EXHIBIT 24.4 Consent of Independent Auditors We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-00000) pertaining to the Vertex Interactive Inc. Incentive Stock Option Plan, of our report dated December 2, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of ICS International AG Identcode-Systeme included in Vertex Industries, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8- K/A dated September 22, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 6, 1999. /s/ ATM Consult GmbH Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft Eschborn/Taunus/Germany March 6, 2000