Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.53

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of the
27th day of August, 1998 ("Effective Date"), by and between System Software
Associates, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter the "Company"), and Joseph
J. Skadra (hereinafter the "Employee").

WHEREAS, the Company desires that the Employee provide services for the benefit
of the Company (including, to the extent required, all subsidiary and related
companies of the Company; hereinafter collectively the "Affiliates") and the
Employee desires to accept such employment with the Company; and

WHEREAS, in the course of employment with the Company, the Employee will have
access to certain confidential information that relates to or will relate to the
business of the Company and its Affiliates, and the Company desires that any
such information not be disclosed to other parties or otherwise used for
unauthorized purposes.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and the following terms
and mutual covenants, the parties agree as follows:

1.  Employment.  The Employee shall serve as Vice President Finance and
Controller. The Employee hereby accepts such employment and position on the
terms contained herein.

2.  Duties and Employee Loyalty.  The Employee shall work for the Company in a
full-time capacity and shall have the duties, responsibilities, powers and
authority customarily associated with the position of Vice President Finance and
Controller, which duties shall include, but not be limited to, responsibility
for preparation and maintaining the Company's financial reports, together with
such other duties and functions as are assigned from time to time by the
Employee's Manager. The Employee shall report to the Company's Chief Financial
Officer or his/her designee (hereinafter "Employee's Manager"). The Employee
shall devote his entire business time, attention, energy, knowledge, and skill
to the performance of duties for the Company and will use his best efforts to
promote the interests of the Company and its Affiliates.

The Employee expressly agrees that during the term of this Agreement, he shall
not engage, directly or indirectly, as a partner, officer, director,
stockholder, advisor, agent, employee, or in any other form or capacity, in any
other business similar to that of the Company.  The foregoing notwithstanding,
nothing herein contained shall be deemed to prevent the Employee from investing
in the capital stock or other securities of any corporation whose stock or
securities are publicly owned or are regularly traded on any public exchange.

3.  Term of Employment.  Unless sooner terminated as in accordance with
Paragraph 7, this Agreement shall be entered into commencing as of its Effective
Date (hereinafter the "Start Date") and shall thereafter continue until
expiration in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

4.  Compensation.  For all services rendered by the Employee to the Company, the
Company shall pay to the Employee during his period of employment the following
compensation:

     Base Salary.  The Employee shall be entitled to an annual base salary of
     $250,000.00 (hereinafter "Base Salary"); said Base Salary to be made
     retroactive commencing as of August 1, 1998, payable in substantially equal
     installments in accordance with the Company's then current local payroll
     policy.

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     Annual Incentive Bonus.  The Employee shall be entitled to participate in
     an annual bonus program which shall provide the Employee an opportunity to
     achieve a targeted annual bonus of up to $100,000.00, based on achievement
     of specified organizational and personal management objectives (hereinafter
     "Annual Incentive Bonus"). The Employee agrees that incentive bonus
     payments are not guaranteed income and are based upon actual performance
     and achievement of established objectives on a fiscal year or quarterly
     basis. The actual payment of earned incentive bonus payments shall be made
     by the Company on a periodic basis in accordance with the Company's then
     current payroll policy. Currently, such periodic payments coincide with the
     Company's fiscal quarters and fiscal year-end.

     Adjustments to Base Salary and Annual Incentive Bonus.  The Base Salary
     and/or Annual Incentive Bonus may be increased (but may not be reduced,
     unless there is a significant change in the Employee's duties and
     responsibilities) by the Employee's Manager. To that end, the Employee
     shall periodically receive a performance review in accordance with the
     Company's then existing policies. For informational purposes only, the
     Company's current policy provides for an annual performance review (which
     may or may not, at the Company's option, include an adjustment in the
     Employee's Base Salary and/or Annual Incentive Bonus).

     Additional Compensation.  The Employee is also eligible to be considered
     for participation, during the term of his employment, in such other
     compensation programs as may be available by the Company from time to time
     (commensurate with the Employee's position and compensation).

     Grant of Stock Options.  In accordance with the Company's Long Term
     Incentive Plan, the Employee is hereby granted 30,000 stock options in the
     Company's common stock. The strike price on these options will be $5.625
     per share; being the value of a share of the Company's common stock as of
     the close of market on July 27, 1998. The stock options will, subject to
     Paragraph 7, below, vest in four equal annual installments (7,500 stock
     options per installment) over a four (4) year employment period beginning
     one year after the Start Date. The grant of such stock options, in
     accordance with the foregoing, will be memorialized in an option agreement
     pursuant to and in accordance with the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan.

