on
such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate
to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

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        11. Granting of Options to Independent Directors. During the term of the
Plan, a person who is an Independent Director as of the Public Trading Date (an
"IPO Independent Director") and has not previously received an Option grant
automatically shall be granted an Option to purchase 24,000 shares of Common
Stock on the date of such consummation (an "IPO Option"). IPO Independent
Directors and a person who becomes an Independent Director after the Public
Trading Date automatically shall be granted an Option to purchase 8000 shares of
Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 16) on the date of
each annual meeting of stockholders after the Public Trading Date (a "Post-IPO
Option"). Members of the Board who are employees of the Company who subsequently
retire from the Company and remain on the Board will not receive an IPO Option
grant, but to the extent they are otherwise eligible, will receive, after
retirement from employment with the Company, Post-IPO Options. All the foregoing
Option grants authorized by this Section 11 are subject to stockholder approval
of the Plan.

        12. Terms of Options Granted to Independent Directors. The per Share
price of each Option granted to an Independent Director shall equal 100% of the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted;
provided, however, that the per Share price of each Option granted to an
Independent Director on the date of the initial public offering of Common Stock
shall equal the initial public offering price per Share (as determined by the
Pricing Committee of the Board in its sole and absolute discretion.) IPO Options
(as defined in Section 11) granted to Independent Directors shall become
exercisable in cumulative quarterly installments of 1/12 of the Shares subject
to such option on each of the quarterly anniversaries of the date of IPO Option
grant, commencing with the first such quarterly anniversary, such that each IPO
Option shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested on the third anniversary of
its date of grant. Post-IPO Options (as defined in Section 11) granted to
Independent Directors shall become vested in cumulative quarterly installments
of 1/4 of the Shares subject to such Option on each of the quarterly
anniversaries of the date of Post-IPO Option grant, commencing with the ninth
quarterly anniversary of such date of Post-IPO Option grant, such that each
Post-IPO Option shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested on the third
anniversary of the date of Post-IPO Option grant. Subject to Section 10, the
term of each Option granted to an Independent Director shall be ten (10) years
from the date the Option is granted. No portion of an Option which is
unexercisable at the time of an Independent Director's termination of membership
on the Board shall thereafter become exercisable.

        13.    Stock Purchase Rights.

               (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued
either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the
Plan. After the Administrator determines that it will offer Stock Purchase
Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing, by means of a
Notice of Grant, of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer,
including the number of Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase,
the price to be paid, and the time within which the offeree must accept such
offer, which shall in no event exceed thirty (30) days from the date upon which
the Administrator made the determination to grant the Stock Purchase Right. The
offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in
the form determined by the Administrator.

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               (b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant with
the Company for any reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price
for Shares repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall
be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of
any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall
lapse at a rate determined by the Administrator.

               (c) Rule 16b-3. Stock Purchase Rights granted to Insiders, and
Shares purchased by Insiders in connection with Stock Purchase Rights, shall be
subject to any restrictions applicable thereto in compliance with Rule 16b-3. An
Insider may only purchase Shares pursuant to the grant of a Stock Purchase
Right, and may only sell Shares purchased pursuant to the grant of a Stock
Purchase Right, during such time or times as are permitted by Rule 16b-3.

               (d) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with
the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion
including but not limited to the per Share purchase price, which shall in no
event be less than the par value per Share. In addition, the provisions of
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements need not be the same with respect to each
purchaser.

               (e) Rights as a Stockholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 16
of the Plan.

        14. Stock Withholding to Satisfy Withholding Tax Obligations. At the
discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding obligations
as provided in this paragraph. When an Optionee incurs tax liability in
connection with an Option or Stock Purchase Right, which tax liability is
subject to tax withholding under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is
obligated to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable
tax laws, the Optionee may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by electing to
have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued in connection with the
Stock Purchase Right, if any, that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value
equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares
to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be
withheld is to be determined (the "Tax Date").

        All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose
shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the Administrator and shall be
subject to the following restrictions:

                (a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax
Date;

<PAGE>   13

               (b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the
particular Shares of the Option or Right as to which the election is made;

               (c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval
of the Administrator;

               (d) if the Optionee is subject to Rule 16b-3, the election must
comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall be subject to such
additional conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify
for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to
Plan transactions.

