EXHIBIT 10.7
 
                                  EXCEL, INC.

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         Dated as of December 21, 1995


     THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT is made as of December 21, 1995, by and between EXCEL
INC. (the "Company"), a Massachusetts corporation having its chief executive
office at 255 Independence Drive, Hyannis, Massachusetts and THE FIRST NATIONAL
BANK OF BOSTON (the "Bank"), a national banking association having its head
office at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

                                   SECTION I
                                   ---------

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

     1.1. Definitions.
          ----------- 

     All capitalized terms used in this Agreement or in the Note or in any
certificate, report or other document made or delivered pursuant to this
Agreement (unless otherwise defined therein) shall have the meanings assigned to
them below:

     Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.  Applicable to any Interest Period, shall mean a
     ------------------------                                                  
rate per annum determined pursuant to the following formula:

                                AER = [ IOR ]*
                                        ---   
                                  [1.00-RP]
 
                                AER = Adjusted Eurodollar Rate
                                IOR = Interbank Offered Rate
                                RP = Reserve Percentage

               *The amount in brackets shall be rounded upwards, if
                necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%.

     Where:

             "Interbank Offered Rate" applicable to any Eurodollar Loan for
     any Interest Period means the rate of interest determined by the Bank
     to be the prevailing rate per annum at which deposits in U.S. dollars
     are offered to the Bank by first-class banks in the interbank
     Eurodollar market in which it regularly participates on or about 10:00
     a.m. (Boston time) two Business Days before the first day of such
     Interest Period in an amount approximately equal to the principal
     amount of the Eurodollar Loan to which such Interest Period is to
     apply for a period of time approximately equal to such Interest
     Period.

 
                                   -2-

             "Reserve Percentage" applicable to any Interest Period means
     the rate (expressed as a decimal) applicable to the Bank during such
     Interest Period under regulations issued from time to time by the
     Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for determining the
     maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic,
     supplemental, emergency or marginal reserve requirement) of the Bank
     with respect to "Eurocurrency liabilities" as that term is defined
     under such regulations.

The Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective
date of any change in the Reserve Percentage.

     Affected Loans.  See Section 2.7(a).
     --------------                      

     Agreement.  This Agreement, as the same may be supplemented or amended from
     ---------                                                                  
time to time.

     Bank.  See Preamble.
     ----                

     Base Rate.  The greater of (i) the rate of interest announced from time to
     ---------                                                                 
time by the Bank at its head office at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110 as its Base Rate, and (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1%
per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/8 of 1%).

     Base Rate Loan.  Any Loan bearing interest determined with reference to the
     --------------                                                             
Base Rate.

     Borrowing Base.  An amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Commitment Amount
     --------------                                                             
or (b) 75% of the net outstanding amount of Base Accounts.

             "Base Accounts" means accounts receivable of the Company as 
              -------------                                                
     to which the Company has furnished to the Bank the information
     required by this Agreement and shall not include (a) accounts payable
     by subsidiaries, affiliates and employees of the Company, (b) accounts
     payable by debtors not located in the United States, unless otherwise
     approved in writing by the Bank or (c) accounts evidenced by
     promissory notes.

             The "net outstanding amount of Base Accounts" means the net
                  ---------------------------------------               
     amount of Base Accounts outstanding after eliminating from the
     aggregate amount of outstanding Base Accounts (i) such accounts that
     are more than 90 days past the date of the original invoice date or
     more than 60 days past the due date, whichever is earlier, and (ii)
     all other accounts of any account debtor with 25% or more of its
     accounts that are more than 90 days past the date of the original
     invoice date or more than 60 days past due as aforesaid; and deducting
     from the aggregate face amount of the remaining Base Accounts all
     payments, adjustments and credits applicable thereto and all amounts
     due thereon considered by the Bank difficult to collect or
     uncollectible by reason of return, rejection, repossession, loss or
     damage of or to the merchandise giving rise thereto, a merchandise or
     other dispute,

 
                                   -3-

     insolvency of the account debtor, or any other reason, all as
     determined by the Bank in its discretion, which determination shall be
     final and binding upon the Company.

     Business Day.  (i) For all purposes other than as covered by clause (ii)
     ------------                                                            
below, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banks in
Boston, Massachusetts are open for the conduct of a substantial part of their
commercial banking business; and (ii) with respect to all notices and
determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on,
Eurodollar Loans, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (i) and
that is also a day for trading by and between banks in U.S. Dollar deposits in
the interbank Eurodollar market.

     Code.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations
     ----                                                                  
thereunder, collectively, as the same may from time to time be supplemented or
amended and remain in effect.

     Commitment Amount.  $5,000,000.00 or any lesser amount, including zero,
     -----------------                                                      
resulting from a termination or reduction of such amount in accordance with
Section 7.2.

     Company.  See Preamble.
     -------                

     Computation Rate.  See Section 2.11.
     ----------------                    

     Consolidated Current Liabilities.  At any date as of which the amount
     --------------------------------                                     
thereof shall be determined, all amounts that should, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, be included as current liabilities on
the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at such
date, plus, to the extent not already included therein, all Loans made under
this Agreement, and all Indebtedness that is payable upon demand or within one
year from the date of determination thereof unless such Indebtedness is
renewable or extendable at the option of the Company or any Subsidiary to a date
more than one year from the date of determination.

     Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.  At any date as of which the amount
     -------------------------------                                     
thereof shall be determined, the consolidated total assets of the Company and
its Subsidiaries minus (i) the sum of any amounts attributable to (a) goodwill,
                 -----                                                         
(b) intangible items such as unamortized debt discount and expense, patents,
trade and service marks and names, copyrights, capitalized software development
costs, and research and development expenses except prepaid expenses, (c) all
reserves not already deducted from assets, (d) any writeup in the book value of
assets resulting from any revaluation thereof subsequent to the date of the
financial statements referred to in Section 4.6 and (e) the value of any
minority interests in Subsidiaries and (ii) Consolidated Total Liabilities.
                                   ---                                     

     Consolidated Total Liabilities.  At any date as of which the amount thereof
     ------------------------------                                             
shall be determined, all obligations that should, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, be classified as liabilities on the consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including in any event all
Indebtedness.

 
                                      -4-

     Controlled Group.  All trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated)
     ----------------                                                         
under common control that, together with the Company, are treated as a single
employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

     Default.  An Event of Default or event or condition that, but for the
     -------                                                              
requirement that time elapse or notice be given, or both, would constitute an
Event of Default.

     Encumbrances.  See Section 6.5.
     ------------                     

     ERISA.  The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules
     -----                                                                    
and regulations thereunder, collectively, as the same may from time to time be
supplemented or amended and remain in effect.

     Eurodollar Loan.  Any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined with
     ---------------                                                      
reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.

     Event of Default.  Any event described in Section 7.1.
     ----------------                                      

     Federal Funds Effective Rate.  For any day, a fluctuating interest rate per
     ----------------------------                                               
annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal
funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day,
for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the
average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Bank
from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Bank.

     Guarantees.  As applied to the Company and its Subsidiaries, all
     ----------                                                      
guarantees, endorsements or other contingent or surety obligations with respect
to obligations of others whether or not reflected on the consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including any obligation to furnish
funds, directly or indirectly (whether by virtue of partnership arrangements, by
agreement to keep-well or otherwise), through the purchase of goods, supplies or
services, or by way of stock purchase, capital contribution, advance or loan, or
to enter into a contract for any of the foregoing, for the purpose of payment of
obligations of any other person or entity.

     Indebtedness.  As applied to the Company and its Subsidiaries, (i) all
     ------------                                                          
obligations for borrowed money or other extensions of credit, whether or not
secured, absolute or contingent, including, without limitation, unmatured
reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit or guarantees issued
for the account of or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries; (ii) all
obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property, other than
accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business; (iii) all
obligations evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other similar instruments;
(iv) all obligations secured by any mortgage, pledge, security interest or other
lien on property owned or acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
whether or not the obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed; (v) that
portion of all obligations arising under capital leases that is required to be
capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Subsidiaries; (vi) all Guarantees; and (vii) all 

 
                                      -5-

obligations that are immediately due and payable out of the proceeds of or
production from property now or hereafter owned or acquired by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries.

     Interest Period.
     --------------- 

     (a)  With respect to each Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the
date of such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months
thereafter, as the Company may elect the applicable Notice of Borrowing;

     (b)  with respect to each Base Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date
of such Base Rate Loan;

     provided that:
     --------      

               (i)  any Interest Period (other than an Interest Period
     determined pursuant to clause (iii) below) that would otherwise end on a
     day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding
     Business Day unless, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, such Business Day
     falls in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall
     end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

               (ii)  any Interest Period applicable to a Eurodollar Loan that
     begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which
     there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end
     of such Interest Period) shall, subject to clause (iii) below, end on the
     last Business Day of a calendar month;

               (iii)  any Interest Period during the Revolving Credit Period
     that would otherwise end after the Revolving Credit Termination Date shall
     end on the Revolving Credit Termination Date; and

               (iv)  notwithstanding clauses (iii) and (iv) above, no Interest
     Period applicable to a Eurodollar Loan shall have a duration of less than
     one month, and if any Interest Period applicable to such Loans would be for
     a shorter period, such Interest Period shall not be available hereunder.

     Investment.  As applied to the Company and its Subsidiaries, the purchase
     ----------                                                               
or acquisition of any share of capital stock, partnership interest, evidence of
indebtedness or other equity security of any other person or entity, any loan,
advance or extension of credit to, or contribution to the capital of, any other
person or entity, any real estate held for sale or investment, any commodities
futures contracts held other than in connection with bona fide hedging
transactions, any other investment in any other person or entity, and the making
of any commitment or acquisition of any option to make an Investment.