     Deductions.  The Employee agrees that the Company shall withhold from any
     and all compensation required to be made to the Employee under this
     Agreement all federal, state, local and/or other taxes or payroll
     deductions which the Company determines are required to be withheld in
     accordance with applicable statutes and/or regulations from time to time in
     effect or as otherwise withheld pursuant to the consent or agreement of the
     Employee.

5.  Benefits.  During the term of this Agreement, the Employee shall be eligible
to participate in any life insurance, disability insurance, medical, dental, or
health insurance, vacation, savings, pension and retirement plans and other
benefit plans or programs as may be maintained by the Company for the benefit of
its employees  (commensurate with the Employee's position and compensation).

6.  Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly
reimburse the Employee for all reasonable and approved business expenses
incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties to the Company,
upon substantiation of such expenses in accordance with the policies of the
Company in effect from time to time.

7.  Termination. The Employee's services shall terminate upon the first to occur
of the following events:

     Termination Without Cause. The Company expressly reserves the right to
     terminate the employment of the Employee hereunder other than for cause,
     disability or death, as provided for below. In the event that the
     Employee's employment shall have been so terminated by the Company other
     than for cause, death, or disability, the Employee shall be entitled to
     receive the equivalent of twelve (12) months Base Salary (as may have been
     adjusted from time to time during the term of this Agreement and in
     accordance with the terms hereof) (hereinafter "Severance Payment"). The
     Company will pay this Severance Payment on a lump sum basis within thirty
     (30) days of termination. In addition, in the event that the Employee's
     employment shall have been so terminated, the vesting period with respect
     to stock options granted to the Employee pursuant to

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     Paragraph 4, above, shall accelerate so as to permit the Employee to
     exercise, in accordance with the terms of SSA's Long Term Incentive Plan,
     any such stock options which would have otherwise vested within a period of
     twenty-four (24) months after the Employee's effective date of termination
     of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the
     Employees' employment is terminated by the Company as a result of a Change
     of Control (as defined below), the vesting period with respect to stock
     options granted to the Employee pursuant to Paragraph 4, above, shall
     accelerate as provided for below.

     Voluntary Termination and Termination for Cause.  The Employee's employment
     may be voluntarily terminated by him at any time by giving sixty (60) days
     written notice thereof to the Company (or such shorter period of time as
     may be agreed upon by the Company). Additionally, the Employee's employment
     may be terminated at any time for cause (as hereinafter defined), effective
     immediately upon the giving of written notice to the Employee.

     If at any time during the term of this Agreement: (a) the Employee shall
     have voluntarily terminated his employment with the Company; or (b) the
     Company shall have terminated the employment of the Employee for cause (as
     hereinafter defined), the Employee shall be entitled to receive only his
     Base Salary (as may have been adjusted from time to time during the term of
     this Agreement and in accordance with the terms hereof) up to the date of
     termination plus any accrued but unused vacation pay. The Employee shall
     also be entitled to any benefits mandated under the Consolidated Omnibus
     Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) or required under the terms of
     any life insurance or retirement plan, program, or agreement provided by
     the Company and to which the Employee is a party or in which the Employee
     is a participant, including, but not limited to, any short-term or long-
     term disability plan or program, if applicable.

     For purposes of this Agreement, the Employee shall be deemed terminated
     "for cause" if the Company terminates the Employee after the Employee: (a)
     shall have been formally indicted (or the equivalent thereof) for any
     felony including, but not limited to, a felony involving fraud, theft,
     misappropriation, dishonesty, or embezzlement; (b) shall have committed
     intentional acts of gross misconduct that materially impair the goodwill or
     business of the Company or cause material damage to its property, goodwill,
     or business; or (c) shall have refused to, or willfully failed to, perform
     his material duties, provided, however, that no termination under this
     subparagraph (c) shall be effective unless the Employee does not cure such
     refusal or failure to the Company's satisfaction as soon as practicable
     after the Company gives the Employee written notice identifying such
     refusal or failure (and, in any event, within thirty (30) calendar days
     after receipt of such written notice). No act or failure to act on the part
     of the Employee shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted
     to be done, by the Employee in bad faith or without reasonable belief that
     his action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

     Termination Due to Disability.  This Agreement and any termination of
     employment as a result of a disability shall be subject to the disability
     policy as established by the Company from time to time.

     Termination Due to Death.  In the event of the Employee's death during the
     term of this Agreement, the Employee's employment hereunder shall
     immediately terminate and, in such event, the Employee's estate shall be
     entitled to receive the Employee's Base Salary (as may have been adjusted
     from time to time during the term of this Agreement and in accordance with
     the terms hereof) to the last day of the month during which the Employee's
     death shall have occurred and such additional benefits, if any, as may be
     provided by any insurance or other benefits to which the Employee may have
     participated in or otherwise became entitled to during his period of
     employment, as established or maintained by the Company for its employees
     from time to time.