        In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by an Optionee
and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election is
filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Optionee shall receive the full
number of Shares with respect to which the Option or Stock Purchase Right is
exercised but such Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to
the Company the proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.

        15. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. An Option
or Stock Purchase Right may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only by the Optionee.

        16. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.

               (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been effected
without receipt of consideration. Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company 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 shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock
Purchase Right.

               (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the Optionee
at least fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent it has
not been previously exercised, the Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

<PAGE>   14

               (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right may be assumed
or an equivalent option or right may be substituted by the successor corporation
or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. The Administrator may,
in lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide for the Optionee to have the
right to exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all or a portion of
the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be
exercisable. If the Administrator makes an Option or Stock Purchase Right
exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or
sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee that the Option or
Stock Purchase Right shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15)
days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase Right will
terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this
paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed if,
following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to
purchase, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock
Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the
consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in
the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on
the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received
in the merger or sale of assets was not solely common stock of the successor
corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the
successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the
exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely common stock of the
successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share
consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of
assets.

        17. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the
determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later
date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be
provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

        18. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

               (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

               (b) Stockholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply
with Rule 16b-3 or with Section 422 of the Code (or any successor rule or
statute or other applicable law, rule or regulation, including the requirements
of any exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or
quoted). Such shareholder approval, if required, shall be obtained in such a
manner and to such a degree as is required by the applicable law, rule or
regulation.

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or
termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee, unless mutually

<PAGE>   15

               agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.

        19.    Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

               (a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such Option
or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall
comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and Applicable Laws, and shall be further subject to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

               (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of
an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the person exercising
such Option or Stock Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

        20.    Liability of Company.

               (a) Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company
to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which
authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

               (b) Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If the Optioned Stock
covered by an Option or Stock Purchase Right exceeds, as of the date of grant,
the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without additional
shareholder approval, such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be void with
respect to such excess Optioned Stock, unless shareholder approval of an
amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan is
timely obtained in accordance with Section 18(b) of the Plan.

        21. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

        22. Stockholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained
in the manner and to the degree required under applicable federal and state law.

        23. Governing Law. The validity and enforceability of this Plan shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
without regard to otherwise governing principles of conflicts of law.<PAGE>   1
APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

RULES OF THE UK APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

(Approved by the Inland Revenue under the Income and Corporation
Taxes Act 1988 on 9 August 1995 under reference X17882).

(Adopted by a resolution of the Company on 14 July 1995).
<PAGE>   2
APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTENTS                                             PAGE
<S>                                                  <C>
PURPOSE                                                2

RULES

1    Definitions                                       3

2    Grant of options                                  5

3    Limitations on grants                             6

4    Exercise of options                               7

5    Takeovers and liquidations                        8

6    Variation of share capital                        9

7    Manner of exercise of options                    10

8    Damages and Compensation                         10

9    Administration and Amendment                     11

10   Termination                                      12
</TABLE>

                                       1
<PAGE>   3
APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

PURPOSE

The Applied Business Technology Corporation Share Option SubPlan ("the Plan")
was approved by the shareholders on 7 February 1995 and adopted by the Board of
Directors on 14 July 1995.

The purpose of the Plan is to give executives and other employees ("key
employees") an opportunity to acquire shares of common stock of the Company, to
provide an incentive for key employees to continue to promote the best
interests of the Company and enhance its long term performance and to provide
an incentive for key employees to join or remain with the Company.

                                       2

<PAGE>   4
       APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

       APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

       DEFINITIONS

1.1    In these Rules, the following words and expressions shall have, where
       the context so admits, the following meanings:

       "Appropriate Period"        the meaning given in Paragraph 15(2) of
                                   Schedule 9 to the Taxes Act;

       "Approval Date"             the date on which the Plan is approved by
                                   the Board of Inland Revenue under Schedule 9;

       "Associated Company"        has the same meaning as in Section 187(2) of
                                   the Taxes Act;

       "Board"                     the Board of directors of the Company or,
                                   except ion rule 9.4, a duly constituted
                                   committee thereof;

       "Company"                   Applied Business Technology Corporation, a
                                   New York Corporation;

       "Control"                   has the same meaning as in Section 840 of
                                   the Taxes Act;

