Registration No. 333-68901
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               -------------------
   
                          Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
                                       to
    

                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                           --------------------------
                       EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Wisconsin                      7389                     39-1292200
 (State of incorporation)  (Primary Standard Industrial      (I.R.S. Employer 
                            Classification Code Number)      Identification No.)


                                                  Michael D. Dunham,
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer
                                           Effective Management Systems, Inc.
                                                 12000 West Park Place
       12000 West Park Place                   Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224                      (414) 359-9800
          (414) 359-9800                       Facsimile (414) 359-9011
(Address, including zip code,            (Name, address, including zip code,
     and telephone number,                      and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's          including area code, of 
   principal executive offices)                    agent for service)
- ------------------------------------      -------------------------------------

                                   Copies to:
                               Phillip J. Hanrahan
                                 Jay O. Rothman
                                 Foley & Lardner
                            777 East Wisconsin Avenue
                           Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
                                 (414) 271-2400
                            Facsimile: (414) 297-4900
                       ----------------------------------

         Approximate  date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From
time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
                       -----------------------------------
   
         If any of the  securities  being  registered  on  this  form  are to be
offered  on a  delayed  or  continuous  basis  pursuant  to Rule 415  under  the
Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  [X]
         If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  check the following
box and list the Securities  Act of 1933  registration  statement  number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
         If this  Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed  pursuant  to Rule
462(c) under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  check the following box and list the
Securities Act of 1933  registration  statement number of the earlier  effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
         If this  Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed  pursuant  to Rule
462(d) under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  check the following box and list the
Securities Act of 1933  registration  statement number of the earlier  effective
registration statement for the same offering.   [ ]
         If delivery of the  prospectus  is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, check the following box.  [ ]
                       -----------------------------------

         The registrant hereby amends this  registration  statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its  effective  date until the  registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically  states that this registration
statement shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the  Securities  Act of 1993 or until the  registration  statement  shall become
effective  on such  date  as the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
    


THE  INFORMATION IN THIS  PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.  WE MAY
NOT SELL  THESE  SECURITIES  UNTIL THE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED  WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO  SELL  THESE  SECURITIES  AND IT IS NOT  SOLICITING  AN  OFFER  TO BUY  THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

Subject to Completion
Dated April 5, 1999

                                   PROSPECTUS

947,214 Shares
Common Stock

                       EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.


   
         This  prospectus  relates to the  public  offering  of common  stock of
Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc. We are  registering  947,214 shares of the
common stock for sale by certain selling shareholders.

         We will not be selling  any of the shares of the common  stock that are
registered  under this prospectus.  No underwriters  will be used in selling the
shares. While we will pay the expenses incurred in registering the common stock,
including  legal and accounting  fees, we will not receive any proceeds from the
sale of these shares. All selling and other expenses,  including  brokerage fees
and any underwriting  discounts or commissions,  incurred by individual  selling
shareholders will be paid by the selling shareholders.

         The selling  shareholders may offer their shares of the common stock in
public or private transactions,  on or off the OTC Bulletin Board, at prevailing
market prices,  or at privately  negotiated  prices. In such  transactions,  the
selling  shareholders and any broker-dealers  through whom such common stock are
sold may be deemed to be  underwriters  within the meaning of the Securities Act
of 1933. Any commissions paid or concessions allowed to any broker-dealer,  and,
if any  broker-dealer  purchases  such common stock as a principal,  any profits
received on the resale of such shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts
and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933.

         Investing  in the  common  stock  involves  certain  risks.  See "Risks
Factors" beginning on page 5.

         Our common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin  Board and, as a result,
the market for the common stock is not particularly  liquid.  The price at which
the common stock trades may fluctuate and any market for the common stock may be
subject to  disruptions  that  could make it  difficult  or  impossible  for the
holders of the common stock to sell shares in a timely manner,  if at all, or to
recoup their investment in the common stock.

         Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or  disapproved  of these  securities or passed upon the
accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
    

         Our principal  executive  offices are located at 12000 West Park Place,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224, and our telephone number is (414) 359-9800.

   
The date of this prospectus is __________, 1999.
    




                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
   
         This  summary  highlights   information  contained  elsewhere  in  this
prospectus,  and is not  complete  and may not contain all the  information  you
should consider before investing in the common stock. You should read the entire
prospectus carefully.
    
                                   THE COMPANY

Overview
   
         We develop,  procure,  market and support integrated  manufacturing and
business management  software.  We design our Time Critical  Manufacturing(R)
("TCM(R)")  software with the  underlying  philosophy  that time is a crucial
element in manufacturing,  and that reducing time in the  manufacturing  process
leads  directly to  increased  profits  for the  manufacturer.  We also  provide
services support for our software products and sell computer hardware.

         The  software   products  we  offer   include:   TCM(R),   which  is  a
pre-integrated  software  program that aids  enterprises  in resource  planning,
accounting  and executing  and making  manufacturing  decisions  ("Manufacturing
Execution  System"),  and FACTORYnet(R) I/S  ("FACTORYnet(R)  I/S"), which is an
integrated  software  program  providing  production   management,   shop  floor
scheduling,  and operations support. We also offer the manufacturing software of
the Baan Company, which is an enterprise resource planning and accounting system
that  will  ultimately  be  combined  with our  Manufacturing  Execution  System
software. Our distributor arrangement with Baan was entered into in April 1998.

         We  typically  focus our  sales and  marketing  efforts  on  "discrete"
manufacturing plants.  Discrete  manufacturers  assemble or fabricate parts into
finished  products as  distinguished  from  "process"  manufacturers  which mix,
separate  and  otherwise  combine  or  control  ingredients  to create  finished
products.  We have licensed our software  products to over 1,700 customer sites.
We distribute  our products in the United States  through  eleven branch offices
and through seven joint ventures and independent distributors.

         We were  incorporated  in Wisconsin in 1978.  We became a publicly held
company  as a result of our  initial  public  offering  which was  completed  in
February 1994. During 1995, we acquired  Intercim  Corporation and the remaining
interest in  Effective  Management  Systems of Illinois,  Inc., a joint  venture
subsidiary,  and in 1996,  we  acquired  the  remaining  interest in Darwin Data
Systems Corporation, another joint venture subsidiary.

         In April  1998,  we  undertook  a major  restructuring  and  recorded a
restructuring charge of approximately $6.8 million.  The restructuring  included
entering into the  distribution  agreement with Baan and various cost reductions
aimed  at  improving  our  financial   performance.   In  connection   with  the
restructuring,   we  closed   facilities   both  in  the   United   States   and
internationally  and  decreased  our  workforce,  particularly  in  development,
marketing and administration.

         For our fiscal year ended  November 30, 1998, we incurred a net loss of
approximately  $10.6 million,  inclusive of the restructuring  charge. Our audit
report for the 1998 fiscal year contains a going concern explanatory  paragraph,
pursuant  to which  our  auditors  have  expressed  substantial  doubt as to our
ability to continue as a going concern.

Strategy

         Our  objective  is to  grow as a  leading  provider  of  pre-integrated
business  software systems for discrete  manufacturing  plants within our target
market.

         Our experience in the marketplace  resulted in the 1995 introduction of
the first  pre-integrated  Manufacturing  Execution System software offering for
discrete manufacturers. Software pre-integration means that a customer can buy a
comprehensive  set of software  which has already been  integrated and proven to
function. We believe that  "pre-integration" of much of our software reduces the
time and cost of system 
    


   
implementations and increases the business value to the manufacturer  similar to
the way that "suites" of desktop software have affected that marketplace.

         In addition,  we believe that manufacturers are striving to become more
"time  competitive,"  and that  manufacturing  software  which focuses solely on
providing  information for planning and on recording  information for historical
analysis will be inadequate  to meet the needs and demands of  manufacturers  in
the years to come. To be effective in the future, we believe that  manufacturing
software  will  be  required  to  empower   individuals  at  all  levels  of  an
organization  to make immediate  decisions  regarding  production  processes and
business  activities.  So, we focus  our  software  on  enabling  time  critical
manufacturing decisions at all levels.
    
Markets and Customers

   
         We primarily target companies operating discrete  manufacturing  plants
in the United  States and Canada.  These plants may be owned by  privately  held
companies or by large, multi-national public corporations. Our customers include
capital  equipment   manufacturers,   job  shops,  high  volume   manufacturers,
automotive  suppliers,  consumer product  manufacturers and aerospace  equipment
manufacturers.
    

Sales and Marketing

   
         We market our products through advertising  campaigns in national trade
periodicals  and through  direct  mailings.  We  supplement  these  efforts with
listings in relevant directories and trade show and conference  appearances.  We
also receive  leads  regarding  potential  customers  from hardware and services
vendors, existing customers and various accounting and consulting firms.
    

Product Development

   
         We believe we must continue to enhance, broaden and modify our existing
line of software  products  to meet the  constantly  evolving  needs of discrete
manufacturers within our target market. We have relied on internal  development,
outside procurement,  and development related to customized projects implemented
at field sites to extend, enhance and support our software products, and develop
and integrate new capabilities.
    

Competition

   
         The  manufacturing  software  industry  is  intensely  competitive  and
rapidly changing.  A number of companies offer products similar to our products.
Some of our existing competitors,  as well as a number of potential competitors,
have larger  technical  staffs,  more established and larger marketing and sales
organizations and significantly greater financial resources than we have.
    

Recent Offerings of Preferred Stock

   
         In October,  1998, we sold 780 shares of our Series B Preferred  Stock,
at a purchase price of $1,000 per share,  for an aggregate  gross purchase price
of $780,000.  In addition,  we exchanged  1,005 shares of our Series B Preferred
Stock for a like number of shares of our Series A Preferred Stock. We had issued
the Series A Preferred  Stock in August,  1998 for an aggregate  gross  purchase
price of $1,005,000.  Dividends accrue on the Series B Preferred Stock at a rate
of 8% per year and are  cumulative.  The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock
may  convert  their  shares at any time into  shares  of the  common  stock at a
conversion price of $3.00 per share, subject to adjustment.

         In  addition,  we issued  warrants  to purchase a total of up to 54,714
shares of common stock, in connection with the sale of the Series A and Series B
Preferred  Stock (the  "Warrants").  The Warrants are  exercisable at a price of
$3.60 per share.

         This  prospectus  relates to the shares of the common stock that may be
issued upon  conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock and upon the exercise of
the Warrants.
    


                                      -2-



Risk Factors

   
         An  investment  in the  common  stock  involves  certain  risks  that a
potential  investor should carefully  evaluate prior to making an investment.  A
discussion of certain  factors to be  considered in evaluating  us, our business
and an  investment  in the common stock is included in the section  titled "Risk
Factors" immediately following this summary.
    



                                      -3-

   


                             Selected Financial Data

                                                                             Year ended November 30
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1994            1995           1996          1997          1998
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:                                               (In thousands, except per share data)

                                                                                                     
Net revenues:
Software license fees                               $10,163        $11,534         $19,094       $21,752       $ 20,553
Services                                            $ 7,256        $10,962         $15,412       $16,781       $ 16,846
Hardware                                            $ 5,245        $ 6,528         $ 6,751       $ 4,112       $  1,745
                                                    =======        =======         =======       =======       ========
         Total net revenues                         $22,664        $29,024         $41,257       $42,645       $ 39,144


Cost of products and services:
Cost of third party software license fees           $   797       $  1,419         $ 2,484       $ 3,065       $  4,717
Software development amortization                   $   515       $    879         $ 1,591       $ 2,535       $  2,243
Cost of services                                    $ 4,467       $  7,884         $12,109       $14,000       $ 14,430
Cost of hardware                                    $ 4,146       $  5,118         $ 4,979       $ 3,260       $  1,386
                                                    =======        =======         =======       =======       ========
         Total cost of products/services            $ 9,925       $ 15,300         $21,163       $22,860       $ 22,776

=======================================================================================================================
Gross Margin                                        $12,739       $13,724          $20,094       $19,785       $ 16,368
=======================================================================================================================


Selling and marketing expenses                      $ 7,407       $  9,479         $14,060       $15,957       $ 13,280
General and administrative expenses                 $ 2,227       $  3,029         $ 3,416       $ 3,838       $  3,451
Software development expenses                       $   752       $  1,086         $ 2,235       $ 2,391       $  2,804
Restructuring and other charges                         --            --              --             --        $  6,836

=======================================================================================================================
Total Operating Expenses                            $10,386       $ 13,594         $19,711       $22,186       $ 26,371
=======================================================================================================================

Operating income (loss)                             $ 2,353       $    130         $   383       $(2,401)      $(10,003)
Other income (expense)                              $   342       $     80         $  (118)      $  (377)      $   (587)


Income (loss) before income taxes                   $ 2,695       $    210         $   265       $(2,778)      $(10,590)
Income tax expense (benefit)                        $   975       $     79         $   112       $  (618)      $      0

=======================================================================================================================
Net income (loss)                                   $ 1,720       $    131         $   153       $(2,160)      $(10,590)
=======================================================================================================================
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share       $  0.53       $   0.04         $  0.04       $ (0.53)      $  (2.59)
Weighted average common and common
   equivalent shares outstanding                      3,268          3,669           3,965         4,048          4,090


BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Working Capital (deficit)                           $ 4,749       $  4,677         $ 4,396       $ 1,785       $ (6,131)
Total assets                                        $17,903       $ 24,332         $27,446       $28,797       $ 24,160
Long-term obligations                               $    50       $     21         $ 2,123       $ 3,966       $    242
Stockholder's equity                                $10,354       $ 14,177         $14,597       $12,573       $  3,632

    
                                      -4-



                                  RISK FACTORS

   
         The  risk  factors  set  forth  below,  as  well as  other  information
appearing in this  prospectus  should be carefully  considered  before making an
investment in our common stock. Certain statements in this prospectus, including
statements  relating to our expected  operations and financing  activities,  are
forward-looking  statements  that involve certain risks and  uncertainties.  See
"Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
    

      Financial Results for the Last Three Years

   
         For the  fiscal  year ended  November  30,  1998,  we had a net loss of
$10,590,000. For the fiscal years ended November 30, 1997 and 1996, we had a net
loss and net income of $2,160,000  and $153,000,  respectively.  Although we are
taking steps to improve our financial performance, we can give no assurance that
our business will become profitable.
    

      Covenant Relief to Maintain Liquidity

   
         Our  credit   agreement  with  our  primary  lender  contains   certain
restrictive covenants, including covenants relating to earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"),  tangible net worth and capital
expenditures. As a result of our recent financial performance and restructuring,
we have been  obligated  to obtain and have  obtained  covenant  relief from our
lender  relating  to the  EBITDA  and  tangible  net worth  covenants.  To raise
additional  capital,  we have also sold shares of preferred  stock.  Although we
have taken steps to improve our financial performance, no assurance can be given
that these steps will have the intended result.  In the event that our financial
performance does not improve or if we are unable to secure additional investment
capital or sell  assets to  bolster  our  financial  position,  we will  require
additional  covenant  relief.  In the  event  that such  covenant  relief is not
obtained,  it would  likely  have a material  adverse  effect on our  liquidity,
including our ability to fund continuing operations. Our current credit facility
contains  limits  on the  amount  we  may  borrow  based  on  the  level  of our
outstanding  accounts  receivable.   At  January  31,  1999,  we  had  borrowing
availability of $773,000 under our credit agreement.

      Doubt Regarding Going Concern

         Based  on  recent  financial  performance,  all of our  debt  has  been
classified  as  short-term  and  our  audit  report  contains  a  going  concern
explanatory paragraph, pursuant to which our auditors have expressed substantial
doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.  Our financial situation
may  also  make it more  difficult  for us to  market  our  products  to new and
existing customers.
    

      Recent Restructuring may not Positively Impact Operations

   
         In April  1998,  we  effected  a major  restructuring  and  recorded  a
restructuring charge of approximately $6.8 million. The restructuring related to
entering  into  a new  distribution  arrangement  with  Baan  for  manufacturing
software  and  various  cost   reductions   aimed  at  improving  our  financial
performance. In connection with the restructuring,  we closed facilities both in
the United  States and  internationally  and took  actions  to  rationalize  our
workforce, particularly in the development,  marketing and administrative areas.
Although  we expect  the  restructuring  to  impact  our  financial  performance
positively,  no assurance can be given that the restructuring will be successful
or that it will not have unanticipated  effects, such as the loss of significant
customers and/or key employees.
    

      Absence of Formal Trading Market may Hinder Ability to Sell Common Stock

   
         There is currently no formal trading  market for our common stock.  The
common stock trades only on the OTC Bulletin Board and, as a result,  the market
for the common stock is not particularly  liquid.  The price at which the common
stock may trade may fluctuate and the market for the common stock may be subject
to disruptions that could make it difficult or impossible for the holders of our
common  stock to sell  shares in a
    


                                      -5-


   
timely  manner,  if at all.  Even if  trading  markets do  develop,  they may be
unstable and illiquid for an indeterminate period of time.
    

      A Decrease in Revenue from License Fees Could Negatively Impact Operations

   
         A  significant  portion of our revenue is derived from license fees for
TCM(R)  and for  FACTORYnet(R)  I/S and the sale of  related  support  services.
Accordingly,  any event that could  adversely  affect license fees for TCM(R) or
FACTORYnet(R)  I/S,  such as  significant  flaws  or  incompatibility,  negative
publicity or evaluation,  or obsolescence of the hardware platforms on which the
systems run, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation.
    

      Failure of the Baan  Relationship or Failure of Third-Parties to Supply
      Software Could Negatively Impact Operations

   
         We recently  entered into an  arrangement  pursuant to which we license
certain  software  products from Baan to sell into a segment of our marketplace.
As a result of this arrangement, we have refocused our current TCM(R) product to
the lower end of the mid-market and will rely on the Baan product to service the
high end of the mid-market. There can be no assurance that we will be successful
in marketing the Baan product offering, that such offering will remain viable in
our  target  market or that  Baan  will  continue  such  relationship  after the
expiration of its initial term. In addition to the Baan relationship, internally
developed software products incorporate and use software technology and software
products developed by other third parties. There can be no assurance that all of
these  companies will remain in business or that their product lines will remain
viable.  If any of these  companies  fails to remain in  business or abandons or
fails to enhance a particular product line, we may need to seek other suppliers.
This could result in us having to significantly  alter our internally  developed
product  lines  which  could have a material  adverse  effect on our  results of
operations.  There also can be no assurance that our current  suppliers will not
significantly alter their pricing in a manner adverse to us.
    

      Loss of Key Employees Could Negatively Impact Future Success

   
         Our  success is  dependent  to a  significant  extent on our  executive
officers and other key personnel (including technical and sales personnel),  the
loss of whom could have a material adverse effect on us. Our future success will
depend in large part on our ability to retain talented and qualified  employees.
Competition  in the recruiting of  highly-qualified  personnel in the management
information  systems  industry is intense and there can be no assurance  that we
can retain our key employees or that we can attract, assimilate and retain other
qualified  personnel in the future.  We have recently  experienced  attrition at
rates higher than our historical experience.  We have taken steps to curtail the
attrition,  but we can give no assurance  that these steps will be successful or
that further attrition will not materially impact our financial performance.
    

      No Assurance Important Intellectual Property and Property Rights can be
      Protected

   
         We regard our software  products as  proprietary,  in that title to and
ownership of our software  generally  reside  exclusively with us. We attempt to
protect ownership of our software with a combination of copyright, trademark and
trade secret laws,  employee and  third-party  disclosure  agreements  and other
methods of protection common in the industry. Despite these precautions,  it may
be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy or  reverse-engineer  certain
portions  of our  products  or to obtain and use  information  that we regard as
proprietary.  Like many software firms, we presently have no patents. We license
the source code for our software to some customers for  customization.  Although
our source code license contains  confidentiality and nondisclosure  provisions,
there can be no assurance that such customers will take adequate  precautions to
protect  such code.  In  addition,  the laws of some  foreign  countries  do not
protect our  proprietary  rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United
States.  There can be no  assurance  that the  mechanisms  we use to protect our
software will be adequate or that our competitors will not independently develop
software products that are substantially  equivalent or superior to our software
products.  Although we do not believe that our products infringe on the existing
proprietary  rights of third  parties,  there  can be no  assurance  that  third
parties will not assert infringement claims against us.
    



                                      -6-


      Variability of Quarterly Operating Results; Limited Backlog

   
         Our operating  results can vary  substantially  from quarter to quarter
due to various factors, including, among others: the size and timing of customer
orders; the buying patterns of manufacturers in our target market; delays in the
introduction of products or product  enhancements by us or by other providers of
hardware, software and components for the management information systems market;
competition  and pricing in the software  industry;  customer order deferrals in
anticipation of new products;  market  acceptance of new products;  reduction in
demand  for  existing  products;  changes in  operating  expenses;  and  general
economic conditions.  We have historically  operated with little backlog because
software  orders are  generally  shipped as orders  are  received.  As a result,
product  revenue in any quarter is dependent on orders booked and shipped during
that  quarter.  A  significant  portion of our  operating  expenses are based on
anticipated  revenue levels and are relatively fixed in nature.  If revenue does
not meet  our  expectations  in any  given  quarter,  operating  results  may be
adversely affected.
    

      Impact of Competition by Larger Companies

   
         The management  information  systems industry is intensely  competitive
and  rapidly  changing.  A number of  companies  offer  products  similar to the
products  we offer.  Some of our  existing  competitors,  as well as a number of
potential competitors, have larger technical staffs, more established and larger
marketing and sale organizations and significantly  greater financial  resources
than us and our  third-party  suppliers.  There  can be no  assurance  that such
competitors will not develop products that are superior to the products we offer
or that achieve greater market  acceptance.  Our future success will depend,  in
part, upon our ability to increase  software  license fee revenues in our target
markets.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully
against  our  competitors  or that the  competitive  pressures  we face will not
adversely affect our financial performance.
    

         "Penny   Stock"  Rules  may  make   Brokers   Unwilling  to  Engage  in
         Transactions Involving our Common Stock

   
         Our common  stock is currently  traded on the OTC Bulletin  Board after
having been delisted from the Nasdaq National Market. If no other exclusion from
the  definition  of "penny stock" under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 is
available,  then any broker  engaging  in a  transaction  in our  securities  is
required  to  provide  any  customer  with a risk  disclosure  document  and the
compensation  of  the  broker/dealer  in the  transaction  and  monthly  account
statements  showing the market values of our  securities  held in the customer's
accounts.  The bid and offer  quotations and  compensation  information  must be
provided  prior  to  effecting  the  transaction  and must be  contained  on the
customer's confirmation.  If brokers are subject to the "penny stock" rules when
engaging in transactions  in our securities,  they may be less willing to engage
in such transactions.
    

      Control by Management

   
         Our management  currently  holds  approximately  40% of the outstanding
common stock. As a result,  management  personnel have a significant  impact, if
they act  together,  on the election of directors  and  shareholder  approval of
various corporate actions.
    

      No Dividends on the Common Stock

   
         We have never paid any cash  dividends  on the common  stock and do not
anticipate paying cash dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable  future.
The payment of dividends on the common stock by us will depend on our  earnings,
financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting us at that
time, as the Board of Directors may consider relevant.
    


                                      -7-


      Anti-Takeover Provisions of Charter, Bylaws and Wisconsin Law.

   
         Certain provisions of our charter and bylaws may delay or frustrate the
removal of incumbent  directors and may prevent or delay a merger,  tender offer
or proxy  contest  involving  the Company  that is not  approved by the Board of
Directors,   even  if  such  events  may  be  beneficial  to  the  interests  of
shareholders.  For  example,  our  charter  authorizes  the Board of  Directors,
without shareholder approval, to issue preferred stock in addition to the Series
A  Preferred  Stock and the Series B Preferred  Stock with voting or  conversion
rights  which  could  adversely  affect the voting  power of the  holders of the
common stock.  In addition,  the  Wisconsin  Business  Corporation  Law contains
provisions  that may have the  effect  of  delaying  or  making  more  difficult
attempts by others to obtain control of the Company  without the approval of the
Board of Directors.
    