     Termination Due to Change of Control. The Employee's employment may be
     terminated by him by written notice for a Good Reason (as hereinafter
     defined) by giving ninety (90) days written notice thereof to the Company
     (or such shorter period of time as may be agreed upon by the Company), at
     any time within one hundred eighty (180) days following a Change of Control
     (as defined below). In such event, the Employee

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     shall be entitled to receive the Severance Payment as described above. The
     Company will pay the Severance Payment on a lump sum basis within thirty
     (30) days of termination.

     In the event that the Employee's employment shall have been terminated by
     him in accordance with the foregoing or by the Company due to a Change of
     Control, the vesting period with respect to all stock options granted to
     the Employee pursuant to Paragraph 4, above, shall accelerate so as to
     permit the Employee to exercise, in accordance with the terms of SSA's Long
     Term Incentive Plan, all stock options which would have otherwise vested in
     accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

     The term "Good Reason" shall mean either: (a) the elimination of the
     Employee's position or a material diminution in the Employee's authority,
     functions, duties or responsibilities, which has occurred as a result of a
     Change of Control (as hereinafter defined); or (b) a failure by the Company
     to either reaffirm the Employee's current position with the Company or
     offer the Employee a comparable position at the same or greater
     compensation level within thirty (30) days following a Change of Control
     (as defined below).

     The term "Change of Control" shall mean a material change in the management
     structure of the Company which has occurred as a result of either: (a) a
     sale of a controlling interest of the Company to a third party; (b) a sale
     of the Company to a third party of all or substantially all of the
     Company's stock or assets; or (c) a merger of the Company with another
     unrelated entity.

     Treatment of Annual Incentive Bonus Upon Termination. In the event of
     termination of the employment of the Employee for any reason, the Employee
     shall be entitled to receive any Annual Incentive Bonus or other
     compensation (other than Base Salary) in respect of the fiscal quarter of
     the Company in which the termination shall take place; the specific amount
     of the Annual Incentive Bonus and/or additional compensation to be paid to
     the Executive to be: (a) prorated based upon the earlier of the effective
     date of the Employee's termination of employment or the date the Employee
     ceases to perform services on behalf of the Company; and (b) dependent upon
     the Company's achievement of the underlying bonus program to which the
     Annual Incentive Bonus and/or other compensation relates. In addition, in
     the event that at the time of his termination, the Employee is due, but has
     not yet received, payment of any Annual Incentive Bonus, or portion
     thereof, or other compensation (other than Base Salary), such amount(s)
     shall be paid to Employee in accordance with the Company's payroll policy
     from time to time in effect.

     Payment Contingencies: Payment to the Employee of the Severance Payment,
     together with any other amounts to be paid to the Employee pursuant to this
     Paragraph 7, is contingent upon: (a) the Employee signing an agreement that
     releases the Company from actions, suits, claims, proceedings and demands
     related to the period of employment and/or the termination of employment;
     (b) the Company being permitted to offset from the severance pay hereunder
     any salary paid to the Employee during the ninety (90) day notice period
     (or such shorter period of time as may be provided for herein or otherwise
     agreed upon by the Company) if the Employee performs no services during
     such notice period; (c) the Employee returning, in good condition, all
     property belonging to Company; and (d) the Employee remaining in compliance
     with his obligations of confidentiality including, without limitation, the
     Employee's adherence to the restrictions placed upon his subsequent
     employment opportunities pursuant to Paragraph 8, below.

8.  EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS.  The Employee acknowledges and agrees
that solely by virtue of his employment by, and relationship with the Company,
he will acquire confidential information relating to the Company and its
Affiliates; such confidential information includes, but is not limited to: (a)
any financial business, planning, operations, services, potential services,
products, potential products, technical information and/or know-how, formulas,
production, purchasing, marketing, sales, personnel, customer, broker, supplier,
or other information of the Company or Affiliates; (b) any papers, data,
records, processes, methods, techniques, systems, models, samples, devices,
equipment, compilations, invoices, customer lists, or documents of the Company
or Affiliates; (c) any confidential information or trade secrets of any third
party provided to the Company in confidence or subject to other use of
disclosure restrictions or limitations; and (d) any other information, written,
oral, or electronic, whether existing now or at some time in the future, whether
pertaining to current or future

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developments, which pertains to the Company's or Affiliate's affairs or
interests or with whom or how the Company or Affiliates conduct business
(hereinafter collectively "Information").