       "Date of Grant"             the date on which an Option is, was, or is
                                   to be granted under the Plan;

       "Eligible Employee"         any individual who:

                                   (A)   is a director or employee of any
                                         Participating Company on terms which
                                         require him to devote to his duties
                                         not less than 25 hours (or, in the
                                         case of an employee who is not a
                                         director of any Participating Company,
                                         20 hours) per week (excluding meal
                                         breaks); and

                                   (B)   is not precluded by Paragraph 8 of
                                         Schedule 9 from participating in the
                                         Plan;

      "the Group"                  the Company and its Subsidiaries from time
                                   to time;

                                       3
<PAGE>   5
      APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

      APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

      "Market Value"          in relation to a Share on any day:

                              a)    if and so long as the Shares are listed on
                                    the New York Stock Exchange, the mean
                                    between the highest and lowest quoted
                                    selling prices for the given date, or

                              b)    subject to a) above, its market value
                                    determined in accordance with the
                                    provisions of Part VIII of the Taxation of
                                    Chargeable Gains Act 1992 and agreed for
                                    the purposes of the Scheme with the Shares
                                    Valuation Division of the inland Revenue;

      "Option"                a right to subscribe for or to purchase Shares
                              granted (or to be granted) in accordance with the
                              Rules of this Plan;

      "Option Holder"         an individual to whom an Option has been granted
                              or his personal representatives;

      "Option Period"         in relation to any Option, a period during which
                              such Option may be exercised;

      "Participating Company" (A)   the Company; and

                              (B)   any other company of which the Company has
                                    Control and which is for the time being
                                    nominated by the Board to be a Participating
                                    Company;

      "Relevant Emoluments"   the meaning which the term bears in Sub-paragraph
                              (2) of Paragraph 28 of Schedule 9 by virtue of
                              Sub-paragraph (4) of that Paragraph;

      "Schedule 9"            Schedule 9 of the Taxes Act;

      "Securities Act"        the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
                              amended;

      "Share"                 a share in the capital of the Company which
                              satisfies the conditions specified in paragraphs
                              10-14 inclusive of Schedule 9;

      "Subscription Price"    the price at which each Share subject to an
                              Option may be acquired on the exercise of that
                              Option determined in accordance with Rule 2;

                                       4
<PAGE>   6
      APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

      APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

      "Subsidiary"            a company which is both under the Control of the
                              Company and is a subsidiary of the Company (within
                              the meaning of Section 736 of the Companies Act
                              1985);

      "Subsisting Option"     An Option which has neither lapsed nor been
                              exercised;

      "Taxes Act"             the income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988; and

      "Year of Assessment"    a year beginning on any 6 April and ending on the
                              following 5 April.

1.2   Where the context so admits the singular shall include the plural and
      vice versa and the masculine shall include the feminine.

1.3   Any reference in the Plan to any enactment includes a reference to that
      enactment as from time to time modified, extended or re-enacted.

      GRANT OF OPTIONS

2.1   Options may only be granted pursuant to and in accordance with this Plan
      after the Approval Date.

2.2   At any time after the Approval Date, but not later than the tenth
      anniversary thereof, the Board may in its absolute discretion select any
      number of individuals who are Eligible Employees and grant such
      individuals Options to acquire Shares in the Company. The extent of any
      grant of Options shall be determined by the Board in its absolute
      discretion but shall be subject to the limits contained in Rule 3.

2.3   The Board may grant an Option subject to such objective condition or
      conditions of exercise as it may determine before the whole or a
      specified part of such Option may be exercised. No such condition may
      subsequently be varied or waived otherwise than in accordance with the
      terms of such condition and, where such variation or waiver is
      discretionary, in a manner which the Board determines to be fair and
      reasonable. An amendment will only take place if events have happened
      which in the opinion of the Board cause it to consider that a different
      condition would be a fairer measure of the performance of the Option
      Holder. Any such amendment to the terms of an Option pursuant to this
      Rule 2.3 shall be made by the Board imposing such conditions or
      limitations which in their opinion are more appropriate and, so far as is
      practicable, are equivalent to those conditions and/or limitations
      originally imposed. Unless expressly stated to the contrary, no such
      condition shall apply to a New Option granted pursuant to Rule 5.4 nor
      shall it apply in the circumstances set out in Rules 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and
      5.5.