      Cost of Ensuring Year 2000 Compliance

   
         Many computer  programs and  applications  define the  applicable  year
using two digits  rather than four in order to save memory and enhance the speed
of  repeated  date-based  calculations.  The "Year 2000  problem"  refers to the
inability of these  computer  programs on and after January 1, 2000 to recognize
that "00" refers to "2000"  rather than "1900".  The term "Year  2000-compliant"
means a computer  or a computer  system  which has been  designed or modified to
recognize dates on and after January 1, 2000.

         We utilize a combination of our own software and custom-written systems
for running our own operations.  Based on our own evaluation, we believe that we
will incur no significant costs associated with ensuring Year 2000 compliance of
our  internal  systems.  Since the  release  of  version  5.1.2 of our  software
product, our software product has been Year 2000 compliant.

         Failure to correct  critical  Year 2000  issues  could  cause a serious
interruption  in  our  business  operations.  Such  interruptions  could  have a
material  impact  on  our  results  of  operations,   liquidity,  and  financial
condition.  We are taking actions to minimize these issues, but no assurance can
be given that all potential issues can be eliminated.  Additionally, the effects
of potential  litigation can not be estimated and such  litigation  could have a
material  effect on the  results of  operations.  Finally,  factors  outside our
control  could  also  cause  disruption  of  business   activities  which  could
materially affect the results of operations.
    

      Effect of Future Sales of Common Stock on Market Price; Cost of
      Registration Rights

   
         We cannot predict the effect,  if any, that future sales or issuance of
the common  stock or the  availability  of the common  stock for future  sale or
issuance will have on future market prices of the common stock

         The  agreement  under which we sold the Series B  Preferred  Stock (the
"Purchase  Agreement")  obligates  us, at our sole cost and  expense,  to file a
registration  statement  covering  shares  of the  common  stock  issuable  upon
conversion  of the Series B Preferred  Stock and to use our best efforts to have
such registration  statement declared effective as soon as possible after filing
and to keep the  registration  statement  effective  for up to three years.  The
Purchase  Agreement also provides for certain demand and piggyback  registration
rights.
    


                                      -8-


                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         We file annual,  quarterly and current  reports,  proxy  statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  You may read and
copy any document we file at the SEC's public  reference  room at the  following
locations:

          o        Main Public Reference Room
                   450 Fifth Street, N.W.
                   Washington, D.C.  20549

          o        Regional Public Reference Room
                   75 Park Place, 14th Floor
                   New York, New York  10007

          o        Regional Public Reference Room
                   Northwestern Atrium Center
                   500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400
                   Chicago, Illinois  60661-2511

         You  may  obtain  information  on the  operation  of the  SEC's  public
reference rooms by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330.

         We are required to file these  documents  with the SEC  electronically.
You can access the  electronic  versions of these filings on the Internet at the
SEC's website, located at http://www.sec.gov.

         We have included this prospectus in our registration  statement that we
filed with the SEC. The registration  statement provides additional  information
that we are not required to include in the prospectus. You can receive a copy of
the entire  registration  statement  as  described  above.  Please note that the
registration  statement also includes complete copies of the documents described
in the prospectus.

                SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

         Certain  matters  discussed  in this  prospectus  are  "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and
Section  21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934.  These  forward-looking
statements  can  generally  be  identified  as such  because  the context of the
statement  will include  words such as we "believe,"  "anticipate,"  "expect" or
words of similar import.  Similarly,  statements that describe our future plans,
objectives  or  goals  are  forward-looking   statements.  Such  forward-looking
statements  are  subject to certain  risks and  uncertainties,  including  those
described in the section captioned "Risk Factors" above.

         These  factors are not  exhaustive,  and should be read in  conjunction
with other  cautionary  statements  that are  included in this  prospectus.  The
forward-looking  statements  made  herein  are only  made as of the date of this
prospectus  and  we  are  not  obligated  to  publicly  update   forward-looking
statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.


                                      -9-

   
                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         We will not receive any of the proceeds  from the sale of the shares of
the common stock by the selling  shareholders.  If all of the Warrants issued in
connection  with the Series A and Series B Preferred  Stock are exercised at the
exercise  price of $3.60,  we will receive gross cash proceeds of  approximately
$196,970.  See "Plan of  Distribution."  The  proceeds  may be used for  working
capital and general corporate purposes.

                            SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

         The  following  table sets  forth the number of shares of common  stock
beneficially owned by each of the selling shareholders and registered hereunder.
Because  the selling  shareholders  may not sell all of the shares of the common
stock  received upon  conversion or exercise of the Series B Preferred  Stock or
the  Warrants and because  their  offering is not being  underwritten  on a firm
commitment  basis, no estimate can be given as to the number of shares of common
stock  that  will  be  beneficially  owned  by  the  selling  shareholders  upon
termination  of this  offering.  The shares  offered by this  prospectus  may be
offered from time to time by the selling shareholders named below.
    

                                      -10-

   


                                   Shares Beneficially Owned                       Shares Beneficially Owned After
                                       Prior to Offering                           Offering (1)
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
                                   Amount and                       Number of         Amount and                         
     Name and Address of           Nature of        Percentage   Shares Offered       Nature of         Percentage of
       Beneficial Owner             Ownership        of Class         Hereby           Ownership            Class
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
                                                                                              
Selling Shareholders(2)(3):
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Alvin R. Bonnette, Trustee           25,475             *             25,475               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Arthur D. Sterling and Marie 
Sterling                             12,740             *             12,740               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Christopher Schreiber(4)              6,983             *              6,983               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Carl M. Birkelbach(7)                 2,100             *              2,100               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
David H. Padden 1983 Trust           10,200             *             10,200               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
David Random                         12,740             *             12,740               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Donald Gross                          5,100             *              5,100               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Donald T. McKiernan(7)                3,200             *              3,200               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Douglas E. Hailey(5)                 16,732             *             16,732               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
EmJayco                              15,285             *             15,285               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Gary Arnold                          76,425            1.5%           76,425               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
George N. Gaynor                     10,200             *             10,200               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Gustave Levinson and Lydia F.
Levinson                             12,740             *             12,740               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
JDN Partners, L.P.                  102,000            2.0%          102,000               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
John Clifford                        50,950            1.0%           50,950               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
John D. Holley                       76,425            1.5%           76,425               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
John L. Palazzola and Maria          
Palazzola                            12,740             *             12,740               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
John R. Bertsch                      10,190             *             10,190               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
John R. Graham, Trustee of                                                                                               
the John R. Graham Trust              5,100              *             5,100               0                  *
dated 1/3/92
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Joseph G. D'Amadeo(7)                 6,515              *             6,515               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Laura A. Conroy(7)                    2,400              *             2,400               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Lawrence S. Smith                     5,100              *             5,100               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Lewco Securities as Nominee                                                                                              
for Schroder & Co. Custodian                                                                                             
f/b/o Ron Magruder and          
Elizabeth Magruder                   50,950            1.0%           50,950               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Lone Star Holdings Partners,  
L.P.                                102,000            2.0%          102,000               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Michael E. Recca(7)                   7,754             *              7,754               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Michael Taglich(6)                   19,257             *             19,257               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
    
                                      -11-

   

                                   Shares Beneficially Owned                       Shares Beneficially Owned After
                                       Prior to Offering                           Offering (1)
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
                                   Amount and                       Number of         Amount and                         
     Name and Address of           Nature of        Percentage   Shares Offered       Nature of         Percentage of
       Beneficial Owner             Ownership        of Class         Hereby           Ownership            Class
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
                                                                                             

Morton Topfer                       127,375            2.5%          127,375               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Rafael Caballero                     25,475             *             25,475               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Richard C. Oh(7)                      1,000             *              1,000               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Robert C. Schroeder(7)                1,600             *              1,600               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Robert F. Taglich(6)                 12,740             *             12,740               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Robert L DeBruyn and Tracey      
H. DeBruyn                            5,100             *              5,100               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Sanford R. Penn Jr.                  25,475             *             25,475               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Shadow Capital LLC                   25,475             *             25,475               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Thomas J. Waggoner and Patsy    
Ann Waggoner                          5,100             *              5,100               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Thomas P. Morrisey                   15,285             *             15,285               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
U.S. Bank, National                                                                                                      
Association, as Trustee for                                                                                              
the Dorsey & Whitney Master   
Trust FBO Stanley Rein               10,200             *             10,200               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Vincent M. Palmieri(7)                1,000             *              1,000               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
William C. Smith Jr.                  5,100             *              5,100               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
William J. Easton Jr.                 5,100             *              5,100               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
William Kuntz                        15,285             *             15,285               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
William Wieck & Elizabeth         
Wieck                                 7,645             *              7,645               0                  *
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
Wulf Paulick and Renate      
Paulick                               7,645             *              7,645               0                  *

- -------------------------
* represents less than 1%.

(1)      Assumes  the  sale  of  all of  the  shares  offered  by  each  selling
         shareholder.
(2)      Percentage  ownership  for selling  shareholders  is based on 5,108,500
         (4,118,486  outstanding as of March 10, 1999,  plus 54,714  exercisable
         through the Warrants and 909,825  exercisable through conversion of the
         Series  B  Preferred  Stock  at  $2.00)  shares  of  the  common  stock
         outstanding.
(3)      The  number  of shares  beneficially  owned  with  respect  to  selling
         shareholders   holding  the  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  is  based  on
         conversion at the current conversion price of $2.00.
(4)      Includes (i) 2,505 shares of common stock  issuable upon  conversion of
         shares  of  Series B  Preferred  Stock  and (ii)  4,478  issuable  upon
         exercise of certain of the Warrants.
(5)      Includes (i) 5,100 shares of common stock  issuable upon  conversion of
         shares  of  Series B  Preferred  Stock and (ii)  11,632  issuable  upon
         exercise of certain of the Warrants.
(6)      Includes (i) 12,740 shares of common stock issuable upon  conversion of
         shares  of  Series B  Preferred  Stock  and (ii)  6,517  issuable  upon
         exercise of certain of the Warrants.
(7)      Represents shares issuable upon exercise of certain of the Warrants.


    
                                      -12-

                                 DIVIDEND POLICY

   
         We have no  present  intention  of paying any  dividends  on the common
stock. We expect that,  except for the dividends  required to be paid or payable
to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, we will retain our earnings,  if
any, to finance operations.

         The  declaration  and  payment  of future  dividends  to holders of the
common stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend
upon many  factors,  including our financial  condition,  earnings,  the capital
requirements of our operating  subsidiaries,  legal  requirements and such other
factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.
    

                           MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

   
         There is currently no established  public trading market for the common
stock. The common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. See "Risk Factors."
As of March 19,  1999,  we had 415 record  holders  of the common  stock and 300
record holders of certain publicly traded warrants to purchase common stock (the
"Public Warrants"). See "Description of Capital Stock".
    

                           PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

   
       Our  common  stock was traded on the  Nasdaq  National  Market for fiscal
years ended  November  30, 1996 and 1997,  and through  November 6, 1998 for the
fiscal year ended  November  30,  1998.  Currently,  our common stock and Public
Warrants  are traded on the OTC  Bulletin  Board  under the  symbols  "EMSI" and
"EMSIW," respectively.

         The range of high and low bid closing quotations (and for periods prior
to November 6, 1998,  the high and low sale prices) for the common stock and the
Public  Warrants for each fiscal quarter for the two (2) completed  fiscal years
and the most current fiscal year, are as follows:
    
   


                                          Common Stock                                 Public Warrants
          1999                    High                    Low                    High                    Low
                                                                                                  
Second Quarter (through          $    2-1/16            $   7/8                 $   3/100              $   1/100
March 31, 1999)
First Quarter                    $    2-1/4             $   1-5/16              $   6/100              $   1/100
          1998                    High                    Low                    High                    Low
First Quarter                    $    4-3/8             $   2-1/16              $        2             $    1-1/8
Second Quarter                   $    5-7/8             $        3              $    1-5/8             $        1
Third Quarter                    $    2-7/8             $    5-3/8              $    1-1/2             $      1/2
Fourth Quarter                   $    3-3/4             $    1-7/8              $    1-1/8             $      3/8
          1997                    High                    Low                    High                    Low
First Quarter                    $    7-3/4             $    5-1/2              $   3-3/16             $    2-1/2
Second Quarter                   $    7-1/2             $    6-1/2              $    2-1/2             $      3/4
Third Quarter                    $    6-1/8             $        4              $    1-1/2             $        1
Fourth Quarter                   $    6-1/2             $        4              $        2             $    1-1/2



The foregoing quotations reflect  inter-dealer  prices,  without retail mark-up,
mark-down or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
    


                                      -13-

   
MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS - AT AND FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

      Overview

         We  recorded a loss of  approximately  $10.6  million in fiscal 1998 as
compared  with a loss of $2.2 million in fiscal 1997.  The decline in results of
operations  related  in  part to a major  restructuring  plan  ("Restructuring")
implemented  in fiscal 1998  pursuant  to which we  established  a  distribution
relationship with Baan and incurred the associated costs of transitioning to the
new  relationship.  In the  Restructuring,  we refocused  our TCM product to the
lower end of the mid  market,  added the Baan  product for the upper mid market,
and  continued  to offer the Intercim  Corporation  products in the Fortune 1000
market.  Our management  expects the  transition in our product  offerings to be
completed in the first half of fiscal  1999.  As part of the  Restructuring,  we
incurred a restructuring charge of approximately $6.8 million.

         We  recorded a loss of  approximately  $2.2  million in fiscal  1997 as
compared  with net income of $153,000 in fiscal 1996.  The decline in results of
operations was due in part to the delayed introduction of version 6.0 of the TCM
software  product  as  well as  increased  service  costs  associated  with  the
implementation  of new products  and  technologies.  On November  26,  1997,  we
released  version 6.0 of our TCM product which  completed the  application  of a
Windows compliant interface,  the lack of which had negatively impacted software
sales in the past.  Also in fiscal 1997, we initiated a cost  reduction  program
(the "1997 Cost  Reduction")  with the goal of reducing  costs by $2 million per
annum. We also announced a realignment of executive  management,  which included
the departure of two executives.

         Although our goal is to return to  profitability,  no assurance  can be
given that the various  measures that we have taken will actually  result in the
achievement of this objective.  In addition,  as a result of the fiscal 1997 and
1998 losses, we have been required to obtain waivers from our primary lender for
covenant violations.  In the event our financial performance does not improve or
if we are  unable to secure  additional  investment  capital  or sell  assets to
bolster our financial  position,  we will require additional  covenant relief in
fiscal 1999. In the event that such covenant relief cannot be obtained, it would
likely have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, including our ability to
fund current  operations.  Although we did raise  additional  equity  capital in
fiscal  1998  through  the  sale of  preferred  stock,  our  ability  to  borrow
additional funds under our existing credit facility remains limited. As a result
of our financial  situation,  all of our debt has been  classified as short-term
and our audit report contains a going concern explanatory paragraph.
    
         Our long term  success is also  dependent on our ability to attract and
retain a highly qualified sales, development and service staff. We have recently
experienced  attrition at rates higher than our historical  experience.  We have
taken steps to curtail the  attrition,  but no assurance can be given that these
steps will be successful or that further  attrition will not  materially  impact
our financial performance.


      Results of Operations
   
      Total Revenue


         Total  revenue  for fiscal  1998  decreased  8.2% to  $39,144,000  from
$42,645,000  for fiscal 1997.  Total revenue for fiscal 1997  increased  3.4% to
$42,645,000 from $41,257,000 in fiscal 1996. The mix of software,  services, and
hardware revenues was 52.5%,  43.0%, and 4.5%,  respectively,  in fiscal 1998 as
compared to 51.0%, 39.4%, and 9.6%, respectively, in 1997, and 46.3%, 37.4%, and
16.4%,  respectively,  in 1996. The growth in software and service revenues as a
percentage  of total  revenues  during these years was the 
    

                                      -14-

   
result of a strategic  decision to focus our  marketing  and selling  efforts on
generating an increased  percentage of revenues from higher margin  software and
services  as opposed to lower  margin  hardware  sales.  International  revenues
represented less than 10% of total revenues for all periods presented.


      Software License Fee Revenues


         Software license fee revenues are customer charges for the right to use
our software  products.  These revenues  decreased 5.5% to $20,553,000 in fiscal
1998 from  $21,752,000 in fiscal 1997. The decrease in software license fees was
mainly attributable to: (1) the attention and efforts spent in the transition to
selling the new Baan  product  lines;  (2) reduced  revenues  and  corresponding
returns from restructured operations ($2,000,000);  and (3) reduced revenues due
to a lower number of sales personnel as a result of attrition. Sales of the Baan
products  which began in April 1998,  rose from $130,000 in the third quarter of
fiscal 1998 to  $1,553,000  in the fourth  quarter of fiscal 1998. As additional
sales  personnel  train in the Baan  products,  sales  productivity  temporarily
decreases.  The length of the sales  cycle can range  from two to twelve  months
depending on such factors as the size of the prospect or the  complexity  of the
need of the prospect.  We are also in the process of building a sufficient level
of prospect leads to maintain and enhance  necessary  levels of sales  activity.
Our management expects that this decrease in productivity will gradually improve
during the next two  fiscal  quarters,  and,  thereafter,  return to  historical
levels.   Exclusive  of  the   territories   closed  in   connection   with  the
Restructuring,  sales of our TCM software  products  declined  23.7% from fiscal
1997 to fiscal  1998  mainly  due to  prospect  concerns  about  past  financial
performance.  Our  management  expects  slower sales of TCM products to continue
until we become  profitable.  Sales of the Intercim software products  increased
27.5% from  fiscal  1997 to fiscal  1998.  The  software  license  fee  revenues
increased  13.9% to $21,752,000 in fiscal 1997 from  $19,094,000 in fiscal 1996.
The main reason for this increase was the additional sales made to new customers
during fiscal 1997.
    


      Service Revenues

   
         We  offer  both  mandatory  and  optional  services  to our  customers.
Services  provided  include a telephone  support program,  systems  integration,
custom software development, implementation consulting, and formal classroom and
on-site training.  Service revenues increased to $16,846,000 in fiscal 1998 from
$16,781,000 in fiscal 1997. This increase was mainly the result of higher levels
of demand  from  customers  upgrading  to newer  versions  of our  products,  an
increase in maintenance revenues,  combined with a reduction in service revenues
due to a lower number of service personnel as a result of both the Restructuring
and  attrition,  along with a lower level of new TCM software unit sales.  As we
transition to include the Baan product,  our management expects service revenues
to increase.  Initial  services will be provided by third party  providers,  but
will be later  supplied  internally as additional  resources are added.  Service
revenues increased 8.9% to $16,781,000 in fiscal 1997 from $15,412,000 in fiscal
1996.  This increase was primarily due to growth in the customer base and normal
price increases
    

   
      Hardware Revenues

         As an option,  we will sell computer  hardware  manufactured by others,
along with our software  and  services.  Hardware  revenues  decreased  57.6% to
$1,745,000  in fiscal 1998 from  $4,112,000  in fiscal 1997.  Hardware  revenues
decreased  39.1% to  $4,112,000  in fiscal 1997 from  $6,751,000 in fiscal 1996.
These  decreases were mainly due to increased sales of software on platforms for
which  we do not  supply  hardware.  We have  decided  to  reduce  our  sales of
commodity priced hardware  products and those which require  specific  expertise
beyond the scope of our product focus. In turn, we have developed  relationships
with  various  system  integrators  which sell the  hardware  and provide  these
value-added hardware services.
    

                                      -15-


      Cost of Third-Party Software License Fees
   
         Most of our system  sales also include the sale of a report  writer,  a
word processor,  and/or other software components provided by outside suppliers.
The integration of these products into our software products  generally requires
that we pay royalties to these suppliers.  Cost of third-party  software license
fees  increased to $4,717,000 in fiscal 1998 from  $3,065,000 in fiscal 1997 and
from  $2,484,000  in  fiscal  1996.  Since  third-party  software  products  are
generally sold in  conjunction  with our software  licenses,  the increases were
historically  attributable  to a rise in the level of sales of our software as a
result of new customer  sales and existing  customer  upgrade  sales.  In fiscal
1998, $920,000 of the increase in the cost of third-party  software license fees
was  attributable  to the new  relationship  with Baan under  which we  purchase
software licenses for sales to end users.
    

      Software Development Amortization

   
         Software development  amortization  represents the amortization of past
investments made by us in product development. Software development amortization
increased  from  $1,591,000  in fiscal 1996 to  $2,535,000  in fiscal 1997,  and
decreased to $2,243,000 in fiscal 1998. The increase in 1997 mainly reflected an
increase in past capitalized  software development costs related to improvements
to our software  products.  In the second  quarter of fiscal 1998,  however,  we
wrote-off a significant  portion of our TCM capitalized  software in conjunction
with the Restructuring, which in turn lowered the amount of software development
amortization.
    

      Cost of Services

   
         Cost of services as a percentage of related revenues increased to 85.7%
in 1998 from  83.4% in 1997 and from  78.6% in 1996.  The main  reasons  for the
increases  include  increased  costs related to warranty  work,  training  costs
associated  with new personnel,  allocation of resources to assist in developing
new products,  increased  compensation  for current  employees,  higher costs of
out-sourced   labor,   and  educational   costs  related  to  new  products  and
technologies.  Our  management  expects the cost of services as a percentage  of
related revenues to increase for the Baan product sales in the short term due to
the cost of third party suppliers and the internal cost of training employees in
the new products.  The 1997 Cost Reduction  reduced fiscal 1997 cost of services
by  $264,000  through  a  work  force  reduction  and  a  decrease  of  indirect
activities.
    

      Cost of Hardware

   
         Cost of hardware as a percentage of related revenues increased to 79.4%
in fiscal 1998  compared to 79.3% in fiscal 1997 and 73.8% in fiscal  1996.  The
cost of hardware as a percentage of related  revenue varies with the size of the
system,  the  margin mix of items  comprising  the system  being  sold,  and the
competitive conditions of the customer sale. Additionally,  the cost of hardware
as a  percentage  of  hardware  revenues  can  vary  due  to the  proportion  of
lower-margin  sales (cost plus 11%) made to our joint  ventures and  affiliates,
which were $233,000,  $534,000,  and $1,264,000 in fiscal 1998,  1997, and 1996,
respectively.
    

      Net Product Development Expenses

   
         Product development  expenses,  net of amounts  capitalized,  increased
from $2,235,000 in fiscal 1996 to $2,391,000 in fiscal 1997 and to $2,804,000 in
fiscal 1998. These increases were mainly the result of our strategic  initiative
to increase  investment in the  development  of future  products,  including the
incorporation  of various  new  technologies  into our  software  products.  The
Restructuring  reduced  both new  product  development  expense  and reduced the
resulting  level of software  capitalized.  The 1997 Cost Reduction  lowered new
product  development  expense by $876,000  through the  reduction  of the use of
third-party  consultants and a work force reduction.  Total development  expense
(defined as net  development  expense  plus  amounts  capitalized) 
    


                                      -16-


   
decreased to  $6,200,000 in fiscal 1998 from  $6,862,000  in fiscal 1997.  Total
development  expense  increased to $6,862,000 in fiscal 1997 from  $5,607,000 in
fiscal 1996. These expenses  expressed as a percent of related software revenues
were 30.2%, 31.6%, and 29.4% in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
    

      Restructuring

   
         In the  second  quarter of fiscal  1998,  we  recorded a  restructuring
charge of $6,836,000  related to entering into the new  distributor  arrangement
with Baan for  manufacturing  software,  and a  reduction  of costs  focused  on
improving  our  financial  performance.  Approximately  $6,824,000  of the total
charge has been paid or expensed as of November  30,  1998.  We  anticipate  the
remaining  amount of  approximately  $12,000 to be paid in the first  quarter of
fiscal 1999. For  additional  information  on the  Restructuring,  see Note 3 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
    

      Selling and Marketing Expenses

   
         Selling and marketing  expenses decreased to $13,280,000 in fiscal 1998
from  $15,957,000 in fiscal 1997.  Selling and marketing  expenses  increased to
$15,957,000  in fiscal 1997 from  $14,060,000  in fiscal  1996.  The  operations
discontinued  in the  Restructuring  accounted for $1,691,000 of the decrease in
selling and  marketing  expenses in fiscal  1998.  As a percent of gross  margin
(total net  revenues  minus total costs of products and  services),  selling and
marketing  expense  increased from 80.7% to 81.1% between fiscal 1997 and fiscal
1998, and from 70.0% to 80.7% between fiscal 1996 and fiscal 1997, respectively.
The  increase  in selling  and  marketing  expense as a percent of gross  margin
between  fiscal  1998 and  fiscal  1997 was due to:  (1)  personnel  time  spent
building new pipelines for the new Baan  products;  (2) training costs for newly
hired sales  personnel;  (3) time spent  handling  the  concerns of  prospective
customers regarding our negative operating results;  and (4) a general reduction
of  marketing  activities  ($495,000).  The  increase in selling  and  marketing
expense as a percent of gross margin between fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996 was due
to: (1) lower  margin due to higher  costs of software  license fees (see above)
and higher costs of services (see above); (2) increased expenses from developing
international  markets ($134,000) and lower  productivity of new personnel;  and
(3) time spent  handling the concerns of  prospective  customers  regarding  our
operating  results for fiscal 1997. The 1997 Cost Reduction  lowered selling and
marketing  expense by  $730,000  in fiscal  1997,  mainly  through a decrease in
international market expansion, a focusing of market communications,  and a work
force reduction.
    

