Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.42

                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT

      This PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is dated as of October 6, 2000,
and is entered into by and between ePRESENCE, INC., a Massachusetts corporation
(the "Pledgor"), and FLEET NATIONAL BANK, (the "Secured Party").

                                   WITNESSETH

      WHEREAS, the Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of the shares of
stock described in Schedule I annexed hereto and issued by the corporations
named therein (the "Pledged Shares");

      WHEREAS, the Pledgor and the Secured Party have entered into a Credit
Agreement dated as of the date hereof (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
being the "Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined) with the Pledgor and
certain subsidiaries of the Pledgor, pursuant to which the Secured Party have
made certain commitments, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
Credit Agreement, to extend certain credit facilities to the Pledgor;

      WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the initial extensions of credit
by the Secured Party under the Credit Agreement that the Pledgor shall have
granted the security interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated by
this Agreement;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce The Secured Party to make Loans and
other extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, Pledgor hereby agrees with the Secured Party as follows:

SECTION 1. Pledge of Security.

      The Pledgor hereby pledges and assigns to the Secured Party, and hereby
grants to the Secured Party a security interest in, all of the Pledgor's right,
title and interest in and to the following (the "Pledged Collateral"):

      (a) the Pledged Shares and the certificates representing the Pledged
Shares and any interest of the Pledgor in the entries on the books of any
financial or securities intermediary pertaining to the Pledged Shares, and all
dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instruments and other property or proceeds
from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or
in exchange for any or all of the Pledged Shares;

      (b) all additional shares of, and all securities convertible into and
warrants, options and other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, stock of
any issuer of the Pledged Shares from time to time acquired by the Pledgor in
any manner (which shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares), the
certificates or other instruments representing such additional shares,
securities, warrants, options or other rights and any interest of the Pledgor in
the entries on the books of any financial or securities intermediary pertaining
to such additional shares, and all dividends, cash, warrants, rights,
instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time
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received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for
any or all of such additional shares, securities, warrants, options or other
rights;

      (c) all shares of, and all securities convertible into and warrants,
options and other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire, stock of any Person
that, after the date of this Agreement, becomes, as a result of any occurrence,
a Guarantor (which shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares), the
certificates or other instruments representing such shares, securities,
warrants, options or other rights and any interest of the Pledgor in the entries
on the books of any financial or securities intermediary pertaining to such
shares, and all dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instruments and other
property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares,
securities, warrants, options or other rights; and

      (d) to the extent not covered by clauses (a) through (c) above, all
proceeds of any or all of the foregoing Pledged Collateral. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "proceeds" includes whatever is receivable or received when
Pledged Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or otherwise
disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and includes,
without limitation, proceeds of any indemnity or guaranty payable to the Pledgor
or the Secured Party from time to time with respect to any of the Pledged
Collateral.

SECTION 2. Security for Obligations.

      This Agreement secures, and the Pledged Collateral is collateral security
for, all Obligations of the Pledgor as such term is defined in the Credit
Agreement, including without limitation, all obligations of the Pledgor
hereunder.

SECTION 3. Delivery of Pledged Collateral.

      All certificates or instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged
Collateral shall be delivered to and held by or on behalf of the Secured Party
pursuant hereto and shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery or, as
applicable, shall be accompanied by the Pledgor's endorsement, where necessary,
or duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and
substance satisfactory to the Secured Party. The Secured Party shall have the
right, at any time following the occurrence and continuance of an Event of
Default, in its discretion and without notice to the Pledgor, to transfer to or
to register in the name of the Secured Party or any of its nominees any or all
of the Pledged Collateral. In addition, the Secured Party shall have the right
at any time to exchange certificates or instruments representing or evidencing
Pledged Collateral for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger
denominations.

SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties.

      The Pledgor represents and warrants as follows:

      (a) Due Authorization of Pledged Collateral. All of the Pledged Shares
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable.

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      (b) Description of Pledged Collateral. The Pledged Shares constitute that
percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of each issuer thereof
set forth in Schedule I and there are no outstanding warrants, options or other
rights to purchase, or other agreements outstanding with respect to, or property
that is now or hereafter convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale
of, any Pledged Shares.

      (c) Ownership of Pledged Collateral. The Pledgor is the legal, record and
beneficial owner of the Pledged Collateral free and clear of any Encumbrance
except for the security interest created by this Agreement.

      (d) Governmental Authorizations. No authorization, approval or other
action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or
regulatory body is required for either (i) the pledge by the Pledgor of the
Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement and the grant by the Pledgor of
the security interest granted hereby or for the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement by the Pledgor or (ii) the exercise by the Secured
Party of the voting or other rights, or the remedies in respect of the Pledged
Collateral, provided for in this Agreement.

      (e) Issuer Authorization. No consent, authorization, approval or other
action by, and no notice to or filing with, any corporate action is required on
behalf of the issuers of the Pledged Shares for either (i) the pledge by the
Pledgor of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this Agreement and the grant by
the Pledgor of the security interest granted hereby or for the execution,
delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Pledgor or (ii) the exercise by
the Secured Party of the voting or other rights, or the remedies in respect of
any Pledged Collateral provided for in this Agreement.

