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                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.03

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN:

                         RETEK DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION

                                     - AND -

                                  The Employee


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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.    PARTIES..............................................................  1

2.    DEFINITIONS..........................................................  1

3.    GRANT OF OPTION......................................................  1

4.    VESTING : EXERCISE PERIOD............................................  1
      4.1   VESTING OF RIGHT TO EXERCISE OPTION............................  1
      4.2   EXPIRATION PERIOD..............................................  1

5.    TERMINATION..........................................................  1
      5.1   TERMINATION FOR ANY REASON.....................................  1
      5.2   NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY........................................  2

6.    MANNER AND CONDITIONS OF EXERCISE....................................  2

7.    ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES.................................................  3

8.    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.................................  3

9.    NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION........................................  3

10.   PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP........................................  3

11.   BOARD POWERS.........................................................  3

12.   TAX CONSEQUENCES.....................................................  3

13.   CERTAIN CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.......................................  3

14.   FURTHER ASSURANCES...................................................  4

15.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT.....................................................  4

16.   NOTICES..............................................................  4

17.   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS...............................................  4

18.   GOVERNING LAW........................................................  4



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                         RETEK DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

1.    PARTIES

This Stock Option Agreement (this "Agreement") between RETEK DISTRIBUTION
CORPORATION, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (the
"Company") and the Employee named below (the "Employee") IS ENTERED INTO TO
CONFIRM THE GRANT OF STOCK OPTIONS AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF,
EFFECTIVE AS AT THE DATE OF GRANT (AS HEREINAFTER DEFINED), ORIGINALLY GRANTED
TO THE EMPLOYEE IN THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (AS HEREINAFTER DEFINED).

2.    DEFINITIONS

The following terms, when used in this Agreement, shall have the following
meanings:

(a)   EMPLOYEE:                  ______________________________________________
(b)   SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:    ______________________________________________
(c)   EMPLOYEE'S ADDRESS:        ______________________________________________
(d)   TOTAL OPTION SHARES:       ______________________________________________
(e)   EXERCISE PRICE PER SHARE:  ______________________________________________
(f)   DATE OF GRANT:             ______________________________________________
(g)   VESTING START DATE:        ______________________________________________
(h)   EXPIRATION DATE:           ______________________________________________
(i)   EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT: MEANS THE AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE
      EMPLOYEE AND_______ DATED________.

3.    GRANT OF OPTION

The Company hereby CONFIRMS THE GRANT MADE to the Employee OF an option (this
"Option") AS ORIGINALLY EVIDENCED IN THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, AND AS MORE
PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, to purchase up to the total number of
shares of common shares of the Company set forth above (collectively the
"Shares") at the Exercise Price Per Share set forth above (the "Exercise
Price"), subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

4.    VESTING: EXERCISE PERIOD

4.1   VESTING OF RIGHT TO EXERCISE OPTION. This Option shall become exercisable 
as to portions of the Shares as follows:

(a)   this Option shall not be  exercisable  with respect to any of the Shares
      until_______ (the "First Vesting Date");

(b)   if the Employee has continuously provided service to the Company or any
      subsidiary (the "Subsidiary") of the Company as described in Schedule "A"
      hereto from the Date of Grant through the First Vesting Date and has not
      been Terminated on or before the First Vesting Date, then on the First
      Vesting Date, this Option shall become exercisable as to ____________
      _________(___%) percent of the Shares; and

(c)   thereafter, so long as the Employee continuously provides service to the
      Company or any Subsidiary and is not Terminated, on each successive
      anniversary of the First Vesting Date thereafter, this Option shall become
      exercisable as to an additional ___________ (___ %) percent of the Shares;
      provided that this Option shall, in no event, become exercisable with 
      respect to more than One Hundred (100%) percent of the Shares.

4.2   EXPIRATION PERIOD. This Option shall expire on the Expiration Date set 
forth above and must be exercised, if at all, on or before the earlier of the
Expiration Date or the date on which this Option is earlier terminated in
accordance with the provisions of Section 6.

5.    TERMINATION

5.1   TERMINATION FOR ANY REASON. If the employment of the Employee with the
Company or any Subsidiary is Terminated for any reason (including the death
or Disability of the Employee), then:

(a)   if the Employee is Terminated for any reason, except the Employee's death
      or Disability of the Employee, then this Option, to the extent that it is
      exercisable by the Employee on the date of Termination, may be exercised
      by Employee (or Employee's legal representative) no later than three (3)
      months after the date of Termination, but in any event no later than the
      Expiration Date; or

(b)   if the  Employee  is  Terminated  because of the death of the  Employee,
      then this  Option,  to the extent  (and only to the  extent)  that it is
      exercisable  by  the  Employee  on  the  date  of  Termination,  may  be
      exercised by the Employee's  legal  representative  no later than twelve
      (12) months after the date of  Termination  but, in any event,  no later
      than the  Expiration  Date.  The  term  "Disability"  when  used in this
      Agreement  means  that the  Employee's  mental or  physical  health  has
      deteriorated  to the  extent  such that in the  opinion  of the Board of
      Directors  of the  Company,  Employee is unable to perform his duties to
      the  Company  in an  acceptable  manner.  The  Company  shall  have sole
      discretion to determine if an Employee has suffered a Disability.