     Loan.  A loan made to the Company by the Bank pursuant to Section 11 of
     ----                                                                   
this Agreement, and "Loans" means all of such loans, collectively.

 
                                      -6-

     Note.  A promissory note of the Company, substantially in the form of
     ----                                                                 
Exhibit A hereto, evidencing the obligation of the Company to the Bank to repay
the Loans.

     Notice of Borrowing.  See Section 2.2.
     -------------------                   

     Obligations.  Any and all obligations of the Company to the Bank of every
     -----------                                                              
kind and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, primary or
secondary, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, regardless
of how they arise or by what agreement or instrument, if any, and including
obligations to perform acts and refrain from taking action as well as
obligations to pay money.

     PBGC.  The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to
     ----                                                                       
any or all of its functions under ERISA.

     Permitted Encumbrances.  See Section 6.5.
     ----------------------                   

     Plan.  At any time, an employee pension or other benefit plan that is
     ----                                                                 
subject to Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under
Section 412 of the Code.

     Qualified Investments.  As applied to the Company and its Subsidiaries,
     ---------------------                                                  
investments in (i) notes, bonds or other obligations of the United States of
America or any agency thereof that as to principal and interest constitute
direct obligations of or are guaranteed by the United States of America; (ii)
certificates of deposit or other deposit instruments or accounts of banks or
trust companies organized under the laws of the United States or any state
thereof that have capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000, (iii) commercial
paper that is rated not less than prime-one or A-1 or their equivalents by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation, respectively,
or their successors, and (iv) any repurchase agreement secured by any one or
more of the foregoing.

     Revolving Credit Period.  The period beginning on the date of this
     -----------------------                                           
Agreement and extending through and including the Revolving Credit Termination
Date or such earlier date on which the commitment to make Loans is terminated or
the Commitment Amount is reduced to zero in accordance with the terms hereof.

     Revolving Credit Termination Date.  December 15,1997.
     ---------------------------------                    

     Subsidiary.  Any corporation, association, joint stock company, business
     ----------                                                              
trust or other similar organization of which 50% or more of the ordinary voting
power for the election of a majority of the members of the board of directors or
other governing body of such entity is held or controlled by the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company; or any other such organization the management of
which is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company or a Subsidiary of the
Company through the exercise of voting power or otherwise; or any joint venture,
whether incorporated or not, in which the Company has a 50% ownership interest.

     1.2. Accounting Terms.  All terms of an accounting character shall have the
          ----------------                                                      
meanings assigned thereto by generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a basis consistent with 

 
                                      -7-

the financial statements referred to in Section 4.6 of this Agreement, modified
to the extent, but only to the extent, that such meanings are specifically
modified herein.

                                  SECTION 11
                                  ----------

                             DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT
                             ---------------------

     2.1. The Loans.  During the Revolving Credit Period, and subject to the
          ---------                                                         
terms and conditions hereof, the Bank will make Loans to the Company, from time
to time until the close of business on the Revolving Credit Termination Date, in
such sums as the Company may request, provided that the aggregate principal
                                      --------                             
amount of all Loans at any one time outstanding hereunder shall not exceed the
Borrowing Base.  The Company may borrow, repay pursuant to Section 2.8 and
reborrow, from the date of this Agreement until the Revolving Credit Termination
Date, the full amount of the Borrowing Base or any lesser sum that is at least
$100,000.00 and an integral multiple of $100,000.00.  Any Loan not repaid by the
Revolving Credit Termination Date shall be due and payable on the Revolving
Credit Termination Date.

     2.2. Notice and Manner of Borrowing of Loans.  (a) Whenever the Company
          ---------------------------------------                           
desires to obtain a Loan hereunder, the Company shall notify the Bank (which
notice shall be irrevocable) by telephone received no later than 2:00 p.m.
Boston time on the day on which the requested Loan is to be made as a Base Rate
Loan, and received no later than 10:00 a.m. Boston time on the date two Business
Days before the day on which the requested Loan is to be made as a Eurodollar
Loan.  Such notice shall specify (i) the effective date and amount of each Loan,
subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.1, (ii) the interest rate
option to be applicable thereto, and (iii) with respect to any requested
Eurodollar Loans, the duration of the applicable Interest Period (subject to the
provisions of the definition of Interest Period and Section 2.5).  If requested
by the Bank, such notification (a "Notice of Borrowing") shall be immediately
followed by a written confirmation thereof, provided that if such written
                                            --------                     
confirmation differs in any material respect from the action taken by the Bank,
the records of the Bank shall control absent manifest error.  Prior to the end
of the Interest Period applicable to any Eurodollar Loan, the Borrower shall
deliver a Notice of Borrowing in accordance with this Section 2.2 which shall
specify the interest rate option and duration of the applicable Interest Period
to rollover such Eurodollar Loan.  Failure to deliver such Notice of Borrowing
shall be deemed to be an election of the Base Rate.

     (b)  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Bank shall make each
Loan on the effective date specified therefor by crediting the amount of such
Loan to the Company's demand deposit account with the Bank; provided that if
                                                            --------        
such Loan is to be made on a day on which the Company is to repay all or any
part of an outstanding Loan, the Bank shall apply the proceeds of such new Loan
to make such repayment and only an amount equal to the difference (if any)
between the amount being borrowed and the amount being repaid shall be made
available by the Bank to the Company.

     2.3. Facility Fee.  The Company shall pay to the Bank during the Revolving
          ------------                                                         
Credit Period an annual facility fee equal to $9,500.00.  The facility fee shall
be payable quarterly in advance, on the first day of January, April, July and
October of each year beginning January 1, 

 
                                      -8-

1996. A prorated amount for the period from the date hereof to December 31, 1995
shall be payable at the closing.

     2.4. The Note.  (a) The Loans shall be evidenced by a single Note, payable
          --------                                                             
to the order of the Bank and having a final maturity of December 15, 1997.  The
Note shall be dated on or before the date of the first Loan and shall have the
blanks, if any, therein appropriately completed.

     (b)  The Bank shall, and is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Company
to, enter on the schedule forming a part of the Note or otherwise in its records
appropriate notations evidencing the date and the amount of each Loan, the
interest rate applicable thereto and the date and amount of each payment of
principal made by the Company with respect thereto; and in the absence of
manifest error, such notations shall constitute conclusive evidence thereof. The
Bank is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Company to attach to and make a
part of the Note a continuation of any such schedule as and when required. No
failure on the part of the Bank to make any notation as provided in this
subsection (b) shall in any way affect any Loan or the rights or obligations of
the Bank or the Company with respect thereto.

     2.5. Duration of Interest Periods.  Subject to the provisions of the
          ----------------------------                                   
definition of Interest Period, the duration of the Interest Period for each
Eurodollar Loan shall be as specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not select an Interest Period
that would end, but for the provisions of the definition of Interest Period,
after the final maturity hereof.

     2.6. Interest Rates and Payments of Interest.  (a) Each Base Rate Loan
          ---------------------------------------                          
shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof at a rate per
annum equal to the Base Rate, which rate shall change contemporaneously with any
change in the Base Rate.  Such interest shall be payable on the last day of each
month commencing December 31, 1995, and when such Base Rate Loan is due (whether
at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise).

     (b)  Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal
amount thereof, for the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum
equal to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus two and one half percent (2.5%).
Such interest shall be payable for such Interest Period on the last day thereof
and when such Eurodollar Loan is due (whether at maturity, by reason of
acceleration or otherwise) and, if such Interest Period is longer than three
months, at intervals of three months after the first day thereof.

     2.7. Changed Circumstances.
          --------------------- 

     (a)  In the event that:

          (i)  on any date on which the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate would otherwise
     be set the Bank shall have determined in good faith (which determination
     shall be final and conclusive) that, by reason of changes affecting the
     interbank Eurodollar market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
     ascertaining the Interbank Offered Rate, or

 
                                      -9-

          (ii) at any time the Bank shall have determined in good faith
     (which determination shall be final and conclusive) that:

          (A)  the making of a Eurodollar Loan has been made impracticable
     or unlawful by (1) the occurrence of a contingency that materially and
     adversely affects the interbank Eurodollar market or (2) compliance by the
     Bank in good faith with any applicable law or governmental regulation,
     guideline or order or interpretation or change thereof by any governmental
     authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof or with
     any request or directive of any such governmental authority (whether or not
     having the force of law); or

     (B)  the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall no longer represent the effective
cost to the Bank for U.S. dollar deposits in the interbank market for deposits
in which it regularly participates;

then, and in any such event, the Bank shall forthwith so notify the Company
thereof.  Until the Bank notifies the Company that the circumstances giving rise
to such notice no longer apply, the obligation of the Bank to allow selection by
the Company of the type of Loan affected by the contingencies described in this
Section 2.7(a) (herein called "Affected Loans") shall be suspended.  If at the
                               --------------                                 
time the Bank so notifies the Company, the Company has previously given the Bank
a Notice of Borrowing with respect to one or more Affected Loans but such Loans
have not yet gone into effect, such notification shall be deemed to be void and
the Company may borrow Loans of a nonaffected type by giving a substitute Notice
of Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof.

     Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice (which shall not be
earlier than the date such notice is given) the Company shall, with respect to
the outstanding Affected Loans, prepay the same, together with interest thereon
and any amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.11, and may borrow a
Loan of another type in accordance with Section 2.1 hereof by giving a Notice of
Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof.

