Document:

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                                                                  Exhibit 10(ix)

                      SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
                      -----------------------------------

          THIS SIXTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Sixth Amendment")
entered into this 13th day of April, 2000, among NATIONAL DATA CORPORATION, as
Borrower, the banks and other financial institutions listed on the signature
pages hereof, as Lenders, BANK ONE, N.A. (formerly The First National Bank of
Chicago), as Administrative Agent for such Lenders, and WACHOVIA BANK, N.A., as
Documentation Agent for such Lenders.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              -------------------

          WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and the
Documentation Agent are parties to a certain Credit Agreement dated as of
December 19, 1997, as amended by a certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement
dated as of April 10, 1998, by a certain Second Amendment to Credit Agreement
dated as October 14, 1998, by a certain Third Amendment to Credit Agreement
dated as of February 26, 1999, by a certain Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement
dated as of July 7, 1999, and by a certain Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement
dated as of September 29, 1999 (as so amended, the "Credit Agreement");

          WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Credit Agreement in
certain respects as more particularly set forth in this Sixth Amendment;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for Ten Dollars
($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.  Defined Terms.  Except as otherwise expressly defined herein, all
    -------------
capitalized terms used in this Sixth Amendment that are used in the Credit
Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as are specified for such
capitalized terms in the Credit Agreement.

2.  Amendment to Section 1.01 ("Definitions").  Section 1.01 of the Credit
    -----------------------------------------
Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of "Income Available for
Fixed Charges" and substituting in lieu thereof the following definition:

          "Income Available for Fixed Charges" means, at any date of
           ----------------------------------
     determination for any period, without duplication, Consolidated Net Income

     plus the sum of the following items (to the extent deducted in calculating
     ----
     such Consolidated Net Income):  (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) all
     payment obligations for such period under all Operating Leases and rental
     agreements, (iii) taxes on income, and (iv) for any period that includes
     all or a portion of the nine month period ended February 29, 2000, (x) non-
     cash restructuring charges taken during such nine month period, or such
     portion thereof, as the case may be, in an aggregate amount not to exceed
     $24,000,000, (y) cash and non-cash charges for discontinued operations
     taken during such nine month period, or such
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     portion thereof, as the case may be, in an aggregate amount not to exceed
     $32,000,000, and (z) charges resulting from a write-off of accounts
     receivable taken during such nine month period, or such portion thereof, as
     the case may be, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $8,000,0000, in each
     case for the items described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) as
     determined with respect to the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
     for such period on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

3.  Representations and Warranties.  The Borrower represents and warrants to the
    ------------------------------
Lenders as follows:

          (a) All representations and warranties set forth in the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct on and as of the
date of this Sixth Amendment except for changes expressly permitted therein and
except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to
an earlier date; and

          (b) After giving effect to this Sixth Amendment, no Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing.

4.  Effect of Sixth Amendment.  On and after the date this Sixth Amendment
    -------------------------
becomes effective as provided herein (i) each and every reference in the Credit
Agreement to "hereof," "hereunder,"  "herein," "hereby" and each other similar
reference, and each and every reference to "this Agreement" and each other
similar reference, shall refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, and as
the same may be further amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, and
(ii) each and every reference in the Loan Documents to the Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to refer to and mean the Credit Agreement as amended by this
Sixth Amendment, and as the same may be further amended, supplemented or
restated from time to time.  The Borrower confirms and agrees that (i) except as
expressly amended herein, the Credit Agreement remains in full force and effect
in accordance with its terms, and (ii) all other Loan Documents remain in full
force and effect in accordance with their respective terms.

5.  Ratification.  The Borrower hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and
    ------------
every term, covenant and condition set forth in the Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents effective as of the date hereof.  To induce the Lenders to
enter into this Sixth Amendment and to continue to make advances pursuant to the
Credit Agreement, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, as of the date
hereof and after giving effect to the terms hereof, there exists no right of
offset, defense, counterclaim, claim or objection in favor of the Borrower
arising out of or with respect to any of the obligations arising under the
Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

6.  Counterparts.  This Sixth Amendment may be executed in any number of
    ------------
counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and
all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.

7.  Amendment Fees.  In consideration of the agreements of the Lenders contained
    --------------
in this Sixth Amendment, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent,
for the account

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

of each Lender that delivers an executed counterpart of this Sixth Amendment
prior to 12:00 noon, Chicago time, on April 13, 2000, an amendment fee (the
"Amendment Fee") in an amount equal to 0.10% of the total amount of such
Lender's Commitment as in effect on such date.