      General and Administrative Expenses

   
         For fiscal  1998,  general  and  administrative  expense  decreased  to
$3,451,000 from $3,838,000 in fiscal 1997.  General and  administrative  expense
increased to  $3,838,000  in fiscal 1997 from  $3,416,000  in fiscal 1996.  As a
percent of gross margin  (total net  revenues  minus total costs of products and
services),  these expenses were 17.0%,  19.4% and 21.1% in fiscal 1996, 1997 and
1998,  respectively.  The increases in general and  administrative  expense as a
percent of gross  margin  from  fiscal  1997 to fiscal 1998 was mainly due to an
increase in legal and  professional  fees related to capital raising  activities
($294,000).  The increase in general and administrative  expense as a percent of
gross  margin  from  fiscal 1996 to fiscal 1997 was mainly due to an increase in
the provision for bad debts (2.5%).  The 1997 Cost Reduction lowered general and
administrative  expense by $303,000  in fiscal 1997 mainly  through a work force
reduction.
    
      Other Income/Expense
   
         Other  income/expense  resulted  in  $587,000 of expense in fiscal 1998
compared  with  $377,000  of expense in fiscal  1997 and  $118,000 of expense in
fiscal 1996.  Equity income from affiliates was $109,000 in fiscal 1998 compared
with a loss of  $25,000 in fiscal  1997 and  $25,000  in fiscal  1996.  Interest
expense and interest income were $714,000 and $51,000,  respectively,  in


                                      -17-


fiscal 1998;  $399,000 and $47,000,  respectively,  in fiscal 1997; and $145,000
and  $89,000,  respectively,  in fiscal  1996.  The  increase  in the  levels of
interest  expense  was  mainly  the  result of  increased  borrowings  under our
borrowing facility. We anticipate that interest expense will continue to rise in
the short-term with continued  borrowings for operating and capital  expenditure
purposes.
    
      Income Tax Expense
   
         No income tax benefit was recorded for the fiscal year of 1998 compared
to a benefit of $618,000 for the fiscal year of 1997. At November 30, 1998,  we,
for financial  reporting  purposes,  were in a tax loss  carryforward  position.
Generally  accepted  accounting  principles  prohibit  us from  recording  a tax
benefit under these circumstances.
    

      Liquidity and Capital Resources

   
         Cash provided by operations was $311,000 in fiscal 1998,  $1,733,000 in
fiscal 1997 and  $2,906,000  in fiscal 1996.  Non-cash  expenditures,  including
restructuring,  depreciation  relating to capital  expenditures and amortization
associated with software product development, contributed to the cash provided.

         Investment  activities used cash of $3,101,000 in fiscal 1998, compared
to $5,363,000 in fiscal 1997 and $4,163,000 in fiscal 1996. The cash was used to
fund capital  expenditures  of $170,000,  $1,177,000,  and  $1,424,000 in fiscal
1998,  1997,  and 1996,  respectively,  and to fund  investment  in  capitalized
software product development of $3,396,000, $4,471,000, and $3,372,000 in fiscal
1998,  1997,  and 1996,  respectively.  We sold  $505,000 of  available-for-sale
securities in fiscal 1997,  and $1,247,000 of  available-for-sale  securities in
fiscal 1996,  which funded,  in part, the capital  expenditures  and capitalized
product development.


         Financing  activities  provided  $2,797,000  of  cash in  fiscal  1998,
$2,778,000 of cash in fiscal 1997,  and  $1,788,000 of cash in fiscal 1996.  The
cash provided in fiscal 1998 mainly reflected both the equity  contribution from
a preferred  stock  offering  and  borrowings  on our credit  facilities.  As of
November 30, 1998, we, based on the level of eligible accounts receivables,  had
$2,448,000 of availability  under our $5,000,000  line of credit.  As of January
31, 1999, we had $773,000 of availability under our line of credit.
    

         Our credit agreement with Foothill Capital Corporation contains certain
restrictive covenants relating to income (EBITDA), tangible net worth, and level
of capital  expenditures.  On January  28,  1999,  we obtained a waiver from the
lender as a result of our  failure  to meet the  tangible  net worth and  EBITDA
covenants.  In order to meet financial covenants in the future and to meet short
term operational needs, we will need positive  operational  results in the short
term. In the event that our  performance  does not improve in the short term, we
will need to secure additional waivers and/or  alternative  sources of financing
(which  could  include  the sale of  assets).  We are  continuing  our review of
alternative  sources of  financing  to deal with our current  financial  status.
Although our management believes that waivers and/or additional financing can be
obtained,  if needed,  no assurance can be given that waivers or such additional
financing will be available to us on acceptable  terms. In the event that we are
unable to secure necessary waivers or additional financing, it would likely have
a  material  adverse  effect on our  liquidity,  including  our  ability to fund
continuing operations.

   
         As a result of our current financial situation,  we, in accordance with
generally  accepted  accounting   principles,   have  reclassified  all  of  our
outstanding  debt under the credit  facility as short-term  debt. (See Note 8 to
the Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements).  All debt  pertaining to the
credit  facility  having  cross-default  provisions  has  been  so  reclassified
regardless  of  whether  or  not  covenant   violations  have  occurred  



                                      -18-


or are anticipated. Our report from our independent accountants contains a going
concern  explanatory  paragraph,   pursuant  to  which  the  auditors  expressed
substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
    
   
         The American  Institute of Certified  Public  Accountants  Statement of
Position 97-2,  "Software Revenue Recognition" (SOP 97-2), was issued in October
1997.  SOP 97-2 is  effective  for  transactions  entered  into in fiscal  years
beginning after December 15, 1997. Therefore,  SOP 97-2 will effect transactions
entered into by us after December 1, 1998. SOP 97-2 addresses various aspects of
the recognition of revenue on software transactions and supersedes SOP 91-1, the
policy  previously  followed  by us.  SOP 97-2  provides  guidance  on  software
arrangements  consisting of multiple elements,  evidence of fair value, delivery
of  elements,   accounting  for  service  elements,  and  software  arrangements
requiring significant production, modification, or customization of software. We
currently  believe that the impact of SOP 97-2 will not be material in regard to
our consolidated financial statements.
    
   
      Market Risk

         Due to the  variable  rate paid on the  revolver  portion of our credit
facility,  we are  exposed  to  market  risk from  changes  in  interest  rates.
Generally, if the base rate on the revolver averaged 2% more in fiscal 1999 than
in fiscal 1998, our interest  expense would increase by  approximately  $80,000.
This amount is determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest
rate on our  borrowing  cost,  but does not  consider the effects of the reduced
level of economic activity that could exist in such an environment.  We have not
historically  used financial  instruments to hedge interest rate exposure and we
do not use financial instruments for trading purposes and are not a party to any
leveraged derivatives.


      Year 2000 Compliance

         We face "Year 2000" compliance issues similar to other companies in the
manufacturing  software  industry.  The problem relates to software  systems and
programs  that use only two digits , rather  than four  digits,  to  represent a
year.  This  does not allow  processing  of dates  beyond  the year 1999 and may
result in incorrect  calculations,  reports or other information.  Additionally,
this may cause system  failures from processors that are embedded in a multitude
of devices.


         To address the Year 2000 problem,  we established a corporate readiness
program which began in fiscal 1994 with the a detailed  analysis of our software
products sold to our customers. We had originally started addressing the changes
to the program  code of our software  products for Year 2000 issues in 1985.  We
later, in 1998, added the analysis of internal systems and third party suppliers
of both software and any other goods that may have Year 2000  problems.  We plan
to complete  our detailed  assessment  plan on or around March of fiscal 1999. A
formal  review and  approval  by the Board of  Directors  is  expected  to occur
immediately thereafter.


      State of Readiness

      Company's Products

         Our  current  products  have been  designed  and  tested  for Year 2000
compliance. However, due to the complexity of the software product, there can be
no absolute  assurance that our software products contain all the necessary date
code  changes.  The versions of our software  prior to version 5.1.2 in 1994 are
known to contain  code that is not Year 2000  compliant.  In 1996,  we  notified
customers  of prior  versions,  and  subsequently,  of this  non-compliance  and
customers were offered  upgrades and  implementation  assistance to migrate to a
Year 2000 compliant version. Our agreements with the customers since 1992 do not
expressly 
    

                                      -19-

   
obligate  us to  furnish an updated  version of the  software  that is Year 2000
compliant.  Our analysis of contracts prior to 1992 indicate an immaterial level
of obligation to furnish updated software.


      Internal Systems

         We are in the  process  of  assessing  the Year 2000  readiness  of our
internal  computer  information  system  and  non-computer   systems,   such  as
telecommunications equipment, network equipment, etc., to determine whether such
systems are Year 2000 compliant.  Even though  substantial work has already been
completed,  a complete  detailed plan to address any assessed Year 2000 problems
should be available on or around March 1999. We expect to complete deployment of
Year 2000 corrections on or around September 1999.


      Third Party Reseller and Key Suppliers

         We plan to assess  the Year 2000  readiness  of our  resellers  and key
suppliers  during the first and second  quarter of fiscal 1999.  With respect to
certain of our most  significant  resellers and suppliers,  we have already made
inquiries to assess their  readiness  and have  obtained  published  information
indicating that they are in compliance.


      Costs

         We estimate the historical costs to remediate the Year 2000 issues have
totaled $968,000 and future costs to remediate will be approximately $500,000.

      Risk

         Failure to correct  critical  Year 2000  issues  could  cause a serious
interruption  in  our  business  operations.  Such  interruptions  could  have a
material  impact  on  our  results  of  operations,   liquidity,  and  financial
condition.  We are taking actions to minimize these issues, but no assurance can
be given that all potential issues can be eliminated.  Additionally, the effects
of potential  litigation can not be estimated and such  litigation  could have a
material  effect on the  results of  operations.  Finally,  factors  outside our
control  could  also  cause  disruption  of  business   activities  which  could
materially affect the results of operations.

      Contingency Plans

         We are in the  process of  evaluating  contingency  plans to handle the
controllable risks regarding Year 2000 compliance.  Certain of the risks such as
lengthy  power  outages or  communication  failures may not be  circumvented.  A
detailed  plan of  controllable  risks is expected to be  available on or around
September 1999.
    


                                      -20-


                                    BUSINESS

      Overview

   
         We develop,  market and support  integrated  manufacturing and business
management  software.  Our software is designed with the  underlying  philosophy
that time is a crucial element in  manufacturing,  and that reducing time in the
manufacturing  process leads directly to increased profits for the manufacturer.
Our software integrates  technologies that allow our customers to optimize their
labor, capital and inventory utilization. The software we offer functions on the
Windows NT, IBM AIX, Open VMS, SCO-Unix,  and HP-UX operating  systems.  We also
provide support  services for our software  products and, on a selective  basis,
sell computer hardware.

         Software   products  offered  by  us  include:   TCM(R),   which  is  a
Manufacturing  Execution System,  and FACTORYnet(R)  I/S, which is an integrated
Manufacturing  Execution System,  providing  production  management,  shop floor
scheduling,  and operations support. We also offer Baan software. These software
products provide  up-to-the-minute  information to track production and business
operations.  This facilitates  real-time  decision making and enables  employees
throughout  an  organization  to respond  quickly  to  marketplace  demands  and
unanticipated events.

         We  typically  focus our  sales and  marketing  efforts  on  "discrete"
manufacturing plants.  Discrete  manufacturers  assemble or fabricate parts into
finished  products as  distinguished  from  "process"  manufacturers  which mix,
separate  and  otherwise  combine  or  control  ingredients  to create  finished
products.  We have licensed our software  products to over 1,700 customer sites.
We distribute  our products in the United States  through  eleven branch offices
and through seven joint ventures and independent distributors.

         We  typically  focus  our  sales  and  marketing  efforts  on  discrete
manufacturing  plants.  We have  licensed  our  software  products to over 1,700
customer  sites.  We distribute our products in the United States through eleven
branch offices and through seven joint ventures and independent distributors.

         We were  incorporated  in Wisconsin in 1978.  We became a publicly held
company  as a result of our  initial  public  offering  which was  completed  in
February 1994. During 1995, we acquired  Intercim  Corporation and the remaining
interest in  Effective  Management  Systems of Illinois,  Inc., a joint  venture
subsidiary.  In 1996, we acquired the remaining  interest in Darwin Data Systems
Corporation another joint venture subsidiary.  For further details regarding the
Darwin Acquisition,  see Note 2 of Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements.

         In April  1998,  we  undertook  a major  restructuring  and  recorded a
restructuring charge of approximately $6.8 million.  The restructuring  included
entering into the  distribution  agreement  with Baan and various cost reduction
aimed  at  improving  our  financial   performance.   In  connection   with  the
restructuring,   we  closed   facilities   both  in  the   United   States   and
internationally  and  decreased  our  workforce,  particularly  in  development,
marketing  and  administration.   For  additional   information   regarding  the
restructuring,  see  Notes  3 and  4 of  Notes  to  our  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.

         For our fiscal year ended  November 30, 1998, we incurred a net loss of
approximately  $10.6 million,  inclusive of the restructuring  charge. Our audit
report for the 1998 fiscal year contains a going concern explanatory  paragraph,
pursuant  to which  our  auditors  have  expressed  substantial  doubt as to our
ability to continue as a going concern.
    

      Industry Background

   
         In  the  early  1970's,  the  material  requirements  planning  ("MRP")
approach  was  developed  to  enable  manufacturing  companies,  with the aid of
computers,  to plan and manage their businesses more efficiently by managing the
flow of materials at various stages of the manufacturing process. In the 1980's,
this approach  evolved into  manufacturing  resource  planning ("MRP II"), which
considers labor and equipment planning for the
    


                                      -21-


   
manufacturing  process  as part of an  iterative  materials  planning  approach.
Concurrently   with   the   evolution   of  MRP  II,   manufacturing   companies
(predominantly  in Japan) developed a management  technique which emphasizes the
supply  of  component  parts to  "assembly-oriented"  manufacturing  plants on a
"just-in-time"  basis. This technique not only was the first to emphasize "time"
in its  orientation,  but had desirable  outcomes for  manufacturers,  including
improved quality, lower costs and lower inventory levels.

         In the 1990's,  new management  approaches for manufacturing  companies
have emerged which focus on "time" as the critical element in the  manufacturing
process. In these management approaches, the manufacturer analyzes the component
of time  across  its  entire  organization  with  the  goal of  correlating  the
expenditure of time to the addition of value to the finished product or service.
Beyond the production focus of the "just-in-time" environment, this new approach
focuses on time in all areas of the operation from  engineering to manufacturing
and from customer order  processing to shipment.  This new approach differs from
MRP II in that it often  focuses on improving  business  operations  by treating
plant capacity and labor resources as the primary  scheduling items and treating
material  availability as a secondary  consideration in manufacturing  planning.
The new approach emphasizes "operations  decision-making" support in contrast to
the planning  emphasis of MRP II and more recently  developed  planning  systems
such as enterprise resource planning ("ERP"). Manufacturing Execution Systems, a
new category of information systems,  complement ERP systems by making available
real-time   information   from  the  factory  floor  and  enhancing   production
performance and  decision-making  associated with plant  operations.  We believe
that Manufacturing Execution Systems represent a relatively new marketplace with
substantial  benefit  potential  for  manufacturers.  We believe that this "time
emphasis" in manufacturing  management,  which is the focus of our TCM(R), Baan,
and FACTORYnet(R) I/S products, will be an essential component of the management
approach for many manufacturers in the future.

         According   to  an   industry   publication,   consolidation   in   the
manufacturing  systems  software  industry  resulted in the top ten ERP software
companies garnering 82% of the industry's revenues in 1997.  Historically,  five
of these top ten ERP software companies have focused on providing their products
to large manufacturing companies.  This group of companies is referred to as the
"Tier  1" ERP  software  companies.  Each  Tier 1 ERP  software  company  spends
annually in excess of $100,000,000 on research and development.

         Such  levels of  expenditure  on  research  and  development  present a
challenge to mid-sized  ERP software  companies  like us to provide  competitive
products  to  mid-sized  to  upper  mid-sized   manufacturing  companies  at  an
affordable  price. We do not have equivalent  levels of expenditures on research
and  development.  Also, for the first time,  Tier 1 ERP software  products have
become  practical for mid-sized to upper  mid-sized  manufacturing  companies to
use.
    

      Strategy

   
         Our objective is to become a leading  provider of  integrated  business
software  systems for discrete  manufacturing  plants.  We have identified three
strategic initiatives to achieve this goal.

         Focus on Time Critical Manufacturing. We believe that manufacturers are
striving  to become more "time  competitive,"  and that  manufacturing  software
which  focuses  solely on  providing  information  for planning and on recording
information  for  historical  analysis  will be inadequate to meet the needs and
demands of manufacturers in the years to come. To be effective in the future, we
believe that manufacturing  software will be required to empower  individuals at
all levels of an organization to make immediate decisions  regarding  production
processes and business activities.  Since 1988, we have focused our resources on
developing  software  to  assist  time-oriented  manufacturing  management.  Our
software  facilitates  real-time  decision-making  by employees enabling them to
change  processes  proactively  and react  quickly to  marketplace  demands  and
unanticipated events. With few exceptions, we believe that the limited number of
information  system  implementations  currently  in place which have this "time"
focus have been developed on an individual customized basis. We are not aware of
other major products  available in our target market for discrete  manufacturers
which offer both planning and execution  systems and have a strategy of focusing
on time.
    

                                      -22-


   
         Commitment to Manufacturing Execution Systems. We believe that discrete
manufacturers  can  gain  significant   competitive  advantage  by  implementing
Manufacturing Execution Systems.

         We offered our first Manufacturing Execution System package in 1988 and
believe that it is currently a leader in this software segment. Typical business
functions  included in a  Manufacturing  Execution  System are described  below.
Although  the  people  in  an   organization   which  use  this  software  on  a
minute-to-minute and hour-to-hour basis are the factory operations personnel, we
believe that the value  manufacturers  realize from implementing a Manufacturing
Execution  System  extends  far beyond  this  realm.  We  believe,  based on the
experience  of  our  customers,   that  the  major  benefit  of  implementing  a
Manufacturing  Execution  System  within an  organization  is improved  customer
service and  competitiveness.  These  systems  allow an  organization  to reduce
non-value added elapsed time in the overall business process. We currently offer
two Manufacturing  Execution System products, one which is pre-integrated with a
total  software  offering for the entire  enterprise  (TCM(R)) and the second is
FACTORYnet(R)  I/S in which our personnel  use  Manufacturing  Execution  System
software to "round out" and  complete  partial  manufacturing  execution  system
initiatives already undertaken by the customer.

         Our  management  believes  Manufacturing   Execution  Systems  software
provide  a  significant  market  opportunity  for us and,  correspondingly,  has
strategically  committed  us to enhancing  our  Manufacturing  Execution  System
software offerings and marketplace presence.

         Emphasis on  Pre-Integrated  Software for Discrete  Manufacturing.  Our
experience in the  marketplace  resulted in the 1995  introduction  of the first
"pre-integrated"  Manufacturing  Execution System software offering for discrete
manufacturers.  Software  pre-integration  means  that  a  customer  can  buy  a
comprehensive  set of software  which has already been  integrated and proven to
function. We believe that  "pre-integration" of much of our software reduces the
time and cost of system  implementations and increases the business value to the
manufacturer  similar to the way that "suites" of desktop software have affected
that marketplace.
    

      Software Products

   
         We develop, market and support TCM(R) application software for discrete
manufacturing  companies.  We offer licenses for several software products:  (a)
TCM(R),  which is a full function business and ERP software system,  including a
pre-integrated  Manufacturing  Execution System providing production management,
shop floor scheduling and operations support and (b) FACTORYnet(R) I/S, which is
a Manufacturing Execution System that provides production personnel with correct
revisions of drawings, specifications, procedures, and instructions to help them
make a better  product and make it right the first time. In addition,  we market
Baan  software,  which  includes  an ERP  software  system and is  designed  for
mid-sized to upper mid-sized manufacturing companies.
    

         Our products are designed for discrete  manufacturers,  including  both
stand-alone manufacturing plants and autonomous divisions of large corporations.
"Discrete"  manufacturers  assemble or fabricate parts into finished products as
distinguished  from "process"  manufacturers  which mix,  separate and otherwise
combine  or  control  ingredients  to  create  finished  products.  Our focus on
discrete   manufacturers   includes  the  market   segments  of  repetitive  and
electronics  manufacturers  which some  people  identify  as  additional  market
segments.

      Time Critical Manufacturing Software Products

   
         Our software provides  assistance for a broad range of tasks identified
in the six  categories  set forth below.  TCM(R) and  FACTORYnet(R)  I/S provide
different  capabilities  within the Manufacturing  Execution System and Decision
Support Tools  categories  described below. We anticipate that over time the two
Manufacturing  Execution  System  product  offerings  will  evolve into a single
product which is more comprehensive than either of them separately.
    


                                      -23-

   


                                                                                        
I.        PLANNING
          Master Production Scheduling            Manufacturing Resource Planning II          Capacity Planning

II.       PRODUCT DATA MANAMENT
          Product Configurator                    Engineering Change Control                  Standard Bills of Material
          Standard Routings                       Computer Aided Manufacturing ("CAM")        Document Library
          Item Master                             Computer Aided Design ("CAD")               Standard Cost Build Up

III.      SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
          Customer Service                        Inventory Control                           Procurement
          Estimate/Quote                          Inventory Management                        Requisitions
          Customer Maintenance                    Distribution Management                     Vendor Maintenance
          Customer Order Processing                                                           Purchase Orders
          Shipping                                                                            Vendor Performance
          Liability & Warranty                                                                EDI
          Electronic Data Interchange ("EDI")

IV.       MANUFACTURING EXECUTION SYSTEM
          Shop Floor Management                   Job Cost
          Bar Code Factory Data Collection        Time & Attendance
          Plant & Equipment Maintenance           Shop Floor Scheduling
          "As Built History"                      Quality Management*
          Electronic Traveler                     Machine Interface
          Messaging & Alarms                      EMS Gateway
          Electronic Work Instructions
          Distributed Numerical Control ("DNC")

V.        FINANCE, ACCOUNTING, AND ADMINISTRATION
          Accounts Receivable                     General Ledger                              Fixed Assets*
          Accounts Payable                        Human Resources*
          Standard Cost                           Payroll*

VI.       DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS
          Executive Information System            Document Library
          Report Writer                           E-Mail
          Database                                Internet
          Notification Services                   ODBC Access

VII.      BAAN SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
          Capacity Requirements Planning          Project Network Planning
          Engineering Change Control              Repetitive Manufacturing
          Engineering Data Management
          Master Production Scheduling
          Material Requirements Planning
          Product Classification
          Product Configuration
          Production Control
          Production Planning
          Project Budgeting
          Project Control

    *These Products Are Provided Based On Third Party Sublicensing Alliances.