     (b)  In case any law, regulation, treaty or official directive or the
interpretation or application thereof by any court or by any governmental
authority charged with the administration thereof or the compliance with any
guideline or request of any central bank or other governmental authority
(whether or not having the force of law):

          (i)  subjects the Bank to any tax with respect to payments of
     principal or interest or any other amounts payable hereunder by the Company
     or otherwise with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (except
     for taxes on the overall net income of the Bank imposed by the United
     States of America or any political subdivision thereof), or

          (ii)  imposes, modifies or deems applicable any deposit insurance,
     reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets held by, or
     deposits in or for the account of, or loans by, the Bank (other than such
     requirements as are already included in the determination of the Adjusted
     Eurodollar Rate), or

 
                                     -10-

          (iii) imposes upon the Bank any other condition with respect to its
     performance under this Agreement,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Bank,
reduce the income receivable by the Bank or impose any expense upon the Bank
with respect to any Loans, the Bank shall notify the Company thereof.  The
Company agrees to pay to the Bank the amount of such increase in cost reduction
in income or additional expense as and when such cost, reduction or expense is
incurred or determined, upon presentation by the Bank of a statement in the
amount and setting forth the Bank's calculation thereof, which statement shall
be deemed true and correct absent manifest error.

     (c)  If the Bank shall have determined that (i) the adoption of or change
in any law, rule, regulation or guideline, directive or request regarding
capital requirements for banks or bank holding companies (whether or not having
the force of law), or any change in the interpretation or application thereof by
any governmental authority, central bank or comparable authority charged with
the interpretation or administration thereof, or (ii) compliance by the Bank
with any of the foregoing, imposes on or increases a requirement of the Bank to
allocate capital resources to the Bank's commitment to make Loans hereunder that
has or would have the effect of reducing the return on the Bank's capital as a
consequence of its commitment to make Loans hereunder to a level below that
which the Bank could have achieved (taking into consideration the Bank's then
existing policies with respect to capital adequacy and assuming the full
utilization of the Bank's capital) but for such adoption, change or compliance
by any amount deemed by the Bank to be material, then the Bank shall notify the
Company thereof. The Company agrees to pay to the Bank the amount of such
reduction of capital as and when such reduction is determined, upon presentation
by the Bank of a statement in the amount and setting forth the Bank's
calculation thereof, which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent
manifest error. In determining such amount, the Bank may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods.

     2.8. Payments and Prepayments of the Loans.  (a) Each Loan shall mature,
          -------------------------------------                              
and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable, on the Revolving
Credit Termination Date.  Eurodollar Loans may not be prepaid.  Base Rate Loans
may be prepaid at any time, without premium or penalty.  Interest accrued on the
amounts so paid shall be paid in accordance with Section 2.6.  No prepayment of
the Loans during the Revolving Credit Period shall affect the Commitment Amount
or impair the Company's right to borrow as set forth in Section 2.1.

     (b)  If at any time the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Loans
shall exceed the Borrowing Base, the Company shall repay such principal amount
(together with accrued interest thereon) of the outstanding Loans, if any, as
may be necessary so that after such repayment the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Loans does not exceed the amount of the Borrowing Base.

     2.9. Method of Payment.  All payments and prepayments of principal and all
          -----------------                                                    
payments of interest shall be made by the Company to the Bank at 100 Federal
Street, Boston, Massachusetts in immediately available funds, on or before 2:00
p.m. (Boston time) on the due 

 
                                     -11-

date thereof, free and clear of, and without any deduction or withholding for,
any taxes or other payments. The Bank may, and the Company hereby authorizes the
Bank to, debit the amount of any payment not made by such time to the demand
deposit account of the Company with the Bank, followed promptly by notice to the
Company of such action taken.

     2.10.  Overdue Payments.  (a) Overdue principal (whether at maturity, by
            ----------------                                                 
reason of acceleration or otherwise) and, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, overdue interest and fees or any other amounts payable hereunder or under
the Note shall bear interest from and including the due date thereof until paid,
compounded daily and payable on demand, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if such
due date occurs prior to the end of an Interest Period for Eurodollar Loans, 2%
above the interest rate applicable to such Loan for such Interest Period until
the expiration of such Interest Period, and thereafter, 2% above the Base Rate;
and (ii) in all other cases, 2% above the rate then applicable to Base Rate
Loans, which interest shall be compounded daily and payable on demand. (b) If a
payment of principal or interest hereunder is not made within 10 days of its due
date, the Company will also pay, on demand, a late payment charge equal to 5% of
the amount of such payment. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall affect the
Bank's rights to exercise any of its rights or remedies, including those
provided in Section 7.2, if an Event of Default has occurred.

     2.11.  Payments Not at End of Interest Period.  If the Company for any
            --------------------------------------                         
reason makes any payment of principal with respect to any Eurodollar Loan on any
day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar
Loan, or fails to borrow a Eurodollar Loan after giving a Notice of Borrowing
pursuant to Section 2.2, the Company shall pay to the Bank an amount computed
pursuant to the following formula:

                              L = (R - T) x P x D
                                  ---------------

                                        360


L =  amount payable to the Bank
R =  interest rate on such Loan

T =  effective interest rate per annum at which any readily marketable bond or
     other obligation of the United States, selected at the Bank's sole
     discretion, maturing on or near the last day of the Interest Period of such
     Loan and in approximately the same amount as such Loan can be purchased by
     the Bank on the day of such payment of principal or failure to borrow

P =  the amount of principal prepaid or the amount of the requested Loan
D =  the number of days remaining in the Interest Period as of the date of such
     payment or the number of days of the requested Interest Period

The Company shall pay such amount upon presentation by the Bank of a statement
setting forth the amount and the Bank's calculation thereof pursuant hereto,
which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error.

     2.12.  Computation of Interest and Fees.  Interest and all fees payable
            --------------------------------                                
hereunder shall be computed daily on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid
for the actual number of days for 

 
                                     -12-

which due. If the due date for any payment of principal is extended by operation
of law, interest shall be payable for such extended time. If any payment
required by this Agreement becomes due on a day that is not a Business Day such
payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day (subject to clause (i)
of the definition of Interest Period), and such extension shall be included in
computing interest in connection with such payment.

                                  SECTION III
                                  -----------

                              CONDITIONS OF LOANS
                              -------------------

     3.1. Conditions Precedent to Initial Loan.  The obligation of the Bank to
          ------------------------------------                                
make its initial Loan is subject to the condition precedent that the Bank shall
have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank and its counsel,
the following:

     (a)  this Agreement and the Note, duly executed by the Company;

     (b)  a certificate of the Clerk or an Assistant Clerk of the Company with
respect to resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Note and identifying the officer(s)
authorized to execute, deliver and take all other actions required under this
Agreement, and providing specimen signatures of such officers;

     (c)  the certificate of incorporation of the Company and all amendments and
supplements thereto, filed in the office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, certified by said Secretary of The Commonwealth as being a true
and correct copy thereof;

     (d)  the Bylaws and articles of incorporation of the Company and all
amendments and supplements thereto, certified by the Clerk or an Assistant Clerk
as being a true and correct copy thereof;

     (e)  a certificate of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
as to legal existence and good standing in such state and listing all documents
on file in the office of said Secretary of State;

     (f)  an opinion addressed to it from Christopher Stavros, counsel to the
Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto; and
                                      ---------            

     (g)  such other documents, and completion of such other matters, as counsel
for the Bank may deem necessary or appropriate.

     3.2. Conditions Precedent to all Loans.  The obligation of the Bank to make
          ---------------------------------                                     
each Loan, including the initial Loan, is further subject to the following
conditions:

     (a)  timely receipt by the Bank of the Notice of Borrowing as provided in
Section 2.2;

     (b)  the representations and warranties contained in Section IV shall be
true and accurate in all material respects on and as of the date of such Notice
of Borrowing and on the effective date of each Loan as though made at and as of
each such date (except to the extent that 

 
                                     -13-

such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date), and no
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result from such Loan;

     (c)  the resolutions referred to in Section 3.1(b) shall remain in full
force and effect; and

     (d)  no change shall have occurred in any law or regulation or
interpretation thereof that, in the opinion of counsel for the Bank, would make
it illegal or against the policy of any governmental agency or authority for the
Bank to make Loans hereunder.

     The making of each Loan shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty
by the Company on the date of such Loan as to the accuracy of the facts referred
to in subsection (b) of this Section 3.2.

                                  SECTION IV
                                  ----------

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                        ------------------------------

     In order to induce the Bank to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans
hereunder, the Company represents and warrants to the Bank that:

     4.1. Organization and Qualification.  Each of the Company and its
          ------------------------------                              
Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, (b) has all
requisite corporate power to own its property and conduct its business as now
conducted and as presently contemplated and (c) is duly qualified and in good
standing as a foreign corporation and is duly authorized to do business in each
jurisdiction where the nature of its properties or business requires such
qualification.

     4.2. Corporate Authority.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
          -------------------                                                  
Agreement and the Note and the transactions contemplated hereby are within the
corporate power and authority of the Company and have been authorized by all
necessary corporate proceedings, and do not and will not (a) require any consent
or approval of the stockholders of the Company, (b) contravene any provision of
the charter documents or bylaws of the Company or any law, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company, (c) contravene any provision of, or constitute an
event of default or event that, but for the requirement that time elapse or
notice be given, or both, would constitute an event of default under, any other
agreement, instrument, order or undertaking binding on the Company, or (d)
result in or require the imposition of any Encumbrance on any of the properties,
assets or rights of the Company.

     4.3. Valid Obligations.  This Agreement and the Note and all of their
          -----------------                                               
respective terms and provisions are the legal, valid and binding obligations of
the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except as
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and except as the
remedy of specific performance or of injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 
                                      -14-



     4.4.   Consents or Approvals.  The execution, delivery and performance of
            ---------------------                                             
this Agreement and the Note and the transactions contemplated herein do not
require any approval or consent of, or filing or registration with, any
governmental or other agency or authority, or any other party.