The Employee further acknowledges and agrees that in consideration of the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the
compensation to be paid to the Employee hereunder, the Employee shall sign and
abide by the terms and conditions of the Employee Confidentiality Agreement,
attached hereto and deemed a part hereof (hereinafter "Employee Confidentiality
Agreement"), including, without limitation, the restriction on the Employee's
subsequent employment opportunities as set forth in Section 4 thereof. In
addition, the Employee acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained
in Section 4 of the Employee Confidentiality Agreement are necessary and
reasonable in order to protect the Company in the conduct of its business and
will not prevent the Employee from earning a comparable livelihood following the
termination of his employment with the Company. The Employee further agrees that
for a minimum period of one (1) year following the termination of his employment
with the Company, he shall disclose the existence and terms of the Employee
Confidentiality Agreement to each subsequent employer and hereby consents to and
the Company is hereby given permission to disclose the existence and terms of
the Employee Confidentiality Agreement to any such subsequent employer.

The Information described in this Paragraph 8 shall be deemed to be included in
the definition of "Proprietary Information" as set forth in the Employee
Confidentiality Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions
contained therein.

9.  ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.  The Company and the Employee further agree as
follows:

     Assignment.  The Employee acknowledges that the services to be rendered by
     him are unique and personal. Accordingly, the Employee may not assign any
     of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this
     Agreement. The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement
     shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and
     assigns of the Company.

     Notices.  All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing
     and deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the
     United States mails, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
     addressed to the other party hereto.

     Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between
     the parties, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings
     relating to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of this Agreement
     shall be found invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in
     part, then such provision shall be deemed modified, restricted, or
     reformulated to the extent and in the manner necessary to render the same
     valid and enforceable, or shall be deemed excised from this Agreement, as
     the case may require, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced to
     the maximum extent permitted by law, as if such provision had been
     originally incorporated herein as so modified, restricted, or reformulated
     or as if such provision had not been originally incorporated herein, as the
     case may be.

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

     Headings.  The paragraph and subparagraph headings used in this Agreement
     are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to be considered a
     construction of the provisions hereof.

     Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986. This Agreement is contingent
     upon submission by the Employee of the appropriate documentation for
     verification in compliance with the Immigration and Reform Control Act of
     1986, as amended.

     Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed,
     interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
     Illinois.

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THE EMPLOYEE HAS READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH
IN THIS AGREEMENT, HAS HAD TIME TO REFLECT ON AND CONSIDER THE BENEFITS AND
CONSEQUENCES OF ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
REVIEW THE TERMS HEREOF WITH AN ATTORNEY OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE, IF HE SO
CHOOSES.

THIS AGREEMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON THE EMPLOYEE'S SIGNED ACCEPTANCE OF SAME NO
LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. (CENTRAL STANDARD TIME) ON _______________________.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written at the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES, INC.

By: /s/ Kirk Isaacson
    ----------------------------------------

Typed or Printed Name: Kirk Isaacson
                       ---------------------

EMPLOYEE:

By: /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
    ----------------------------------------

Typed or Printed Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                       ---------------------

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                      EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

This Agreement is made and entered into as of the _____ day of ___________,
199__, by and between System Software Associates, Inc., a Delaware corporation
with its principal place of business at 500 West Madison Street, Chicago,
Illinois, 60661 ("SSA") and ___________________________ ("EMPLOYEE").

WHEREAS, SSA has expended considerable time, effort and resources in the
development of certain proprietary information, which must be maintained as
confidential in order to ensure the success of SSA's business;

WHEREAS, EMPLOYEE has access to such information; and

WHEREAS, each of SSA's other employees has been or shall be obligated to
maintain the secrecy of such proprietary information as a condition of his/her
continued employment by SSA.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises contained herein,
and of EMPLOYEE's continued employment by SSA, the compensation and benefits
received by EMPLOYEE from SSA and the access given EMPLOYEE to the aforesaid
information, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.  DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the term "PROPRIETARY INFORMATION" means any
and all information, oral or written, that is not generally known by persons not
employed by or parties to contracts with SSA, including but not limited to:

  (a) inventions, designs, discoveries, works of authorship, improvements or
      ideas developed or otherwise possessed by SSA;

  (b) SSA's proprietary software, consisting of computer programs in source or
      object code and all related documentation and training materials,
      including all upgrades, updates, improvements and modifications thereof
      and including programs and documentation in incomplete stages of design or
      research and development;

  (c) the subject matter of SSA's patents, design patents, copyrights, trade
      secrets, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade dress, manuals,
      operating instructions and other industrial property to the extent that
      such information is unavailable to the public and/or is in incomplete
      stages of design or research and development;

  (d) SSA's business operations, including marketing, research and product
      development plans and strategies which have been or are being considered;

  (e) SSA's pricing information and pricing methods; and

  (f) SSA's lists of past, existing or potential clients and customers.