2.4   An Option shall be granted under seal or in such other manner as to take
      effect as a deed. No payment shall be required for the grant of an Option.

                                       5
<PAGE>   7

            APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

            APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

      2.5   The grant of an Option shall be evidenced by the Company issuing an
            option certificate which is in the form of Schedule A hereto.

      2.6   The Subscription Price shall be determined by the Company not later
            than the day when the Option is granted but shall not in any event
            be less than the higher of:

            (i)   the nominal value of a Share; and

            (ii)  the Market Value of a Share on the day the Option was granted
                  pursuant to Rule 2.2

      2.7   No Option may be transferred, assigned or charged and any purported
            transfer, assignment or charge shall cause the Option to lapse
            forthwith. Each option certificate shall carry a statement to this
            effect.

      2.8   An Option Holder may within one month following the date of grant
            thereof renounce, release or surrender an Option by notice in
            writing to the Company. The renunciation will be effective from the
            date of receipt of such notice by the Company upon which date the
            relevant Option shall be deemed never to have been granted.

            LIMITATIONS ON GRANTS

      3.1   No Options shall be granted pursuant to Rule 2 above if such grant
            would result in the aggregate of the number of Shares over which
            Subsisting Options have been granted under this Plan exceeding
            450,000 subject to adjustment pursuant to Rule 6. In determining
            this limit, no account shall be taken of any Shares where the right
            to acquire the shares was released, lapsed or otherwise became
            incapable of exercise.

      3.2   Any Option granted to an Eligible Employee shall be limited and
            take effect so that the aggregate Market Value of Shares subject to
            that Option, when aggregated with the Market Value of shares
            subject to Subsisting Options, shall not exceed the greater of

            (i)   L100,000, or

            (ii)  four times the amount of the Eligible Employee's Relevant
                  Emoluments for the current or preceding Year of Assessment
                  (whichever of those years gives the greater amount) or, if
                  there were no Relevant Emoluments for the preceding Year of
                  Assessment, four times the amount of the Relevant Emoluments
                  for the period of twelve months beginning with the first day
                  during the current Year of Assessment in respect of which
                  there are Relevant Emoluments.

                                       6

<PAGE>   8
     APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

     APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

3.3  For the purposes of Rule 3.2

     (i)   Options shall include all Options granted under the Plan and all
           options granted under any other scheme, not being a savings-related
           share option scheme, approved under Schedule 9 and established by
           the Company or any Associated Company thereof;

     (ii)  The Market Value of shares shall be calculated as at the time the
           Options in relation to those shares were granted or such earlier time
           as may have been granted in writing with the Board of Inland Revenue.

4    EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

4.1  Subject to Rules 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5 and Rule 7 below any Option which has
     not lapsed in accordance with Rule 4.2 may be exercised in whole or in part
     following the earliest of the following events provided that any condition
     imposed under Rule 2.3 shall have been fulfilled or waived, as specified in
     the option certificate:

     (i)   the start of the Option Period

     (ii)  the death of the Option Holder

     (iii) the Option Holder ceasing to be a director or employee of any
           Participating Company by reason of disability (as determined by the
           Board).

4.2  An Option shall lapse on the earliest of the following events:

     (i)   the tenth anniversary of the date of the grant or the end of the
           Option Period, whichever is the earlier

     (ii)  the first anniversary of the Option Holder's death

     (iii) the Option Holder being adjudicated bankrupt

     (iv)  unless a release has been effected under Rule 5.4, within 6 months of
           the Option becoming exercisable in accordance with Rule 5.1, 5.2 or
           5.3

     (v)   twelve months following the Option Holder ceasing to be a director or
           employee by reason of disability (as determined by the Board)

     (vi)  immediately upon the Option Holder ceasing to be a director or
           employee for any other reason not specified in Rule 4.2 (v).

                                       7

<PAGE>   9

     APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

     APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

     TAKEOVERS AND LIQUIDATIONS

5.1  If any person obtains Control of the Company as a result of making

     (i)  a general offer to acquire the whole of the issued share capital of
          the Company which is made on a condition such that if it is satisfied
          the person making the offer will have Control of the Company, or

     (ii) a general offer to acquire all the shares in the Company which are of
          the same class as the Shares

     then any Subsisting Option may subject to Rule 5.4 below be exercised
     within six months of the time when the person making the offer has obtained
     Control of the Company and any condition subject to which the offer is made
     has been satisfied. The company shall give at least 30 days notice to
     Option Holders before any transaction.