      (f) Perfection. The pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to this
Agreement creates a valid and perfected first priority security interest in such
Pledged Collateral securing the payment of the Secured Obligations, and as a
result of the delivery of the certificates representing the Pledged Shares to
the Secured Party, together with the appropriately completed and executed
instruments of transfer, the Secured Party will have "control" over the Pledged
Shares, as such term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

      (g) Margin Regulations. The pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to
this Agreement does not violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System.

      (h) Other Information. All information heretofore, herein or hereafter
supplied to the Secured Party by or on behalf of Pledgor with respect to the
Pledged Collateral is accurate and complete in all material respects.

SECTION 5. Transfers and Other Liens; Additional Pledged Collateral; etc.

      The Pledgor shall:

      (a) not (i) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise
dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of the Pledged Collateral,
(ii) create or suffer to exist any

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lien upon or with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral, except for the
security interest under this Agreement, or (iii) permit any issuer of Pledged
Shares to merge or consolidate, except, in each case, to the extent expressly
permitted in the Credit Agreement;

      (b) (i) cause each issuer of Pledged Shares not to issue any stock or
other securities in addition to or in substitution for the Pledged Shares issued
by such issuer except to the Pledgor, (ii) pledge hereunder, immediately upon
its acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all additional shares
of stock or other securities of each issuer of Pledged Shares, and (iii) except
with respect to shares of common stock of Switchboard currently owned by the
Pledgor and any investments permitted to be acquired by the terms of Section 7.7
of the Credit Agreement, pledge hereunder, immediately upon its acquisition
(directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all shares of stock of or other
securities indicating ownership interest in any Person;

      (c) promptly deliver to the Secured Party all written notices received by
it with respect to the Pledged Collateral; and

      (d) pay promptly when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges
or levies imposed upon, and all claims against, the Pledged Collateral, except
to the extent the validity thereof is being contested in good faith; provided
that the Pledgor shall in any event pay such taxes, assessments, charges, levies
or claims not later than five Business Days prior to the date of any proposed
sale under any judgment, writ or warrant of attachment entered or filed against
the Pledgor or any of the Pledged Collateral as a result of the failure to make
such payment.

SECTION 6. Further Assurances: Pledge Amendments.

      (a) The Pledgor agrees that from time to time, at its expense, the Pledgor
will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and
take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Secured
Party may request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest granted
or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Pledged
Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Pledgor will:
(i) execute and file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments
thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or
desirable, or as the Secured Party may request, in order to perfect and preserve
the security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby, (ii) do all
things necessary or desirable, as determined by the Secured Party, to transfer
control over any Pledged Collateral to the Secured Party including, but not
limited to, registering the Secured Party as the holder of any securities
entitlement or commodities contract, as appropriate, relating to the Pledged
Collateral and entering into any control agreement, in the form designated by
the Secured Party, pursuant to which the securities intermediary shall agree
that it will comply with the entitlement orders originated by the Secured Party
without further consent by the Pledgor, with respect to the Pledged Collateral,
and entering into any control agreement, in the form designated by the Secured
Party, pursuant to which the commodity intermediary shall agree that it will
apply any value distributed on account of any commodity contract constituting
Pledged Collateral, as directed by the Secured Party without further consent by
the Pledgor and (iii) at the Secured Party's request, appear in and defend any
action or proceeding that may affect the Pledgor's title to or the Secured
Party's security interest in all or any part of the Pledged Collateral.

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      (b) The Pledgor further agrees that it will, upon obtaining any additional
shares of stock or other securities required to be pledged hereunder as provided
in Section 5(b), promptly (and in any event within five Business Days) deliver
to the Secured Party a Pledge Amendment, duly executed by the Pledgor, in
substantially the form of Schedule II annexed hereto a ("Pledge Amendment"), in
respect of the additional Pledged Shares to be pledged pursuant to this
Agreement. The Pledgor hereby authorizes the Secured Party to attach each Pledge
Amendment to this Agreement and agrees that all Pledged Shares listed on any
Pledge Amendment delivered to the Secured Party shall for all purposes hereunder
be considered Pledged Collateral; provided that the failure of the Pledgor to
execute a Pledge Amendment with respect to any additional Pledged Shares pledged
pursuant to this Agreement shall not impair the security interest of the Secured
Party therein or otherwise adversely affect the rights and remedies of the
Secured Party hereunder with respect thereto.

SECTION 7. Voting Rights; Dividends; Etc.