8.  Condition to Effectiveness of Sixth Amendment; Effective Date.  This Sixth
    -------------------------------------------------------------
Amendment shall not become effective or have any force or effect until (i)
counterparts of this Sixth Amendment have been executed on behalf of the
Borrower and those Lenders constituting the Required Lenders under the terms of
the Credit Agreement, and all such executed counterparts shall have been
delivered to the Administrative Agent, and (ii) all Amendment Fees payable by
the Borrower pursuant to paragraph 7 of this Sixth Amendment have been received
by the Administrative Agent.  Upon becoming effective as aforesaid, this Sixth
Amendment shall be deemed to have an effective date of February 29, 2000, for
all purposes under the Credit Agreement.

9.  Miscellaneous.  This Sixth Amendment shall be construed in accordance with
    -------------
and governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to the effect
of conflicts of laws.  This Sixth Amendment shall be binding on, and shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the respective successors and permitted
assigns of the parties hereto.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Sixth
Amendment to be executed by their duly authorized officers or representatives as
of the date first above written.

                                     NATIONAL DATA CORPORATION

                                     By:  /s/ Suellyn P. Tornay
                                          ---------------------
                                          Name: Suellyn P. Tornay
                                          Title: VP Legal

                                     BANK ONE, N.A. (formerly The First
                                          National Bank of Chicago),
                                          as Administrative
                                          Agent and Lender

                                     By:  /s/ Jennifer Schmoll
                                          --------------------
                                          Name: Jennifer Schmoll
                                          Title: Customer Service Officer

                                     WACHOVIA BANK, N.A., as
                                          Documentation Agent and Lender

                                     By:  /s/ Aly Schattner Heimovics
                                          ---------------------------
                                          Name: Aly Schattner Heimovics
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President

                                     SUNTRUST BANK (formerly SunTrust
                                          Bank, Atlanta), as Lender

                                     By:  /s/ Brian K. Peters
                                          -------------------
                                          Name: Brian K. Peters
                                          Title: Managing Director

                                      -4-
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                                      FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK,
                                      as Lender

                                      By:  /s/ Ryan Murphy
                                           ---------------
                                           Name: Ryan Murphy
                                           Title: Sr VP

                                      -5-<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                            AMERICAN SOFTWARE, INC.
                            2001 STOCK OPTION PLAN

  American Software, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the "Company"), hereby
establishes the American Software, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"),
effective as of May 16, 2000, the date on which this Plan was adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Company. No Options shall be granted under this Plan
until (a) it has been approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders holding a
majority in voting power of the Common Stock of the Company or (b) September 1,
2000, whichever shall occur later (the "Commencement Date"). Options may not be
granted under the Plan more than ten years after May 16, 2000.

  1. Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain the best
     -------
available talent and encourage the highest level of performance by officers,
employees, directors, advisors and consultants, and to provide them with
incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Company's
business in order to serve the best interests of the Company. Options granted
under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, as
such terms are hereinafter defined.

  2. Definitions.  The following terms, when used in the Plan with initial
     -----------
capital letters, will have the following meanings:

     (a) "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect from time
 to time.

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

     (c) "Change in Control"  means the occurrence, prior to the expiration of
 an Option, of any of the following events:

          (i)   the Company is merged, consolidated or reorganized into or with
     another corporation or other legal person, and as a result of such merger,
     consolidation or reorganization less than two-thirds of the combined voting
     power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
     election of directors ("Voting Stock") of such corporation or person
     immediately after such transaction are held in the aggregate by the holders
     of Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

          (ii)  the Company sells or otherwise transfers all or substantially
     all of its assets to another corporation or other legal person, and as a
     result of such sale or transfer less than two-thirds of the combined voting
     power of the then-outstanding Voting Stock of such

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     corporation or person immediately after such sale or transfer is held in
     the aggregate by the holders of Voting Stock of the Company immediately
     prior to such sale or transfer;

          (iii) there is a report filed on Schedule 13D or Schedule 14D-1 (or
     any successor schedule, form or report), each as promulgated pursuant to
     the Act, disclosing that any person (as the term "person" is used in
     Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Act) has become, after the
     effective date hereof, the direct or indirect beneficial owner (as the term
     "beneficial owner" is defined under Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or
     regulation promulgated under the Act) of securities representing 50% or
     more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding Voting Stock of
     the Company other than by gift or inheritance;