     4.5.   Title to Properties; Absence of Encumbrances.  Each of the Company 
            --------------------------------------------                 
and its Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all of the properties,
assets and rights of every name and nature now purported to be owned by it,
including, without limitation, such properties, assets and rights as are
reflected in the financial statements referred to in Section 4.6 (except such
properties, assets or rights as have been disposed of in the ordinary course of
business since the date thereof), free from all Encumbrances except Permitted
Encumbrances or those Encumbrances disclosed in Exhibit B hereto, and, except as
                                                ---------
so disclosed, free from all defects of title that might materially adversely
affect such properties, assets or rights, taken as a whole.

     4.6.   Financial Statements.  The Company has furnished the Bank its
            --------------------                                         
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1994 and its consolidated
statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flow for the
fiscal year then ended, and related footnotes, audited and certified by Arthur
Andersen & Co.  The Company has also furnished the Bank its consolidated balance
sheet as of September 22, 1995 and its consolidated statements of income,
changes in stockholders' equity and cash flow for the period then ended,
certified by the principal financial officer of the Company but subject,
however, to normal, recurring year-end adjustments that shall not in the
aggregate be material in amount.  All such financial statements were prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods specified and present fairly the financial position
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and the results of the
operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such periods.  There are no
liabilities, contingent or otherwise, not disclosed in such financial statements
that involve a material amount.

     4.7.   Changes.  Since the date of the financial statements referred to in
            -------                                                            
Section 4.6, there have been no changes in the assets, liabilities, financial
condition, business or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other
than changes in the ordinary course of business, the effect of which has not, in
the aggregate, been materially adverse.

     4.8.   Defaults.  As of the date of this Agreement, no Default exists.
            --------                                                       

     4.9.   Taxes.  The Company and each Subsidiary have filed all federal, 
            -----  
state and other tax returns required to be filed, and all taxes, assessments and
other governmental charges due from the Company and each Subsidiary have been
fully paid. The Company and each Subsidiary have established on their books
reserves adequate for the payment of all federal, state and other tax
liabilities.

     4.10.  Litigation.  Except as set forth on Exhibit C hereto, there is no
            ----------                          ---------                    
litigation, arbitration, proceeding or investigation pending, or, to the
knowledge of the Company's or any Subsidiary's officers, threatened, against the
Company or any Subsidiary that, if adversely determined, would result in a
material judgment not fully covered by insurance or could result in a forfeiture
of all or any substantial part of the property of the Company or its
Subsidiaries, or 

 
                                      -15-

would otherwise have a material adverse effect on the assets, business or
prospects of the Company or any Subsidiary.

     4.11.  Use of Proceeds.  No portion of any Loan is to be used for the
            ---------------                                               
"purpose of purchasing or carrying" any "margin stock" as such terms are used in
Regulations U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12
C.F.R. 221 and 224, as amended; and following the application of the proceeds of
each Loan, the value of all "margin stock" of the Company will not exceed 25% of
the value of the total assets of the Company that are subject to the
restrictions set forth in Section 6.5 and 6.6.

     4.12.  Subsidiaries.  As of the date of this Agreement, all the
            ------------                                            
Subsidiaries of the Company are listed on Exhibit D hereto.  The Company or a
                                          ---------                          
Subsidiary of the Company is the owner, free and clear of all liens and
encumbrances, of all of the issued and outstanding stock of each Subsidiary.
All shares of such stock have been validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable, and no rights to subscribe to any additional shares have been
granted, and no options, warrants or similar rights are outstanding.

     4.13.  Investment Company Act.  Neither the Company nor any of its
            ----------------------                                     
Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

     4.14   Compliance with ERISA.  The Company and each member of the 
            ---------------------                                
Controlled Group have fulfilled their obligations under the minimum funding
standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and are in compliance
in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code,
and have not incurred any liability to the PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of
ERISA; and no "Prohibited transaction" or "reportable event" (as such terms are
defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any Plan.

     4.15.  Environmental Matters.  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
            ---------------------                                           
are in material compliance with all Federal, state and local environmental laws
and ordinances with respect to the conduct of their business or business
operations and have no knowledge or notice of any material violation of any
environmental protection law, regulation or order.

                                   SECTION V
                                   ---------

                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
                             ---------------------

     So long as the Bank has any commitment to lend hereunder or any Loan or
other Obligation remains outstanding, the Company covenants as follows:

     5.1.   Financial Statements and other Reporting Requirements.  The Company
            -----------------------------------------------------              
shall furnish to the Bank:

     (a) as soon as available to the Company, but in any event within 90 days
after the end of each of its fiscal years, a consolidated and consolidating
balance sheet as of the end of each such year, and a related consolidated and
consolidating statement of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flow
for such year, audited and certified by Arthur Andersen & Co. 

 
                                      -16-

(or other independent certified public accountants acceptable to the Bank) in
the case of such consolidated statements, and certified by the chief financial
officer in the case of such consolidating statements; and, concurrently with
such financial statements, a copy of said certified public accountants'
management report;

     (b) as soon as available to the Company, but in any event within 30 days
after the end of each month, (i) a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet
as of the end of each such fiscal quarter, and a related consolidated and
consolidating statement of income for the period then ended, certified by the
principal financial officer of the Company but subject, however, to normal,
recurring yearend adjustments that shall not in the aggregate be material in
amount and (ii) a borrowing base report substantially in the form of Exhibit E;
                                                                     ----------

     (c) as soon as available to the Company, but in any event within 30 days
after the end of each of its fiscal quarters, a report in substantially the form
of Exhibit F hereto signed on behalf of the Company by its chief financial
   ---------                                                              
officer;

     (d) promptly after the receipt thereof by the Company, copies of any
reports submitted to the Company by independent public accountants in connection
with any interim review of the accounts of the Company made by such accountants;

     (e) promptly alter the same are available, copies of all proxy statements,
financial statements and reports as the Company may file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any governmental authority at any time having
jurisdiction over the Company or its Subsidiaries;

     (f) if and when the Company gives or is required to give notice to the PBGC
of any "Reportable Event" (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to
any Plan that might constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under
Title IV of ERISA, or knows that any member of the Controlled Group or the plan
administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such
Reportable Event, a copy of the notice of such Reportable Event given or
required to be given to the PBGC;

     (g) immediately upon becoming aware of the existence of any condition or
event that constitutes a Default, written notice thereof specifying the nature
and duration thereof and the action being or proposed to be taken with respect
thereto;

     (h) promptly upon becoming aware of any investigative proceedings by a
governmental agency or authority commenced or threatened against the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries regarding any environmental hazard or condition or any
spill, release, discharge or disposal of any substance defined or designated by
any environmental statute, rule or regulation of any governmental entity now in
effect and applicable to such property, as hazardous or toxic material,
hazardous or toxic substance or any similar term, written notice thereof and the
action being or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

     (i) promptly upon becoming aware of any litigation or of any other
investigative proceedings by a governmental agency or authority commenced or
threatened against the 

 
                                      -17-

Company or any of its Subsidiaries of which it has notice, the outcome of which
would or might have a materially adverse effect on the assets, business or
prospects of the Company or the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis, written notice thereof and the action being or proposed to be taken with
respect thereto; and

     (j) from time to time, such other financial data and information about the
Company or its Subsidiaries as the Bank may reasonably request.

     5.2.   Conduct of Business.  Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries 
            -------------------                         
shall:

     (a) duly observe and comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws and valid requirements of any governmental authorities relative to its
corporate existence, rights and franchises, to the conduct of its business and
to its property and assets, and shall maintain and keep in full force and effect
all licenses and permits necessary in any material respect to the proper conduct
of its business;

     (b) maintain its corporate existence; and

     (c) remain engaged substantially in the design and manufacture of
telecommunication platforms, and related software, devices, and services.

     5.3.   Maintenance and Insurance.  Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
            -------------------------                                           
shall maintain its properties in good repair, working order and condition as
required for the normal conduct of its business.  Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall at all times maintain liability and casualty insurance with
financially sound and reputable insurers in such amounts as the officers of the
Company in the exercise of their reasonable judgment deem to be adequate.  In
the event of failure to provide and maintain insurance as herein provided, the
Bank may, at its option, provide such insurance and charge the amount thereof to
the account of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with the Bank.

     5.4.   Taxes.  The Company shall pay or cause to be paid all taxes,
            -----                                                       
assessments or governmental charges on or against it or any of its Subsidiaries
or its or their properties on or prior to the time when they become due.

     5.5.   Inspection by the Bank.  The Company shall permit the Bank or its
            ----------------------                                           
designees, at any reasonable time, and upon reasonable notice (or if a Default
shall have occurred and is continuing, at any time and without prior notice), to
(i) visit and inspect the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii)
examine and make copies of and take abstracts from the books and records of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, and (iii) discuss the affairs, finances and
accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries with their appropriate officers,
employees and accountants.  In handling such information the Bank shall exercise
the same degree of care that it exercises with respect to its own proprietary
information of the same types to maintain the confidentiality of any nonpublic
information thereby received or received pursuant to subsections 5.1(a), (b), or
(c) except that disclosure of such information may be made (i) to the
subsidiaries or affiliates of the Bank in connection with their present or
prospective business relations with the Company, (ii) to prospective transferees
or purchasers of an interest in the Loans, (iii) as 

 
                                      -18-

required by law, regulation, rule or order, subpoena, judicial order or similar
order and (iv) as may be required in connection with the examination, audit or
similar investigation of the Bank.

     5.6.   Maintenance of Books and Records.  Each of the Company and its
            --------------------------------                              
Subsidiaries shall keep adequate books and records of account, in which true and
complete entries will be made reflecting all of its business and financial
transactions, and such entries will be made in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied and applicable law.