      (a) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

            (i) The Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and
      other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Shares or any part
      thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement
      or the Credit Agreement;

            (ii) The Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain, and to
      utilize free and clear of the lien of this Agreement, any and all
      dividends paid in respect of the Pledged Collateral; provided, however
      that any and all dividends paid or payable other than in cash in respect
      of, and instruments and other property received, receivable or otherwise
      distributed in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged Collateral
      shall be, and shall forthwith be delivered to the Secured Party to hold
      as, Pledged Collateral and shall, if received by the Pledgor, be received
      in trust for the benefit of the Secured Party, and be forthwith delivered
      to the Secured Party as Pledged Collateral in the same form as so received
      (with all necessary endorsements); and

            (iii) The Secured Party shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause
      to be executed and delivered) to the Pledgor all such proxies, dividend
      payment orders and other instruments as the Pledgor may from time to time
      reasonably request for the purpose of enabling the Pledgor to exercise the
      voting and other consensual rights which it is entitled to exercise
      pursuant to paragraph (i) above and to receive the dividends, and other
      distributions which it is authorized to receive and retain pursuant to
      paragraph (ii) above.

      (b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default:

            (i) upon written notice from the Secured Party to the Pledgor, all
      rights of the Pledgor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights
      which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section
      7(a)(i) shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in
      the Secured Party who shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such
      voting and other consensual rights;

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            (ii) all rights of the Pledgor to receive the dividend and other
      distributions which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain
      pursuant to Section 7(a)(ii) shall cease, and all such rights shall
      thereupon become vested in the Secured Party who shall thereupon have the
      sole right to receive and hold as Pledged Collateral such dividends and
      other distributions;

            (iii) all dividends and other distributions which are received by
      the Pledgor contrary to the provisions of paragraph (ii) of this Section
      7(b) shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Secured Party,
      shall be segregated from other funds of the Pledgor and shall forthwith be
      paid over to the Secured Party as Pledged Collateral in the same form as
      so received (with any necessary endorsements); and

            (iv) the Secured Party may, at its discretion, transfer the Pledged
      Collateral to itself, or to its nominee.

      (c) In order to permit the Secured Party to exercise the voting and other
consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section
7(b)(i) and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be
entitled to receive under Section 7(a)(ii) or Section 7(b)(ii), the Pledgor
shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to
the Secured Party all such proxies, dividend payment orders and other
instruments as the Secured Party may from time to time reasonably request.

SECTION 8. Secured Party Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.

      The Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints the Secured Party as the Pledgor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor and
in the name of the Pledgor, the Secured Party or otherwise, from time to time,
while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in the Secured Party's
discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Secured
Party may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this
Agreement, including without limitation:

      (a) to file one or more financing or continuation statements, or
amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Pledged Collateral
without the signature of the Pledgor; and

      (b) subject to the rights of the Pledgor under Section 7(a), to receive,
endorse and collect any instruments made payable to the Pledgor representing any
dividend or other distribution in respect of the Pledged Collateral or any part
thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

SECTION 9. Secured Party May Perform.

      If the Pledgor fails to perform any agreement contained herein, the
Secured Party may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and
the reasonable expenses of the Secured Party incurred in connection therewith
shall be payable by the Pledgor under Section 14(b).

SECTION 10. Standard of Care.

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      The powers conferred on the Secured Party hereunder are solely to protect
its interest in the Pledged Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to
exercise any such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the
custody of any Pledged Collateral in its possession and the accounting for
moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Secured Party shall have no duty
as to any Pledged Collateral, it being understood that the Secured Party shall
have no responsibility for (a) ascertaining or taking action with respect to
calls, conversions, exchanges, tenders or other matters relating to any Pledged
Collateral, whether or not the Secured Party has or is deemed to have knowledge
of such matters, (b) taking any necessary steps (other than steps taken in
accordance with the standard of care set forth above to maintain possession of
the Pledged Collateral) to preserve rights against any parties with respect to
any Pledged Collateral, (c) taking any necessary steps to collect or realize
upon the Secured Obligations or any guarantee therefor, or any part thereof, or
any of the Pledged Collateral, or (d) initiating any action to protect the
Pledged Collateral against the possibility of a decline in market value. The
Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody
and preservation of Pledged Collateral in its possession if such Pledged
Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Secured
Party accords its own property consisting of negotiable securities.

SECTION 11. Remedies.

      (a) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Pledged Collateral, in addition to
all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it,
all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the "Code") (whether
or not the Code applies to the affected Pledged Collateral), and the Secured
Party may also in its sole discretion, without notice except as specified below,
sell the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public
or private sale, at any exchange or broker's board or at any of the Secured
Party's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at
such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as the
Secured Party may deem commercially reasonable, irrespective of the impact of
any such sales on the market price of the Pledged Collateral. The Secured Party
may be the purchaser of any or all of the Pledged Collateral at any such public
sale and the Secured Party shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and
making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the
Pledged Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the
Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any Pledged
Collateral payable by the Secured Party at such sale. Each purchaser at any
public or private sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any
claim or right on the part of the Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or
appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule
of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. The Pledgor agrees that, to
the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) Business
Days' notice to the Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale or the time
after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
notification. The Secured Party shall not be obligated to make any sale of
Pledged Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Secured
Party may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement
at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice,
be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. If the proceeds of
any sale or other disposition of the Pledged Collateral are

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insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, the Pledgor shall be liable for
the deficiency and the reasonable fees of any attorneys employed by the Secured
Party to collect such deficiency.