          (iv)  the Company files a report or proxy statement with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Act disclosing in
     response to Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or
     report or item therein) that a change in control of the Company has
     occurred or will occur in the future pursuant to any then-existing contract
     or transaction; or

          (v)   if, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who
     at the beginning of any such period constitute the directors of the Company
     cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; provided,
     however, that for purposes of this clause (v) each director who is first
     elected, or first nominated for election by the Company's stockholders, by
     a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors of the Company (or a
     committee thereof) then still in office who were directors of the Company
     at the beginning of any such period will be deemed to have been a director
     of the Company at the beginning of such period; and provided further that
     this clause (v) shall not commence applicability until such time as at
     least five directors are serving concurrently on the Board, but shall apply
     thereafter regardless of the number of directors.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of clauses (iii) or (iv) above,
 unless otherwise determined in a specific case by majority vote of the Board, a
 "Change in Control" will not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of clause
 (iii) or clause (iv) above solely because (1) the Company, (2) a Subsidiary, or
 (3) any Company-sponsored employee stock ownership plan or any other employee
 benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary either files or becomes obligated
 to file a report or a proxy statement under or in response to Schedule 13D,
 Schedule 14D-1, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or
 report or item therein) under the Act disclosing beneficial ownership by it of
 shares of Voting Stock of the Company, whether in excess of 50% or otherwise,
 or because the Company reports that a change in control of the Company has
 occurred or will occur in the future by reason of such beneficial ownership or
 any increase or decrease thereof. For purposes of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
 above, for so long as the entity in question maintains two classes of common
 stock substantially as currently maintained by the Company, the phrase
 "combined voting power of the then-

                                       9
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 outstanding Voting Stock" shall be calculated by allocating to each Class A
 Common Share one vote and by allocating to each Class B Common Share three
 votes.

     (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time
 to time.

     (e) "Commencement Date" shall mean May 1, 2001 or the date the shareholders
 of the Company approve the Plan, whichever occurs later.

     (f) "Committee" shall refer to either the Stock Option Committee or the
 Special Stock Option Committee.

     (g) "Common Stock" means the Class A Common Shares, $.10 par value, of the
 Company or any security into which Class A Common Shares may be changed by
 reason of any transaction or event of the type described in Section 9.

     (h) "Date of Grant" means the date specified by the Stock Option Committee
 or the Special Stock Option Committee, as applicable, on which a grant of Stock
 Options will become effective (which date will not be earlier than the date on
 which such Committee takes action with respect thereto).

     (i) "Disability" means (i) with respect to a Grantee who is eligible to
 participate in the Company's program of long-term disability insurance, a
 condition with respect to which the Grantee is entitled to commence benefits
 under such program of long-term disability insurance, and (ii) with respect to
 all Grantees generally (including a Grantee who is eligible to participate in
 the Company's program of long-term disability insurance), a disability as
 determined under procedures established by the relevant Committee or in any
 Option Grant Agreement.

     (j) "Grantee" means a person who is selected by the Stock Option Committee
 or the Special Stock Option Committee, as applicable, to receive Stock Options
 and who is at that time (i) an executive officer or other key employee of the
 Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) an advisor or consultant to the Company or any
 Subsidiary, or (iii) a member of the Board.

     (k) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option granted in accordance with
 Section 422 of the Code.

     (l) "Market Value" means last sale price as reported on any national
 securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is
 listed on the Date of Grant if such date is a trading day and, if such date is
 not a trading day, on the immediately preceding date which is a trading day.

     (m) "Nonemployee Director" means a member of the Board who is not an
 employee of the Company or any Subsidiary and who qualifies as a "Non-Employee
 Director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

                                      10
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     (n) "Nonqualified Stock Option" means an Option other than an Incentive
 Stock Option.

     (o) "Option Grant Agreement" means the instrument by which the Company
 grants an Option to a Grantee, which instrument contains the particular terms
 of such Option in addition to the terms set forth in the Plan.

     (p) "Option Price" means the purchase price per share payable on exercise
 of an Option.

     (q) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16 of the Act, as such Rule
 is in effect from time to time.