2. OWNERSHIP OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

  (a) EMPLOYEE acknowledges that SSA is the owner of the PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
      and agrees not to contest any such ownership rights of SSA, either during
      or after EMPLOYEE's employment with SSA.

  (b) Subject to Paragraph 2(c) EMPLOYEE agrees to assign to SSA at any time
      during and after EMPLOYEE's employment with SSA, promptly at SSA's request
      and without additional compensation, all of EMPLOYEE's right, title and
      interest in and to any and all inventions, designs, discoveries, works of
      authorship, improvements, or software in or to which EMPLOYEE may acquire
      rights in whole or in part as a result of his/her employment by SSA, and
      to sign such documents and do such acts as may be reasonably necessary to
      accomplish such assignment.

  (c) Pursuant to the Illinois Employees' Patent Act, Public Act 83-493, the
      parties agree that Paragraph 2(b) shall not apply to an invention for
      which no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of SSA
      was used and which was developed entirely on EMPLOYEE's own time, unless
      the invention (i)

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     relates to the business of SSA or to SSA's actual or demonstrably
     anticipated research or development; or (ii) results from any work
     performed by EMPLOYEE for SSA.

 (d) EMPLOYEE acknowledges that any computer programs, documentation or other
     copyrightable works created in whole or in part by EMPLOYEE during his
     employment with SSA shall be considered "works made for hire" under the
     U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 101 and shall become part of the PROPRIETARY
     INFORMATION.

3.  NONDISCLOSURE OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.  EMPLOYEE agrees to hold the
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION in the strictest confidence, both during and after
EMPLOYEE's employment relationship with SSA.  To this end, EMPLOYEE shall:

 (a) not make, or permit or cause to be made copies of the PROPRIETARY
     INFORMATION, except as necessary to carry out EMPLOYEE's duties as
     prescribed by SSA;

 (b) not disclose or reveal the PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, or any portion thereof,
     to any person except other SSA employees who have signed nondisclosure
     agreements with SSA;

 (c) take all reasonable precautions to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of
     the PROPRIETARY INFORMATION to any unauthorized person;

 (d) not transport or cause to be transported the PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
     outside the premise of SSA, except as necessary to carry out EMPLOYEE's
     duties as prescribed by SSA; and

 (e) not without SSA's authorization participate directly or indirectly in the
     development, marketing, sale, licensing or other exploitation of software
     products or services which embody or are derived from the PROPRIETARY
     INFORMATION.

EMPLOYEE expressly agrees that disclosures prohibited hereby include, without
limitation, disclosure of similarities or possible similarities between the
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION and the work product of another person or company.

4.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  Upon termination of his/her employment for any
reason whatsoever, EMPLOYEE shall deliver to SSA all written or printed
documents, all tapes, disks and other electronic media and all other tangible
property in EMPLOYEE's possession which contain any PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.
For the period of one year after such termination, EMPLOYEE shall not, directly
or indirectly (including without limitation as an officer, director, employer,
employee, advisor, consultant or investor) (i) hire or solicit the employment or
services of any person who is an employee of SSA, or (ii) engage in the
development, production, distribution, sale, licensing, or marketing of software
products directly competitive with SSA's software products including without
limitation software designed to run on IBM AS/400, IBM RS/6000, HP9000 computers
or their successors.  If the foregoing covenant is held to be more restrictive
than permitted by applicable law, the objectionable restriction shall be
construed as being limited to the maximum restriction permitted.

5.  NOTICE OF PATENT AND COPYRIGHT APPLICATIONS.  During the period of one year
after the termination of his/her employment relationship with SSA, EMPLOYEE
shall notify SSA of all patents and copyrights applied for by EMPLOYEE and to
provide SSA with a description of such patents and copyrights sufficient to
enable SSA to determine whether the works over which they are claimed relate to,
or are derived from, the PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.

6.  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.  EMPLOYEE acknowledges and agrees that in the event of
any breach or threatened breach by EMPLOYEE of any of the provisions of this
Agreement, damages shall be an inadequate remedy and SSA shall be entitled to
injunctive and otherwise equitable relief.  SSA's rights under this provision
are in addition to all rights otherwise available to it at law or in equity.