      (b) The Pledgor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions
contained in the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") and applicable state
securities laws, the Secured Party may be compelled, with respect to any sale of
all or any part of the Pledged Collateral conducted without prior registration
or qualification of such Pledged Collateral under the Securities Act and/or such
state securities laws, to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other
things, to acquire the Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment
and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. The Pledgor
acknowledges that any such private sales may be at prices and on terms less
favorable than those obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions
(including, without limitation, a public offering made pursuant to a
registration statement under the Securities Act) and, notwithstanding such
circumstances, the Pledgor agrees that the choice of a private sale shall be
deemed to be a commercially reasonable choice and that the Secured Party shall
have no obligation to engage in public sales and no obligation to delay the sale
of any Pledged Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer
thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under
the Securities Act or under applicable state securities laws, even if such
issuer would, or should, agree to so register it.

      (c) If the Secured Party determines to exercise its right to sell any or
all of the Pledged Collateral, upon written request, the Pledgor shall and shall
cause each issuer of any Pledged Shares to be sold hereunder from time to time
to furnish to the Secured Party all such information as the Secured Party may
request in order to determine the number of shares and other instruments
included in the Pledged Collateral which may be sold by the Secured Party in
exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as the same are from time to
time in effect.

SECTION 12. Application of Proceeds.

      Except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds
received by the Secured Party in respect of any sale of, collection from, or
other realization upon all or any part of the Pledged Collateral may, in the
discretion of the Secured Party, be held by the Secured Party as Pledged
Collateral for, and/or then, or at any time thereafter, applied in full or in
part by the Secured Party to the reasonable expenses of retaking, holding,
preparing for sale, selling and the like, to reasonable attorneys fees, travel
and all other expenses which may be incurred by the Secured Party in attempting
to collect the Secured Obligations or to enforce this Agreement or in the
prosecution or defense of any action or proceeding related to the subject matter
of this Agreement, and then to the Secured Obligations in the order set forth in
such order or preference as the Secured Party may determine after proper
allowance for Secured Obligations not then due. Only after such applications,
and after payment by the Secured Party of any amount required by ss.9-504(l)(c)
of the Uniform Commercial Code of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, need the
Secured Party account to the Pledgor for any surplus.

SECTION 13. Indemnity and Expenses.

      (a) The Pledgor agrees to indemnify the Secured Party and each Lender from
and against any and all claims, losses and liabilities in any way relating to,
growing out of or

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resulting from this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(including, without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement) except to the
extent arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Secured
Party or such Lender.

      (b) The Pledgor will pay to the Secured Party upon demand the amount of
any and all costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of
its counsel and of any experts and agents, that the Secured Party may incur in
connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody or
preservation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any
of the Pledged Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the
rights of the Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by the Pledgor to
perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

SECTION 14. Continuing Security Interest: Transfer of Loans and Notes.

      This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Pledged
Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the indefeasible
payment in full of all Secured Obligations and the cancellation or termination
of all of the Commitments, (b) be binding upon the Pledgor, its successors and
assigns, and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Secured
Party hereunder, to the benefit of the Secured Party and its successors,
transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause
(c), the Secured Party may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans and Notes held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to the Secured Party herein or
otherwise. Upon the indefeasible payment in full of all Secured Obligations and
the cancellation or termination of all of the Commitments, the security interest
granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Pledged Collateral shall
revert to the Pledgor. Upon any such termination the Secured Party will, at the
Pledgor's expense, execute and deliver to the Pledgor such documents as the
Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination and the Pledgor
shall be entitled to the return, upon its request and at its expense, against
receipt and without recourse to the Secured Party, of such of the Pledged
Collateral as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the
terms hereof.

SECTION 15. Amendments: Etc.

      No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, or consent to
any departure by the Pledgor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless
the same shall be in writing and signed by the Secured Party, and then such
waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
specific purpose for which it was given.

SECTION 16. Notices.

      All notices hereunder to any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given when given in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

SECTION 17. Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver: Remedies Cumulative.

      No failure or delay on the part of the Secured Party in the exercise of
any power, right or privilege hereunder shall impair such power, right or
privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein,
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power,

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right or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any
other power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under this
Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies
otherwise available.

SECTION 18. Severability.

      In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such
provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 19. Headings.

      Section and subsection headings in this Agreement are included herein for
convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement
for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

SECTION 20. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction.

      THIS AGREEMENT IS A CONTRACT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID COMMONWEALTH (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO
CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). THE PLEDGOR CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY OF
THE FEDERAL OR STATE COURTS LOCATED IN SUFFOLK COUNTY IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT TO ENFORCE THE RIGHTS OF THE SECURED
PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. THE PLEDGOR IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH
IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION BROUGHT
IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND
AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH ACTION THAT SUCH ACTION HAS BEEN
BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

SECTION 23. Waiver of Jury Trial.

      THE PLEDGOR HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ITS
RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY
DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER,
THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE
OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY.
EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE PLEDGOR HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO
CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY LITIGATION REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE ANY
SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES OTHER THAN,
OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES. THE PLEDGOR CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE,
AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE SECURED PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE,
THAT THE SECURED PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS. THE WAIVERS AND
CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN CONSTITUTE A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE SECURED
PARTY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND TO MAKE THE
LOAN.