    
                                      -24-


I.       Planning.

         The planning modules provide master  production  scheduling  capability
integrated with rough cut capacity planning to assist  production  organizations
in planning  materials  requirements and  manufacturing  resource levels for the
manufacturing facility.

II.      Product Data Management ("PDM").

   
         PDM modules  allow for product  definition  and control of  engineering
changes and relationships  among component parts. These modules include software
which interfaces with industry popular CAD systems and CAM software.
    

III.     Supply Chain Management.

   
         The customer  service  modules  provide control over the customer order
cycle, including quotations,  order entry,  acknowledgment printing, pick ticket
printing, shipping and invoicing. These modules allow for flexible pricing table
and  multiple  order  types,  including  telephone  orders,  blanket  orders and
releases, over-the-counter orders and credit memos. We believe that our software
for  EDI,  which  facilitates   electronic  order  entry  and  advance  shipping
notification,  is particularly useful in meeting the needs of the automotive and
retail supply industries.

         The inventory  management modules provide  engineering data control and
offer inventory  record  keeping,  availability  projections  and  replenishment
planning.   These  modules   provide  bin,  lot  and  serial   number   control,
multi-location support, cycle counting and physical inventory control.

         The  procurement  modules  provide  control  of the  purchasing  cycle,
including authorized vendor price quotations, purchase order entry and printing,
receipts entry and vendor performance analysis. These modules coordinate blanket
orders  and  releases,  one-time  purchase  orders,  orders  for  non-productive
materials and electronic mail notification upon receipt.
    

IV.      Manufacturing Execution System.

   
         The TCM(R) and  FACTORYnet(R)  I/S software  products offer  integrated
Manufacturing  Execution Systems which (i) provide production  management,  shop
floor  scheduling,  distribution  of  "electronic  drawings"  as well as textual
information on factory floor  computer  workstations,  (ii) collect  information
from bar  coding  systems  and  (iii)  facilitate  the  establishment  of direct
connections for virtually any machine tool and/or CAD systems. The products also
include quality systems  integration for statistical  process control  analysis.
These  Manufacturing  Execution Systems may operate as stand-alone systems or be
integrated  into existing  customer  systems,  and are  pre-integrated  with the
remainder of our software.
    

V.       Finance, Accounting and Administration.

         These modules  provide general  accounting and financial  assistance in
tracking  and  estimating   planned  and  actual   work-in-process   costs.  Any
information from the finance and accounting  database may be readily pulled into
personal computer spreadsheet systems for further analysis and reporting.  These
modules  also  interface  with third party human  resource,  fixed  assets,  and
payroll software products sold by us.

VI.      Decision Support Tools.

         These software  modules are a combination  of internally  developed and
third party  software sold by us which  facilitate  data  management,  analysis,
customization,  communication,  etc.,  with and between our  software  and other
software in the customer's computing environment.

   
VII.     Baan Software Products


                                      -25-


         In 1998, we became a value-added  authorized reseller of Baan software.
We look to Baan, a leader in dynamic enterprise modeling software, to expand our
ability to deliver business value to our customers.  Not only does Baan software
offer  outstanding  features,  all the Baan applications are fully integrated to
provide  consistency and visibility for all activities across entire operations.
All  Baan  software   applications   can  be  configured  to  reflect   business
relationships  between  multiple  sites.  Further  comprehensive   international
capabilities make it easy for companies to integrate Baan software  applications
across international borders.
    
         Our software modules may be licensed  individually or in combination to
allow companies with differing  business needs and schedules to have flexibility
in the implementation of a software system.  Customers generally license between
$30,000 and  $1,000,000  of software per plant,  with the total license fees per
plant based on the modules licensed and a per seat license fee.

      Software Technology

   
         We invest in a wide range of software  technologies which are important
not  only  for our  end  user  customer  but  also  for  our  internal  software
development and  distribution.  In appropriate  circumstances,  we have licensed
software  developed by others and integrated  various  features of that software
into our own software products.  For example,  our software products incorporate
imaging  technology,  which enables the user to store and interactively  display
images such as photographs of steps in a particular production process, diagrams
of manufacturing  sub-assemblies  or motion video depicting the proper operation
of a machine. This imaging capability  facilitates  manufacturing and production
set-up and also assists users in satisfying ISO 9000  certification  criteria (a
set of international quality standards). Our products also include EDI.

         The  Baan  product   line   provides   mid-sized  to  upper   mid-sized
manufacturing   companies  with  technology  that  utilizes  Baan's  proprietary
toolset, which has been recognized as leading technology for large and mid-sized
manufacturing companies.

         For internal  software  development,  we employ software language tools
that we believe are instrumental in achieving software productivity improvements
and allow end users  flexibility to customize  their software  systems.  We have
also  developed  proprietary  software which  facilitates  the conversion of our
software  products  into various  foreign  languages,  including  complex  Asian
languages.  We believe that this  technology  is useful not only in  penetrating
foreign software markets, but also in assisting customers which use our software
products on a multi-national basis.
    

      Customer Services

   
         We offer comprehensive services for our customers. Services provided by
us include a telephone  support  program,  system  integration,  custom software
development,   implementation  consulting,  and  formal  classroom  and  on-site
training. At the customer's option, these services,  which are available for all
of our software  products,  can be provided entirely by us or may be supplied in
part by the  customer  or another  third party such as a systems  integrator  or
consulting firm. These services, which provide a recurring stream of revenue for
us, are  offered  on an  unbundled  basis for  either an annual or a  multi-year
subscription period. All of the services offered by us are optional, except that
we require  first-time  licensees of our software to subscribe  for at least two
years of  telephone  support.  We believe  that the  availability  of  effective
customer services is critical for customer satisfaction and to increase software
license fee revenues.  We further believe that services can provide a continuing
and more  predictable  source of revenue as  compared  to  software  license fee
revenues.  For the years ended  November  30,  1998,  1997,  and 1996,  services
revenues  accounted  for  43.0%,  39.4% and  37.4% of our  total  net  revenues,
respectively.

         The following is a brief  description of the various customer  services
we provide:
    

         Telephone   Support  Program.   Our  telephone  support  program  is  a
comprehensive,  fee-based  program designed to help customers obtain the maximum
benefit from our business management software.  The telephone support program is
handled out of our Minnesota,  Illinois, and Wisconsin offices and is staffed by

                                      -26-


thirty  trained  professionals.  The program  includes,  among  other  services,
answering technical  questions  regarding standard software,  and diagnosing and
resolving equipment and software problems.

         System  Integration  and Custom Software  Development.  We offer system
integration and custom software  development  services,  on a fee basis, to meet
specific  customer  requirements and to integrate our software with a customer's
existing  computer  system.  We have  developed a Time  Critical  Implementation
Methodology ("TCIM"), which is a proprietary implementation methodology intended
to  facilitate  integration  and  efficient  implementation  of our  products at
customer  sites.  This  approach  is  designed  to allow the  customer to obtain
business  benefits  sooner  than with  less  structured  methodologies.  Ongoing
technical  support  is also  available  from us to all  customers  who  elect to
purchase custom software development services.

   
         Implementation  Consulting.  We provide consulting  services,  on a fee
basis, to assist  customers in implementing  our TCM(R) or Baan software systems
using the TCIM  approach.  These  services  include  value-added  implementation
planning,  project  management and specialized  customer  training.  We employ a
full-time professional services staff to provide these and other services.
    

         Training.  We offer  customers a series of both  classroom  and on-site
training  options.  Training  includes  classroom and personal  instruction at a
number of our locations or at the customer's plant site.  Standardized  training
is offered for a fixed fee per class.

      Hardware Products

         We sell  computer  hardware and data  collection  equipment in order to
facilitate  sales of our  software  products to  customers  requiring a complete
management  information  system.  We sell,  among other  hardware,  factory data
collection equipment, CAMates(R) (a small specialized computer allowing users to
monitor  and  collect  data  from  production  machines),  bar  coding  systems,
networking  and  communication  equipment,  and  occasionally  server and client
computer  hardware.  The  factory  data  collection  and bar coding  hardware is
purchased from the original  manufacturers  and resold on a project basis.  This
equipment  ranges from fixed mount bar code  scanners  and  printers to portable
units and radio frequency network units. We also offer our customers  networking
and  communication  hardware and server and client  computing  hardware which we
purchase from original manufacturers,  including Intermec Corporation,  plus two
distributors,  Keylink  SystemsSM and Ingram Micro, Inc. During the past several
years, we have focused our efforts on generating an increasing percentage of our
net  revenues  from  software  license  fees,  which have a higher  margin  than
hardware revenues.

      Markets and Customers

   
         We   target   companies   operating   discrete   manufacturing   plants
predominantly  in the Eastern  half of the United  States.  These  plants may be
owned  by  privately   held  companies  or  by  large,   multi-national   public
corporations.   Our  customers   include,   among  others,   capital   equipment
manufacturers,  job shops,  high  volume  manufacturers,  automotive  suppliers,
consumer product manufacturers,  and aerospace equipment  manufacturers.  During
each of the past three fiscal years, no one customer has accounted for more than
10% of our total net revenues.
    

      Sales and Marketing

         In the United  States and  Canada,  we license our  products  and offer
services  through  a direct  branch  office  sales  force,  joint  ventures  and
independent distributors as reflected in the table below:
   
  Branch Office            Independent Distributor        Joint Venture Location
   Locations                 Territories 
  Austin, TX                Miller Place, NY
  Boston, MA                Menomonee, MI
  Chicago, IL               Pittsburgh, PA
  Cincinnati, OH            Wausau, WI

                                      -27-


  Detroit, MI               West Des Moines, IA
  Houston, TX               Brainerd, MN
  Los Angeles, CA
  Milwaukee, WI
  Minneapolis, MN
  Norwalk, CN
  Port St. Lucie, FL
  Rockford, IL
    
         We own 50% of the joint venture operating in Cleveland. We obtained our
interest in this joint venture primarily in exchange for technical knowledge and
management  expertise.  We have no  obligation  to fund any  losses  that may be
incurred by the joint venture.

         Our direct sales  personnel are compensated on a salary plus commission
basis.  Our joint  venture  and  independent  distributor  agreements  generally
provide that sales will be made by authorized  resellers  from offices  within a
designated  territory.  The  agreements  obligate us to license the  reseller at
specified  prices  and to  provide  training  to each  reseller.  Resellers  are
normally  obligated to sell a specified  minimum  amount of our software to keep
the agreements in effect.  We also maintain a staff of systems  consultants  who
offer pre- and post-sales support to the sales and distribution network.

   
         We market our products through advertising  campaigns in national trade
periodicals  and through  direct  mailings.  These efforts are  supplemented  by
listings in relevant directories and trade show and conference  appearances.  We
are also given leads regarding  potential customers by our hardware and services
vendors, existing customers and various accounting and consulting firms.
    

         Sales cycles for our products vary substantially based on the degree of
integration,  consulting  and  training  required  and also on the status of the
customer's  hardware  system  implementation.  A sales cycle is usually three to
twelve months from the time an initial sales presentation is made until the time
a signed license agreement is entered into with a customer.

      Strategic Arrangements

   
         A facet of our strategy is to establish  arrangements with suppliers of
state of the art  information  systems  technology.  Over the last five years we
have worked to expand the number of our strategic relationships.

         We have distributor  relationships with Keylink SystemsSM, a subsidiary
of Pioneer Standard  Electronics,  Inc. Company,  and Ingram Micro,  Inc., which
supply  computers,  associated  peripherals  and third party  software.  We have
arrangements  with  Intermec  Corporation  relating to bar code data  collection
systems  which are  integrated  on an  "off-the-shelf"  basis into our  software
products.  Our software has been  integrated  with other bar coding systems on a
customized  basis.  We also have a  relationship  with the Datamyte  Division of
Rockwell Automation for its Quantum quality control software product line.

         In addition to our  relationships  with  equipment  providers,  we have
relationships with numerous software product suppliers.  These companies provide
software  which we use within TCM(R) and  FACTORYnet(R)  I/S software.  Synergex
International  Corporation  has  provided us with the  Synergy 4GL  Applications
Development  Environment  since 1990.  We purchase EDI software from Supply Tech
and Radley Corporation.

         We have a  relationship  with Baan of the  Netherlands  by which we are
licensed to resell their software  throughout  the United  States.  We focus our
efforts on Baan sales in nineteen  states  within the Eastern half of the United
States. These states represent over 50% of the mid-sized discrete  manufacturing
companies in the United States.  We are the first mid-sized ERP software company
to establish such a relationship with respect to a Tier 1 manufacturing software
product.

                                      -28-



         Our  relationship  with the  equipment and software  product  suppliers
described above is basically that of a reseller of such suppliers' products.  As
such, we are entitled to volume  discounts on products which we purchase and are
generally entitled to the benefits of cooperative marketing programs.
    
      Product Development

   
         We believe  we must  continue  to  enhance  and  broaden  our  software
products to meet the constantly evolving needs of discrete  manufacturers within
our target market.  We rely on internal  development and development  related to
customized  projects  implemented at field sites to extend,  enhance and support
our software products, and develop and integrate new capabilities.

         In general,  we have  historically  made one new product  release  each
year.  These formal releases are  supplemented by periodic  releases for our EDI
software to respond to ongoing changes in trading partner requirements.

         During the fiscal years ended  November 30, 1996,  1997,  and 1998, our
total  software  investment  (consisting  of product  development  expenses  and
capitalized software development costs) was $5.6 million,  $6.9 million and $6.2
million, respectively.  Product development expenditures which were expensed and
not  capitalized  during  those three fiscal years  totaled $2.2  million,  $2.4
million and $2.8 million, respectively.

         Software   development   efforts  currently  in  progress  include  the
development  of  product  enhancements  such as  additional  object  orientation
features  within our  products,  enhanced  client-server  network  operations on
various operating systems,  extended  operation on various  relational  database
products,  and  enhanced  functional  capability.  There  can  be no  assurance,
however, that these development efforts will result in product enhancements that
we will be able to  market  successfully.  Certain  of  these  enhancements  are
dependent  upon the  development  efforts of third party  suppliers over whom we
have no  control.  In the  event the  development  efforts  of the  third  party
suppliers are delayed or are unsuccessful,  our software  developments  would be
similarly delayed. Software development is, however, an evolutionary process and
our  management  believes  we could  eventually  find  other  suppliers  or,  if
unsuccessful  in our search,  that we could  successfully  re-engineer  existing
products to fulfill our requirements.
    

      Competition

         The  manufacturing  software  industry  is  intensely  competitive  and
rapidly changing.  A number of companies offer products similar to our products.
Some of our existing competitors,  as well as a number of potential competitors,
have larger  technical  staffs,  more established and larger marketing and sales
organizations and significantly greater financial resources than us.

   
         We believe that our employees'  understanding of diverse  manufacturing
operations  and  processes  and the  potential  business  benefits of the TCM(R)
management approach to such operations allow us to differentiate  ourselves from
competitors.  Other  competitive  factors include  software product features and
functions,  product  architecture,  the  ability  to  function  on a variety  of
operating systems, technical support and other related services, ease of product
integration with third party application  software,  price, and performance.  In
December 1997,  Gartner Group  identified  twenty-four  competitors in the North
American mid-market ERP area for discrete manufacturers. Additionally, that firm
identified eight competitors in the Manufacturing Execution Systems market as of
June 1997.  Although Gartner Group identified a limited number of competitors in
its  Manufacturing  Execution Systems study, we generally do not encounter these
competitors in the marketplace.  We believe that our primary competition for our
Manufacturing   Execution  System  products  are  customized  software  products
developed by internal  data  processing  staffs or by third party  offerings for
both ERP and Manufacturing Execution System discrete manufacturers.
    



                                      -29-


      Intellectual Property

   
         We have  registered or have applied for  registration  of our "EMS" and
"TCM(R)"  trademarks  for software  services and products with the United States
Patent and  Trademark  Office and with the  equivalent  offices of most  foreign
countries in which we currently do business. Among others, we have also received
or applied for  trademarks for products  marketed under the names  FACTORYnet(R)
I/S and CAMate(R).
    

         We regard our  software  products as  proprietary  in that title to and
ownership of our software reside  exclusively with us. We attempt to protect our
rights with a combination of trademark,  copyright and employee and  third-party
nondisclosure  agreements.  Despite  these  precautions,  it may be possible for
unauthorized  parties  to  copy or  reverse-engineer  portions  of our  software
products.  While our competitive position could conceivably be threatened by our
inability to protect our proprietary information,  we believe that copyright and
trademark  protection  are less important to our success than other factors such
as the knowledge,  ability and experience of our personnel, name recognition and
ongoing product development and support.

Employees

   
         As of March 31, 1999, we had 295 full-time  employees,  of whom 72 were
engaged  in sales and  marketing;  73 in  product  development;  83 in  customer
service; and 67 in management, finance and administration. Our employees are not
represented  by  any  collective  bargaining  organization  and  we  have  never
experienced a work stoppage. We consider our employee relations to be good.
    

      Properties

   
         Our corporate  headquarters are located in Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  in a
leased  office  consisting  of  approximately  42,000  square feet under a lease
expiring  November 30, 2003.  We lease  additional  facilities  domestically  in
Austin, Texas; Boston,  Massachusetts;  Chicago,  Illinois;  Detroit,  Michigan;
Houston,  Texas;  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  Port St. Lucie,  Florida;  Rockford,
Illinois and Los Angeles,  California.  We lease office space internationally in
Hong  Kong,  and  China.  See  Note 8 of the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements for information regarding our total lease obligations.
    

      Legal Proceedings

   
         As of the date of this filing,  neither we nor any of our  subsidiaries
is a party to any legal  proceedings,  the  adverse  outcome  of  which,  in our
management's opinion,  would have a material effect on our results of operations
or  financial  position.  In  December  1998,  a judgment  was issued in a legal
proceeding that resulted in us being ordered to pay $212,000.
    


                                      -30-


                                   MANAGEMENT

      Directors and Executive Officers

   
         The  following  table sets  forth the name,  age and  position  of each
person who, as of March 10, 1999, is a director  nominee for director  and/or an
executive officer of the Company:


  Name                        Age                 Position
Helmut M. Adam                 48       Director

Michael D. Dunham              53       President and Chief Executive Officer;
                                         Director
Thomas M. Dykstra              57       Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer;
                                         Director
Jeffry J. Fossum               45       Chief Financial Officer and Assistant 
                                         Treasurer
Richard W. Grelck              56       Chief Operating Officer

Scott J. Mermel                51       Director

Elliot Wassarman               59       Director

Wayne T. Wedell                40       Vice President - Services

Robert E. Weisenberg           49       Director
    
   
         Helmut M. Adam,  48, has served as  President of Olympus Flag & Banner,
Inc., a manufacturer of banners,  flags and display products,  since 1992. Prior
thereto,  Mr. Adam was President of Ransomes Inc., a manufacturer  of commercial
grass mowing equipment. Mr. Adam is a Certified Public Accountant.  Mr. Adam has
both B.B.A.  and M.B.A.  degrees from the  University  of Wisconsin  and an M.S.
degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

         Director since: 1987

         Michael D. Dunham, 53, our co-founder,  has served as our President and
Chief  Executive  Officer  since our  inception in 1978.  Mr. Dunham has over 20
years of  experience  in  management,  sales,  consulting,  software  design and
development in the manufacturing and distribution software industry.  Mr. Dunham
has a B.S. degree in electrical  engineering from the University of Denver and a
Masters of Management  Science degree from the Stevens  Institute of Technology.
Mr. Dunham is a Fellow of the American Production and Inventory Control Society.

         Director since: 1978

         Thomas M. Dykstra, 57, our co-founder, has served as our Vice President
and as Secretary  and  Treasurer  since our  incorporation  in 1978.  During his
tenure,  Mr. Dykstra has managed several different  functions  including product
development,   marketing,  affiliate  sales,  finance,  and  administration  and
support. Mr. Dykstra has a degree in mathematics from Hope College and an M.B.A.
degree from the  University of Chicago.  Mr. Dykstra is a Fellow of the American
Production and Inventory Control Society.

         Director since: 1978

         Jeffrey J. Fossum,  45, has served as our Chief Financial Officer since
1987 and as Assistant  Treasurer  since  December  1993.  From 1983 to 1987, Mr.
Fossum  was the  Controller  of  Berg  Company,  a
    


                                      -31-


manufacturer of restaurant  equipment.  Mr. Fossum received his B.A. degree from
the  University  of  Wisconsin-Eau  Claire.  Mr.  Fossum is a  Certified  Public
Accountant.

   
         Richard W. Grelck,  56, has served as our Chief Operating Officer since
April 1998. From June 1997 to April 1998, Mr. Grelck served as Vice President of
Technology  Development  and from  February  1995 to June 1997 he served as Vice
President of Manufacturing  Technology.  Also from February 1995 to June 1997 he
served as Vice President and General  Manager of a wholly-owned  subsidiary that
sells and  services our  software  products in Illinois  and  Indiana.  Prior to
February 1995 that subsidiary,  EMS of Illinois, Inc., was a 50% EMS owned joint
venture in which Mr.  Grelck held the position of Chief  Executive  Officer from
its  founding  in 1983 to 1995.  Mr.  Grelck  has a B.S.  degree  in  Electrical
Engineering from Northwestern University.

         Scott J.  Mermel,  51, is a private  investor.  From April 1997 to July
1998,  Mr.  Mermel  served as Vice  President,  Marketing  of  Metrix,  Inc.,  a
developer and marketer of customer  service and product support  software.  From
1980 to April  1997,  Mr.  Mermel  was a floor  trading  member  of the  Chicago
Mercantile  Exchange.  Prior to that, he held several managerial  positions with
Xerox  Computer  Services,  a developer  and  marketer  of software  systems for
manufacturing  companies.  Mr.  Mermel has a B.S.  degree and an M.S.  degree in
Industrial Management from MIT.

         Director since: 1987

         Elliot  Wassarman,  59,  is  an  independent  consultant  to  the  high
technology  market. In 1998, Mr. Wassarman served as President,  Chief Executive
Officer, and a Director of Mitek Systems,  Inc., a developer of neural networked
intelligent-character-recognition  and advanced forms processing software.  From
1996 to 1997, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of
Electric Classifieds, Inc. (k/n/a InstantObjects,  Inc.), an internet e-commerce
products  and  services  startup.  During  1996,  Mr.  Wassarman  also served as
President,  Chief Operating Officer,  and a Director of Teralinx  Communications
Corp.  From 1990 to 1996, Mr.  Wassarman  served as President,  Chief  Executive
Officer,  and a  Director  of Promis  Systems  Corp.,  a software  company.  Mr.
Wassarman has a B.A. degree from Suffolk University.

         Director since: 1999

         Wayne T.  Wedell,  40,  joined  us in 1981 and has  held  positions  of
Account Manager,  Senior Account Manager,  Group Manager as well as Professional
Services  Manager,  and was  promoted to Vice  President-Services  in 1992.  Mr.
Wedell holds a B.A.  degree in business  administration  from the  University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

         Robert  E.  Weisenberg,   49,  is  President  of  Northwoods   Software
Development,  Inc., a software  development firm. From December 1989 to December
1997, Mr.  Weisenberg  was our Vice President - Operations and General  Manager.
Mr.  Weisenberg also served as our Assistant  Secretary from December 1993 until
December 1997. Mr. Weisenberg has a B.A. degree from Stanford  University and is
a Certified Public Accountant.