5.2  If under relevant legislation the Court sanctions a compromise or
     arrangement proposed for the purposes of or in connection with a scheme
     for the reconstruction of the Company or its amalgamation with any other
     company or companies, any Subsisting Option may, subject to Rule 5.4
     below, be exercised within six months of the Court sanctioning the
     compromise or arrangement.

5.3  If any person becomes bound or entitled to acquire shares in the Company
     under any legislation relating to a Control any Subsisting Option may,
     subject to Rule 5.4 below, be exercised at any time when that person
     remains so bound or entitled.

5.4  If, as a result of the events specified in Rules 5.1 or 5.2, a company has
     obtained Control of the Company, or if a company has become bound or
     entitled as mentioned in Rule 5.3, the Option Holder may, by agreement
     with that other company (the "Acquiring Company"), within the Appropriate
     Period, release each Subsisting Option (the "Old Option") for an option
     (the "New Option") which satisfies the conditions that it:

     (i)   is over shares in the Acquiring Company or some other company
           falling within paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of Paragraph 10,
           Schedule 9, which satisfy the conditions specified in Paragraphs 10
           to 14 inclusive of Schedule 9

     (ii)  is a right to acquire such number of such shares as has on
           acquisition of the New Option an aggregate Market Value equal to the
           aggregate Market Value of the shares subject to the Old Option on
           its release

     (iii) has a subscription price per share such that the aggregate price
           payable on the complete exercise equals the aggregate price which
           would have been payable on complete exercise of the Old Option and

                                       8

<PAGE>   10
     APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

     APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

     (iv)  is otherwise identical in terms to the Old Option.

     The New Option shall, for all purposes of this Plan, be treated as having
     been acquired at the same time as the Old Option.

     Where any New Options are granted pursuant to this Rule 5.4, Rules 2.7, 4,
     5, 6, 7, 9.1, 9.3 to 9.6 and 10 shall, in relation to the New Options, be
     construed as if references to the Company and to the Shares were references
     to the Acquiring Company or, as the case may be, to the other company to
     whose shares the New Options relate, and to shares in that other company,
     but references to Participating Company shall continue to be construed as
     if references to the Company were references to Applied Business Technology
     Corporation.

5.5  If the Company passes a resolution for voluntary winding up, any
     Subsisting Option may be exercised within six months after the passing of
     the resolution.

5.6  For the purposes of this Rule 5, other than Rule 5.4, a person shall be
     deemed to have obtained Control of a Company if he and others acting in
     concert with him have together obtained Control of it.

5.7  The exercise of an Option pursuant to the preceding provisions of this
     Rule 5 shall be subject to the provisions of Rule 7 below.

5.8  Where, in accordance with Rule 5.4, Subsisting Options are released and New
     Options granted the New Options shall not be exercisable in accordance with
     Rules 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 above by virtue of the event by reason of which the
     New Options were granted.

     VARIATION OF SHARE CAPITAL

6.1  In the event of any variation of the share capital of the Company by way of
     capitalization or rights issue, consolidation, subdivision or reduction of
     capital or otherwise, the number of Shares subject to any Option and the
     Subscription Price for each of those Shares may be adjusted by the Company
     in such manner as the Board may determine, to the intent that (as nearly as
     may be without involving fractions of a Share or a Subscription Price
     calculated to more than two decimal places) the aggregate Subscription
     Price remains unchanged, provided that:

     (i)   the aggregate amount payable on the exercise of an Option in full is
           not increased;

     (ii)  the Subscription Price for a Share is not reduced below its nominal
           value;

     (iii) no adjustment shall be made without the prior approval of the Board
           of Inland Revenue; and

                                       9

<PAGE>   11
      APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

      APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

      (iv)  following the adjustment the Shares continue to satisfy the
            conditions specified in paragraphs 10 to 14 inclusive of Schedule 9.

7     MANNER OF EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

 7.1  No Option may be exercised by an individual at any time when he is
      precluded by paragraph 8 of Schedule 9 from participating in the Scheme.