     5.7.   Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.  The Company shall at all times
            -------------------------------                                 
maintain Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of at least (i) $5,000,000.00.  Any
consolidated losses shall not reduce the amount of Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth required to be maintained pursuant to this Section 5.7.

     5.8.   Consolidated Total Liabilities to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
            -----------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio.  The Company shall at all times maintain a ratio of Consolidated Total
- -----                                                                        
Liabilities to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of not greater than 1.25 to 1.00.

     5.9.   Cash Flow Coverage.  The Company shall at all times maintain
            ------------------                                          
consolidated Cash Flow Coverage of not less than 2.0 to 1.00.  As used in this
Section 5.9, "Cash Flow Coverage" shall mean, at any date as of which the amount
              ------------------                                                
thereof shall be determined and for the period specified, the quotient obtained
by dividing the total of:  (i) consolidated earnings before income taxes for
   --------                                                                 
such period, excluding any nonrecurring or extraordinary items, plus (ii)
                                                                ----     
consolidated depreciation and amortization expenses for such period, plus (iii)
                                                                     ----      
consolidated interest expense (including imputed interest on capital lease
obligations) (collectively, "Interest Expense") minus (iv) capital expenditures
                             ----------------   -----                          
minus cash taxes minus dividends and distributions; by the total of (i) Interest
- -----            -----                              --                          
Expense for such period plus (ii) current maturities of long-term Indebtedness
                        ----                                                  
for such period.

     5.10.  Profitability.  The Company shall earn consolidated pretax income of
            -------------                                                    
at least $1,000,000.00 in every fiscal quarter.

     5.11.  Cleanup Provision.  The Company shall reduce its outstanding loan
            -----------------                                                
balance once each period to a maximum of $500,000 and once each period to
$300,000, each for 30 consecutive days in the 12 month periods ending December
31, 1996 and December 31, 1997, respectively.

     5.12.  Further Assurances.  At any time and from time to time the Company
            ------------------                                        
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, execute and deliver such
further instruments and take such further action as may reasonably be requested
by the Bank to effect the purposes of this Agreement and the Note.

                                  SECTION VI
                                  ----------

                              NEGATIVE COVENANTS
                              ------------------

 
                                      -19-

     So long as the Bank has any commitment to lend hereunder or any Loan or
other Obligation remains outstanding, the Company covenants as follows:

     6.1.   Indebtedness.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
            ------------                                                        
create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or remain liable with respect to any
Indebtedness other than the following:

     (a) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Bank or
any of its affiliates;

     (b) Indebtedness existing as of the date of this Agreement and disclosed on
                                                                                
Exhibit B hereto or in the financial statements referred to in Section 4.6; and
- ---------                                                                      

     (c) other Indebtedness of the Company in an aggregate outstanding principal
amount not exceeding $300,000.00 annually.

     6.2.   Contingent Liabilities.  Neither the Company nor any of its
            ----------------------                                     
Subsidiaries shall create, incur, assume, guarantee or remain liable with
respect to any Guarantees other than in favor of the Bank or its affiliates,
without the prior written consent of the Bank.

     6.3.   Leases.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall 
            ------              
during any fiscal year enter into any leases of real or personal property as
lessee, except for capital leases or leases providing for payments in any one
fiscal year (whether or not such payments are termed rent) that in the aggregate
do not increase the aggregate annual lease payments of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000.00 over such payments required to be made
during the immediately preceding fiscal year.

     6.4.   Sale and Leaseback.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
            ------------------                                                  
shall enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell
or transfer any property owned by it in order to lease such property or lease
other property that the Company or any such Subsidiary intends to use for
substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or transferred.

     6.5.   Encumbrances.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
            ------------                                                        
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any mortgage, pledge, security
interest, lien or other charge or encumbrance, including the lien or retained
security title of a conditional vendor upon or with respect to any of its
property or assets including, without limitation, on any of its accounts
receivable or inventory ("Encumbrances"), or assign or otherwise convey any
                          ------------                                     
right to receive income, including the sale or discount of accounts receivable
with or without recourse, except the following ("Permitted Encumbrances"):
                                                 ----------------------   

     (a) Encumbrances in favor of the Bank or any of its affiliates; and

     (b) Encumbrances existing as of the date of this Agreement and disclosed in
Exhibit B hereto;
- ---------        

 
                                      -20-

     6.6.   Merger; Consolidation; Sale or Lease of Assets.  Neither the Company
            ----------------------------------------------                      
nor any of its Subsidiaries shall sell, lease or otherwise dispose of assets or
properties (valued at the lower of cost or market), other than sales of
inventory in the ordinary course of business, in the aggregate in excess of
$500,000 in any fiscal year; or liquidate, merge or consolidate into or with any
other person or entity, provided that any Subsidiary of the Company may merge or
                        --------                                                
consolidate into or with (i) the Company if no Default has occurred and is
continuing or would result from such merger and if the Company is the surviving
company, or (ii) any other wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company.

     6.7.   Change in Control.  Robert Madonna, his spouse or issue shall own at
            -----------------                                                   
least 51% of the Equity Securities of the Company, but in any case Robert
Madonna shall not own less than 51% of the voting stock.  For purposes hereof
"Equity Securities" shall mean (a) all common stock, preferred stock,
participations, shares, partnership interests, or other equity interests in and
of the Company (regardless of how designated and whether or not voting or non-
voting) and (b) all warrants, options, and other rights to acquire any of the
foregoing.

     6.8.   Equity Distributions.  The Company shall not pay any dividends on 
            --------------------               
any class of its capital stock or make any other distribution or payment on
account of or in redemption, retirement or purchase of such capital stock which
result in an Event of Default under Sections 5.7, 5.8, 5.9 or 5.10, or violates
any other provision of this Agreement.

     6.9.   Investments.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
            -----------                                                        
make or maintain any Investments other than (i) existing Investments in
Subsidiaries and (ii) Qualified Investments.

     6.10.  ERISA.  Neither the Company nor any member of the Controlled
            -----                                                       
Group shall permit any Plan maintained by it to (i) engage in any "prohibited
transaction" (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code, (ii) incur any
"accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) whether or
not waived, or (iii) terminate any Plan in a manner that could result in the
imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA.

                                  SECTION VII
                                  -----------

                                   DEFAULTS
                                   --------

     7.1.   Events of Default.  There shall be an Event of Default hereunder if
            -----------------                                                  
any of the following events occurs:

     (a) the Company shall fail to pay when due (i) any amount of principal of
any Loans, (ii) any amount of interest thereon or (iii) any fees or expenses
payable hereunder or under the Note within 10 days following notice; or

     (b) The Company shall fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement
contained in Sections 5.1(g), 5.5, 5.7 through 5.11 or 6.1 through 6.10; or

 
                                      -21-

     (c) the Company shall fail to perform any covenant contained in Sections
5.1(f, 5.1(h) or 5.2, and such failure shall continue for 30 days; or

     (d) the Company shall fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement
(other than in respect of subsections 7.1(a) through (c) hereof) contained in
this Agreement and such default shall continue for 30 days after notice thereof
has been sent to the Company by the Bank; or

     (e) any representation or warranty of the Company made in this Agreement or
in the Note or any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in any certificate delivered
hereunder shall prove to have been false in any material respect upon the date
when made or deemed to have been made; or

     (f) there shall occur any material adverse change in the assets,
liabilities, financial condition, business or prospects of the Company or the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as determined by the Bank acting
good faith; or

     (g) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay at maturity,
or within any applicable period of grace, any obligation or obligations which in
the aggregate exceed $10,000 for borrowed monies or advances, or for the use of
real or personal property, or fail to observe or perform any term, covenant or
agreement evidencing or securing such obligations for borrowed monies or
advances, or relating to such use of real or personal property, the result of
which failure is to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness to cause
such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity upon delivery of
required notice, if any; or

     (h) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) apply for or consent
to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian,
trustee, liquidator or similar official of itself or of all or a substantial
part of its property, (ii) be generally not paying its debts as such debts
become due, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
(iv) commence a voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as now or
hereafter in effect), (v) take any action or commence any case or proceeding
under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up or
composition or adjustment of debts, or any other law providing for the relief of
debtors, (vi) fail to contest within 30 days or in an appropriate manner, or
acquiesce in writing to, any petition filed against it in an involuntary case
under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or other law, (vii) take any action under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization similar to any of the
foregoing; or

     (i) a proceeding or case shall be commenced, without the application or
consent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any court of competent
jurisdiction, seeking (i) the liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding
up, or composition or readjustment of its debts, (ii) the appointment of a
trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of it or of all or any
substantial part of its assets, or (iii) similar relief in respect of it, under
any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up or
composition or adjustment of debts or any other law providing for the relief of
debtors, and such proceeding or case shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and
in effect, for a period of 30 days; or an order for relief shall be entered in
an involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, against the Company or
such Subsidiary; or action under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization of the 

 
                                      -22-

Company or any of its Subsidiaries similar to any of the foregoing shall be
taken with respect to the Company or such Subsidiary and shall continue unstayed
and in effect for any period of 30 days; or

     (j) a judgment or order for the payment of money shall be entered against
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any court, or a warrant of attachment
or execution or similar process shall be issued or levied against property of
the Company or such Subsidiary, and such judgment, order, warrant or process
shall continue undischarged or unstayed for 30 days; or

     (k) the Company or any member of the Controlled Group shall fail to pay
when due any amount or amounts that it shall have become liable to pay to the
PBGC or to a Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a
Plan or Plans shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by the Company, any member
of the Controlled Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the
foregoing; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to
terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any such Plan or
Plans or a proceeding shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any such Plan or
Plans against the Company and such proceedings shall not have been dismissed
within 30 days thereafter; or a condition shall exist by reason of which the
PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any; or

     7.2.   Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in
            --------                                                          
subsections 7.1(h) and (i), immediately and automatically, and upon the
occurrence of any other Event of Default, at any time thereafter while such
Event of Default is continuing, at the Bank's option and upon the Bank's
declaration:

     (a) the Bank's commitment to make any further Loans hereunder shall
terminate;

     (b) the unpaid principal amount of the Loans together with accrued interest
and all other Obligations shall become immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived; and

     (c) the Bank may exercise any and all rights it has under this Agreement,
the Note or any other documents or agreements executed in connection herewith,
or at law or  in equity, and proceed to protect and enforce the Bank's rights by
any action at law, in equity or other appropriate proceeding.