         Director since: 1993
    


                                      -32-


      Director Compensation

   
         Directors  who are  officers or  employees  of the  Company  receive no
compensation  as such for service as members of either the Board of Directors or
committees thereof.  In fiscal 1998, the non-employee  directors received a cash
retainer fee of $3,500.  In  addition,  non-employee  directors  are entitled to
receive  grants of options to  purchase  the common  stock  under the 1993 Stock
Option  Plan (the "1993  Plan").  Under the 1993 Plan,  each person who is first
elected as a non-employee director  automatically receives on the date of his or
her election an option to purchase 2,030 shares of the common stock.  On the day
following the annual meeting of  shareholders  in each year,  each  non-employee
director is also  entitled to receive an option to purchase  1,500 shares of the
common  stock for  serving on the Board of  Directors  and an option to purchase
1,000 shares of the common stock for each Board of Directors  committee on which
the director serves.  Options granted to non-employee directors have a per share
exercise  price of 100% of the fair market  value of a share of the common stock
on the date of grant.  Non-employee director options under the 1993 Plan vest as
to 10% of the shares subject thereto on the first anniversary of the grant date,
an additional 20% on the second anniversary of the grant date, an additional 30%
on the third  anniversary  of the grant  date,  and the final 40% on the  fourth
anniversary of the grant date,  except that if the non-employee  director ceases
to be a  director  by reason of death,  disability  or  retirement  during  such
period,  or in the  event  of a  change  in  control,  the  option  will  become
immediately  exercisable in full. Options granted to non-employee directors will
terminate  on the  earlier  of (a) ten years  after  the date of grant,  (b) six
months  after the  non-employee  director  ceases to be a director  by reason of
death,  or (c) three  months  after  the  non-employee  director  ceases to be a
director  for any  reason  other than  death.  Under the terms of the 1993 Plan,
Messrs. Adam and Mermel each received in fiscal 1998 an option to purchase 3,500
shares of, and Mr.  Weisenberg  received an option to purchase  1,500 shares of,
the common  stock at a per share  exercise  price of  $3-7/16.  No options  were
exercised by the non-employee directors during fiscal 1998.

         Mr.  Wassarman,  when he was first elected as a  non-employee  director
effective February 1, 1999,  received under the terms of the 1993 Plan an option
to purchase  2,030 shares of the common stock at a per share  exercise  price of
$1-7/16.  In addition,  on February 1, 1999,  (i) Mr.  Wassarman  was granted an
option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock and (ii) Messrs.  Adam,  Mermel
and  Weisenberg  were each  granted an option to purchase  10,000  shares of the
common stock. All of these options were granted outside of the 1993 Plan and are
exercisable at a price of $1-7/16 and have a ten-year  term.  These options vest
and become  exercisable  (i) as to 30% of the shares of the common stock subject
thereto  immediately,  (ii) as to an additional  30% of the shares of the common
stock  subject  thereto  after one year has  elapsed  from the date of grant and
(iii) as to the remaining 40% of the shares of the common stock subject  thereto
after two years has elapsed from the date of grant.
    

      Board of Directors Committees

   
         The Board of Directors has standing Audit and Compensation  Committees.
The Audit  Committee is responsible  for  recommending to the Board of Directors
the appointment of independent auditors, approving the scope of the annual audit
activities of the auditors,  approving the audit fee payable to the auditors and
reviewing  audit  results.  Messrs.  Adam,  Dunham and Mermel are members of the
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held one meeting in fiscal 1998.

         The  Compensation  Committee (a) reviews and recommends to the Board of
Directors  the  compensation  structure  for our  directors,  officers and other
managerial  personnel,  including  salary rates,  participation in any incentive
bonus  plans,  fringe  benefits,   non-cash   perquisites  and  other  forms  of
compensation,  and (b)  administers  the 1993 Plan and the 1998  Employee  Stock
Purchase  Plan.  Messrs.  Adam  and  Mermel  are  members  of  the  Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee held five meetings in fiscal 1998.

         The Board of Directors has no standing nominating committee.  The Board
of Directors  selects the director  nominees to stand for election at our annual
meeting  of  shareholders  and to  fill  vacancies  occurring  on the  Board  of
Directors.  The  Board  of  Directors  will  consider  nominees  recommended  by
shareholders,  but has no established  procedures which shareholders must follow
to make a recommendation. Our Bylaws also provide for shareholder nominations of
candidates for election as directors.  These provisions require such nominations
to be made  pursuant to timely notice (as specified in the Bylaws) in writing to
our Secretary.  The
    


                                      -33-


   
shareholder's  notice of  nomination  must contain  information  relating to the
nominee  which is  required  to be  disclosed  by our Bylaws and the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.

         The Board of Directors held ten meetings in fiscal 1998. Other than Mr.
Adam, who missed one meeting of the Board of Directors,  each director  attended
(a) all of the  meetings of the Board of  Directors  and (b) all of the meetings
held by all  committees of the Board of Directors on which such director  served
during the year.
    

      Executive Compensation

   
         The  following   table  sets  forth  certain   information   concerning
compensation  paid for the last three  fiscal  years to (i) our Chief  Executive
Officer and (ii) each of our four most highly compensated executive officers who
earned  cash  compensation  in excess of  $100,000  for the  fiscal  year  ended
November  30, 1998.  The persons  named in the table are  sometimes  referred to
herein as the "Named Executive Officers."
    

   


                                                 Summary Compensation Table
                                                                                   Long Term
                                                                                  Compensation
                                                                                 --------------
                                                                                     Awards
                                                                                 --------------
                                                                                   Securities
                                                                                   Underlying
                                                                                     Stock
      Name and Principal                          Annual Compensation(1)          Options (#)              All Other Compensation(2)
           Position                 Year         Salary ($)      Bonus ($)

                                                                                               
Michael D. Dunham                   1998              $185,819        $---               ---                  $---
President and Chief Executive       1997               185,586         ---               ---                   ---
Officer                             1996               175,148         ---               ---                   ---

Thomas M. Dykstra                   1998               176,439         ---               ---                   ---
Vice President, Secretary and       1997               176,308         ---               ---                   ---
Treasurer                           1996               164,739         ---               ---                   ---

Richard W. Grelck                   1998               171,087         ---            43,000                   ---
Chief Operating Officer             1997               122,191     125,000               ---                   ---
                                    1996               122,929      58,000               ---                   ---

Wayne T. Wedell                     1998               107,550      27,225             5,000                 3,273
Vice President Corporate            1997                71,520      35,500             4,500                   ---
Services                            1996                67,008       6,120            10,000                   ---

Jeffrey J. Fossum                   1998               104,544       5,000               ---                 3,160
Chief Financial Officer and         1997                95,460       5,000               ---                   ---
Assistant Treasurer                 1996                90,832         ---            10,000                   ---
- ----------
(1)  Certain personal  benefits provided by us and our subsidiaries to the Named
     Executive  Officers are not included in the table. Such benefits  consisted
     of  Company-provided  automobiles  and  reimbursement  of  certain  medical
     expenses.  The aggregate  amount of such benefits for each Named  Executive
     Officer in each year  reflected  in the table did not exceed 10% of the sum
     of such officer's salary and bonus in each respective year.

(2)  Consists of matching contributions made by the Company under its 401(k)
     plan.

    

                                      -34-



      Stock Options

   
         We have in effect the 1993 Plan  pursuant to which  options to purchase
common stock may be granted to our employees  (including executive officers) and
employees of our subsidiaries.  The following table presents certain information
as to grants of stock  options  made during  fiscal 1998 to the Named  Executive
Officers.  Messrs.  Dunham,  Dykstra and Fossum were not granted  options in the
1998 fiscal year.
    
   


                                              Option Grants in 1998 Fiscal Year

                                                                                                      
                                                                                                      
                                                                                                         Potential     
                                                                                                      Realizable Value 
                                                                                                             at        
                                                                                                       Assumed Annual  
                                                                                                       Rates of Stock  
                                                                                                           Price       
                                          Individual Grants                                           Appreciation for 
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    Option Term (2)  
                                                                                                      -----------------
                                    Number of      Percentage of                                                       
                                   Securities      Total Options                                      At 5%     At 10%
                                   Underlying        Granted to       Exercise or                     Annual    Annual
                                    Options         Employees in      Base Price       Expiration     Growth    Growth
             Name                  Granted (1)      Fiscal Year        ($/share)          Date         Rate      Rate
             ----                  -----------      -------------      ----------         -------    ---------  -----

                                                                                                  
Richard W. Grelck...........           43,000           11%             $1.4375         10/13/08      $38,872   $98,513
Wayne T. Wedell.............            5,000            1.3%           $1.4375         10/13/08      $ 4,520   $11,455
- --------------------

(1)  The options  reflected  in the table (which are  non-qualified  options for
     purposes of the Internal Revenue Code) were granted under the 1993 Plan and
     vest and become  exercisable  (i) as to 30% of the  shares of common  stock
     subject thereto immediately,  (ii) as to an additional 30% of the shares of
     common stock  subject  thereto  after one year has elapsed from the date of
     grant  and (iii) as to the  remaining  40% of the  shares  of common  stock
     subject thereto after two years has elapsed from the date of grant.

(2)  This  presentation  is intended  to disclose a potential  value which would
     accrue to the optionee if the option were exercised the day before it would
     expire and if the per share value had appreciated at the compounded  annual
     rate indicated in each column.  The assumed rates of appreciation of 5% and
     10%  are  prescribed  by the  rules  of the  SEC  regarding  disclosure  of
     executive  compensation.  The assumed annual rates of appreciation  are not
     intended to forecast possible future appreciation,  if any, with respect to
     the price of the common stock.


    
                                      -35-


   
         The following  table sets forth  information  regarding the exercise of
stock options by Named  Executive  Officers  during the 1998 fiscal year and the
fiscal year-end value of unexercised  options held by Named Executive  Officers.
Messrs. Dunham and Dykstra do not hold any stock options.
    
   


                                         Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and
                                                    Fiscal Year-End Option Values
                                                                    Number of Securities                                  
                                Shares           Value             Underlying Unexercised                 Value of Unexercised
                             Acquired on       Realized               Options at Fiscal                   In-the-Money Options
           Name              Exercise (#)       ($)(1)                  Year-End (#)                   at Fiscal Year-End ($)(1)
           ----              ------------       ------                  ------------                   -------------------------
                                                               Exercisable      Unexercisable       Exercisable       Unexercisable
                                                                                                         
Richard W. Grelck               ---             ---              202,704            30,100              ---                ---
Wayne T. Wedell                 3,500          $312.50            12,105            10,650              ---                ---
Jeffrey J. Fossum               ---             ---               12,265             4,000              ---                ---


- ---------------
(1)   The dollar values are calculated by determining the difference between the
      fair market value of the underlying common stock and the exercise price of
      the options at exercise or fiscal year-end, as the case may be.


    
      Employment Arrangements

   
         Each  of  Messrs.   Dunham,  Dykstra  and  Grelck  has  an  Employment,
Confidentiality,  Non-Competition  and Severance Agreement with us that provides
that while he remains employed with us, subject to either party  terminating the
agreement,  his base salary  shall not be reduced  (unless  there is a corporate
wide  reduction  applicable to all of our  executives)  and he shall continue to
perform his duties. Pursuant to the agreements,  each of Messrs. Dunham, Dykstra
and  Grelck  continues  to receive  benefits  equivalent  to those he  presently
receives and he remains eligible for bonuses and stock options, as determined by
the  Compensation  Committee.  Each of Messrs.  Dunham,  Dykstra and Grelck will
receive  severance  payments  if, in  connection  with a change of  control,  he
voluntarily  terminates because we materially change his duties as President and
Chief  Executive  Officer,  Vice  President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer or Chief
Operating  Officer,  respectively,  subject  to certain  restrictions,  or he is
terminated  without  cause.  Each of Messrs.  Dunham,  Dykstra  and Grelck  will
receive severance payments for up to twelve months if he voluntarily  terminates
or is terminated prior to a change in control. Each of Messrs.  Dunham,  Dykstra
and Grelck will  receive  severance  payments  for up to  eighteen  months if he
voluntarily terminates or is terminated following a change in control related to
the sale of our assets. Each of Messrs.  Dunham, Dykstra and Grelck will receive
severance  payments for up to fifteen months if he voluntarily  terminates or is
terminated  following  a change in control  related  to the sale of  outstanding
shares of our voting stock. Upon separation, the agreements limit the ability of
each of Messrs. Dunham, Dykstra and Grelck to solicit our employees. The ability
of each of Messrs.  Dunham,  Dykstra and Grelck to compete against us is limited
upon severance.  As a severance  payment,  each of Messrs.  Dunham,  Dykstra and
Grelck will receive his base salary, including continuation during the severance
period of health, dental, group life and disability insurance, and will have use
for six  months of a  Company-supplied  car,  use of an  executive  outplacement
service and certain  other  benefits.  In addition,  upon  severance  all of the
unvested options held by Messrs.  Dunham,  Dykstra and Grelck shall  immediately
vest.

         Mr.  Wedell has an Employment  and  Separation  Agreement  with us that
provides for his  employment  at the level of Vice  President or higher  through
December 31, 2006, subject to earlier termination by either party and subject to
future extension.  Among other benefits,  the agreement  provides for an initial
annual base salary of $90,000,  subject to upward  adjustment,  and annual bonus
opportunities.  In addition,  Mr. Wedell's  agreement provides for a termination
payment  of up to 75% of his  highest  annual  base  salary  in the event of his
termination by the Company,  termination following a change in control involving
us or upon his resignation following a change in control and a diminution in the
level of his  responsibilities  with us. Mr.  Wedell  would also be  entitled to
insurance  benefits and use of an automobile  for up to twelve months  following
such termination.



       Mr. Fossum has a Special  Compensation and Separation  Agreement with us.
Pursuant to this  agreement,  Mr.  Fossum,  assuming he remains an employee,  is
entitled  to  receive a  $25,000  bonus in the  event we enter  into a  business
combination  prior to July 1, 1999.  In addition,  if Mr.  Fossum is  terminated
within twenty-four months of such event, he will be entitled to receive his base
salary  and  insurance  benefits  for  up  to  twelve  months,  certain  tuition
reimbursement, the acceleration of unvested options and use for twelve months of
an automobile. For purposes of his agreement, Mr. Fossum will, in addition to an
actual  termination,   be  deemed  to  be  terminated  if  his  compensation  or
responsibilities  are  reduced  or if he is asked to  relocated  outside  of the
Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.
    

      Related Party Transactions

   
         Michael  D.  Dunham,  our  President,   Thomas  M.  Dykstra,  our  Vice
President,  Secretary and Treasurer, Robert E. Weisenberg, one of our directors,
and Donald W. Vahlsing,  who was one of our employees  until his  resignation on
March 1, 1999, own all of the  outstanding  common stock of EMS Solutions,  Inc.
("EMS  Solutions").  EMS  Solutions  develops  and sells  computer  software and
related  hardware  to the food  vending  and  food  distribution  industry.  EMS
Solutions  employs 18 people,  including a full-time  Vice President and General
Manager.  Although Messrs. Dunham and Dykstra are shareholders and directors and
Messrs.  Weisenberg and Vahlsing are shareholders of EMS Solutions, they are not
involved in the daily management of its operations.

         In September  1998, EMS Solutions paid in full debt  outstanding to us,
having a balance at the time of approximately  $312,000.  Prior to the repayment
of such debt, EMS Solutions paid interest thereon at a 
    


                                      -36-


   
rate equal to our cost of funds under our revolving line of credit.  We continue
to provide  administrative  services to EMS  Solutions.  Fees received for these
services  amounted to  approximately  $75,000 for the fiscal year ended November
30, 1998. We believe that the fees charged for these  services are comparable to
fees that would be charged to unaffiliated third parties.
    

                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

      Management

   
         The  following  table sets  forth  information,  as of March 10,  1999,
regarding beneficial ownership of the common stock by each director, each of the
persons named in the Summary  Compensation  Table,  and all of the directors and
executive  officers as a group.  Except as otherwise noted,  each of the persons
listed has sole voting and investment power over the shares beneficially owned.
    
   


                                                 Amount and Nature of                        Percent
      Name of Beneficial Owner(1)              Beneficial Ownership(2)                       of Class
      ------------------------                 --------------------                          --------
                                                                                         
Helmut M. Adam......................                    28,835                                  *
Michael D. Dunham...................                   640,300                                 15.5%
Thomas M. Dykstra...................                   575,000(3)                              14.0%
Jeffrey J. Fossum.................                      20,821                                  *
Richard W. Grelck...................                   229,204                                  5.3%
Scott J. Mermel.....................                    28,835                                  *
Elliot Wassarman....................                     6,000                                  *
Wayne T. Wedell.....................                    29,110                                  *
Robert E. Weisenberg................                   246,200                                  6.0%
All directors and executive                                                                      
  officers as a group                                                                           
  (9 persons).......................                 1,804,305(4)                              40.9%
- ----------

* Less than one percent (1%).
(1)   The address of each person  who holds in excess  of 5% of the common stock
      identified in this table is 12000 West Park Place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
      53224.
(2)   Includes the following  shares  subject to stock options or warrants which
      were  exercisable  as of or within  60 days of March 1,  1999:  Mr.  Adam,
      26,835; Mr. Dunham, 3,000 shares; Mr. Grelck,  202,704 shares; Mr. Mermel,
      26,835 shares; Mr. Wassarman, 6,000 shares; Mr. Weisenberg,  3,000 shares;
      and all directors and executive officers as a group, 292,744 shares. Other
      than Mr. Dunham who holds warrants,  all of the foregoing shares relate to
      outstanding options.
(3)   Consists  of (a)  165,000  shares  held  by  the  Dykstra  Family  Limited
      Partnership for which Mr. Dykstra acts as managing general partner and (b)
      410,000  shares  held by a family  trust for which Mr.  Dykstra  serves as
      trustee.
(4)   Assumes the  exercise of all  options  and  warrants  held by the group
      which were exercisable as of or within 60 days of March 1, 1999.

    

                                      -37-


      Other Beneficial Owners
   
         The following  table sets forth  information,  as of December 31, 1998,
regarding  beneficial  ownership  by the only other  persons  known to us to own
beneficially  more than 5% of the outstanding  common stock as of such date. The
beneficial  ownership  set forth below has been reported on filings made by such
beneficial owners on Schedule 13G with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                      Amount and Nature                                              
Name and Address                                   of Beneficial Ownership                                  
of Beneficial Owners                         Voting Power               Investment Power                    
- --------------------                         ------------               ----------------                      Percent 
                                        Sole          Shared         Sole        Shared       Aggregate      of Class 
                                        ----          ------         ----        ------       ---------      -------- 
                                                                                               
Heartland Advisors, Inc.(1)                                                                                           
790 North Milwaukee Street                                                                                           
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202             378,200          0          826,200          0          826,200         20.1%

Donald W. Vahlsing                                                                                                   
12000 West Park Place                                                                                                
Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53224            229,900          0          229,900          0          229,900         5.6%
- ---------------
(1)      The filing made by Heartland  Advisors,  Inc. indicates that the common
         stock  as to  which  it is  deemed  to be  beneficial  owner is held in
         various investment advisory accounts.


    

                                      -38-


                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

      General

   
         Our authorized  capital stock  consists of twenty million  (20,000,000)
shares of the common  stock and three  million  (3,000,000)  shares of preferred
stock.

         The common stock is entitled to such  dividends as may be declared from
time to time by our Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law.

         Except as  provided  under  Wisconsin  law,  and  except for the voting
rights of holders of Series B  Preferred  Stock,  only the holders of the common
stock  are  entitled  to vote for the  election  of  directors  and on all other
matters.  Holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of
the common  stock held by them  subject to  section  180.1150  of the  Wisconsin
Statutes.  (See "Certain  Statutory  Provisions"  below).  Holders of the common
stock do not have  cumulative  voting rights in connection  with the election of
directors, which means that holders of shares entitled to exercise more than 50%
of the voting power represented at any meeting of shareholders have the power to
elect all of the directors to be elected at any such meeting.

         All shares of the common stock are entitled to  participate  equally in
distributions  in liquidation  subject to any  preferential  right of holders of
preferred  stock.  Except  as the  Board  of  Directors  may  in its  discretion
otherwise  determine,  holders of the common stock have no preemptive  rights to
subscribe  for  or to  purchase  shares  of  our  capital  stock.  There  are no
conversion  rights,  sinking fund, or  redemption  provisions  applicable to the
common stock.  Section  180.0622(2)(b)  of the  Wisconsin  Statutes and judicial
interpretations  thereof  provide that  shareholders  are personally  liable for
debts owing to employees of the company for  services  performed  (not to exceed
six months' service in any one case).
    

      Certain Statutory Provisions

         Section  180.1150 of the  Wisconsin  Statutes  provides that the voting
power of shares held by any person or persons  acting as a group that is greater
than 20% of the voting  power in the  election of directors is limited to 10% of
the full voting power of those shares. This restriction does not apply to shares
acquired  directly from us or in certain  specified  transactions  or shares for
which full voting power has been restored pursuant to a vote of shareholders.

   
         Sections 180.1140 to 180.1144 of the Wisconsin Statutes contain certain
limitations  and special  voting  provisions  applicable  to specified  business
combinations  involving us and a  significant  shareholder,  unless the Board of
Directors approves the business combination or the shareholder's  acquisition of
shares before such shares are acquired. Similarly, sections 180.1130 to 180.1133
of the  Wisconsin  Statutes  contain  special  voting  provisions  applicable to
certain business  combinations,  unless  specified  minimum price and procedural
requirements are met.

         Following  commencement  of a takeover offer,  section  180.1134 of the
Wisconsin  Statutes  imposes  special  voting   requirements  on  certain  share
repurchases  effected  at a premium to the market and on certain  asset sales by
us, unless,  as it relates to the potential sale of assets,  the corporation has
at least three independent directors and a majority of the independent directors
vote not to have the provision apply to the corporation.

         The  foregoing  provisions  of the  Wisconsin  Statutes  could have the
effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing a change in control.
    

      Restated Articles of Incorporation

   
         Under our Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Restated Articles of
Incorporation")  and Bylaws, the Board of Directors is comprised of six members,
who are divided into three  classes,  each class 
    


                                      -39-


   
serving a three year term. The Restated  Articles of Incorporation  provide that
any vacancies on the Board of Directors are filled only by the affirmative  vote
of a  majority  of the  directors  in  office,  even if less than a quorum.  Any
director  so elected  will serve until the term for the class to which he or she
is  elected  expires,  and  until  his or her  successor  is  duly  elected  and
qualified.
    

         The Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that any director may be
removed from office with or without cause,  but only by the affirmative  vote of
at least  sixty-six  and  two-thirds  percent  of the  voting  power of the then
outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of directors.

   
         The  provisions of the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation  summarized
above could have the effect of delaying,  deterring,  or  preventing a change in
control.
    

      Preferred Stock

   
         We have the authority to issue, in one or more series,  up to 3,000,000
shares of preferred  stock.  The preferred stock is issuable in series,  each of
which may vary as determined by the Board of Directors as to the designation and
minimum  number  of shares  of each  series,  the  voting  power of the  holders
thereof,  the  dividend  rate,  redemption  terms  and  prices,   voluntary  and
involuntary  liquidation   preferences,   conversion  rights  and  sinking  fund
requirements,  if any.  As of the date of this  prospectus,  the only  shares of
preferred  stock  issued and  outstanding  are the shares of Series B  Preferred
Stock.
    

      Series B Preferred Stock

   
         General.  The Series B Preferred  Stock has been authorized as a series
consisting of a maximum of five thousand (5,000) shares of which 1,819.65 shares
are issued and outstanding.

         Dividends.  Holders of the Series B  Preferred  Stock are  entitled  to
receive cumulative  preferential  dividends payable quarterly in cash on January
2, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year at the rate of eight (8%)  percent
per annum.  Commencing with the quarterly period beginning  January 2, 2002, the
annual dividend rate will increase each quarterly  period  beginning  January 2,
2002, the annual  dividend rate will increase each quarterly  period by two (2%)
percent up to a maximum  dividend of eighteen (18%) percent per annum (e.g., the
annual dividend rate for the quarterly period commencing January 2, 2002 will be
ten (10%)  percent  per annum and the  annual  dividend  rate for the  quarterly
period commencing April 1, 2002 will be twelve (12%) per annum). In the event we
cannot,  as  determined  by the Board of Directors in its sole  discretion,  pay
dividends in cash on a dividend payment date, we will pay dividends in shares of
the Series B Preferred  Stock valued at eighty (80%)  percent of the lesser of :
(i) $1,000 and (b) the Conversion Price (as defined in the Restated  Articles of
Incorporation).