7.  SEVERABILITY.  In the event that any provision hereof is found invalid or
unenforceable pursuant to a judicial decree or decision, the invalidity and
unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the other provisions of this
Agreement and all such other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
It is expressly agreed that the

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existence of any claim or cause of action of EMPLOYEE against SSA, whether or
not predicated on this Agreement, shall not constitute a defense to the
enforcement of this Agreement by SSA.

8.  WAIVER.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any rights or
obligations of either party hereunder shall be effective unless pursuant to a
written instrument signed by the party or parties making such a waiver, and such
waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose stated therein.

9.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement and any controversy arising hereunder shall
be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of
Illinois.

EMPLOYEE states that he has freely and voluntarily entered into this Agreement,
and that he has read and understood each and every provision hereof. EMPLOYEE
acknowledges receiving a fully executed copy of this Agreement. Signed this 27th
day of August, 1998.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES, INC.               EMPLOYEE

By: /s/ Kirk Isaacson                            /s/ Joseph J. Skarda
    ----------------------------               ----------------------------

Title: VP and General Counsel
       -------------------------

                                       9<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.57

                              SECOND AMENDMENT TO

                          LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------

          SECOND AMENDMENT dated as of January 28, 2000 (this "Amendment") to
the LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of August 11, 1999, as amended by the
FIRST AMENDMENT dated as of December 23, 1999 (the "Loan Agreement") by and
among SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"),
SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES LIMITED, a corporation organized under the laws of
England and Wales, SSA-ACCLAIM LIMITED, a corporation organized under the laws
of England and Wales, SSA SOFTWRIGHT LIMITED, a corporation organized under the
laws of England and Wales, SSA CANADA CORPORATION, a corporation organized under
the laws of Canada (together with the Borrower, each an "Obligor" and
collectively the "Obligors", each of the financial institutions signatories
hereto (such financial institutions, together with their respective successors
and assigns, each a "Lender" and collectively, the "Lenders", and FOOTHILL
CAPITAL CORPORATION, a California corporation, as agent for the Lenders (in such
capacity, the "Agent").

          WHEREAS, the Obligors have requested the Lender Group to amend certain
terms of the Loan Agreement, and the Lender Group is willing to amend the Loan
Agreement subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants, agreements and conditions hereinafter set forth, and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

          1.  Capitalized Terms.  All capitalized terms used in this Amendment
(including, without limitation, in the recitals hereto) and not otherwise
defined shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

          2.  Term.  Section 3.4 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the reference to "June 30, 2000" set forth therein and inserting
"November 1, 2000" in lieu thereof.

          3.  EBITDA.  Section 7.20(a) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended
by deleting the reference to "$9,200,000" for the fiscal quarter ended 4/30/2000
and substituting in lieu thereof a reference to "$5,400,000".

          4.  Agreements and Consents.  Anything contained in Sections 7.14
[Affiliates], 7.23 [Preferred Stock] and 7.27 [Amendment to Certain Documents]
of the Loan Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Required Lenders
hereby consent to the
<PAGE>

amendment to the Amended and Restated Securities Purchase Agreement between the
Borrower and H&Q SSA Investors, L.P. for the sole purpose of waiving compliance
with or deleting financial covenants and otherwise conforming such agreement to
reflect certain changes to the Loan Agreement contained in this Amendment.

          5.  Conditions.  This Amendment shall become effective only upon
satisfaction in full of the following conditions precedent (the first date upon
which all such conditions have been satisfied being herein called the "Amendment
Effective Date"):

               (a) Representations and Warranties; No Event of Default.  The
representations and warranties contained herein, in Section 5 of the Loan
Agreement and in each other Loan Document and certificate or other writing
delivered to the Agent and the Lenders pursuant hereto on or prior to the
Amendment Effective Date shall be correct on and as of the Amendment Effective
Date as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such
representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date in
which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct on and
as of such date); and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the Amendment Effective Date or would result from this Amendment
becoming effective in accordance with its terms, unless any such Event of
Default has previously been waived in accordance with Section 15 of the Loan
Agreement.

               (b) Delivery of Documents. The Agent shall have received on or
before the Amendment Effective Date the following, each in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent and, unless indicated otherwise, dated the Amendment
Effective Date:

                    (i) counterparts of this Amendment, duly executed by the
          Obligors and the Lenders, and of the reaffirmation and consent
          attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, duly executed by an authorized officer
          of each Guarantor; and

                    (ii) such other agreements, instruments, approvals, opinions
          and other documents as the Agent may reasonably request.

               (c) Proceedings. All proceedings in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Amendment, and all documents incidental
thereto, shall be satisfactory to the Agent and its special counsel, and the
Agent and such special counsel shall have received all such information and such
counterpart originals or certified copies of documents, and such other
agreements, instruments, approvals, opinions and other documents, as the Agent
or such special counsel may reasonably request.