SECTION 24. Counterparts.

      This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by
different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may
be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single
counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor and the Secured Party have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

                             FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                             By: /s/ Daniel G. Head. Jr.
                                 -----------------------------
                                 Daniel G. Head, Jr.
                                 Director

                             Notice Address:

                             100 Federal Street
                             Mail Stop MA DE 10008H
                             Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                             Attention: Daniel G. Head, Jr., Director
                             Facsimile: (617) 434-0819

                             with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

                             Sullivan & Worcester, LLP
                             One Post Office Square
                             Boston, MA 02109
                             Attention: Dennis J. White, Esq.
                             Facsimile: (617) 338-2880

                             ePRESENCE, INC.

                             By: /s/ Richard M. Spaulding
                                 -----------------------------
                                 Name: Richard M. Spaulding
                                 Title: SVP and CFO

                             Notice Address:

                             120 Flanders Road
                             P.O. Box 5013
                             Westboro, Massachusetts 01581-5013
                             Attention: President
                             Facsimile:

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT
                                   SCHEDULE I

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    % of
                                                            Cert.                Outstanding
Pledgor                Issuer                Class           #s       Par       Shares of Stock
-------                ------                -----          -----     ---       ---------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>                       <C>               <C>     <C>              <C>
ePresence, Inc.  ePresence International   Common Stock      1       $.10 Par         100%
                 Incorporated (f.k.a.                                  Value
                 Banyan Systems
                 International
                 Incorporated)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  ePresence Securities      Common Stock      1       $.01 Par         100%
                 Corporation (f.k.a.                                   Value
                 Banyan Securities
                 Corporation)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  ePresence Web             Common Stock      7        No Par          100%
                 Consulting, Inc. (f k.a.                              Value
                 ePresence, Inc.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series A          11       No Par          50%
                 Designs                   Common                      Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series A          12       No Par          50%
                 Designs                   Common                      Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          1        No Par          29.6%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                 Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          2        No Par          22.2%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                 Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          3        No Par          10.4%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                 Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          4        No Par          7.4%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                 Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          5        No Par          7.4%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                 Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          6        No Par          7.4%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                 Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          7        No Par          3.7%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                 Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    % of
                                                            Cert.                Outstanding
Pledgor                Issuer                Class           #s       Par       Shares of Stock
-------                ------                -----          -----     ---       ---------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>                       <C>               <C>     <C>              <C>
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          8       No Par           2.9%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          9       No Par           2.6%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          10      No Par           1.9%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          11      No Par           1.9%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          12      No Par           .65%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          13      No Par           .65%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          14      No Par           .65%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ePresence, Inc.  Strategic Network         Series B          15      No Par           .65%
                 Designs                   Common Non-                Value
                                           Voting Stock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE II

                                PLEDGE AMENDMENT

      This Pledge Amendment, dated _____________, is delivered pursuant to
Section 6(b) of the Pledge Agreement referred to below. The undersigned hereby
agrees that this Pledge Amendment may be attached to the Pledge Agreement dated
as of October 6, 2000, between the undersigned and Fleet National Bank, as the
Secured Party (the "Pledge Agreement", capitalized terms defined therein being
used herein as therein defined), and that the shares listed on this Pledge
Amendment shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares and shall become part
of the Pledged Collateral and shall secure all Obligations.

                                 ePRESENCE, INC.

                                 By: ___________________________
                                        [Name]
                                        [Title]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Class            Stock                         Number
                       of           Certificate          Par           of
Stock Issuer          Stock           Numbers           Value        Shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                      -15-<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.43

                                ePresence, Inc.

                 Corporate Officer Restricted Stock Agreement
                    Granted Under 1992 Stock Incentive Plan

     This Restricted Stock Agreement (this "Agreement") is made this 21st  day
of December, 2000 between ePresence, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the
"Company"), and William P. Ferry (the "Participant").

     WHEREAS, the issuance of 120,000 shares of restricted stock to the
Participant was approved at the November 16, 2000 ("Grant Date") meeting of the
Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.

     NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, receipt of which is
acknowledged, the Company and the Participant (each, a "Party" and together, the
"Parties") each agree as follows:

     1.    Purchase of Shares.

     The Company shall issue and sell to the Participant, and the Participant
shall purchase from the Company, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement and in the Company's 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
(the "Plan"), 120,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, $0.01 par value per
share, of the Company ("Common Stock"), at a purchase price of $0.01 per share.
The aggregate purchase price for the Shares shall be paid by the Participant by
check payable to the order of the Company or such other method as may be
acceptable to the Company.  Upon receipt by the Company of payment for the
Shares, the Company shall issue to the Participant one or more certificates in
the name of the Participant for that number of Shares purchased by the
Participant.  The Participant agrees that the Shares shall be held by an escrow
agent pursuant to the terms and conditions in Section 6 of this Agreement and
the Joint Escrow Instructions (the form of which is attached hereto as Appendix
A), subject to the Purchase Option set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement and
the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.