                                 SECTION VIII
                                 ------------

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

     8.1.   Notices.  Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices hereunder 
            -------                              
to any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given
when delivered by hand, when properly deposited in the mails postage prepaid,
when sent by electronic facsimile transmission, or when delivered to the
overnight courier, addressed to such party at its address indicated below:

     If to the Company, at

 
                                      -23-

          EXCEL INC.
          255 Independence Drive
          Hyannis, MA 02601
          Attention: Nathan Apatow

     If to the Bank, at

          The First National Bank of Boston
          100 Federal Street
          Boston, Massachusetts 02110
          Attention: Bradford Egan
          MA Corp. Cape Cod

or at any other address specified by such party in writing.

     8.2.   Expenses.  The Company shall, on demand, pay or reimburse the Bank 
            --------              
for all expenses (including attorneys' fees of outside counsel or allocation
costs of in-house counsel incurred or paid by the Bank in connection with the
preparation, negotiation and closing of this Agreement and the Note (whether or
not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated) or in connection
with the administration or amendment of this Agreement or the Note (whether or
not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated) and with the
enforcement of any Obligation or exercise of any right of the Bank hereunder or
under the Note.

     8.3.   Set-Off.  Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral or other 
            -------               
means of obtaining repayment of the Obligations, any deposits, balances or other
sums credited by or due from the head office of the Bank or any of its branch
offices to the Company may, at any time and from time to time after the
occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder, without notice to the Company or
compliance with any other condition precedent now or hereafter imposed by
statute, rule of law, or otherwise (all of which are hereby expressly waived) be
set off, appropriated, and applied by the Bank against any and all obligations
of the Company to the Bank or any of its affiliates in such manner as the head
office of the Bank or any of its branch offices in their sole discretion may
determine, and the Company hereby grants the Bank a continuing security interest
in such deposits, balances or other sums for the payment and performance of all
such obligations.

     8.4.   Term of Agreement.  This Agreement shall continue in force and 
            -----------------               
effect so long as the Bank has any commitment to make Loans hereunder or any
Loan or any Obligation shall be outstanding.

     8.5.   No Waivers.  No failure or delay by the Bank in exercising any 
            ----------                       
right, power or privilege hereunder or under the Note or under any other
documents or agreements executed in connection herewith shall operate as a
waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies herein and in the Note provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies otherwise provided by
agreement or law.

 
                                      -24-

     8.6.   Massachusetts Law.  This Agreement and the Note shall be deemed to
            -----------------                                         
be contracts made under seal and shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect
to any conflicts of law provisions contained therein).

     8.7.   Amendments.  Neither this Agreement nor the Note nor any provision
            ----------                                                        
hereof or thereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated except by a
written instrument signed by the Bank and, in the case of amendments, by the
Company.

     8.8.   Binding Effect of Agreement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
            ---------------------------                        
and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Bank and their respective
successors and assigns; provided that the Company may not assign or transfer its
                        --------
rights or obligations hereunder. The Bank may sell, transfer or grant
participations in the Note without the prior written consent of the Company, and
the Company agrees that any transferee or participant shall be entitled to the
benefits of Sections 2.7, 2.11, 5.5 and 8.3 to the same extent as if such
transferee or participant were the Bank hereunder; provided that notwithstanding
any such transfer or participation, the Company may, for all purposes of this
Agreement, treat the Bank as the person entitled to exercise all rights
hereunder and under the Note and to receive all payments with respect thereto.

     8.9.   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be signed in any number of
            ------------                                                
counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures hereto and thereto were
upon the same instrument.

     8.10.  Partial Invalidity.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any one
            ------------------                                            
or more phrases, clauses or sections of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of it.

     8.11.  Captions.  The captions and headings of the various sections and
            --------                                                        
subsections of this Agreement are provided for convenience only and shall not be
construed to modify the meaning of such sections or subsections.

     8.12.  Termination.  The Company shall have the right to terminate this
            -----------                                                     
Agreement upon sixty (60) days written notice, without prejudice to any rights
of the Bank set forth in this Agreement and only to the extent that there is no
loan Obligation outstanding at the time of termination.

     8.13.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW, NEITHER THE
            --------------------                                           
COMPANY NOR THE BANK, NOR ANY OF THEIR ASSIGNEES OR SUCCESSORS, SHALL (A) SEEK A
JURY TRIAL IN ANY LAWSUIT, PROCEEDING, COUNTERCLAIM OR ANY OTHER LITIGATION
PROCEDURE BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED DOCUMENT OR
AGREEMENT, OR THE DEALINGS OR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THEM, OR
(B) SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH ACTION, IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN WAIVED,
WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CAN NOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY THE PARTIES HERETO,
AND THE PROVISIONS HEREOF SHALL BE SUBJECT TO NO EXCEPTIONS.  NO PARTY HERETO
HAS IN ANY WAY AGREED 

 
                                      -25-

WITH OR REPRESENTED TO ANY OTHER PARTY THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 8.12
WILL NOT BE FULLY ENFORCED IN ALL INSTANCES.

     8.14.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Note and the documents and
            ----------------                                                 
agreements executed in connection herewith constitute the final agreement of the
parties hereto and supersede any prior agreement or understanding, written or
oral, with respect to the matters contained herein and therein.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

                                        EXCEL INC.


                                        By  /s/ Robert P. Madonna
                                          ----------------------------------
                                        Title:  President


                                        THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON


                                        By  /s/ Bradford P. Egan
                                          ----------------------------------
                                        Title:  Vice President

 
                                  EXCEL INC.


                                PROMISSORY NOTE



$5,000,000.00                                     December 21, 1995
                                                  Boston, Massachusetts


     For value received, the undersigned hereby promises to pay to The First
National Bank of Boston (the "Bank"), or order, at the head office of the Bank
at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, the principal amount of Five
Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) or such lesser amount as shall equal the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans (as defined in the Agreement
referred to below) made by the Bank to the undersigned pursuant to the
Agreement, in lawful money of the United States and in immediately available
funds, in the amounts and on the dates provided on the schedule attached hereto
and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof, at said office, in
like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date hereof until paid in
full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided on such schedule.

     Overdue payments of principal (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration
or otherwise), and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest, shall bear
interest, compounded monthly and payable on demand in immediately available
funds, at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) above greater of (i) the
rate in effect with respect to such principal prior to its maturity and (ii) the
rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Agreement.

     This Note is issued pursuant to, and entitled to the benefits of, and is
subject to, the provisions of a certain Credit Agreement dated as of December
21, 1995 by and between the undersigned and the Bank (herein, as the same may
from time to time be amended or extended, referred to as the "Agreement"), but
neither this reference to the Agreement nor any provision thereof shall affect
or impair the absolute and unconditional obligation of the undersigned maker of
this Note to pay the principal of and interest on this Note as herein provided.

     As provided in the Agreement, this Note is subject to mandatory prepayment
in certain circumstances.

     In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Agreement) shall occur, the
aggregate unpaid principal of plus accrued interest on this Note shall become or
may be declared to be due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided
in the Agreement.

 
     The undersigned may at its option prepay all or any part of the principal
of this Note before maturity upon the terms provided in the Agreement.

     The undersigned maker hereby waives presentment, demand, notice of
dishonor, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the
delivery, acceptance, performance and enforcement of this Note.

     This instrument shall have the effect of an instrument executed under seal
and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to any conflicts of laws
provisions contained therein).

                                             EXCEL INC.

                                             By: /s/ Robert P. Madonna
                                                 -------------------------------
                                               Title: President

 
                         AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
                              AND PROMISSORY NOTE


     This Amendment to Credit Agreement and Promissory Note (the "Amendment") is
made as of May 24, 1996 and amends the Credit Agreement dated as of December 21,
1995 (as amended, the "Agreement"), between EXCEL, INC. (the "Company"), and THE
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON, a national banking association (the "Bank") and
the Promissory Note dated as of December 21, 1995 executed by the Company in
favor of the Bank (as amended, the "Note"). Capitalized terms which are used in
this Amendment and are defined in the Agreement, shall have the meanings given
to them in the Agreement unless they are otherwise defined in this Amendment.

     WHEREAS, the Bank has made available to the Company a certain $5,000,000
credit facility as described in the Agreement and evidenced by the Note; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Bank have agreed to increase the credit
facility to $10,000,000;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Bank and the Company agree as follows:

I.   AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT

     1.   Section 1.1. of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
          "$5,000,000.00" from the definition of "Commitment Amount" set forth
                                                  ----------------- 
          and substituting "$10,000,000.00" therefor.