               (d) Fees. (i) Borrower shall have paid to the Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders with a Term Loan A Sub-Commitment, a fee of $125,000,
such fee to be paid-in-kind by being added to the principal balance of the Term
Loan A Amount.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                    (ii) Borrower shall have paid to the Agent, for the benefit
          of the Lenders with a Term Loan B Commitment, a fee of $175,000, such
          fee to be paid-in-kind by being added to the principal balance of the
          Term Loan B Amount.

          6.  Representations and Warranties.  Each of the Obligors warrant as
follows:

               (a) Except as previously disclosed in writing to the Agent: (i)
the representations and warranties herein, in the Loan Agreement and in each
other Loan Document and certificate or other writing delivered to the Lenders on
or prior to the Amendment Effective Date shall be correct and accurate on and as
of the Amendment Effective Date as though made on and as of such date; and (ii)
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the
Amendment Effective Date or would result from this Amendment becoming effective
in accordance with its terms.

               (b) Each of the Obligors (i) is a corporation, duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of
organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform this Amendment, and to perform the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby,
and (iii) is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it or
in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary.

               (c) The execution, delivery and performance by each Obligor of
this Amendment, and the performance by each such Obligor of the Loan Agreement,
as amended hereby, (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary action, (ii)
do not and will not contravene such Obligor's charter or by-laws, any applicable
law or any contractual restriction binding on or otherwise affecting it or any
of its properties, (iii) do not and will not result in or require the creation
of any lien or other encumbrance (other than pursuant to any Loan Documents)
upon or with respect to any of its properties, and (iv) do not and will not
result in any suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of
any permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to its operations or
any of its properties.

               (d) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or agency or other
regulatory body is required in connection with the due execution, delivery and
performance by any Obligor of this Amendment, or for the performance of the Loan
Agreement, as amended hereby.

               (e) This Amendment, the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby, and
each other Loan Document to which any Obligor is a party is a legal, valid and
binding obligation of such Obligor, enforceable against such Obligor in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by or
subject to any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other
similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

          7.  Release by Borrowers.  (a)  Definition of "Related Parties" and
"Claims".  For purposes of this Section 7, "Related Parties" and "Claims" shall
be defined as follows:

                                       3
<PAGE>

          "Related Parties" means, with respect to a party released, such
          party's parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, predecessors,
          assigns, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives,
          attorneys, accountants and shareholders, if any.

          "Claims" means any and all claims, losses, debts, liabilities,
          demands, obligations, promises, acts, omissions, agreements, costs and
          expenses, damages, injuries, suits, actions and causes of action,
          including without limitation any and all rights of setoff, recoupment
          or counterclaim, of any kind or nature whatsoever, in law or in
          equity, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, contingent or
          fixed.

          (b) Release by  Obligors.  Excluding any continuing obligations of the
Lenders and the Agent under the express terms and provisions of the Loan
Agreement, the Loan Documents and this Amendment, each Obligor hereby releases,
acquits, and forever discharges the Lenders and the Agent, and each of them, as
well as their respective Related Parties, of and from any and all Claims arising
out of, related to or in any way connected with any action or failure to act,
prior to execution of this Amendment, in response to or in connection with any
events or circumstances arising under or otherwise related to the Loan Agreement
and the Loan Documents or any Defaults or Events of Default occurring under the
Loan Agreement.

          8.  Continued Effectiveness of the Loan Agreement.  (a)  Except as
otherwise expressly provided herein, the Loan Agreement and the other Loan
Documents are, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and are hereby
ratified and confirmed in all respects, except that on and after the Amendment
Effective Date (i) all references in the Loan Agreement to "this Agreement",
"hereto", "hereof", "hereunder" or words of like import referring to the Loan
Agreement shall mean the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment and (ii)
all references in the other Loan Documents to the "Loan Agreement", "thereto",
"thereof", "thereunder" or words of like import referring to the Loan Agreement
shall mean the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

               (b) The Obligors hereby acknowledge and agree that this Amendment
constitutes a "Loan Document" under the Loan Agreement.  Accordingly, it shall
be an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement if (i) any representation or
warranty made by the Obligors under or in connection with this Amendment shall
have been untrue, false or misleading in any material respect when made, or (ii)
the Obligors shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement
contained in this Amendment.

          9.  Costs and Expenses.  The Obligors shall pay all out-of-pocket
costs and expenses of the Lender Group (including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and service charges of counsel to any member of the Lender
Group) in connection with this Amendment.