The term "Terminated" when used in this Agreement means the Employee has ceased
to provide services as an employee, director, consultant, independent contractor
or advisor, to the Company or a Subsidiary, except in the case of sick leave or
other leave of absence approved by the Company, provided that such leave is for
a period of not more than ninety (90) days. The Company shall have sole
discretion to determine whether an Employee has ceased to provide 


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services and the effective date on which the Employee ceased to provide
services.

5.2   NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer on the
Employee any right to continue in the employ of, or other relationship with, the
Company or any Subsidiary, or limit in any way the right of the Company or any
Subsidiary to terminate the Employee's employment or other relationship at any
time, with or without cause.

6.    MANNER AND CONDITIONS OF EXERCISE

Following are the terms and conditions of the Employee's right to exercise the
Options:

(a)   To exercise this Option,  the Employee (or in the case of exercise after
      the Employee's death, the Employee's executor, administrator, heir or
      legatee, as the case may be) must deliver to the Company, an executed
      Stock Option Exercise Agreement in the form prescribed by the Company or,
      if no such form is prescribed then an executed, written notice exercising
      the Option (the "EXERCISE AGREEMENT"), which shall set forth, inter alia,
      the Employee's election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares being
      purchased, any restrictions imposed on the Shares and any representations,
      warranties and agreements regarding the Employee's investment intent and
      access to information as may be required by the Company to comply with
      applicable securities laws. If someone other than the Employee exercises
      the Option, then such person must submit documentation reasonably
      acceptable to the Company that such person has the right to exercise the
      Option.

(b)   The Option may only be exercised by the Employee: (i) unconditionally;
      (ii) by delivery of the Exercise Agreement to the Company within the time
      period set forth in this Agreement; and (iii) by payment to the Company of
      the Exercise Price for the Shares concurrent with delivery of the Exercise
      Agreement. The Option may only be exercised by the Employee as to more
      than one hundred (100) Shares unless it is exercised as to all Shares to
      which the Option is then exercisable. 

(c)   Payment of the Exercise Price shall be in cash OR cheque, acceptable to
      the Company, or where permitted by law: 

      (i)   by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Employee;

      (ii)  by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Employee for
            services rendered;

      (iii) provided that a public market with the Company's stock exists
            through a "same-day sale" commitment from the Employer and a broker
            dealer acceptable to the Company (the "Stock Broker") whereby the
            Employee irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and to sell a
            portion of the Shares so purchased to pay for the Exercise Price and
            whereby the Stock Broker irrevocably commits, upon receipt of such
            Shares, to forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company.

(d)   This Option may not be exercised unless such exercise is in compliance
      with all applicable securities laws as they are in effect on the date of
      exercise.

(e)   Prior to issuance of the Shares, upon exercise of this Option, the
      Employee shall pay to the Company or directly to the relevant taxing
      authorities, any applicable withholding obligations of the Company in
      relation to the exercise of the Option and issuance of the Shares
      resulting therefrom.

(f)   Provided the Employee complies with the terms of this Agreement, including
      payment of the Exercise Price in a form and substance satisfactory to the
      Company and payment of any applicable withholding obligations of the
      Company, the Company shall issue the Shares registered in the name of the
      Employee and shall deliver share certificates representing the Shares with
      the appropriate legends affixed thereto.

7.    ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES

In the event that the number of outstanding shares of the capital stock of the
Company is changed by a stock dividend, recapitalization, stock split, reverse
stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or similar change in the
capital structure of the Company without consideration, then the number of
Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option and the Exercise Price shall be
proportionately adjusted, subject to any required action by the Board of
Directors of the Company or the Shareholders of the Company in compliance with
applicable securities law; provided however, that fractions of a Share shall not
be issued but shall either be paid in cash, at fair market value, or shall be
rounded up to the nearest share, as determined by the Company.

8.    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS

The exercise of this Option and the issuance and transfer of Shares shall be
subject to compliance by the Company and the Employee with all applicable
requirements of securities laws affecting the Employee or the Company or any
successor company as a result of any Corporate Transaction (as hereinafter
defined), with all applicable requirements of said laws and with all applicable
requirements of any stock exchange on which the Shares may be listed at the time
of such issuance or transfer. The Employee understands that the Company is under
no obligation to register or qualify the Shares with any regulatory authority,
to effect such compliance. Accordingly, the Shares issued upon the exercise of
this Option may be subject to restrictions on transferability and resale
pursuant to applicable securities law. The Employee is aware that he/she may be
required to bear the financial risk of holding the Shares for an indefinite
period of time. All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to such stock transfer orders,
legends and other restrictions as the Company may deem necessary or advisable,
including restrictions under any applicable securities law, or any rules,
regulations and other requirements of any stock exchange or applicable
regulatory authority.