     (r) "Special Stock Option Committee" means a committee that at all times
 consists of at least two Nonemployee Directors and all of whose members qualify
 as "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code,
 appointed by the Board to grant and administer Options granted under Section 5.

     (s) "Option" means the right to purchase shares of Common Stock upon
 exercise of Stock option granted pursuant to Section 4, Section 5 or Section 6.

     (t) "Stock Option Committee" means the stock option committee appointed by
 the Board to grant and administer Options granted under Section 4.

     (u) "Subsidiary" means any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
 entity in which the Company owns or controls, directly or indirectly, not less
 than 50% of the total combined voting power or equity interests represented by
 all classes of stock issued by such corporation, partnership, joint venture or
 other entity.

     (v) "10-Percent Shareholder" means any person who at the time of the grant
 of an Option owns capital stock of the Company possessing more than 10% of the
 combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company.

  3. Shares Available Under Plan.  The shares of Common Stock that may be issued
     ---------------------------
under the Plan will not exceed in the aggregate 2,000,000 shares, subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 9.  Such shares may be shares of original
issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing. Any shares of
Common Stock that are subject to Stock Options that are terminated, expire
unexercised, are forfeited or are surrendered will again be available for
issuance under the Plan.

  4. Stock Options for Grantees - Nonexempt Grants.  The Stock Option Committee
     ---------------------------------------------
may from time to time authorize Option grants to any Grantee to purchase shares
of Common Stock upon such terms and conditions as such Committee may determine
in accordance with the provisions

                                      11
<PAGE>

set forth below. Grants made by the Stock Option Committee pursuant to this
Section 4 are not intended to comply with or otherwise satisfy the requirements
of Rule 16b-3.

     (a) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the number of shares of
 Common Stock to which it pertains.

     (b) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the Option Price, which, in
 the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be not less than 100% of the
 Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant or, in the case of an Incentive
 Stock Option granted to a 10% Shareholder, not less than 110% of the Market
 Value per Share on the Date of Grant.

     (c) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify whether the Stock Option is
 intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

     (d) Each Option Grant Agreement may specify whether the Option Price will
 be payable (i) in cash or by check acceptable to the Company, (ii) by the
 transfer to the Company of shares of Common Stock owned by the Grantee for at
 least six months having an aggregate fair market value per share at the date of
 exercise equal to the aggregate Option Price, or (iii) by a combination of such
 methods of payment; provided, however, that the payment method described in
 clause (ii) shall not be available at any time that the Company is prohibited
 from purchasing or acquiring such shares of Common Stock. In the absence of any
 such specification, only the payment method in clause (i) shall be permitted.
 Any Option Grant Agreement may provide for deferred payment of the Option Price
 from the proceeds of sale through a bank or broker of some or all of the shares
 to which such exercise relates.

     (e) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the term of the Stock Option,
 which in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a 10% Shareholder
 shall not be greater than five years and for all other Stock Options shall not
 be greater than ten years.

     (f) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the required period or
 periods (if any) of continuous service by the Grantee with the Company or any
 Subsidiary and any other conditions to be satisfied before the Stock Option or
 installments thereof will become exercisable, and any Option Grant Agreement
 may provide, or may be amended to provide for the earlier exercise of the Stock
 Option in the event of a Change in Control.

     (g) Each Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 4 shall be subject
 to the transfer restrictions set forth in Section 8.

     (h) Each Option Grant Agreement shall be in the form of a written
 instrument executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer or
 Chief Financial Officer (or another officer designated by the Board of
 Directors or by the Stock Option Committee) and delivered to the Grantee and
 containing such further terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the
 Committee may approve.

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  5. Stock Options for Grantees - Exempt Grants.  The Special Stock Option
     ------------------------------------------
Committee may from time to time authorize grants to any Grantee of options to
purchase shares of Common Stock  upon such terms and conditions as it may
determine in accordance with the provisions set forth below.  Grants made by the
Special Stock Option Committee pursuant to this Section 5 are intended to comply
with and otherwise satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3. To the extent that
(i) any provision of the Plan applicable to an Option granted pursuant to this
Section 5, or (ii) any act of the Board, Stock Option Committee or Special Stock
Option Committee would cause such Option to fail to satisfy or comply with any
requirements of Rule 16b-3, such provision or act will be deemed null and void
for purposes of such Option.

     (a) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the number of shares of
 Common Stock to which it pertains.