          10.  Miscellaneous.  (a)  This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                                       4
<PAGE>

               (b) Section and paragraph headings herein are included for
convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Amendment
for any other purpose.

               (c) This amendment shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

          11.  THE OBLIGORS, LENDERS AND THE AGENT EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE
ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER
BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AMENDMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF THE LENDER GROUP IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION,
PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.

               [Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

                                       5
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be duly executed as of the date first above written.

                         SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES, INC., a Delaware
                         corporation

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES LIMITED, a corporation
                         organized under the laws of England and Wales

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA-ACCLAIM LIMITED, a corporation organized under the
                         laws of England and Wales

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA SOFTWRIGHT LIMITED, a corporation organized under
                         the laws of England and Wales

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA CANADA CORPORATION, a corporation organized under
                         the laws of Canada

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                                       6
<PAGE>

                         FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                         as Agent and as a Lender

                         By: /S/ Erik R. Sawyer
                             --------------------------------------------
                             Name:  Erik R. Sawyer
                             Title: Vice President

                         ABLECO FINANCE LLC,
                         as a Lender

                         By: /s/ Kevin Genda
                             ____________________________________________
                             Name: Kevin Genda
                             Title:

                         A2 FUNDING LP,
                         as a Lender

                         By: A2 Fund Management LLC,
                             its General Partner

                         By: /s/ Kevin Genda
                             ____________________________________________
                             Name: Kevin Genda
                             Title:

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit A-1
                                  -----------

                           REAFFIRMATION AND CONSENT

          All capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in that certain Second Amendment to
Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2000 (the "Amendment"). The
undersigned hereby (a) represents and warrants to the Lender Group that the
execution, delivery, and performance of this Reaffirmation and Consent are
within its corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and are not in contravention of any law, rule, or regulation,
or any order, judgment, decree, writ, injunction, or award of any arbitrator,
court, or governmental authority, or of the terms of its charter or by laws, or
of any contract or undertaking to which it is a party or by which any of its
properties may be bound or affected; (b) consents to the amendment of the Loan
Agreement by the Amendment; (c) acknowledges and reaffirms its obligations owing
to the Lender Group under the Guaranty and any other Loan Documents to which it
is a party; and (d) agrees that each of the Guaranty and any other Loan
Documents to which it is a party is and shall remain in full force and effect.
Although the undersigned has been informed of the matters set forth herein and
has acknowledged and agreed to same, it understands that the Lender Group has no
obligations to inform it of such matters in the future or to seek its
acknowledgement or agreement to future amendments, and nothing herein shall
create such a duty. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation
and Consent by telefacsimile shall be equally as effective as delivery of an
original executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent. Any party
delivering an executed counterpart of this Reaffirmation and Consent by
telefacsimile also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this
Reaffirmation and Consent but the failure to deliver an original executed
counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of
this Reaffirmation and Consent. This Reaffirmation and Consent shall be governed
by the laws of the State of New York, as more fully set forth in Section 20 of
the Guaranty.

                         SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES LIMITED, a corporation
                         organized under the laws of England and Wales

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller
<PAGE>

                         SSA-ACCLAIM LIMITED, a corporation organized under the
                         laws of England and Wales

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA SOFTWRIGHT LIMITED, a corporation organized under
                         the laws of England and Wales

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA CANADA CORPORATION, a corporation organized under
                         the laws of Canada

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES IBERICA
                         S.A., a corporation organized under the laws of Spain

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES GmbH,
                         a corporation organized under the laws of Germany

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                                       2
<PAGE>

                         SSA ITALIA SPA, a corporation organized under
                         the laws of Italy

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA BENELUX B.V., a corporation organized under the
                         laws of the Netherlands

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES ASIA
                         PACIFIC PTE LTD, a corporation organized under
                         the laws of Singapore

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA PACIFIC PTY LIMITED, a corporation
                         organized under the laws of Australia

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA PACIFIC (NZ) LIMITED, a corporation
                         organized under the laws of New Zealand

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                                       3
<PAGE>

                         SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES DO
                         BRASIL LTDA., a corporation organized under the
                         laws of Brazil

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES INC. de
                         MEXICO, S.A. de C.V., a corporation organized
                         under the laws of Mexico

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA JAPAN CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SSA PACIFIC RIM CORPORATION, a Delaware
                         corporation

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                         SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES (JAPAN) LLC,
                         a Delaware limited liability company

                         By:    /s/ Joseph J. Skadra
                             ----------------------------------------------
                             Name: Joseph J. Skadra
                             Title: VP Finance and Controller

                                       4

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