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9.    NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION

This Option may not be transferred in any manner other than by Will or by the
laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of
Employee only by Employee. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the
executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns of Employee.

10.   PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP

The Employee shall not have any rights of a shareholder with respect to any
Shares until the Employee exercises this Option, pays the Exercise Price and has
been issued the Shares by the Company.

11.   BOARD POWERS


11.1  Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be
submitted by the Employee or the Company to the Board of Directors of the
Company for review. The resolution of such a dispute by the Board of Directors
shall be final and binding on the Company and the Employee. 

11.2  The Board of Directors of the Company may modify, extend or renew the
Option and authorize the grant of a new Option(s) in substitution therefor,
provided that any such action may not, without the written consent of the
Employee, impair any of the Employee's rights under this Agreement. The Board of
Directors of the Company may reduce the Exercise Price without the consent of
the Employee.

12.   TAX CONSEQUENCES

The Employee understands and acknowledges that this Option is a non-qualified
stock option for U.S. income tax purposes. The Employee understands that the
Employee may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of exercising all or
any portion of this Option and acquiring or disposing of all or any portion of
the Shares, including without limitation but by way of example. Employee may be
treated as having received compensable income (taxable at applicable ordinary
income tax rates) equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the
Shares on the day of exercise over the Exercise Price. The Employee represents
that the Employee has consulted with such tax advisors as the Employee deems
advisable in connection with the entering into of this Option and the Employee
shall further consult with such tax advisors as the Employee deems advisable in
connection with the exercise, purchase or disposition of any of the Shares and
that the Employee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

13.   CERTAIN CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS

In the event of: (i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
surviving Corporation (other than a merge or consolidation with a wholly-owned
subsidiary, a reincorporation of the Company in a different jurisdiction or
other transactions in which there is no substantial change in the Shareholders
of the Company); (ii) sale or exchange of 90% or more of the issued and
outstanding shares in the capital of the Company to a single purchaser; or (iii)
the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company (each a "Corporate
Transaction"), this Option may be assumed by the successor corporation (if any),
which assumption shall be binding on the Employee. In the alternative, the
successor corporation may substitute an equivalent option or provide
substantially similar consideration to the Employee, as provided in the
applicable definitive agreement executed by the Company and such successor
corporation in connection with such Corporate Transaction.

14.   FURTHER ASSURANCES

The Employee shall, immediately upon demand by the Company, execute such
necessary consents, waivers and agreements as may be required by the Company to
complete any Corporate Transaction, including, without limitation, documents to
amend this Agreement and this Option. The Employee agrees to promptly execute
such waivers or other documents or agreements to permit the Company to issue
further common shares to present or potential employees or other third parties
contributing to the well-being of the Company and for purposes of any Corporate
Transaction in such amounts and at such times as the Company may determine, in
its absolute discretion.

15.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
understandings and agreements with respect to such subject matter and, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, by way of example, the Employee
acknowledges that this Agreement satisfies in full all obligations of the
Company set forth in any prior inducement or offer of employment, employment
agreement by the Company, a Subsidiary or by any officer, director or employee
thereof, including (but not limited to) THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.

16.   NOTICES

Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Company under the terms of
this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporate Secretary of
the Company at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given
or delivered to the Employee shall be in writing and addressed to the Employee
at the address indicated above or to such other address as such party may
designate in writing, from time to time. All notices shall be deemed to have
been given or delivered upon: (i) personal delivery; (ii) two (2) business days
after deposit with any return receipt express courier (prepaid); or (iii) one
(1) business day after transmission by telecopier.
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17.   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of
the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfers set forth herein, this
Agreement shall be binding upon the Employee and the Employee's heirs,
executors, administrators, legal representatives, permitted successors and
assigns.

18.   GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of
the BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed,
in duplicate, by its duly authorized representative and the Employee has
executed this Agreement, in triplicate, as of the Date of Grant.

RETEK DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION by     )    THE EMPLOYEE
its Authorized Signatory              )
                                      )
                                      )
                                      )
- -----------------------------------   )
Authorized Signatory                  )    -----------------------------------
Name (Printed):                       )    Signature
Title:                                )    Name (Printed):


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                                  SCHEDULE "A"

      The Companies below listed are for purposes of the Retek Distribution
      Corporation Stock Option Agreement, each a Subsidiary of Retek
      Distribution Corporation:

            RETEK INFORMATION SYSTEMS INC.     (Canada)
            RETEK INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.    (USA)
            RETEK INFORMATION SYSTEMS PTY.LTD. (Australia)
            RETEK INFORMATION SYSTEMS LTD.     (UK)