 7.2  No Option may be exercised at any time when the shares which may be
      thereby acquired do not satisfy the conditions specified in paragraphs 10
      - 14 (inclusive), Schedule 9.

 7.3  An Option shall be exercised by the Option Holder giving notice to the
      Board and, if different, the Company, in writing of the number of Shares
      in respect of which he wishes to exercise the Option accompanied by the
      appropriate payment and the relevant option certificate and shall be
      effective on the date of its receipt by the Company.

 7.4  Each notice of exercise of Options shall also be accompanied by a written
      representation that the Shares being acquired upon the exercise of the
      Option are being purchased for investment and not for distribution, an
      acknowledgement that such Shares have not been registered under the
      Securities Act and an agreement that such Shares may not be sold or
      transferred unless there is an effective registration statement for them
      under the Securities Act, or in the opinion of counsel to the Company such
      sale or transfer is not in violation of the Securities Act.

 7.5  As soon as reasonably possible, and in any event no later than 30 days,
      following the date of exercise the Board shall cause the Company to allot
      and issue the relevant Shares and send or cause to be sent to the Option
      Holder who has exercised the Option a definitive share certificate for the
      Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised. Save for any rights
      determined by reference to a date preceding the date of allotment, such
      Shares shall rank pari passu with the other shares of the same class in
      issue at the date of allotment.

 7.6  When an Option is exercised only in part, the balance shall remain
      exercisable on the same terms as originally applied to the whole Option
      and a new option certificate shall be issued accordingly by the Grantor as
      soon as possible after the partial exercise.

8     DAMAGES AND COMPENSATION ON DISMISSAL

      It shall be a condition of participation in the Plan that in the event of
      the dismissal of a participant for whatever reason from his employment by
      any Participating Company in circumstances which could give rise to a
      claim for wrongful or unfair dismissal, he shall not become entitled to
      any damages or compensation or any additional damages or compensation in
      respect of any alteration or loss of his rights or expectations under the
      Plan caused thereby.

                                       10

<PAGE>   12
     APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

     APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

     ADMINISTRATION AND AMENDMENT

9.1  The Plan shall be administered by the Board whose decision on all disputes
     shall be final.

9.2  The Board may from time to time amend these Rules provided that

     (i)  no amendment may materially affect an Option Holder as regards an
          Option granted prior to the amendment being made

     (ii) no amendment shall have effect until approved by the Board of Inland
          Revenue.

9.3  The cost of establishing and operating the Plan shall be borne by the
     Participating Companies in such proportions as the Board shall determine.
     The Company shall maintain for itself all necessary books of account and
     records relating to the Plan.

9.4  The Board may delegate any or all of its powers in relation to the Plan to
     a duly constituted committee. The Board may at any time dissolve such a
     committee, alter its constitution or direct the manner in which it shall
     act.

9.5  Any notice or other communication under or in connection with the Plan may
     be given by the Company either personally or by post to the secretary;
     items sent by post shall be prepaid and shall be deemed to have been
     received 72 hours after posting.

9.6  The Company shall at all times keep available sufficient authorised and
     unissued Shares or Shares held in the Treasury of the Company to satisfy
     the exercise to the full extent still possible of all Options which have
     neither lapsed nor been fully exercised, taking account of any other
     obligations of the Company to issue unissued Shares.

9.7  The Rules of this Plan shall, unless stated otherwise, be governed by and
     construed in accordance with English law. In the event of any conflict
     between English law and any other law referred to in this Plan, English law
     will take precedence.

9.8  The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Shares under the Plan
     shall be subject to all applicable laws, regulations rules and approvals of
     the United States. Certificates for shares of Common Stock issued hereunder
     may bear such legend(s) as the Board shall deem appropriate, including,
     without limitation the following:

          "The securities represented by this certificate have not been
          registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("The
          Securities Act"), nor the securities laws of any state. They may not
          be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of in the absence of
          registration under the Securities Act, and applicable state securities
          laws, or an opinion of counsel to the Company) that such registration
          is not required".

                                       11

<PAGE>   13
APPLIED BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

APPROVED SHARE OPTION SUBPLAN

TERMINATION

The Plan may be terminated at any time by a resolution of the Board or by a
resolution of the Company in General Meeting and shall in any event terminate
on the tenth anniversary of the Approval Date, but any termination shall not
affect the outstanding rights of Option Holders.

                                       12

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