SYBASE INC
EXHIBIT 10.6
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">EXHIBIT 10.6



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">February&nbsp;9, 2004



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Thomas Volk<BR>
EVP, Worldwide Field Operations<BR>
Sybase, Inc.<BR>
One Sybase Drive<BR>
Dublin, CA 94568<BR>
(Delivered by hand)

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Dear Thomas:

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">The year 2004 marks our 20<SUP>th</SUP> anniversary and is a critical year for Sybase
growth. We have enjoyed several years of profitability, are cash flow
positive, and in the last six months, expanded our partner base to include
venerable companies like Intel and SAP. The Unwired Enterprise is our driving
strategy for 2004 &#151; it is a pivotal part of extending growth in the IT
marketplace. We have exciting new products rolling out from every part of the
company, and the new Unwired Enterprise solution will define the mobile
enterprise category for the industry. We will need everyone&#146;s help to ensure
that we make the most of our technology leadership and that we continue to
demonstrate a high level of unique value to customers and partners in all of
our programs.

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Thank you for your contributions last year and ask that all of us keep sight of
the challenges ahead. More than ever, we need to remain focused and dedicated
to delivering growth and shareholder value required for Sybase to remain strong
and competitive. The board has approved our incentive bonus payout and your
bonus payout will be included in your February&nbsp;15, 2004 paycheck.

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Let me also inform you of your 2004 Executive Compensation as approved by the
Sybase, Inc. Compensation Committee at the February&nbsp;4, 2004 meeting.


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    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">1.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Cash compensation (effective January&nbsp;1, 2004)</TD>
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    <TD width="11%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Annual base salary: $375,000<br>
(Paid semi-monthly at $15,625)</TD>
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    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="11%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Variable compensation at 44% of TTE: $300,000</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="11%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Total target earnings (TTE): $675,000</TD>
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Your 2004 Variable Compensation Plan Document, to be given to you shortly, will
provide the plan components, quota and compensation details for your review and
signature. Please sign it and return one signed copy to Nita White-Ivy in
Corporate Human Resources.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Sybase, Inc.<BR>
One Sybase Drive<BR>
Dublin, CA 94568


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">1
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Thomas Volk<BR>
February&nbsp;9, 2004<BR>
Page&nbsp;2

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    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">2.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Long-Term Incentives</TD>
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    <TD width="7%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Sybase Stock Option Grant (4-year vest):</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="11%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>80,000 shares</TD>
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    <TD width="7%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Sybase Restricted Stock Grant (3-year cliff vest
with performance acceleration, i.e. from 3-year cliff vest to
2-year cliff vest if Sybase meets its 2004 budgeted revenue):</TD>
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    <TD width="11%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>20,000 shares at $0.10 per share.</TD>
</TR>

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">I look forward to your contributions this year as we continue our pursuit of
maintaining integrity and credibility with our investors, customers, partners,
and employees.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">Sincerely,


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">/S/ JOHN S. CHEN


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">John S. Chen<BR>
Chairman, CEO and President

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