     (b) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the Option Price, which, in
 the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be not less than 100% of the
 Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant or, in the case of an Incentive
 Stock Option granted to a 10% Shareholder, not less than 110% of the Market
 Value per Share on the Date of Grant.

     (c) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify whether the Option is
 intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

     (d) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify whether the Option Price will
 be payable (i) in cash or by check acceptable to the Company, (ii) by the
 transfer to the Company of shares of Common Stock owned by the Grantee for at
 least six months having an aggregate fair market value per share at the date of
 exercise equal to the aggregate Option Price, or (iii) by a combination of such
 methods of payment; provided, however, that the payment method described in
 clause (ii) shall not be available at any time that the Company is prohibited
 from purchasing or acquiring such shares of Common Stock. In the absence of any
 such specification, only the payment method in clause (i) shall be permitted.
 Any Option Grant Agreement may provide for deferred payment of the Option Price
 from the proceeds of sale through a bank or broker of some or all of the shares
 to which such exercise relates.

     (e) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the term of the Option, which
 in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a 10% Shareholder shall not
 be greater than five years and for all other Options shall not be greater than
 ten years.

     (f) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the required period or
 periods (if any) of continuous service by the Grantee with the Company or any
 Subsidiary and any other conditions to be satisfied before the Options or
 installments thereof will become exercisable, and any Option Grant Agreement
 may provide, or may be amended to provide for the earlier exercise of the
 Options in the event of a Change in Control.

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     (g) Each Option granted pursuant to this Section 5 shall be subject to the
 transfer restrictions set forth in Section 8.

     (h) Each Option Grant Agreement shall be in the form of a written
 instrument executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer or
 Chief Financial Officer (or another officer designated by the Board of
 Directors or by the Special Stock Option Committee) and delivered to the
 Grantee and containing such further terms and provisions, consistent with the
 Plan, as the Special Stock Option Committee may approve.

 6. Options for Nonemployee Directors.
    ---------------------------------

     (a) Each current Nonemployee Director will be granted a Nonqualified Stock
 Option to purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock as of the last day of each
 fiscal quarter, provided that such individual has served continuously as a
 Nonemployee Director during such quarter through the close of business on such
 date. Such Option grants shall commence as of the fiscal quarter-end
 immediately following the Commencement Date.

     (b) Each Nonemployee Director newly elected or appointed to the Board on
 or subsequent to the date on which the Shareholders approve this Plan will be
 granted a Nonqualified Stock Option, effective upon his or her initial election
 or other appointment to the Board, to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock,
 but issued not sooner than the Commencement Date. Consistent with paragraph
 6(a), each such Nonemployee Director will also be granted an additional
 Nonqualified Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock as of the last day
 of each fiscal quarter following his or her Initial Option grant in accordance
 with paragraph (a) of this Section 6, beginning on the fiscal quarter-end
 immediately following the Commencement Date, provided that such individual has
 served continually as a Nonemployee Director during such quarter through the
 close of business on such date.

     (c) Each Option Grant Agreement shall specify the Option Price, which
 shall be equal to the Market Value on the Date of Grant.  All Options granted
 pursuant to this Section 6 shall contain the terms and conditions set forth in
 paragraphs (a), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 4. Options granted
 pursuant to this Section 6 are intended to comply with and otherwise satisfy
 the requirements of Rule 16b-3. To the extent that (i) any provision of the
 Plan applicable to an Option granted pursuant to this Section 6 or (ii) any act
 of the Board, Stock Option Committee or Special Stock Option Committee would
 cause such Option to fail to satisfy or comply with any requirements of Rule
 16b-3, such provision or act will be deemed null and void for purposes of such
 Option.

 7. Exercise of Options.
    -------------------

     (a) Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the
 terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by
 the Committee and set forth in the Option Grant Agreement. Unless the Committee
 provides otherwise, vesting of Options

                                      14
<PAGE>

 shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of absence. Options may not be
 exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock.

     (b) An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:

               (i)  written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with
         the terms of the Option Grant Agreement) from the person entitled to
         exercise the Option, and

               (ii) full payment for the shares of Common Stock with respect to
         which the Option is exercised, in the form permitted by the Option
         Grant Agreement and the Plan.