     2.    Purchase Option.

     (a)   In the event that the Participant ceases to be employed by the
Company for any reason or no reason, other than a change in control, with or
without cause, or the Participant announces his intention to terminate his
employment with the Company, the Company shall have the right and option (the
"Purchase Option") to purchase from the Participant, for a sum of $0.01 per
share (the "Option Price"), any or all of the Unvested Shares (as defined
below).

                 "Unvested Shares" means the total number of Shares multiplied
by the Applicable Percentage at the time the Purchase Option becomes exercisable
by the Company. The "Applicable Percentage" shall be (i) 100% during the period
beginning on the Grant Date and ending on April 14, 2001, (ii) 75% during the
period beginning on April 15, 2001 and ending on October 14, 2001, (iii) 50%
during the period beginning on October 15, 2001 and ending on April 14, 2002,
(iv) 25% during the period beginning on April 15, 2002 and ending on October 14,
2002, and (v) zero percent after October 14, 2002.
<PAGE>

                 (b)   In the event that the Participant's employment with the
Company is terminated by reason of death or disability on or before the third
anniversary of the Grant Date, the number of the Shares for which the Purchase
Option becomes exercisable shall be fifty percent (50%) of the number of
Unvested Shares for which the Purchase Option would otherwise become
exercisable. For this purpose, "disability" shall mean the Participant's absence
from the full-time performance of the Participant's duties with the Company for
180 consecutive calendar days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to the
Participant or the Participant's legal representative.

     (c)   For purposes of this Agreement, employment with the Company
shall include employment with a parent or subsidiary of the Company.

     3.    Exercise of Purchase Option and Closing.

     (a)   The Company may exercise the Purchase Option by delivering or mailing
to the Participant (or the Participant's estate), within 60 days after the
termination of the employment of the Participant with the Company, a written
notice of exercise of the Purchase Option.  Such notice shall specify the number
of Shares to be purchased.  If and to the extent the Purchase Option is not so
exercised by the giving of such a notice within such 60-day period, the Purchase
Option shall automatically expire and terminate effective upon the expiration of
such 60-day period.

     (b)   Within 10 days after delivery to the Participant of the Company's
notice of the exercise of the Purchase Option pursuant to subsection (a) above,
the Participant (or the Participant's estate) shall, pursuant to the provisions
of the Joint Escrow Instructions referred to in Section 6, tender to the Company
at its principal offices the certificate or certificates representing the Shares
which the Company has elected to purchase in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, duly endorsed in blank or with duly endorsed stock powers attached
thereto, all in form suitable for the transfer of such Shares to the Company.
Promptly following its receipt of such certificate or certificates, the Company
shall pay to the Participant the aggregate Option Price for such Shares
(provided that any delay in making such payment shall not invalidate the
Company's exercise of the Purchase Option with respect to such Shares).

     (c)   After the time at which any Shares are required to be delivered to
the Company for transfer to the Company pursuant to subsection (b) above, the
Company shall not pay any dividend to the Participant on account of such Shares
or permit the Participant to exercise any of the privileges or rights of a
stockholder with respect to such Shares, but shall, insofar as permitted by law,
treat the Company as the owner of such Shares.

     (d)   The Option Price may be payable, at the option of the Company, in
cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the
Participant to the Company or in cash or both.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     (e)   The Company shall not purchase any fraction of a Share upon exercise
of the Purchase Option, and any fraction of a Share resulting from a computation
made pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement shall be rounded to the nearest
whole Share (with any one-half Share being rounded upward).

     (f)   The Company may assign its Purchase Option to one or more persons or
entities.

     4.    Restrictions on Transfer.

     The Participant shall not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or
otherwise dispose of, by operation of law or otherwise (collectively "transfer")
any Shares, or any interest therein, that are subject to the Purchase Option,
except that the Participant may transfer such Shares to or for the benefit of
any spouse, child or grandchild, or to a trust for their benefit, provided that
such Shares shall remain subject to this Agreement (including without limitation
the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4 and the Purchase
Option), and such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer,
deliver to the Company a written instrument confirming that such transferee
shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

     5.    Effect of Prohibited Transfer.

     The Company shall not be required (a) to transfer on its books any of the
Shares which shall have been sold or transferred in violation of any of the
provisions set forth in this Agreement, or (b) to treat as owner of such Shares
or to pay dividends to any transferee to whom any such Shares shall have been so
sold or transferred.

     6.    Escrow.

     The Participant shall, upon the execution of this Agreement, execute Joint
Escrow Instructions in the form attached to this Agreement as Appendix A.  The
Joint Escrow Instructions shall be delivered to the escrow agent thereunder.
The Participant shall deliver to such escrow agent a stock assignment duly
endorsed in blank and hereby instructs the Company to deliver to such escrow
agent, on behalf of the Participant, the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares
issued hereunder.  Such materials shall be held by such escrow agent pursuant to
the terms of such Joint Escrow Instructions.