         Voting  Rights.  The holders of the Series B  Preferred  Stock shall be
entitled  to vote,  on all  matters in which  holders  of the  common  stock are
entitled to vote,  voting  together  with the common  stock.  The holders of the
Series B  Preferred  Stock  shall  have the number of votes that they would have
assuming  conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock into the common stock as of
the record date for the meeting of  shareholders,  with fractional  shares being
disregarded.  The holders of the Series B  Preferred  Stock shall be entitled to
receive all  communications  sent by us to the holders of the common stock.  The
holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together as a class
on the issuance of any class of equity securities which ranks equal or senior to
the Series B Preferred  Stock, and on any change or repeal of any of the express
terms of the Series B  Preferred  Stock.  When voting as a separate  class,  the
affirmative  vote of not less than a majority of the  outstanding  shares of the
Series B Preferred Stock shall be required for approval of such matters.

         Liquidation.  On any  liquidation,  dissolution,  or winding up,  after
payment of all our creditors,  the holders of the Series B Preferred  Stock will
have the right to receive out of our remaining assets, before the holders of any
other equity interest are entitled to receive anything,  the sum of one thousand
dollars ($1,000) per share, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.
    



                                      -40-


   
         Voluntary  Conversion.  Each share of the Series B  Preferred  Stock is
convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of the common stock at any
time prior to the  effective  date of a forced  conversion  or  redemption  at a
conversion price of $2.00 (the "Conversion  Price"),  subject to adjustment.  We
will not issue  fractional  shares of the common  stock upon  conversion  of the
Series B Preferred Stock, but will pay a cash adjustment for any such fraction.

         Forced Conversion.  We have the right to force conversion of the Series
B Preferred  Stock into shares of the common stock at any time after issuance of
the Series B Preferred Stock, provided: (i) that on the Forced Conversion Notice
Date and on the Forced Conversion Date (each as defined in the Restated Articles
of  Incorporation)  the common stock  issuable  upon  conversion of the Series B
Preferred Stock has been  registered  pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and
such  registration  is then  currently  effective;  and (ii) the  average of the
closing  bid price of the  common  stock as listed on the  NASDAQ,  the New York
Stock  Exchange,  the American  Stock Exchange or wherever the common stock then
trades,  is at least one hundred  seventy-five  (175%) percent of the Conversion
Price for twenty (20)  trading days within any thirty (30)  consecutive  trading
day  period  ending no more than ten (10) days  prior to the  Forced  Conversion
Notice  Date.  Any notice of forced  conversion  must be given to all holders no
less than  thirty  (30) nor more than  forty-five  (45) days prior to the Forced
Conversion  Date. On the Forced  Conversion  Date, we will pay to all registered
holders of the Series B Preferred Stock all accrued and unpaid dividends through
and  including  the  Forced  Conversion  Date.  In the  event  that the Board of
Directors  approves a  transaction  whereby the holders of common stock would be
paid a per share price equal to or in excess of one hundred  seventy-five (175%)
percent of the Conversion Price (the "Sale Event") and on the Forced  Conversion
Notice  Date and on the  Forced  Conversion  Date  the  condition  set  forth in
subsection  (i) above has been  satisfied,  we can  require  all  holders of the
Series B Preferred Stock to convert their shares of the Series B Preferred Stock
into  shares of the common  stock  immediately  prior to the closing of the Sale
Event.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary,  holders  of the  Series  B
Preferred  Stock shall not have the right to vote  together  with the holders of
the  common  stock or as a separate  class on whether to approve  the Sale Event
(although a holder of the Series B Preferred  Stock that  converts  the Series B
Preferred  Stock  into  the  common  stock  prior  to the  record  date  for the
shareholders'  meeting to vote on the Sale Event wold be  entitled  to vote such
shares of the  common  stock)  during  the one  hundred  fifty  (150) day period
following  the Forced  Conversion  Notice Date.  In the event that the foregoing
does not  eliminate  the  voting  rights of the  Series B  Preferred  Stock with
respect to a Sale Event, then the holders of such Series B Preferred Stock shall
be deemed to have  granted to the  President  and  Secretary of the Company (and
each of them individually) an irrevocable proxy for such one hundred fifty (150)
day period to vote the Series B  Preferred  Stock for the  approval  of the Sale
Event.  In the event  that the Sale  Event  would  result in the  holders of the
Series B Preferred Stock receiving securities, it is a condition to our right to
force conversion resulting from a Sales Event that the securities to be received
by the  holders  of the  Series B  Preferred  Stock  are  registered  under  the
Securities Act of 1933 and are freely transferable.

         Adjustment  to Conversion  Price.  The shares of the Series B Preferred
Stock provide for adjustment to the Conversion Price upon (i) any subdivision or
reverse  split of the  outstanding  shares of the common stock into a greater or
lesser number of shares of the common stock;  (ii) any declaration of a dividend
or other  distribution  by us upon the  common  stock  payable  in shares of the
common stock; or (iii) any capital  reorganization  or  reclassification  of our
capital stock.  If we, through either a private  placement or a public  offering
(but other than pursuant to options  granted under our  directors'  and employee
stock  option  and  stock  purchase  plans or  shares  or  options  issued in an
acquisition or shares issuable  pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants) issues
shares of the common stock, or options to purchase the common stock or rights to
subscribe for the common stock or securities  convertible  into or  exchangeable
for the common stock at a price (such price,  if other than cash,  as determined
by our Board of Directors)  less than the then market price on the date of sale,
the  Conversion  Price  then  in  effect  shall   automatically  be  reduced  by
multiplying  the then  Conversion  Price by a fraction,  the  numerator of which
shall be the number of shares of the common stock outstanding  immediately prior
to such issuance,  sale or distribution  plus the number of shares of the common
stock  which the  aggregate  consideration  received or to be received by us for
such  issuance,  sale or  distribution  would  purchase at the market  price per
share,  and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of the common
stock  outstanding  immediately  after giving effect to such  issuance,  sale or
distribution.  We will not issue  fractional  shares of the  common  stock  upon
conversion of the Series B Preferred  Stock,  but will pay a cash adjustment for
any such  fraction.  There  will be no  adjustment  in the  event  that we pay a
dividend in cash to holders of common  stock;
    


                                      -41-


   
provided, however, that we will give the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock
written  notice at least  thirty (30) days prior to the record date for the cash
dividend, that we intend to declare a cash dividend.

         Redemption.  Commencing  three (3) years after October 30, 1998, we may
redeem  all of the  outstanding  Series  B  Preferred  Stock  at any  time  at a
redemption price of one thousand  dollars  ($1,000) per share,  plus all accrued
and  unpaid  dividends,  if any,  to the date  fixed for  redemption.  Notice of
redemption  shall be on not less than thirty (30) nor more than  forty-five (45)
days' notice prior to the date fixed for redemption.

         Change in Control.  When an Event (as defined in the Restated  Articles
of Incorporation)  occurs, each holder of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock
shall have the option to (i) convert the Series B Preferred Stock into shares of
the common stock  immediately  prior to the Event at a price equal to the lesser
of (a) the  Conversion  Price or (b) the price per share of the common  stock in
the Event;  provided,  however,  that the Conversion  Price shall not be reduced
under this  subsection  (i)(b) by more than thirty (30%)  percent or (ii) retain
ownership of the Series B Preferred Stock, in which event appropriate provisions
shall be made so that the Series B Preferred  Stock will become  convertible  at
the holder's  option into shares of common  stock of the  surviving or acquiring
entity.

         Restrictions  on  Transfer.  The Series B Preferred  Stock has not been
registered  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933 or any  state  securities  laws.
Consequently,  the shares of the Series B  Preferred  Stock may not be  offered,
sold  or  resold  unless  they  are  (a)  registered  or  (b)  exempt  from  the
registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and all applicable state
securities  laws.  We have agreed to register  the common  stock  issuable  upon
conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock and upon exercise of the Warrants.
    

      Warrants

   
         In  connection  with the issuance of the Series B Preferred  Stock,  we
issued the  Warrants to purchase in the  aggregate  54,714  shares of the common
stock.  The Warrants are immediately  exercisable at a price of $3.60 per share,
and expire on October 31,  2003.  The  exercise  price is subject to  adjustment
pursuant  to  certain  anti-dilution  provisions  in the  event we take  certain
actions,  such as, but not limited to, a stock dividend or  reclassification  of
the common stock.
    

      Public Warrants

   
         In connection  with the acquisition of all the common stock of Intercim
Corporation,  we issued the Public Warrants. The Public Warrants have a ten-year
term and an exercise price of $6.75.
    

      Registration Rights

   
         We have entered into a Purchase  Agreement  pursuant to which we agreed
to (i) use our reasonable  best efforts to file a  registration  statement for a
shelf offering  within  forty-five  (45) days after October 30, 1998 (the "Shelf
Registration"),  (ii)  use our  reasonable  best  efforts  to  cause  the  Shelf
Registration  to be declared  effective  within one hundred eighty (180) days of
October  30,  1998  and  (iii)  to keep  such  Shelf  Registration  continuously
effective,  supplemented  and amended until the disposition of all  registerable
securities under the Shelf Registration or as otherwise provided in the Purchase
Agreement.  This  prospectus  has  been  filed  as  part of the  required  Shelf
Registration.

         If we  propose to file a  registration  statement  for our own  account
(other than a  registration  statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or any successor form
thereto)),  then we will  offer the  selling  shareholders  the  opportunity  to
register the number of  registerable  securities as each such holder may request
(a  "Piggyback  Registration").  If we are  advised by an  underwriter  that the
amount of the  shares  to be  registered  in the  Piggyback  Registration  would
adversely affect the marketability of the shares to be offered,  then we will be
able to minimize the adverse effect by reducing pro rata (based on the number of
registerable  securities  requested to be  included)  the number of shares to be
registered.  Shareholders participating in a Piggyback Registration may 
    


                                      -42-


   
withdraw any or all of their  registerable  securities from the  registration by
giving  notice to us prior to the  effectiveness  of the  relevant  registration
statement.

         The Purchase  Agreement also sets forth the procedures  which are to be
followed in effecting any registration required under the Purchase Agreement. We
will  bear  all  of  the   expenses   relating  to  our   compliance   with  the
above-referenced  agreements,  including all  registration and filing fees, fees
and expenses of our own counsel and accountants,  and all delivery, printing and
copying expenses.  However,  participating  selling  shareholders  shall pay all
underwriting  discounts,  commissions  and  transfer  taxes as well as their own
counsel fees.

         We  will  indemnify  each  holder  of  registerable  securities,   each
affiliate  of such holder,  each person who controls  (within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933) such holder, and their respective  officers,  directors,
employees,  shareholders,  investment  advisor  and agents  against  all losses,
claims, damages,  liabilities and expenses  (collectively,  the "Losses") caused
by,  resulting  from or relating to any untrue or alleged  untrue  statement  of
material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary
prospectus or any  amendment  thereof or  supplement  thereto,  or caused by any
omission or alleged omission of material fact required to be stated therein or a
fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,  except where such
misstatement or omission was caused by information  provided to us by the holder
or where the holder failed to deliver materials furnished to it by us.

         Each holder of  registerable  securities  participating  in an offering
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and its directors,  officers,
employees,  advisors, agents and each person who controls (within the meaning of
the Securities  Act of 1933 and the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934) us for any
material  misstatement or omission in the offering  materials that was caused by
information provided by such holder to us; provided, however, that the liability
of any such holder will be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by
such holder in the offering giving rise to such liability.
    

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   
         The selling  shareholders may, from time to time, sell all or a portion
of their shares on the OTC  Bulletin  Board (or any exchange on which the common
stock may from time to time be trading), in privately negotiated transactions or
otherwise,  at fixed prices that may be changed,  at market prices prevailing at
the time of sale,  at prices  related  to such  market  prices or at  negotiated
prices.

         We will receive no proceeds from this offering. The common stock may be
sold  from  time  to  time  to  purchasers   directly  by  any  of  the  selling
shareholders.  Alternatively,  any of the selling  shareholders may from time to
time, offer the common stock through  underwriters,  dealers or agents,  who may
receive  compensation  in the form of  underwriting  discounts,  concessions  or
commissions  from the selling  shareholders  and/or the purchasers of the common
stock  for  whom  they  may  act at  agent.  The  selling  shareholders  and any
underwriters,  dealers or agents that  participate  in the  distribution  of the
common stock may be deemed to be underwriters, and any profit on the sale of the
common stock by them and any discounts,  commissions or concessions  received by
any such  underwriters,  dealers  or agents  might be deemed to be  underwriting
discounts and  commissions  under the  Securities Act of 1933. If we are advised
that an underwriter  has been engaged with respect to the sale of any the common
stock offered  hereby,  or in the event of any other material change in the plan
of  distribution,  we will  cause  appropriate  amendments  to the  registration
statement  of  which  this  prospectus  forms a part to be  filed  with  the SEC
reflecting such engagement or other change.

         At the time a  particular  offer of the  common  stock is made,  to the
extent required, a prospectus  supplement will be provided by us and distributed
by the relevant selling shareholder which will set forth the aggregate amount of
the common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name
or names of any underwriters,  dealers or agents, any discounts,  commission and
other items  constituting  compensation  from the selling  shareholders  and any
discount, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
    



                                      -43-


   
         The  common  stock  may be  sold  from  time  to  time  in one or  more
transactions  at a fixed  offering  price,  which may be changed,  or at varying
prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.  Such prices will
be determined by the selling  shareholders  or by agreement  between the selling
shareholders and underwriters or dealers.

         Under  applicable rules and regulations  under the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934 any person  engaged in a  distribution  of the common  stock may not
simultaneously  engage in  market-making  activities with respect to such common
stock for a period  of nine  business  days  prior to the  commencement  of such
distribution and ending upon the completion of such distribution. In addition to
and without limiting the foregoing,  each selling shareholder will be subject to
applicable  provisions of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and
regulations  thereunder,   including  without  limitation  Regulation  M,  which
provisions  may limit the  timing of  purchases  and sales of any of the  common
stock  by the  selling  shareholders.  All  of  the  foregoing  may  affect  the
marketability  of the  common  stock and the  ability of any person or entity to
engage in market-making activities with respect to the common stock.

         Pursuant  to  the  Purchase   Agreement,   we  are   obligated  to  pay
substantially  all of the expenses  incident to the registration and offering of
the  common  stock  of  the  selling  shareholders  to  the  public  other  than
commissions  and  discounts  of  underwriters,  dealers or agents.  The  selling
shareholder or shareholders bear all selling and other expenses.

         We have  agreed to  indemnify  in  certain  circumstances  the  selling
shareholders  against  certain  liabilities,  including  liabilities  under  the
Securities Act of 1933. The selling  shareholders have agreed to indemnify us in
certain circumstances  against certain liabilities,  including liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933.
    

                                     EXPERTS

   
         Our  consolidated  financial  statements,  as of November  30, 1998 and
1997, appearing in this prospectus and registration  statement have been audited
by Ernst & Young  LLP,  independent  auditors,  as  indicated  in  their  report
appearing  elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given
upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
    

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

   
         Certain legal matters in connection  with the sale of the shares of the
common  stock  offered  hereby  will be passed  upon for us by Foley &  Lardner,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    



                                      -44-


                       Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                        Consolidated Financial Statements


                  Years ended November 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996




                                    Contents

Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.................F-2

Consolidated Financial Statements

Balance Sheets....................................................F-3
Statements of Operations..........................................F-5
Statements of Stockholders' Equity................................F-6
Statements of Cash Flows..........................................F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................F-10


                                      F-1


                Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Effective Management Systems, Inc.

We have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of  Effective
Management Systems,  Inc. (the Company) and subsidiaries as of November 30, 1998
and 1997, and the related consolidated  statements of operations,  stockholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period  ended  November
30, 1998.  These financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the Company's
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material  respects,  the consolidated  financial  position of the
Company and  subsidiaries  at November 30, 1998 and 1997,  and the  consolidated
results of their  operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended  November 30,  1998,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.

The accompanying  financial  statements have been prepared  assuming the Company
will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 4, the Company
has incurred recurring losses and has a working capital deficiency. In addition,
the Company does not expect to be in  compliance  with certain  covenants of the
loan  agreement  with its lender  during  fiscal 1999,  thereby  requiring  that
waivers will need to be obtained from the lender in order for the debt not to be
considered  in  default.  These  conditions  raise  substantial  doubt about the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern.  Management's  plans in regard
to these matters are also  described in Note 4. The financial  statements do not
include  any   adjustments  to  reflect  the  possible  future  effects  on  the
recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of
liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ Ernst & Young

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 18, 1999


                                      F-2


                       Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                             (Dollars in Thousands)


                                                   November 30
                                             1998              1997
                                        -----------------------------------
Assets
Current assets (Note 8):
   Cash and cash equivalents               $       21       $       14
   Accounts receivable:
     Trade, less allowance for
       doubtful accounts of
       $506--1998; $462--1997                  12,871           12,370
     Related parties                              426              604
                                        -----------------------------------
                                               13,297           12,974




   Refundable income taxes                          -              312
   Inventories                                    275              280
   Prepaid expenses and other
      current assets                              225              146
                                        -----------------------------------
Total current assets                           13,818           13,726





Software development costs, net                 4,373            7,717
Investments in and advances to
 unconsolidated joint ventures                    291              182
Equipment and leasehold 
 improvements, net (Note 5)                     3,202            3,917
Intangible assets, net (Note 6)                 2,129            2,444
Other assets                                      347              811
                                        -----------------------------------
Total assets                               $   24,160          $28,797
                                        ===================================


See accompanying notes.


                                      F-3


                                                  November 30
                                             1998            1997
                                        --------------------------------
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                        $    3,662      $    2,272
   Accrued liabilities                          2,937           2,773
   Deferred revenue                             6,522           5,887
   Customer deposits                              113              63
   Current portion of long-term debt
    and capital lease obligations
    (Note 8)                                    6,194              946
                                        ------------------------------
Total current liabilities                      19,428           11,941

Deferred revenue and other long-term
 liabilities                                      858              317
Long-term capital lease obligations
 (Note 8)                                         242            3,966

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, Series B, $.01
     par value; authorized 3,000,000
     shares; 1,785 issued and 
     outstanding at November 30, 1998           1,411               -
   Common stock, $. 01 par value; 
     authorized 20,000,000 shares;
     issued 4,106,377 and 4,067,31
     shares; outstanding 4,093,752
     and 4,054,685 shares                          41               41
   Common stock warrants                          144                4
   Additional paid-in capital                  11,426           11,328
   Retained earnings (accumulated
      deficit)                                 (9,330)           1,260
   Cost of common stock in treasury
      (12,625 shares)                             (60)            (60)
                                        --------------------------------
                                                3,632           12,573
                                        --------------------------------
Total liabilities and
 stockholders' equity                        $ 24,160          $28,797
                                        ================================


                                      F-4



                       Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                    (In Thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                          Year ended November 30
                                                    1998           1997           1996
                                               ----------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Net revenues:
   Software license fees                         $   20,553        $21,752        $19,094
   Services                                          16,846         16,781         15,412
   Hardware                                           1,745          4,112          6,751
                                               ----------------------------------------------
                                                     39,144         42,645         41,257
Costs of products and services:
   Cost of third-party software license fees          4,717          3,065          2,484
   Software development amortization                  2,243          2,535          1,591
   Cost of services                                  14,430         14,000         12,109
   Cost of hardware                                   1,386          3,260          4,979
                                               ----------------------------------------------
                                                     22,776         22,860         21,163

Selling and marketing expenses                       13,280         15,957         14,060
General and administrative expenses                   3,451          3,838          3,416
Software development expenses                         2,804          2,391          2,235
Restructuring and other charges                       6,836              -              -
                                               ----------------------------------------------
                                                     49,147         45,046         40,874
                                               ----------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from operations                       (10,003)        (2,401)           383

Other income (expense):
   Equity in earnings (losses) 
     of unconsolidated joint
     ventures                                           109            (25)            25
   Interest income                                       51             47             89
   Interest expense                                    (714)          (399)          (145)
   Other                                                (33)             -            (87)
                                               ----------------------------------------------
                                                       (587)          (377)          (118)
                                               ----------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes                   (10,590)        (2,778)           265
Income tax benefit (expense)                              -            618           (112)
                                               ----------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                $  (10,590)     $  (2,160)    $      153
                                               ==============================================
Net income (loss) per common
 share -
   Basic and diluted                             $    (2.59)     $    (.53)    $       .04
                                               ==============================================


                                      F-5



                                        Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                                  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
                                              (Dollars in Thousands)

                                                                                                 
                                           Preferred Stock                Common Stock            Common 
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------   Stock 
                                         Shares         Amount        Shares         Amount      Warrants
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                      
Balance, November 30, 1995                   -       $       -        3,922,281        $39          $   3
   Issuance of common stock:
     Acquisitions                            -               -           24,000          -              -
     Stock options                           -               -           35,000          1              -
     Employee stock purchase plan
                                             -               -           29,718          -              -
     Warrants                                -               -               19          -              -
   Issuance of additional common
     stock and warrants to
     complete Intercim
     transaction                             -               -                -          1              1
   Purchase of shares from
     dissenting former Intercim
     shareholder                             -               -                -          -              -
   Net income                                -               -                -          -              -
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, November 30, 1996                   -               -        4,011,018         41              4
   Issuance of common stock:
     Stock options                           -               -           39,500          -              -
     Employee stock purchase plan
                                             -               -           26,792          -              -
   Purchase of common stock for
     treasury                                -               -          (10,000)         -              -
   Net loss                                  -               -                -          -              -
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, November 30, 1997                   -               -        4,067,310         41              4
   Issuance of common stock:
     Stock options                           -               -           14,000          -              -
     Employee stock purchase plan
                                             -               -           25,067          -              -
   Issuance of preferred stock
     and warrants                        1,785           1,411                -          -            140
   Net loss                                  -               -                -          -              -
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, November 30, 1998               1,785          $1,411        4,106,377        $41           $144
                                    =========================================================================


                                      F-6




     Common
   Stock and                     Retained
    Warrants                     Earnings
     to be        Paid-In      (Accumulated       Treasury
     Issued       Capital        Deficit)           Stock         Total
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                          
   $ 211           $10,662       $   3,267         $  (5)        $ 14,177

       -               132               -             -              132
       -                60               -             -               61

       -               113               -             -              113
       -                 -               -             -                -



    (172)              170               -             -                -


     (39)                -               -             -              (39)
       -                 -             153             -              153
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       -            11,137           3,420            (5)          14,597

       -                68               -             -               68

       -               123               -             -              123

       -                 -               -           (55)             (55)
       -                 -          (2,160)            -           (2,160)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       -            11,328           1,260           (60)          12,573

       -                32               -             -               32

       -                66               -             -               66

       -                 -               -             -            1,551
       -                 -         (10,590)            -          (10,590)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $     -           $11,426       $  (9,330)         $(60)       $   3,632
============================================================================



See accompanying notes.