     (c) Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name
 of the Grantee, or, if requested by the Grantee, in the name of the Grantee and
 his or her spouse. Until the shares of Stock are issued (as evidenced by the
 appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
 agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other
 rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Stock acquired upon
 exercise of the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company
 shall issue (or cause to be issued) such shares of Common Stock promptly after
 the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other
 right for which the record date is prior to the date the shares of Common Stock
 are issued, except as provided in Section 9.

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

     (e) If a Grantee received an Option as an employee or director of the
 Company and ceases to be an employee or director, as the case may be, of the
 Company, or if the Grantee received an Option as an advisor or consultant to
 the Company and ceases to be such an advisor or consultant, other than upon the
 Grantee's death or Disability, the Grantee may exercise his or her Option
 within such period of time as is specified in the Option Grant Agreement to the
 extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination. In the absence of
 a specified time in the Option Grant Agreement, the Option shall remain
 exercisable for three months following the Grantee's termination (but in no
 event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the
 Option Grant Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, except in the case of
 termination of employment in accordance with the retirement policies of the
 Company, if a Grantee voluntarily terminates his employment or voluntarily
 terminates his status as an advisor or consultant, the Grantee may not exercise
 his or her Option following the date of termination.

     (f) If a Grantee ceases to be an employee, director, advisor or consultant
 as a result of the Grantee's Disability, the Grantee may exercise his or her
 Option within such period of

                                      15
<PAGE>

 time as is specified in the Option Grant Agreement to the extent the Option is
 vested on the date of exercise. In the absence of a specified time in the
 Option Grant Agreement relating to Disability, the Option shall remain
 exercisable and shall continue to vest for 12 months following the Grantee's
 termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
 Option as set forth in the Option Grant Agreement).

     (g) If a Grantee dies while he remains an employee, director, advisor or
 consultant of the Company, the Option may be exercised within such period of
 time as is specified in the Option Grant Agreement to the extent that the
 Option is vested on the date of exercise (but in no event later than the
 expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Grant
 Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in the Option Grant Agreement,
 the Option shall remain exercisable and shall continue to vest for 12 months
 following the Grantee's death.  The Option may be exercised by the executor or
 administrator of the Grantee's estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to
 exercise the Option under the Grantee's Will or the laws of descent and
 distribution.

     (h) The Committee may at any time offer to buy out, for a payment in cash
 or shares of Common Stock, an Option previously granted based on such terms and
 conditions as the Committee shall establish and communicate to the Grantee at
 the time that such offer is made.

  8. Transferability.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Option
     ---------------
Grant Agreement, or in any amendment to such agreement, no Option will be
transferable by a Grantee other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and during the lifetime of the Grantee may be exercised only by
the Grantee.

  9. Adjustments.  The Board or the Stock Option Committee, with respect to
     -----------
Options granted under Section 4, and the Board or the Special Stock Option
Committee, with respect to Options granted under Section 5, shall make or
provide for such adjustments in the maximum number of shares of Common Stock
specified in Section 3, in the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
outstanding Options granted hereunder, in the Option exercise price applicable
to any such Options or in the kind of shares covered thereby (including shares
of another issuer), as the Board or such Committee in its sole discretion,
exercised in good faith, may determine is equitably required to prevent dilution
or enlargement of the rights of Grantees that otherwise would result from any
stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other
change in the capital structure of the Company, merger, consolidation, spin-off,
reorganization, partial or complete liquidation, issuance of rights or warrants
to purchase securities or any other corporate transaction or event having an
effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Any fractional shares resulting from
the foregoing adjustments may be eliminated.

  10. Withholding of Taxes.  To the extent that the Company is required to
      --------------------
withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with any benefit
realized by a Grantee under the Plan, or is requested by any Grantee to withhold
additional amounts with respect to such taxes, and the amounts available to the
Company for such withholding are insufficient, it will be a condition to

                                      16
<PAGE>

the realization of such benefit that the Grantee make arrangements satisfactory
to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required or requested to
be withheld. In addition, if permitted by the Stock Option Committee with
respect to Options granted under Section 4, or by the Special Stock Option
Committee with respect to Options granted under Section 5, a Grantee may elect
to have any withholding obligation of the Company satisfied, in whole or in
part, by (i) authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Common Stock to
be issued pursuant to any Option a number of shares with an aggregate Market
Value (as of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the
minimum withholding amount due, or (ii) transferring to the Company shares of
Common Stock owned by the Grantee with an aggregate Market Value (as of the date
the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the minimum withholding amount
due.