     7.    Restrictive Legend.

     All certificates representing Shares shall have affixed thereto a legend in
substantially the following form, in addition to any other legends that may be
required under federal or state securities laws:

          "The shares of stock represented by this certificate are subject to
          restrictions on transfer and an option to purchase set forth in a
          certain Restricted Stock Agreement between the corporation and the
          registered owner of these shares (or his predecessor in interest), and
          such Agreement is available for inspection without charge at the
          office of the Secretary of the corporation."

                                       3
<PAGE>

     8.    Provisions of the Plan.

     This Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Plan, a copy of which
the Participant acknowledges he has been furnished with.

     9.    Withholding Taxes; Section 83(b) Election.

     (a)   The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company has the
right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to the Participant any
federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with
respect to the purchase of the Shares by the Participant or the lapse of the
Purchase Option.

     (b)   The Participant acknowledges that the Participant has been informed
of the availability of making an election in accordance with Section 83(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (attached hereto as Appendix B is
the 83(b) Election Form); that such election must be filed with the Internal
Revenue Service within 30 days of the date of this Agreement; and that the
Participant is solely responsible for making such election

     (c)   The Company agrees to make a loan or loans to the Participant equal
to the amount of taxes owed by the Participant as a result of the Section 83(b)
election referred to above or, in the event no such election is made, as a
result of the vesting of the Shares hereunder, in each case in accordance with
the terms of the Company's LTI Loan Provision Program, as such program may be in
effect from time to time.

     10.   Severability.

     The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement, and each other provision of this Agreement shall be severable and
enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

     11.   Waiver.

     Any provision for the benefit of the Company contained in this Agreement
may be waived, either generally or in any particular instance, by the
Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.

     12.   Binding Effect.

     This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Company and the Participant and their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns, subject to the
restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     13.   Notice.

     All notices, instructions and other communications given hereunder or in
connection herewith shall be in writing.  Any such notice, instruction or
communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable nationwide
overnight courier service, in each case addressed to the Company at: Corporate
Counsel, ePresence, Inc., 120 Flanders Road, P.O. Box 5013, Westboro,
Massachusetts 01581-5013, and to the Participant at: P.O. Box 638, Hyannis, MA
02601-0638 (or to such other address as either the Company or the Participant
may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith).  Any such
notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed to have been delivered five
business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or one business day after it is sent via a reputable
nationwide overnight courier service. Either Party may give any notice,
instruction or other communication hereunder using any other means, but no such
notice, instruction or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly
delivered unless and until it actually is received by the Party for whom it is
intended.

     14.   Pronouns.

     Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall
include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular
form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa.

     15.   Entire Agreement.

     This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement between the
Parties, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement.

     16.   Amendment.

     This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument
executed by both the Company and the Participant.

     17.   Governing Law.

     This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance
with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to
any applicable conflicts of laws.

                                       5
<PAGE>

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

                                  EPRESENCE, INC.

                                  By:   /s/ Richard M. Spaulding
                                      ---------------------------------
                                  Name: Richard M. Spaulding
                                  Title:   Senior Vice President & CFO

                                  PARTICIPANT

                                    /s/ William P. Ferry
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  William P. Ferry

                                  6
<PAGE>

                                  Appendix A

                                ePresence, Inc.

                           Joint Escrow Instructions

                                                 December 21, 2000

Kevin F. Newman
Assistant Clerk
ePresence, Inc.
120 Flanders Road
P.O. Box 5013
Westboro, Massachusetts 01581-5013

Dear Sir:

     As Escrow Agent for ePresence, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the
"Company"), and the undersigned person ("Holder"), you are hereby authorized and
directed to hold the documents delivered to you pursuant to the terms of that
certain Restricted Stock Agreement (the "Agreement") of even date herewith, to
which a copy of these Joint Escrow Instructions is attached, in accordance with
the following instructions:

     1.    Appointment.  Holder irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit
with you any certificates evidencing Shares (as defined in the Agreement) to be
held by you hereunder and any additions and substitutions to said Shares.
Holder does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as his attorney-in-
fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute with respect to such
Shares all documents necessary or appropriate to make such Shares negotiable and
to complete any transaction herein contemplated.  Subject to the provisions of
this paragraph 1 and the terms of the Agreement, Holder shall exercise all
rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company while the Shares are held
by you.

     2.    Closing of Purchase.

     (a)   Upon any purchase by the Company of the Shares pursuant to the
Agreement, the Company shall give to Holder and you a written notice specifying
the purchase price for the Shares, as determined pursuant to the Agreement, and
the time for a closing hereunder (the "Closing") at the principal office of the
Company.  Holder and the Company hereby irrevocably authorize and direct you to
close the transaction contemplated by such notice in accordance with the terms
of said notice.
<PAGE>

     (b)   At the Closing, you are directed (a) to date the stock assignment
form or forms necessary for the transfer of the Shares, (b) to fill in on such
form or forms the number of Shares being transferred, and (c) to deliver same,
together with the certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares to be
transferred, to the Company against the simultaneous delivery to you of the
purchase price for the Shares being purchased pursuant to the Agreement.