                                      F-7



                       Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                             (Dollars in Thousands)

                                                                            Year ended November 30
                                                                        1998         1997          1996
                                                                    ----------------------------------------
                                                                                             
Operating activities
Net income (loss)                                                     $(10,590)    $(2,160)      $    153
Adjustments to reconcile net income
 (loss) to net cash provided by
  operating activities:
     Depreciation                                                        1,315       1,234          1,037
     Amortization, other                                                   315         246            189
     Amortization of capitalized computer
       software development
       costs                                                             2,243       2,535          1,591
     Restructuring charge                                                6,042           -              -
     Equity in losses (earnings) of joint
       ventures                                                           (109)         25            (25)
     (Gain) loss on disposal of equipment
       and leasehold improvements                                            3           -            (24)
     Deferred income taxes                                                   -        (385)           202
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable                                              (1,161)     (1,135)        (1,770)
       Inventories and other current assets                                228         100            341
       Accounts payable and other liabilities                            2,125       1,273          1,212
                                                                    ----------------------------------------
Total adjustments                                                       11,001       3,893          2,753
                                                                    ----------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                  411       1,733          2,906

Investing activities
Acquisition of Darwin Data Systems, net of cash received of $19
                                                                             -           -            (51)
Additions to equipment and leasehold improvements                         (170)     (1,177)        (1,424)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities                                   -           -           (495)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities                         -         505          1,247
Proceeds from sale of equipment and leasehold improvements
                                                                             1           7             68
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance                         (25)        (25)           (25)
Software development costs capitalized                                  (3,396)     (4,471)        (3,372)
Other assets                                                               489        (202)          (111)
                                                                    ----------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                                   (3,101)     (5,363)        (4,163)



                                      F-8



                                   Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
                                        (Dollars in Thousands)


                                                                                Year ended November 30
                                                                            1998         1997         1996
                                                                        ---------------------------------------

                                                                                               
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of stock to employees                             $     98      $   191      $   174
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrants                      1,551            -            -
Proceeds from increase in debt                                              1,291        2,797        1,864
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations                     (243)        (155)        (250)
Purchase of common stock for treasury                                           -          (55)           -
                                                                        ---------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities                                   2,697        2,778        1,788
                                                                        ---------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                 7         (852)         531
Cash:
   Beginning of year                                                           14          866          335
                                                                        ---------------------------------------
   End of year                                                           $     21     $     14     $    866
                                                                        =======================================

Supplemental cash flow information:
   Interest paid                                                         $    653     $    399     $    133
   Income taxes refunded, net of amounts paid                                   -         (172)        (464)
   Noncash transactions:
     Equipment recorded under capital lease obligations                       476           20          371
     Issuance of common stock and warrants for acquisitions                     -            -          132



See accompanying notes


                                      F-9


1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  include the  accounts of
Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.  (the Company) and its  subsidiaries.  All
significant  intercompany  accounts and  transactions  have been  eliminated  in
consolidation.

Business and Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company develops,  sells and services computer software and related hardware
throughout  the  United  States  and  certain  foreign  countries  that meet the
Company's credit policies.  The Company performs periodic credit  evaluations of
its  customers'  financial  condition and  generally  follows a policy to obtain
deposits for sales to new customers.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial  statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized in accordance  with the  provisions of AICPA  Statement of
Position (SOP) 91-1, "Software Revenue Recognition," as follows:

Software and Hardware Sales

Revenue is recognized when the product is delivered.

Professional Fees and Services

Revenue is recognized as time and material costs are incurred.

Software Support Fees

Revenue  is  recognized  ratably  over the  terms of the  nonrefundable  support
contract.

Annual Upgrade Fees

Revenue is recognized  ratably over the  nonrefundable  annual upgrade  contract
period.

In October  1997,  the AICPA issued SOP 97-2,  "Software  Revenue  Recognition,"
which changes the requirements  for revenue  recognition and supersedes SOP 91-1
effective for transactions  that the Company will enter into beginning  December
1, 1998. The Company  intends to review the  provisions of its software  license
contracts and make the changes  necessary to have revenue  recognition  policies
meet the standards of the new SOP.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market with cost determined on a
first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.


                                      F-10


1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Software Development Costs

In  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  the  Company
capitalizes  internal costs in developing  software products upon  determination
that  technological  feasibility has been  established for the product,  whereas
costs incurred  prior to the  establishment  of  technological  feasibility  are
charged to product  development  expense.  When the  product  is  available  for
general release to customers, capitalization ceases and such costs are amortized
on a product-by-product basis based on current and future revenue with an annual
minimum equal to the  straight-line  amortization  over the remaining  estimated
economic useful life of the product.

Capitalized  software  development  costs,  stated  at the  lower of cost or net
realizable  value,  were  $4,373  and  $7,717  at  November  30,  1998 and 1997,
respectively,  which is net of  accumulated  amortization  of $2,918 and $7,877,
respectively.

Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use

In March 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-1,  "Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software  Developed or Obtained for Internal Use," which is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1998. Under SOP 98-1,  companies are required
to capitalize certain qualified costs incurred to develop or obtain software for
internal  use.  The Company has adopted  this SOP in 1998 and the impact was not
material.

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

Investments  in  unconsolidated  joint  ventures are accounted for on the equity
method wherein the Company's share of the joint ventures' net earnings or losses
is recorded as an adjustment to the investment.

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Equipment and leasehold  improvements  are recorded at cost and are  depreciated
using the straight-line  method for financial reporting purposes.  The estimated
useful lives used to calculate depreciation are as follows:

                                                               Years

     Leasehold improvements                                       5
     Furniture and fixtures                                      10
     Equipment                                                    5

Assets under capital  leases are amortized on a  straight-line  basis over their
useful lives.

Intangible Assets

Intangible  assets are amortized  using the  straight-line  method for financial
reporting purposes over the following estimated lives:

                                                               Years

     Customer list                                               15
     Goodwill                                                  12 - 20
     Other intangibles                                          6 - 40


                                      F-11



1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary  differences  between financial
reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using
the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the  differences  are
expected to reverse.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share.



                                                                      Year ended December 31
                                                              1998             1997             1996
                                                        ---------------------------------------------------

                                                                                           
Denominator for basic and dilutive income (loss)
   per share - weighted average common shares                   4,090            4,048            3,965
                                                        ===================================================


For all years  presented,  basic and diluted are the same  because  common stock
equivalents are anti-dilutive.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The  Company's   financial   instruments   consist   primarily  of  cash,  trade
receivables, related-party receivables, trade payables and debt instruments. The
book values of cash,  trade  receivables,  related-party  receivables  and trade
payables are considered to be  representative  of their  respective fair values.
None of the Company's debt  instruments  that are outstanding as of November 30,
1998, have readily ascertainable market values; however, the carrying values are
considered to approximate their respective fair values. See Note 8 for the terms
and carrying values of the Company's various debt instruments.

Stock Compensation

As is permitted under  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  (SFAS) No.
123,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation,"  the  Company  accounts  for
employee stock compensation (e.g., stock options) in accordance with APB Opinion
No. 25 (APB 25),  "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees."  Under APB 25, the
total  compensation  expense  recognized is equal to the difference  between the
award's  exercise price and the underlying  stock's market price (referred to as
"intrinsic  value") at the measurement  date,  which is the first date that both
the exercise price and number of shares to be issued is known. See Note 10.

New Pronouncements

The Company  will be required  to adopt SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive
Income," effective December 1, 1998. This statement requires that all items that
are  required to be  recognized  under  accounting  standards as  components  of
comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with
the same prominence as other financial statements. The Company does not have any
items that would create a difference between net income (loss) and comprehensive
income (loss).

SFAS  No.  131,  "Disclosures  about  Segments  of  an  Enterprise  and  Related
Information," is effective December 1, 1998. This Statement changes the way that
public business  enterprises  report  information  about  operating  segments in
annual financial  statements and requires that those enterprises report selected
information  about reportable  segments in interim  financial  reports issued to
shareholders.  Management has not completed its review of SFAS No. 131, but does
not  anticipate  that the  adoption of this  Statement  will have a  significant
effect on the Company's reported segments.



                                      F-12


1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
133,  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities," which is
required  to be adopted in years  beginning  after June 15,  1999.  Because  the
Company has not previously used derivatives, management does not anticipate that
the adoption of the new statement  will have a significant  effect on results of
operations or the financial position of the Company.

2. Acquisition

Effective  April 15, 1996,  the Company  completed the purchase of the remaining
75% of Darwin Data Systems  (Darwin).  Consideration  for this  acquisition  was
$303, consisting of $101 in notes payable, 24,000 shares of the Company's common
stock valued at $132 and $70 of  acquisition  costs.  The  acquisition  has been
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.  Accordingly,  the assets
and liabilities have been adjusted to their estimated fair values. The excess of
cost over the net assets acquired has been allocated to goodwill. The results of
operations for Darwin have been included in the Company's consolidated financial
statements  from  the  date of  acquisition.  Pro  forma  results  have not been
presented because the impact was not significant.

3. Restructuring and Other Charges

In the second  quarter of 1998,  the  Company  incurred a  restructuring  charge
aggregating $6,836 related to entering into a distribution  arrangement with the
Baan Company and cost  reductions  aimed at improving  the  Company's  financial
performance. The components of the restructuring charge are described below.

The restructuring  charge includes $553 relating to the closing of operations in
the West and  Southwest  regions  of the  United  States and $1,213 for the exit
costs and software  write-off related to international  operations.  The Company
established a relationship  with former  employees who purchased 80% of EMS Asia
Pacific, Inc., a former wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, to handle future
Asian international operations. The Company is a 20% partner in the venture, but
has no ongoing responsibilities to fund any future operations. EMS-Asia Pacific,
Inc. is responsible for future support, translation efforts and other activities
supporting  the Asian  marketplace.  In return for these  efforts,  the  Company
transferred all accounts receivable,  fixed assets and cash to EMS-Asia Pacific,
Inc.

In addition,  the charge  includes  $2,656 for both the write-off of capitalized
software pertaining to the large company market,  which software the Company now
obtains through its relationship  with Baan, and the write-off of other software
whose  future  value was  impaired  by  restructuring  actions.  The charge also
reflects costs of $1,841 associated with the write-off of capitalized  software,
the future value of which was impaired by restructuring actions and management's
assumptions regarding future technological  changes. Fair value was based on the
estimated future cash flows of the software.

As part of the restructuring,  the Company also reduced certain of its operating
expenses  primarily in  development,  marketing  and  administration  though the
termination of employees and other operating expense  reductions  resulting in a
charge of $573.

Approximately  $6,042  of the  total  charge  did  not  result  in  future  cash
expenditures and all material restructuring actions were completed by the end of
the third quarter of 1998:

   Restructuring accrual at May 30, 1998                            $ 651
   Less payments                                                     (639)
                                                               --------------
   Restructuring accrual at November 30, 1998                      $   12
                                                               ==============


                                      F-13


4. Liquidity and Management's Plans

The Company has experienced  significant losses in 1997 and 1998. As of November
30, 1998, current liabilities exceeded current assets by $5,610, principally due
to  classifying  amounts  due under the  Company's  debt  agreement  as  current
liabilities  due to covenant  violations  expected  in 1999.  In  addition,  the
Company has  limited  unused  availability  on its  existing  credit  lines.  If
operating results do not improve and/or alternative sources of financing are not
obtained,  the Company will have difficulties meeting its working capital needs,
including payment of its bank obligations.

In April 1998,  management  approved a major  restructuring  plan and recorded a
restructuring charge of approximately $6.8 million.  The restructuring  included
entering  into  a new  distribution  arrangement  with  Baan  for  manufacturing
software and various cost reductions aimed at improving the Company's  financial
performance. In connection with the restructuring, the Company closed facilities
both in the United  States and  internationally  and  decreased  its  workforce,
particularly in development,  marketing and administration.  Management believes
the Company's operating results will improve in fiscal 1999.  Management is also
pursuing additional financing sources or an amendment to its credit facilities.

Management  believes that improved  operating results and additional  sources of
financing or other strategic  transactions will generate sufficient cash flow to
fund its  operations  in fiscal 1999.  Management is actively  pursuing  several
financial alternatives to assist in the funding of its strategic  restructuring.
However,  there  are no  assurances  that  such  matters  will  be  successfully
consummated.

5. Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Equipment and leasehold improvements consisted of the following at November 30:

                                                    1998         1997
                                                ---------------------------

Equipment and software                             $ 7,256      $  7,119
Furniture and fixtures                               1,315         1,346
Leasehold improvements                                 468           478
Equipment under capital leases                         874           416
                                                ---------------------------
                                                     9,913         9,359
Less accumulated depreciation and
 amortization                                       (6,711)       (5,442)
                                                ---------------------------
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net          $ 3,202     $   3,917
                                                ===========================

6. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consisted of the following at November 30:

                                               1998          1997
                                            ---------------------------

Goodwill                                        $1,284        $1,445
Customer list                                    1,400         1,400
Other                                              200           200
                                            ---------------------------
                                                 2,884         3,045
Less accumulated amortization                     (755)          (601)
                                            ---------------------------
Intangible assets, net                          $2,129        $2,444
                                            ===========================


                                      F-14



7. Affiliated Companies

Certain of the  Company's  stockholders  also own all of the common  stock of an
affiliated company, EMS Solutions,  Inc.  (Solutions),  which develops and sells
computer software and related hardware to the food vending and food distribution
industry.  The Company has provided  certain services to Solutions for which the
Company received fees of $1, $122 and $269 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively,
that are  recorded  as an offset to  general  and  administrative  expense.  The
Company also sells computer hardware to Solutions that totaled $2, $331 and $851
in 1998,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Amounts due from  Solutions were $0 and
$404 at November 30, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  Material  transactions  with
Solutions must be approved by a majority of the Company's external directors.

On July 1, 1997, Solutions moved to new facilities and no longer utilizes office
space or other  material  services of the  Company.  In  addition,  Solutions no
longer purchases computer hardware from the Company.

The Company owns a 50% interest in Total Management  Systems,  Inc. (TMS), which
sells computer software and related hardware  primarily in Ohio. The Company has
provided  certain  services  to TMS and has sold  computer  hardware to TMS that
totaled $779, $550 and $486 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

8. Long-Term Debt and Lease Commitments

Long-term  debt and  capital  lease  obligations  consist  of the  following  at
November 30:

                                                      1998         1997
                                                   --------------------------

        Line of credit                                $ 2,552      $3,762
        Notes payable                                   3,400         910
        Capital lease obligations                         484         240
                                                   --------------------------
                                                        6,436       4,912
        Less amounts due within one year               (6,194)       (946)
                                                   --------------------------
                                                     $    242      $3,966
                                                   ==========================

On December 31,  1997,  the Company  entered into a loan and security  agreement
(Agreement)  with Foothill  Capital  Corporation  (Foothill),  which  included a
revolving line of credit facility (Revolver) providing for maximum borrowings of
$6,000 and a three-year  term note for $3,112.  The term note was originally due
in 36  monthly  payments  of $65 with the  remaining  balance of  principal  due
December 30, 2000. The Agreement  with Foothill was amended  October 6, 1998, to
increase  the term  loan by $777 and to reduce  the  maximum  borrowings  on the
Revolver to $5,000.  Borrowings  available  based on  collateral at November 30,
1998 were $2,448,000. The term loan, as increased, is due in monthly payments of
35 installments of $100 with the remaining  balance of principal due October 10,
2001.  Interest on the Revolver is payable monthly based on the bank's base rate
plus .75% (8.5% at November 30, 1998); the term note bears interest at 13.5% per
year.

Borrowings  under the Agreement are secured by  substantially  all assets of the
Company  (except  inventory  subject  to the lien of a vendor).  The  Company is
required  to pay a monthly  commitment  fee of .50% per annum on the  difference
between the commitment amount and balance outstanding under the Revolver in lieu
of a minimum monthly interest payment.  In addition,  the Agreement requires the
Company to maintain compliance with various covenants,  including minimum levels
of  tangible  net  worth and  adjusted  operating  income.  The  Company  was in
violation  of these  covenants  as of November  30,  1998.  Although the Company
obtained  waivers for the violations as of November 30, 1998, it is unlikely the
Company  will  maintain   compliance   with  the  covenants   throughout   1999.
Accordingly,  the balance of the Revolver and note payable have been  classified
as current obligations in the balance sheet.


                                      F-15


8. Long-Term Debt and Lease Commitments (Continued)

The Company  leases  computer and other  equipment  under  capital  leases.  The
Company also leases office space,  automobiles and certain other equipment under
operating leases.

At November 30, 1998, future payments under capital and noncancellable operating
leases were as follows:
                                                               
     Fiscal Year Ending                           Capital      Operating
        November 30                                Leases       Leases  
                                         
     1999                                           $293         $1,025
     2000                                            196            988
     2001                                             56            910
     2002                                              -            713
     2003                                              -            556
     Thereafter                                        -            294
                                                --------------------------
     Total minimum lease obligations                 545         $4,486
                                                             =============
     Amounts representing interest                   (61)
                                                -------------
     Capital lease obligations                      $484
                                                =============

Amortization  expense  relating to assets  under  capital  leases is included in
total depreciation expense for the period.

Total rent expense on all operating leases was approximately  $1,563, $1,663 and
$1,404 in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

9. Stockholders' Equity

On August 28, 1998, the Company issued Series A preferred stock;  thereafter the
Company exchanged all Series A preferred stock for Series B preferred stock. The
Series B preferred  stock accrues  cumulative  dividends at an 8% rate per annum
(using a  liquidation  value of $1,000 per share),  and all dividends in arrears
must be paid prior to any payment of dividends on common  stock.  Dividends,  if
declared  by the  board  of  directors,  may be paid in cash or with  additional
shares of preferred stock at the Company's option.  The first quarterly dividend
payment date was January 2, 1999.  This  dividend  was paid through  issuance of
additional  shares of preferred  stock.  Commencing  with the  quarterly  period
beginning January 2, 2002, the annual dividend rate will increase each quarterly
period by 2% up to a maximum annual dividend rate of 18%. The Series B preferred
stock is  convertible to common stock at the preferred  stockholders'  option by
multiplying  $1,000 times the number of shares of Series B being  converted  and
dividing such product by the conversion price (currently the conversion price is
$2.00).  The Company may force  conversion of all Series B into shares of common
stock if the average of the  closing  bid price of the common  stock is at least
175% of the  conversion  price for 20 trading  days  within  any 30  consecutive
trading periods ending no more than 10 days prior to the forced conversion date.
The Series B preferred  stockholders  are entitled to vote (voting as one class,
with holders of common stock) on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders
and shall have the number of votes that they would have had assuming  conversion
of the Series B into common stock.  There are 5,000 shares of Series B preferred
stock,  of which 1,785 shares are issued and  outstanding,  and 3,000,000  total
preferred shares are authorized for issuance.


                                      F-16


9. Stockholders' Equity (Continued)

In connection  with the issuance of preferred  stock in 1998, the Company issued
54,714 common stock purchase  warrants at an initial exercise price of $3.60 per
share which expire in October 2003. As required by generally accepted accounting
principles,  the Company  calculated  the fair value of the  warrants  using the
Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model.  The  Company  recorded  the  warrants at
$140,000, with the offset being recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of
preferred stock.

As of November  30,  1995,  the Company  had 18,801  shares of common  stock and
18,801  warrants  with an  aggregate  value of $211  that  were to be  issued in
exchange  for common stock of former  Intercim  Corp.  (Intercim)  stockholders.
These amounts,  which were  classified as common stock and warrants to be issued
in stockholders' equity at November 30, 1996, were substantially issued in 1997.

In connection with the acquisition of Intercim,  the Company issued common stock
warrants.  Each warrant  entitles the holder,  at any time prior to September 6,
2005, to purchase one share of the Company's common stock at $6.75 per share.

10. Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plans

The Company  maintains  the 1986  Employees'  Stock  Option Plan (the 1986 Plan)
pursuant to which executive officers and other key employees of the Company have
received options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock. Options under
the 1986 Plan were granted at exercise  prices equal to the fair market value of
the common  stock on the date of grant.  Options to  purchase  an  aggregate  of
57,000  shares have  previously  been  granted and have been  exercised  or have
expired at November 30, 1998.  No  additional  options will be granted under the
1986 Plan.

The Company maintains the Effective  Management Systems,  Inc. 1993 Stock Option
Plan,  as amdended  (the 1993 Plan).  The 1993 Plan provides for the granting of
both  incentive  stock options and  nonqualified  stock options to employees and
nonqualified stock options to nonemployee  independent  directors of the Company
covering up to a maximum of 750,025  shares.  Under the 1993 Plan,  the exercise
price of options  granted cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of a
share of the Company's stock at the date of grant.

On September 6, 1996, in  conjunction  with the merger of Intercim,  the Company
adopted a new stock option  plan,  pursuant to which the Company  granted  stock
options to those holders who agreed to the  cancellation of their Intercim stock
options.

The  Company  has also  issued  nonqualified  stock  options  to  certain of its
executives and other nonemployee  directors.  These options have various vesting
schedules.


                                      F-17


10. Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (Continued)

Information with respect to stock options granted under all plans is as follows:



                                           Number        Exercise Price      Weighted Average
                                          of Shares         Per Share         Exercise Price
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                            
Outstanding at November 30, 1995             830,428      $1.57- $8.00
   Granted                                   124,043       4.75 - 7.00
   Exercised                                 (35,000)         1.71
   Canceled or expired                       (14,569)      5.75 - 7.50
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at November 30, 1996             904,902       1.71 - 7.50             $6.13
   Granted                                   109,938       4.63 - 6.75              5.73
   Exercised                                 (39,500)      1.57 - 1.71              1.71
   Canceled or expired                       (54,961)      4.75 - 7.50              6.63
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at November 30, 1997             920,379       2.29 - 8.25              6.24
   Granted                                   400,811       2.13 - 4.13              2.28
   Exercised                                 (14,000)         2.29                  2.29
   Canceled or expired                      (188,234)      2.29 - 7.50              5.76
                                      ------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at November 30, 1998           1,118,956      $2.13 - $8.25            $4.95
                                      ============================================================



As of November 30, 1998, the range of exercise prices on outstanding  options is
as follows:



                                                Number        Weighted Average     Number of Options
                                              of Options       Exercise Price         Exercisable
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                   
Price range $2.13 to $3.30,
   weighted-average contractual
   life of 9.9  years                           364,374            $2.13                108,000
Price range $3.31 to $5.78,
   weighted-average contractual
   life  of  8.27 years                         107,273             5.21                 13,342
Price range $5.79 to $8.25,
   weighted-average contractual
   life  of 6.19 years                          647,309             6.49                563,704



In  determining  the effect of SFAS No. 123, the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing
model  was used  with  the  following  weighted-average  assumptions  for  1998:
risk-free interest rates of 5.50%,  dividend yields of 0%, volatility factors of
the  expected  market  price  of  the  Company's  common  stock  of  .99,  and a
weighted-average expected life of the options of 6.42 years.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded  options which have no vesting  restrictions  and are fully
transferable.  In addition,  option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective  assumptions  including the expected stock price volatility.  Because
the  Company's  employee  stock  options  have   characteristics   significantly
different from those of traded  options,  and because  changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion,  the  existing  models do not  necessarily  provide a  reliable  single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.


                                      F-18


10. Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (Continued)

The Company's pro forma information,  as if these options had been accounted for
in accordance with FASB Statement No. 123, follows:

                                                      1998         1997
                                                   --------------------------

    Pro forma net income (loss)                    $(11,068)     $(2,286)
    Pro forma earnings (loss) per share               (2.71)        (.56)

In December 1993 and July 1998, respectively, the Board of Directors adopted the
1994  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan (1994  Stock  Purchase  Plan) and the 1998
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (1998 Stock Purchase Plan),  which permit employees
to purchase  shares of the  Company's  common  stock  during  six-month  periods
beginning  on June 1 and  December 1 of each year.  The  purchase  price of such
shares will be equal to the lesser of 85% of the fair market  value of the stock
at the beginning or end of each six-month  offering  period.  During fiscal 1998
and 1997, 25,067 and 26,792 shares, respectively,  were purchased under the 1994
Stock  Purchase  Plan.  The  maximum  cumulative  number of  shares  that may be
purchased under both Stock Purchase Plans is 200,240.

The Company has  reserved  2,324,634  shares of its common  stock for  potential
conversion  of common stock  warrants  and  issuance  under the stock option and
purchase plans described above.

