Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors



We consent to the  reference to our firm under the caption  "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated  January 16, 1998  (except  notes 12 and 13, as to which
the date is December 14, 1998) in the Registration  Statement (Form S-1) and the
related Prospectus of Effective Management Systems, Inc. for the registration of
947,214 shares of its common stock.



                                                              ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 14, 1998