     3.    Withdrawal.  The Holder shall have the right to withdraw from this
escrow any Shares as to which the Purchase Option (as defined in the Agreement)
has terminated or expired.

     4.    Duties of Escrow Agent.

     (a)   Your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked
only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

     (b)   You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are
specifically set forth herein and may rely and shall be protected in relying or
refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by you to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. You
shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do hereunder as
Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact of Holder while acting in good faith and in
the exercise of your own good judgment, and any act done or omitted by you
pursuant to the advice of your own attorneys shall be conclusive evidence of
such good faith.

     (c)   You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all warnings
given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or Company, excepting
only orders or process of courts of law, and are hereby expressly authorized to
comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any court.  In case you
obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree of any court, you shall
not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or
Company by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order, judgment
or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside, vacated or
found to have been entered without jurisdiction.

     (d)   You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity,
authority or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to
execute or deliver the Agreement or any documents or papers deposited or called
for hereunder.

     (e)   You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other experts
as you may deem necessary to properly advise you in connection with your
obligations hereunder and may rely upon the advice of such counsel.

     (f)   Your rights and responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall
terminate if (i) you cease to be Assistant Clerk of the Company or (ii) you
resign by written notice to each party.  In the event of a termination under
clause (i), your successor as Assistant Clerk shall become Escrow Agent
hereunder; in the event of a termination under clause (ii), the Company shall
appoint a successor Escrow Agent hereunder.

     (g)   If you reasonably require other or further instruments in connection
with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect hereto, the
necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.

                                       2
<PAGE>

     (h)   It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with
respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the
securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in
your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities
until such dispute shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement of
the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has
been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend
any such proceedings.

     (i)   These Joint Escrow Instructions set forth your sole duties with
respect to any and all matters pertinent hereto and no implied duties or
obligations shall be read into these Joint Escrow Instructions against you.

     (j)   The Company shall indemnify you and hold you harmless against any and
all damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including attorneys' fees
and disbursements, for anything done or omitted to be done by you as Escrow
Agent in connection with this Agreement or the performance of your duties
hereunder, except such as shall result from your gross negligence or willful
misconduct.

     5.    Notice.  All notices, instructions and other communications given
hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing.  Any such notice,
instruction or communication shall be sent to each of the other parties
thereunto entitled either (i) by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable nationwide overnight
courier service, in each case addressed to the Company at:  Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, ePresence, 120 Flanders Road, P.O. Box
5013, Westboro, Massachusetts 01581-5013, to the Participant at:  P.O. Box 638,
Hyannis, MA 02601-0638 and to you at:  Assistant Clerk, ePresence, Inc., 120
Flanders Road, P.O. Box 5013, Westboro, Massachusetts 01581-5013 (or to such
other address as a party may have furnished to the other parties in writing in
accordance herewith).  Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be
deemed to have been delivered five business days after it is sent by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one business
day after it is sent via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service.  Any
party may give any notice, instruction or other communication hereunder using
any other means, but no such notice, instruction or other communication shall be
deemed to have been duly delivered unless and until it actually is received by
the party for whom it is intended.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     6.    Miscellaneous.

     (a)   By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party hereto
only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions, and you do not become a
party to the Agreement.

     (b)   This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        EPRESENCE, INC.

                                       By:    /s/ Richard M. Spaulding
                                            --------------------------------
                                       Name:  Richard M. Spaulding
                                       Title: Senior Vice President & CFO

                                        HOLDER

                                            /s/ William P. Ferry
                                        ------------------------------------

                                        William P. Ferry

ESCROW AGENT

  /s/ Kevin F. Newman
---------------------------------
Kevin F. Newman
Assistant Clerk

                                       4
<PAGE>

                                   Appendix B

  Election to Include Value of Restricted Property in Gross Income inYear of
        Transfer Pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code

The undersigned hereby makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to the property
described below and supplies the following information in accordance with Treas.
Reg. (S) 1.83-2:

The name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the undersigned are:

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

          Taxpayer identification number:  ____________________

A description of the property with respect to which this election is being made
is as follows:

  ______ shares of common stock, $_______ par value per share, of ePresence,
  Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Company")

The date on which the property was transferred and the taxable year for which
this election is being made are as follows:

  Date of transfer:  _________, 2000

  Taxable year:  calendar year 2000

The nature of the restrictions to which the property is subject is as follows:

  The property is subject to vesting provisions and may be forfeited under the
  terms of a stock restriction agreement executed between the undersigned and
  the Company.

                                       5
<PAGE>

 The fair market value of the property at the time of the transfer (determined
            without regard to any lapse restriction, as defined in
                        Treas. Reg. (S) 1.83-3(i)) is:

  $_____________, equal to a fair market value of $__________ per share

The amount paid for the property by the undersigned is:

  $_____________, equal to a purchase price of $__________ per share

In accordance with Treas. Reg. (S) 1.83-2(d) & (e)(7), a copy of this statement
has been furnished to the Company.

Dated:_____________________      _____________________________________

                                 Name:________________________

                                        6

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