     2.   Section 2.3 of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its
          entirety and replacing it with the following:

          "2.3 Facility Fee.  The Company shall pay to the Bank during the 
               ------------        
          Revolving Credit Period an annual fee equal to (i) $9,500.00 from the
          date of this Agreement until June 30, 1996 and $25,000.00 thereafter.
          The facility fee shall be payable quarterly in advance, on the first
          day of January, April, July and October of each year. The Company
          shall pay $2,375.00 on each of January 1, 1996, and April 1, 1996 and
          $6,250.00 each quarter in advance thereafter commencing on July 1,
          1996. A prorated amount for the period from the date of the Agreement
          to December 31, 1995 shall be payable at the closing."

II.  AMENDMENT TO THE NOTE

     The Note is hereby amended by deleting "$5,000,000.00" and "Five Million
     Dollars ($5,000,000.00)" from the first page thereof and substituting

 
     "$10,000,000.00" and "Ten Million Dollars $10,000,000.00)", respectively,
     therefor.

III. MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS

     1.   Continuing Effect of the Agreement.  This Amendment shall not 
          ---------------------------------- 
          constitute an amendment of any provision of the Agreement or the Note
          not expressly referred to herein and shall not be construed as a
          consent to any action on the part of the Company that would require a
          waiver or consent of the Bank except as expressly stated herein. The
          provisions of the Agreement and the Note that are not expressly
          amended or modified hereby are and shall remain in full force and
          effect, and are hereby ratified and confirmed, including without
          limitation, the negative pledge on assets of the Company as set forth
          in Section 6.5 of the Agreement.

     2.   Representations and Warranties.  The Company hereby represents and 
          ------------------------------     
          warrants to the bank that the representations and warranties set forth
          in the Agreement and the Note as amended by this Amendment are true
          and correct on and as of the date hereof as if made on and as of the
          date hereof, and that no Event of Default exists on and as of the date
          hereof.

     3.   Fees, Costs, Expenses and Taxes.  The Company also agrees to pay on 
          -------------------------------    
          demand all costs and expenses of the Bank in connection with the
          preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other
          instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder, including the
          fees and allocation costs of its in-house counsel.

     4.   Effectiveness of Amendment.  This Amendment shall be effective as of 
          --------------------------     
          the date hereof upon receipt by the Bank of (a) this Amendment duly
          executed and delivered by the Company and the Bank and (b) such other
          documents and certificates as the bank or its counsel may have
          requested.

     5.   Governing Law.  The Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract under 
          -------------    
          seal and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed and
          enforced in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of
          Massachusetts.

     6.   Counterparts.  The Amendment may be executed in any number of 
          ------------     
          counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate
          counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an
          original, but all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the
          same instrument. The Amendment shall be firmly attached to the Note by
          stapling or other permanent means of attachment and shall constitute
          an integral part of the Note from and after the date first above
          written.

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

                                             EXCEL. INC.

                                             By:  /s/ Robert P. Madonna
                                                --------------------------------
                                               Title: President



                                             THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON


                                             By:  /s/ Bradford P. Egan
                                                --------------------------------
                                               Title: Vice President

 
                                                            as of March 20, 1997

Excel, Inc.
255 Independence Park
Hyannis, MA 02601
Attention: Mr. Robert Madonna

     RE:  Line of Credit
          --------------

Gentlemen:

     The First National Bank of Boston (the "Bank") has made a certain revolving
line of credit (the "Line") available to Excel, Inc. (the "Borrower") pursuant
to a certain credit agreement dated December 21, 1995 (as amended, the
"Agreement"). All obligations with respect to the Line are evidenced by a
certain Promissory Note in the principal amount of $5,000,000 dated as of
December 21, 1995, amended and increased to $10,000,000 (as amended, the
"Note").

     The Borrower has requested, and the Bank has agreed to amend the Borrowing
Base definition and waive and amend certain covenants as set forth in the
Agreement.

     Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged, the Borrower and the Bank hereby agree as follows:

     1.   The Borrowing Base as defined in the Agreement is hereby amended to
include 50% of the Net Security Value of Base Inventory net of the obsolescence
reserve. "Net Security Value of Base Inventory" shall mean the net value of Base
Inventory, calculated at the lesser of fair market value or cost determined on
the "first in, first out" basis, after subtracting the value of any Base
Inventory which is damaged or detective and after taking into account charges
and liens, other than those of the Bank, of all kinds against the Base
Inventory, changes in the market value thereof, and transportation, processing
and other handling charges affecting the value thereof, all as determined by the
Bank in its discretion, which determination shall be final and binding upon the
Borrowers. "Base Inventory" shall mean inventory consisting of raw materials as
to which a Borrower has acquired title, and is otherwise in compliance with
Section 6.5 Encumbrance, and the Borrowers have furnished to the Bank
            -----------                                              
information as required by Section 5.1(b) hereof. Inventory immediately loses
the status of Base Inventory if and when a Borrower sells it, otherwise passes
title thereto or consumes it.

     2.   Section 5.1(a) of the Agreement requires that audited fiscal year end
statements be submitted to the Bank within 90 days of the Borrower's fiscal year
end.  The Borrower has made it known to the Bank that the statement will not be
available within that set period of time for fiscal 1996.  The Borrower has
requested a waiver of the covenant default.  Based on the representations made
by the Borrower, the Bank hereby waives the covenant default referenced above
for the year ended December 31, 1996 and resets the time period to 180 days from
the Borrower's fiscal year end.  Thereafter, the time period for said covenant
will again be 90 days from fiscal year end.

 
                                      -2-
 
     3.   Section 6.3 of the Agreement requires that the Borrower or any of its
subsidiaries not enter into any leases of real or personal property as lessee
which increase the aggregate annual lease payments over $100,000 from the prior
fiscal year. The Borrower has made it known to the Bank that the Borrower
entered into new leases requiring annual aggregate lease payments of $225,000 in
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, $125,000 in excess of the permitted
amount. The Bank hereby waives the covenant default referenced above for the
year ended December 31, 1996 based on the representations made by the Borrower
and resets the covenant amending the annual limitation to $300,000 (from the
previously agreed $100,000) for future periods.

     4.   Section 6.4 of the Agreement restricts the Borrower from entering into
sale or leaseback transactions. The Borrower has made it known to the Bank that
the Borrower did enter into a $560,000 sale/leaseback transaction in the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996. The Bank hereby waives the covenant default
referenced above for the year ended December 31, 1996, based on the
representations made by the Borrower and resets the covenant for the periods
thereafter.

These waivers shall not constitute a waiver of any provision of the Agreement
other than Section 5.1(a), 6.3, and 6.4 and shall not be construed as a consent
to any action on the part of the Borrower that would require a waiver or consent
of the Bank except as expressly stated herein. All of the provisions of the
Agreement are and shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified
and confirmed.

                                             Sincerely,

                                             THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON


                                             By: /s/ Bradford P. Egan
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Its: Vice President
                                                     ---------------------------

Acknowledged:

Excel, Inc.


By: /s/ Nathan C. Apatow
   ------------------------
   Its: Treasurer



 
                                      -3-
 
                                    Exhibit

                      MONTHLY BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

                     Company ____________________________


1.   Accounts Receivable @ ___________ (date)                 $_____________
                                                           
a.   Less Accounts over 60 days                               $_____________
b.   Less Accounts due to Cross Aging Rule (25%)              $_____________
c.   Less Affiliate Receivables                               $_____________
d.   Less Foreign Receivables                                 $_____________
e.   Less Other Ineligibles                                   $_____________
                                                           
2.   Eligible Accounts Receivable                             $_____________
                                                           
3.   Advance Rate (75%)                                       $_____________
                                                           
4.   Accounts Receivable Availability                         $_____________
                                                           
5.   Raw Material Inventory                                   $_____________
                                                           
6.   Advance Rate (50%)                                       $_____________

7.   Net Obsolescence Reserve                                 $_____________

8.   Inventory Availability                                   $_____________

9.   Total AIR and Inventory Availability                     $_____________

10.  Less Outstanding Loan Balance (maximum $10,000,000)      $_____________

12.  Net Availability (Overadvance)                           $_____________
 

The undersigned, and the individual signing this certificate on behalf of the
undersigned, certify that the information contained herein is true, correct, and
complete as of the date set forth above.

                                             By: ______________________________
                                                    (Authorized Official)
 
                                             Date: ____________________________


 
                                    Exhibit A
                                    ---------

                                   EXCEL, INC.

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE
                                                           December 21, 1995
$5,000,000.00                                              Boston, Massachusetts


         For value received, the undersigned hereby promises to pay to The First
National Bank of Boston (the "Bank"), or order, at the head office of the Bank
at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, the principal amount of Five
Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) or such lesser amount as shall equal the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans (as defined in the Agreement
referred to below) made by the Bank to the undersigned pursuant to the
Agreement, in lawful money of the United States and in immediately available
funds, in the amounts and on the dates provided on the schedule attached hereto
and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof, at said office, in
like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date hereof until paid in
full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided on such schedule.

         Overdue payments of principal (whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise), and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue
interest, shall bear interest, compounded monthly and payable on demand in
immediately available funds, at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) above
greater of (i) the rate in effect with respect to such principal prior to its
maturity and (ii) the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans under the
Agreement.

         This Note is issued pursuant to, and entitled to the benefits of, and
is subject to, the provisions of a certain Credit Agreement dated as of December
21, 1995 by and between the undersigned and the Bank (herein, as the same may
from time to time be amended or extended, referred to as the "Agreement"), but
neither this reference to the Agreement nor any, provision thereof shall affect
or impair the absolute and unconditional obligation of the undersigned maker of
this Note to pay the principal of and interest on this Note as herein provided.

         As provided in the Agreement, this Note is subject to mandatory
prepayment in certain circumstances.

         In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Agreement) shall occur,
the aggregate unpaid principal of plus accrued interest on this Note shall
become or may be declared to be due and payable in the manner and with the
effect provided in the Agreement.