 11. Administration of the Plan.
     --------------------------

     (a) The Plan will be administered by the Stock Option Committee with
 respect to Options granted under Section 4 and by the Special Stock Option
 Committee with respect to Options granted under Section 5. For purposes of any
 action taken by either Committee, a majority of the members of that Committee
 will constitute a quorum, and the action of the members present at any meeting
 at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved in writing, will be
 the acts of such Committee. The Board of Directors as a whole shall administer
 the Plan with respect to Options granted under Section 6.

     (b) Subject to the allocation of administrative responsibilities set forth
 in Section 11(a), the Stock Option Committee and the Special Stock Option
 Committee have the full authority and discretion to administer the Plan and to
 take any action that is necessary or advisable in connection with the
 administration of the Plan, including without limitation the authority and
 discretion to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan or of any
 agreement, notification or document evidencing the grant of an Option. The
 interpretation and construction by the Stock Option Committee, the Special
 Stock Option Committee or the Board of Directors, as applicable, of any such
 provision and any determination by the respective Committee pursuant to any
 provision of the Plan or of any such agreement, notification or document will
 be final and conclusive.  No member of the Board or of either Committee will be
 liable for any such action or determination made in good faith.

     (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11(b), if any authority,
 discretion or responsibility granted to the Special Stock Option Committee
 under the Plan would, if exercised or discharged by the Special Stock Option
 Committee, cause the provisions of Section 5 or any Option granted under
 Section 5 to fail to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3, such authority,
 discretion or responsibility may be exercised by the Board to the same extent
 and with the same effect as if exercised by the Special Stock Option Committee;
 provided, however, that such act of the Board will not cause the provisions of
 Section 5 or any Option granted under Section 5 to fail to satisfy the
 requirements of Rule 16b-3 or cause any member of the Special Stock Option
 Committee to cease to be a Nonemployee Director for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

                                      17
<PAGE>

 12. Amendments, Etc.
     ---------------

     (a) The Stock Option Committee, or the Special Stock Option Committee, as
 applicable, or the Board of Directors as to grants under Section 6, may,
 without the consent of the Grantee, amend any agreement evidencing an Option
 granted under the Plan, or otherwise take action, to accelerate the time or
 times at which the Option may be exercised, to extend the expiration date of
 such Option, to waive any other condition or restriction applicable to such
 Grantee or to the exercise of such Option, to reduce the exercise price of such
 Option, to amend the definition of a Change in Control to expand the events
 that would constitute a Change in Control, even if such definition may be
 different from that contained in the Plan, and may amend any such agreement in
 any other respect with the consent of the Grantee.

     (b) The Plan may be amended from time to time by the Stock Option Committee
 or the Board but may not be amended without further approval by the
 shareholders of the Company if such Plan amendment would result in any grant or
 other transaction with respect to Options under Section 5 no longer satisfying
 the requirements of Rule 16b-3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions
 of Section 6 that designate Nonemployee Directors eligible to receive Options
 and specify the amount, Option Price and timing of Option grants may be amended
 only by the Board and may be amended no more than once every six months except
 to comply with changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
 of 1974, as amended, or the rules and regulations thereunder.  In the event any
 law, or any rule or regulation issued or promulgated by the Internal Revenue
 Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of
 Securities Dealers, Inc., any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is
 listed for trading, or any other governmental or quasi-governmental agency
 having jurisdiction over the Company, the Common Stock or the Plan requires the
 Plan to be amended, or in the event Rule 16b-3 is amended or supplemented
 (e.g., by addition of alternative rules) or any of the rules under Section 16
  ----
 of the Act are amended or supplemented, in either event to permit the Company
 to remove or lessen any restrictions on or with respect to Options, the Board
 of Directors reserves the right to amend the Plan to the extent of any such
 requirement, amendment or supplement, and all Options then outstanding will be
 subject to such amendment.

     (c) The Plan may be terminated at any time by action of the Board, but in
 any event will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the
 Plan.  The termination of the Plan will not adversely affect the terms of any
 outstanding Option.

     (d) The Plan will not confer upon any Grantee any right with respect to
 continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary,
 nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary
 would otherwise have to terminate a Grantee's employment or other service at
 any time.

                                      18
<PAGE>

     (e) The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
 internal laws of the State of Georgia.

                                        AMERICAN SOFTWARE, INC.

                                        By:
                                           ----------------------------
                                           Secretary

                                      19

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