11. Income Taxes

Income tax expense (credit) in the consolidated statement of operations consists
of the following:

                                              Year ended November 30
                                        1998          1997           1996
                                    -------------------------------------------
 Current:
    Federal                         $        -        $(233)        $(170)
    State                                    -            -            80
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                             -         (233)          (90)
 Deferred                                3,629          (56)          202
 Change in valuation allowance          (3,629)        (329)            -
                                    ===========================================
                                    $        -        $(618)        $ 112
                                    ===========================================


                                      F-19



11. Income Taxes (continued)

The  reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) computed at the U.S. federal
statutory rate to income tax expense (benefit) is:



                                                              Year ended November 30
                                                      1998            1997              1996
                                                ----------------------------------------------------

                                                                                  
Tax at U.S. statutory rate of 34%                   $(3,617)            $(945)           $  90
State income taxes, net of federal benefit                -                 -               14
Nondeductible items                                       -                 -              112
Tax-exempt investment income                              -                 -              (13)
General business credits                                  -                 -              (98)
Change in valuation allowance                         3,629               329                -
Other                                                   (12)               (2)               7
                                                ----------------------------------------------------
                                                 $        -             $(618)            $112
                                                ====================================================


The significant components of the deferred tax accounts recognized for financial
reporting purposes at November 30 were as follows:

                                                 1998              1997
                                            -----------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
   Capitalized computer software costs          $ 1,706            $3,087
   Depreciation                                     336               342
   Other, net                                        25                16
                                            -----------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities                    2,067             3,445

Deferred tax assets:
   Net operating loss carryforwards               4,991             2,902
   Allowance for doubtful accounts                  216               185
   Deferred revenue                                 268               127
   Inventory                                         16                30
   General business credit carryforwards            464               442
   Other, net                                        70                88
                                            -----------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets                         6,025             3,774
Valuation allowance                              (3,958)             (329)
                                            -----------------------------------
Net deferred tax liabilities                 $        -         $       -
                                            ===================================

At November  30,  1998,  the Company  had net federal and state  operating  loss
carryforwards   (NOLs)  of  approximately   $13.2  million  and  $13.6  million,
respectively,  available to offset future federal and state taxable income.  The
utilization  of  $2,730,000  of the NOLs is subject to an annual  limitation  of
approximately  $182,000 annually and expires in the year 2010. The carryforwards
resulted  from the Company's  acquisition  of Intercim in 1996 and net operating
losses. In addition,  the Company has general business credits totaling $464,000
which can be used to reduce federal taxable income through 2011.

In 1998 and 1997,  a valuation  allowance  equal to 100% of the net deferred tax
assets has been recognized  based on uncertainty  regarding  realization of such
assets.



                                      F-20


12. Savings Plans

The  Company  has  defined   contribution   401(k)   savings  plans  that  cover
substantially  all employees meeting certain minimum  eligibility  requirements.
Participating  employees can elect to defer a portion of their  compensation and
contribute  it to the plan on a pretax basis.  The Company also matches  certain
amounts and/or provides additional discretionary contributions,  as defined. The
Company's  contributions to the plan were $480, $310 and $345 for 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively.

13. Legal Proceedings

The  Company is a party to various  legal  proceedings  arising in the  ordinary
course of business.  The Company believes that the ultimate  resolution of these
matters  will not have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  financial
condition or results of operations.


                                      F-21

               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Effective Management Systems, Inc.

We have audited the consolidated  financial  statements of Effective  Management
Systems,  Inc. (the  Company) as of November 30, 1998 and 1997,  and for each of
the three  years in the period  ended  November  30,  1998,  and have issued our
report thereon dated January 18, 1999 (included  elsewhere in this  Registration
Statement).  Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in
Item 16(b) of this Registration  Statement.  This schedule is the responsibility
of the Company's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based
on our audits.

In our  opinion,  the  financial  statement  schedule  referred  to above,  when
considered  in  relation  to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.  The
financial statement schedule does not include any adjustments set forth therein.
The financial statement schedule does not include any adjustments to reflect the
possible future effects on the  recoverability  and  classification of assets or
the amounts and  classification  of liabilities that may result from the outcome
of the  uncertainty  regarding  the  Company's  ability to  continue  as a going
concern.

/s/ Ernst & Young

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 18, 1999


                                      F-22




                                        Schedule II Valuation and qualifying accounts

==================================== ================= ====================================== ==================== =================
               COL. A                      COL. B                     COL. C                        COL. D              COL. E
==================================== ================= ====================================== ==================== =================
                                                                     Additions
                                                       --------------------------------------
                                                                (1)                (2)
- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------- ------------------ -------------------- -----------------
             Description                 Balance at     Charged to costs    Charged to other   Deductions-describe  Balance at end
                                        beginning of       and expenses     accounts-describe                          of period
                                           period
- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------- ------------------ -------------------- -----------------
                                                                                                             
Years ended November 30, 1998

- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -----------------
Deducted from Asset Accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts           $462,000           $103,000               0               $59,000            $506,000
- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -----------------

Years ended November 30, 1997

- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -----------------
Deducted from Asset Accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts           $346,000           $120,000               0               $4,000             $462,000
- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -----------------

Years ended November 30, 1996

- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -----------------
Deducted from Asset Accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts           $312,000           $137,000               0              $103,000            $346,000
- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -----------------

Years ended November 30, 1995

- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -----------------
Deducted from Asset Accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts           $268,000            $79,000               0               $35,000            $312,000
- ------------------------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -----------------




                                      F-23


=====================================   ========================================

No  person  has been  authorized  to
give  any  information  or make  any
representations   other  than  those
contained in this  prospectus,  and,
if given or made,  such  information
or   representations   must  not  be
relied    upon   as   having    been         Effective Management
authorized. This prospectus does not            Systems, Inc.
constitute  an  offer to sell or the
solicitation  of an offer to buy any
securities other than the securities
to which it  relates  or an offer to
sell or the solicitation of an offer
to  buy  such   securities   in  any            Common Stock  
circumstances in which such offer or      (par value $.01 per share)  
solicitation  is  unlawful.  Neither
the delivery of this  prospectus nor
any sale made hereunder shall, under
any   circumstances,    create   any
implication  that  there has been no
change in the affairs of the Company
since  the date  hereof  or that the
information   contained   herein  is
correct as of any time subsequent to
its date.

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

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                Page             ----------------
Prospectus Summary............    1
Selected Financial Data.......    4                 PROSPECTUS
Risk Factors..................    5
Forward-Looking Statements....   11              ----------------
Use of Proceeds...............   12
Selling Security Holders......   12
Dividend Policy...............   15
Market for Common Stock.......   15
Price Range of Common Stock...   15
Management's Discussion and
 Analysis of Financial 
 Condition and Results of 
 Operations at and for the
 Fiscal Years Ended 1998,
 1997 and 1996................   16
Business......................   23
Management....................   33
Principal Shareholders........   39
Description of Capital
 Stock........................   42
Plan of Distribution..........   46
Experts.......................   47
Legal Matters.................   47
Index to Financial 
 Statements................... F-1
Additional Information........ II-1

===================================      =======================================




                                     PART II

      INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

           Securities and Exchange Commission filing fee.....      $551
           Accountants' fees and expenses....................
           Legal fees and expenses...........................
           Miscellaneous.....................................
                    Total....................................

       The  foregoing  costs and  expenses  will be paid by us.  Other  than the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  filing  fee,  all fees and  expenses  are
estimated.

Item 14.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

       Pursuant to the provisions of the Wisconsin Business  Corporation Law and
the Registrant's  Bylaws,  directors and officers of the Registrant are entitled
to mandatory indemnification from the Registrant against certain liabilities and
expenses (i) to the extent such  officers or  directors  are  successful  in the
defense of a proceeding and (ii) in proceedings in which the director or officer
is not  successful  in defense  thereof,  unless (in the latter case only) it is
determined that the director or officer breached or failed to perform his or her
duties to the Registrant and such breach or failure  constituted:  (a) a willful
failure to deal fairly with the  Registrant  or its  shareholders  in connection
with a matter in which the  director  or  officer  had a  material  conflict  of
interest; (b) a violation of the criminal law unless the director or officer had
reasonable  cause to believe his or her conduct was lawful or had no  reasonable
cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful;  (c) a transaction  from which
the  director or officer  derived an improper  personal  profit;  or (d) willful
misconduct.  It should be noted  that the  Wisconsin  Business  Corporation  Law
specifically  states  that it is the public  policy of  Wisconsin  to require or
permit  indemnification  in connection  with a proceeding  involving  securities
regulation,  as  described  therein,  to the extent  required  or  permitted  as
described above.  Additionally,  under the Wisconsin  Business  Corporation Law,
directors  of the  Registrant  are not  subject  to  personal  liability  to the
Registrant,  its  shareholders or any person  asserting rights on behalf thereof
for certain breaches or failures to perform any duty resulting solely from their
status as directors,  except in circumstances  paralleling those outlined in (a)
through (d) above.

       Expenses for the defense of any action for which  indemnification  may be
available may be advanced by the Company under certain circumstances.

       The  indemnification  provided by the Wisconsin Business  Corporation Law
and the  Registrant's  Bylaws is not  exclusive  of any other  rights to which a
director or officer of the Registrant may be entitled.

       We maintain a liability  insurance  policy for our directors and officers
as permitted by Wisconsin law which may extend to, among other things, liability
arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 15.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

      Series A Preferred Stock

       On August 28, 1998, we sold 1,005 shares of our Series A Preferred  Stock
in a  non-public  offering  exempt  from the  registration  requirements  of the
Securities  Act of 1933,  pursuant to Section 4(2) and Rule 506 of  Regulation D
thereunder. The Series A Preferred Stock was sold at a price of $1,000 per share
to  accredited  investors,  as such term is  defined  in Rule  501(a)  under the
Securities  Act of 1933.  All  shares  of the  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  were
subsequently exchanged for shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, and no shares
of the Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding.


                                      II-1


      Series B Preferred Stock

       On October  27,  1998,  we issued  780  shares of our Series B  Preferred
Stock,  in a non-public  offering exempt from  registration  pursuant to Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, and Rule 506 of Regulation D thereunder. The
Series B Preferred  Stock was sold at a price of $1,000 per share to  accredited
investors,  as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) under the  Securities  Act of
1933.

       On October 27,  1998,  as part of our  offering of our Series B Preferred
Stock, we issued to (i) certain warrants to purchase 28,714 shares of our common
stock and (ii) certain  warrants to purchase  26,000 shares of our common stock.
All of these warrants are  immediately  exercisable  for a five year period at a
price of $3.60 per share,  subject  to certain  adjustment  as  provided  in the
warrant agreement.

       On October 30, 1998, we exchanged,  on a one-for-one  basis, 1,005 shares
of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock for 1,005  shares of our  Series B  Preferred
Stock.

Item 16.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule.

              (a) Exhibits.  The exhibits filed herewith are as specified on the
       Exhibit Index included herein.

              (b) Financial Statement Schedule.  The schedule filed herewith  as
       page F-23 of this Registration Statement.

Item 17.  Undertakings.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

       (a)    To file,  during  any  period  in which  offers or sales are being
              made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

              (1)    To include any prospectus  required by Section  10(a)(3) of
                     the Securities Act of 1933;

                     (i)    To  reflect  in the  prospectus  any facts or events
                            arising after the effective date of the Registration
                            Statement   (or  the  most   recent   post-effective
                            amendment  thereof)  which,  individually  or in the
                            aggregate,  represent  a  fundamental  change in the
                            information set forth in the Registration Statement;

                     (ii)   To include any material  information with respect to
                            the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
                            the Registration Statement or any material change to
                            such information in the Registration Statement.

                     Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii)
                     do not apply if the information  required to be included in
                     a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
                     in periodic  reports  filed by the  Registrant  pursuant to
                     Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act
                     of  1934  that  are   incorporated   by  reference  in  the
                     Registration Statement.

              (2)    That,  for the purpose of determining  any liability  under
                     the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  each  such  post-effective
                     amendment  shall  be  deemed  to  be  a  new   Registration
                     Statement relating to the securities  offered therein,  and
                     the  offering  of such  securities  at that  time  shall be
                     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

              (3)    To remove from  registration  by means of a  post-effective
                     amendment  any of the  securities  being  registered  which
                     remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

                                      II-2


              (b)    Insofar as  indemnification  for liabilities  arising under
                     the  Securities  Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,
                     officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant
                     to the foregoing provisions,  or otherwise,  the Registrant
                     has been advised that in the opinion of the  Securities and
                     Exchange Commission such  indemnification is against public
                     policy  as  expressed   in  the  Act  and  is,   therefore,
                     unenforceable.    In   the   event   that   a   claim   for
                     indemnification  against such  liabilities  (other than the
                     payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
                     director,  officer or controlling  person of the Registrant
                     in  the   successful   defense  of  any  action,   suit  or
                     proceeding)  is  asserted  by  such  director,  officer  or
                     controlling  person in connection with the securities being
                     registered,  the Registrant will,  unless in the opinion of
                     its  counsel  the  matter has been  settled by  controlling
                     precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate  jurisdiction
                     the question whether such  indemnification by it is against
                     public  policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed
                     by the final adjudication of such issue.


                                      II-3


                                   SIGNATURES

       Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant  has duly caused this amendment to the  registration  statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned  thereunto duly authorized,  in the City
of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, on this 5th day of April 1999.

                                   EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.



                                   By /s/ Michael D. Dunham 
                                      Michael D. Dunham
                                      President

       Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
amendment to the  registration  statement  has been signed below as of this 5th
day of April 1999 by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

                Signature                          Title

          /s/ Michael D. Dunham           President and Director
            Michael D. Dunham             (Principal Executive Officer)

          /s/ Jeffrey J. Fossum           Chief Financial Officer and Assistant
            Jeffrey J. Fossum             Treasurer (Principal Financial and 
                                          Accounting Officer)

             Helmut M. Adam*              Director

          Robert E. Weisenberg*           Director

            Scott J. Mermel*              Director

           Thomas M. Dykstra*             Director

                                          Director
            Elliot Wassarman

  *By       /s/ Jeffrey J. Fossum
            Jeffrey J. Fossum
            Attorney-in-Fact



                                      II-4


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

                       EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.

    Exhibit
     Number       Exhibit

       2.1    Agreement  and Plan of  Merger,  dated  February  17,  1995  among
              Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc., EMS  Acquisition  Corp. and
              Intercim Corporation  [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
              Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on
              Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-95338)].

       2.2    Amendment  No. 1 to  Agreement  and Plan of  Merger  described  in
              Exhibit  2.1,  dated June 30, 1995  [Incorporated  by reference to
              Exhibit 2.2 to Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s Registration
              Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-95338)].

       2.3    Amendment  No. 2 to  Agreement  and Plan of  Merger  described  in
              Exhibit  2.1,  dated July 31, 1995  [Incorporated  by reference to
              Exhibit 2.3 to Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s Registration
              Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 33-95338)].

       2.4    Agreement  of  Merger,  dated  March  22,  1995,  among  Effective
              Management   Systems,   Inc.,  EMS  Illinois   Acquisition  Corp.,
              Effective Management Systems of Illinois,  Inc., Richard W. Grelck
              and Daniel E. Long  [Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 2.2 to
              Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Quarterly  Report on Form
              10-QSB for the quarter ended February 28, 1995].

       3.1    Restated   Articles  of  Incorporation  of  Effective   Management
              Systems,  Inc., as amended  [Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
              3.2 to Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s Registration Statement
              on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-68901)].

       3.2    Bylaws of Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.  [Incorporated  by
              reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s
              Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-73354)].

       4.1    Article 4 of the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation of Effective
              Management Systems, Inc., as amended [Incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit 4.1 to Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s Registration
              Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-68901)].

       4.2    Loan  and  Security  Agreement  by and  between  Foothill  Capital
              Corporation and Effective Management Systems, Inc., EMS-East, Inc.
              and Effective Management Systems of Illinois, Inc., dated December
              31, 1997  [Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to Effective
              Management  Systems,  Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended November
              30, 1997].

       4.3    Waiver and First  Amendment  to Loan  Agreement  between  Foothill
              Capital  Corporation  and  Effective  Management  Systems,   Inc.,
              EMS-East, Inc. and Effective Management Systems of Illinois, Inc.,
              dated May 8, 1998  [Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 to
              Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
              for the quarter ended May 31, 1998].

       4.4    Waiver to Loan Agreement between Foothill Capital  Corporation and
              Effective Management Systems, Inc., EMS-East,  Inc., and Effective
              Management  Systems  of  Illinois,   Inc.,  dated  July  13,  1998
              [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Effective  Management
              Systems,  Inc.'s  Quarterly  Report on Form  10-Q for the  quarter
              ended May 31, 1998].

                                   Exhibit-1


       4.5    Waiver and Second  Amendment to Loan  Agreement  between  Foothill
              Capital  Corporation  and  Effective  Management  Systems,   Inc.,
              EMS-East,  Inc.,  and  Effective  Management  Systems of Illinois,
              Inc., dated August, 1988 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
              to Effective  Management  System,  Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form
              10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 1998].

       4.6    Third  Amendment  to  Loan  Agreement   between  Foothill  Capital
              Corporation  and Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.,  EMS-East,
              Inc., and Effective  Management  Systems of Illinois,  Inc., dated
              October 6, 1998  [Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  4.2 to
              Effective Management System,  Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
              for the quarter ended August 31, 1998].

       4.7    Waiver to Loan Agreement between Foothill Capital  Corporation and
              Effective Management Systems, Inc., EMS-East,  Inc., and Effective
              Management  Systems of  Illinois,  Inc.,  dated  January  28, 1999
              [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Effective  Management
              Systems, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 1998].

       4.8    Warrant Agreement between Effective  Management Systems,  Inc. and
              American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,  dated  September 6, 1995
              [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Effective  Management
              Systems,  Inc.'s Current  Report on Form 8-K,  dated  September 6,
              1995].

       4.9    Form of Common Stock Warrant Issued in Connection With the Sale of
              Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Series  A 8%  Convertible
              Redeemable  Preferred Stock  [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              4.7 to Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s Registration Statement
              on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-68901)].

       4.10   Form of Common Stock Warrant Issued in Connection With the Sale of
              Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Series  B 8%  Convertible
              Redeemable  Preferred Stock  [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              4.8 to Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s Registration Statement
              on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-68901)].

       5.1    Opinion of Foley & Lardner  [Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
              5.1 to Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s Registration Statement
              on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-68901)].

       10.1   Business  Agreement by and between Digital  Equipment  Corporation
              and Effective Management Systems, Inc., effective February 8, 1994
              [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Effective Management
              Systems,  Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration
              No. 33-73354)].

       10.2   Addendum to Business  Agreement by and between  Digital  Equipment
              Corporation  and Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.,  effective
              February 8, 1994  [Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 10.2 to
              Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on
              Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-73354)].


                                   Exhibit-2

       10.3   Value Added Reseller Agreement by and between Digital  Information
              Systems  Corporation  and  Effective  Management  Systems,   Inc.,
              effective  November 9, 1992  [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              10.3  to  Effective   Management   Systems,   Inc.'s  Registration
              Statement on Form SB-2 registration No. 33-73354)].

       10.4   Domestic  Value  Added   Reseller   Agreement   between   Intermec
              Corporation and Effective Management Systems, Inc., dated March 4,
              1991  [Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.4 to  Effective
              Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on Form SB-2
              (Registration No. 33-73354)].

       10.5   Amendment No. 1 to Domestic Value Added Reseller Agreement between
              Intermec Corporation and Effective Management Systems, Inc., dated
              October 29, 1991  [Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 10.5 to
              Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on
              Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-73354)].

       10.6   Amendment No. 2 to Domestic Value Added Reseller Agreement between
              Intermec Corporation and Effective Management Systems, Inc., dated
              June 11,  1993  [Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.6 to
              Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on
              Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-73354)].

       10.7   Software Supplier Agreement,  dated August 6, 1994, by and between
              Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc. and Hewlett  Packard Company
              [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Effective Management
              Systems,  Inc.'s  Annual  Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
              November 30, 1994].

       10.8   Joint Venture Agreement,  dated September 15, 1985, by and between
              Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.  and  Joseph  H.  Schlanser,
              Aurinee M.  Schansler  and  Barton R.  Benjamin  [Incorporated  by
              reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Effective Management Systems,  Inc.'s
              Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-73354)].

       10.9   International  Marketing  Agreement,  dated July 5,  1994,  by and
              between Effective Management Systems,  Inc. and Systems Technology
              Management Corporation [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11
              to Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Annual  Report on Form
              10-KSB for the year ended November 30, 1994].

       10.10  Lease  by and  between  Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.  and
              Milwaukee Park Place Limited Partnership, as amended [Incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit  10.10 to  Effective  Management  Systems,
              Inc.'s  Registration  Statement  on Form  SB-2  (Registration  No.
              33-73354)].

       10.11  Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc. 1986 Employee's Stock Option
              Plan  [Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.11 to Effective
              Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on Form SB-2
              (Registration No. 33-73354)].

       10.12  Stock Option Agreement by and between Helmut M. Adam and Effective
              Management Systems, Inc., dated December 17, 1993 [Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s
              Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 33-73354)].

       10.13  Stock  Option  Agreement  by  and  between  Scott  J.  Mermel  and
              Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.,  dated  December  17,  1993
              [Incorporated   by  reference   to  Exhibit   10.14  to  Effective
              Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on Form SB-2
              (Registration No. 33-73354)].


                                   Exhibit-3


       10.14  IBM Business  Partner  Agreement  between  International  Business
              Machines Corporation and Effective Management Systems, Inc., dated
              March 3,  1995  [Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1 to
              Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Quarterly  Report on Form
              10-QSB for the quarter ended February 28, 1995].

       10.15  Software  Reseller   Agreement  between   International   Business
              Machines Corporation and Effective Management Systems, Inc., dated
              September 6, 1995  [Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to
              Effective Management Systems,  Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
              for the year ended November 30, 1995].

       10.16  Distributor  Agreement  with Pioneer  Standard  Electronics,  Inc.
              [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Effective Management
              Systems,  Inc.'s  Quarterly  Report on Form  10-Q for the  quarter
              ended May 31, 1997].

       10.17  IBM Market Development Program Agreement,  dated September 3, 1997
              [Incorporated by reference to Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s
              Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter  ended  August 31,
              1997].

       10.18  Relationship  Agreement  with  CIMX,  an  Ohio  Limited  Liability
              Company and Effective Management Systems, Inc., dated December 31,
              1997  [Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.20 to Effective
              Management  Systems,  Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended November
              30, 1997].

       10.19  Reseller  Agreement  and  Addendum  Number One by and between Baan
              Midmarket Solutions,  LLC and Effective Management Systems,  Inc.,
              dated April 9, 1998  [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
              Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
              for the quarter ended May 31, 1998].

       10.20  Distribution  Agreement  between  EMS  Asia  Pacific  Limited  and
              Effective   Management   Systems,   Inc.,   dated  May  29,   1988
              [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Effective Management
              Systems,  Inc.'s  Quarterly  Report on Form  10-Q for the  quarter
              ended May 31, 1998].

       10.21  Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.  1993 Stock Option Plan,  as
              amended  [Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Effective
              Management  Systems,  Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
              quarter ended May 31, 1998].

       10.22  Preferred Stock Placement Agreement, dated August 28, 1998 between
              Effective Management Systems, Inc. and Taglich Brothers, D'Amadeo,
              Wagner &  Company,  Incorporated  [Incorporated  by  reference  to
              Exhibit 10.1 to Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 1998].

       10.23  Loan  Agreement by and between EMS  Solutions,  Inc. and Effective
              Management  Systems,  Inc., dated January 1, 1998 [Incorporated by
              reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Effective Management Systems,  Inc.'s
              Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 1998].

       10.24  Special  Compensation  and  Separation  Agreement  by and  between
              Jeffrey  J.  Fossum  and  Effective   Management  Systems,   Inc.,
              effective  January 1, 1998  [Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
              10.3 to Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s Quarterly Report on
              Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 1998].


                                   Exhibit-4


       10.25  Special Compensation and Separation Agreement by and between Wayne
              T.  Wedell  and  Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.,  effective
              January 1, 1998  [Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.4 to
              Effective Management Systems, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
              for the quarter ended May 31, 1998].

       10.26  Series B Preferred  Stock Placement  Agreement,  dated October 27,
              1998  between  Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.  and  Taglich
              Brothers,  D'Amadeo, Wagner & Company,  Incorporated [Incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit  10.28 to  Effective  Management  Systems,
              Inc.'s  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-1  (Registration  No.
              333-68901)].

       10.27  Form of Series B Preferred Stock Purchase  Agreement for Effective
              Management  Systems,  Inc.'s  Series B 8%  Convertible  Redeemable
              Preferred  Stock  [Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.29 to
              Effective  Management Systems,  Inc.'s  Registration  Statement on
              Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-68901)].

       21     List  of  Subsidiaries  of  Effective  Management  Systems,   Inc.
              [Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 21 to Effective  Management
              Systems,  Inc.'s Registration  Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
              No. 333-68901)].

       23     Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP.


                                   Exhibit-5