         The undersigned may at its option prepay all or any part of the
principal of this Note before maturity upon the terms provided in the Agreement.

         The undersigned maker hereby waives presentment, demand, notice of
dishonor, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the
delivery, acceptance, performance and enforcement of this Note.

 
                                      -2-

         This instrument shall have the effect of an instrument executed under
seal and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to any conflicts of laws
provisions contained therein).


                                   EXCEL INC.


                                    By:
                                       --------------------------------
                                            Title:

 
                                      -3-

                          SCHEDULE I TO PROMISSORY NOTE

 
 
                                          
                                Type of Loan
                 Amount of       Eurodollar                   Interest      Interest                     Notation
     Date           Loan        or Base Loan       Rate        Rate*         Period      Amount Paid      Made By
                                                                                     

 

* For Base Rate Loans, insert "Base Rate"

** For Eurodollar Loans

 
                                      -4-

                                   EXHIBIT B

                      List of Indebtedness and Encumbrances



1.  $2.6 Million First Mortgage on corporate headquarters building #60 and #70
    at 255 Independence Drive , Hyannis, MA. Seven year note, twenty year
    amortization provided by Cape Cod Bank & Trust.

2.  $300 Thousand Term Note secured by equipment and provided by Cape Cod
    Bank & Trust.

 
                                      -5-

                                    EXHIBIT C


           List of litigation. Arbitration, or Investigations Pending



Litigation:

                  Melissa Lima v Excel Inc., et al
                  (Employment Litigation, discrimination in hiring)
                     U.S. District Court Mass. 95-10330-PBS)

Arbitration:

                  None

Investigations:

                  None

 
                                      -6-

                                    EXHIBIT D

                              List of Subsidiaries


                                      NONE

 
                                      -7-

                                    Exhibit E
                       MONTHLY BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

                          Company ____________________


1.   Account Receivable @ _________________(date)            $________________

a.   Less Accounts over 60 days                              $________________
b.   Less Accounts due to Cross Aging Rule (25%)             $________________
c.   Less Affiliate Receivables                              $________________
d.   Less Foreign Receivables                                $________________
e.   Less Other Ineligibles                                  $________________

2.   Eligible Accounts Receivable                            $________________

3.   Advance Rate (75%)                                              X

4.   Accounts Receivable Availability                        $________________

5.   Less Outstanding Loan Balance (Maximum $5,000,000)      $________________

6.   Net Availability or (Overadvance)                       $________________


The undersigned, and the individual signing this certificate on behalf of the
undersigned, certify that the information contained herein is true, correct and
complete as of the date(s) set forth above.



                                    By:____________________________
                                          Authorized Official

                                    Date:__________________________

 
                                      -8-

                                    EXHIBIT F
                                    ---------

                        REPORT OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                        ---------------------------------

EXCEL, INC. (the "Company) HEREBY CERTIFIES that:

         This Report is furnished pursuant to the Credit Agreement dated as of
December 8, 1995 by and between the Company and The First National Bank of
Boston (the "Agreement"). Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms used in
this Report have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

         As required by the Agreement, financial statements of the Company for
the quarter ended ______________ (the "Financial Statements') prepared in
accordance with generally accepted account principals consistently applied
accompany this Report. The Financial Statements present fairly the financial
position of the Company as the date thereof and the results of the operations of
the Company for the period covered thereby (subject only to normal recurring
year-end adjustments).

         The figures set forth in Schedule I for determining compliance by the
Company with the financial covenants contained in the Agreement are true and
complete as of the date thereof.

         The activities of the Company during the period covered by the
Financial Statements have been reviewed by the Chief Financial Officer or by
employees or agents under his immediate supervision. Based on such review, to
the best knowledge and belief of the Chief Financial Officer, and as of the date
of this Report, no Default has occurred.*

         WITNESS my hand this ___ day of __________, 199__.

                                      EXCEL, INC.


                                      By:
                                         --------------------------------

                                      Title:
                                            -----------------------------

*If a Default has occurred, this paragraph is to be modified with an appropriate
statement as to the nature thereof, the period of existence thereof and what
action the Company has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect
thereto.

 
                                      -9-

                 SCHEDULE I TO REPORT OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER



         Schedule of Compliance as of ___________ with provisions of Section
5.7, 5.8, 5.9, and 5.10 of the Credit Agreement dated as of December 8, 1995
(the "Agreement") between Excel, Inc. and the First National Bank of Boston.


1.   Consolidated Tangible Net Worth (Section 5.7)
     ---------------------------------------------

     (i)      Total Assets                                  $________________

     (ii)     Excluded Items (if any)                       $________________

     (iii)    Total Liabilities                             $________________

     (iv)     Tangible Net Worth                            $________________
              [(I) minus the sum of (ii) and (iii)]
                   -----


     (v)      Minimum Tangible Net Worth
              permitted by Agreement                        $________________


2.   Ratio of Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth (Section 58)
     -------------------------------------------------------------

     (i)      Total Liabilities                             $________________

     (ii)     Tangible Net Worth                            $________________

     (iii)    Ratio of (I) to (ii)                            ________________


3.   Cash Flow Coverage (Section 5.9)
     --------------------------------

     (i)      Earnings before interest and income taxes     $________________
              [excluding non-recurring or extraordinary 
              items]

     (ii)     Depreciation and Amortization                 $________________

     (iii)    Capital Expenditures                          $________________

     (iv)     Cash Taxes Paid                               $________________

     (v)      Dividends and Distributions                   $________________

 
                                     -10-

     (vi)     Total Operating Cash Flow
              (I) plus (ii) minus (iii) minus (iv) minus (v)   $________________

     (vii)    Interest Expense                                 $________________

     (viii)   Principal on Debt and Capital Leases paid        $________________

     (ix)     Total Debt Service
              (vii) plus (viii)                                $________________

     (x)      Cash Flow Coverage Ratio
              (vi) divided by (ix)                              ________________

     (xi)     Cash Flow Ratio Required by Agreement             ________________


4.   Profitability (Section 5. 10)
     -----------------------------

     (i)      Fiscal Quarter Pre-Tax Income
              Required by Agreement                            $________________

 
                                     -11-

                                    EXHIBIT G
                                    ---------

                    FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE COMPANY

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

The First National Bank of Boston
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

         RE:   Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of ______________ by and
               between The First National Bank of Boston (the "Bank") and [NAME
               OF COMPANY] (the "Company")

Ladies/Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to ___________ (the "Company") in connection
with the preparation, execution and delivery of the Revolving Credit and Term
Loan Agreement, dated as of __________ (the "Agreement") between The First
National Bank of Boston (the "Bank") and the Company pursuant to which the
Company has executed and delivered to the Bank its Note in the principal amount
of $_________. All terms defined in the Agreement shall have the same meanings
herein.

         We have examined executed counterparts of the Agreement and the Note
and originals, or copies, the authenticity of which has been established to our
satisfaction, of such other documents, corporate records, agreements and
instruments and certificates of public officials and officers of the Company as
we have deemed necessary as the basis for the opinions herein expressed. As to
the questions of fact material to such opinions we have, when relevant facts
were not independently established, relied upon certifications by officers of
the Company.

         Based on the foregoing and having regard for legal considerations as we
have deemed relevant, it is our opinion that:

         1. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the [State/Commonwealth of ___________], has all
requisite corporate power to own its property and conduct its business as now
conducted and is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation
and duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction wherein the nature of
its properties or business requires such qualification, except where the failure
to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on its business,
financial condition, assets or properties taken as a whole.

         2. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and the Note and
performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder and of the transactions
contemplated thereby are within the corporate power and authority of the
Company, and have been authorized by proper 

 
                                     -12-

corporate proceedings and do not contravene any provision of law of the United
States or its political subdivisions or the [Certificate of
Incorporation/Articles of Organization] or ByLaws of the Company, or, to the
best of our knowledge, contravene any provision of, or constitute an event of
default or event which, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both,
would constitute an event of default under, any other agreement, instrument or
undertaking binding on the Company.

         3. The Agreement and the Note have been duly executed and delivered by
the Company. The Agreement and the Note and all of the terms and provisions
thereof are the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
in accordance with their respective terms except as limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights generally, and except as the remedy of specific performance or
of injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought.

         4. The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement and the
Note and the transactions contemplated thereby do not require any approval or
consent of, or filing or registration with, any governmental or other agency or
authority, or any other party.

         5. Except as set forth on Exhibit D to the Agreement, there is no
                                   ---------
litigation, proceeding or investigation pending, or, to the best of our
knowledge after due inquiry, threatened, against the Company or any Subsidiary
which, if adversely determined, would result in a material judgment not
substantially covered by insurance or would otherwise have a material adverse
effect on the assets, business or prospects of the Company or any Subsidiary.

         6. Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation, has all requisite corporate power to own its property and conduct
its businesses as now conducted and is duly qualified and in good standing as a
foreign corporation and is duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction
where the nature of its properties or businesses requires such qualification,
except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse
effect on its business, financial condition, assets or properties taken as a
whole.

         7. As of the date of the Agreement, all the Subsidiaries of the Company
are listed on Exhibit E thereto. The Company is the record holder of all of the
              ---------
issued and outstanding stock of each of its Subsidiaries. All shares of such
stock have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and no
rights to subscribe to any additional shares have been granted, and no options,
warrants or similar rights are outstanding.

         8. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to regulation
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

         9. All state and local recording, franchise, stamp, documentary and
other taxes and governmental charges and assessments required to be paid in
connection with the execution, 

 
                                     -13-

delivery, filing or recordation of, or as a condition to the enforcement of, the
Agreement and the Note and any of the transactions contemplated thereby, have
been duly paid.



                                               Very truly yours,