1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1



               Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors



We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Selected Financial
Data" and to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-48316) pertaining to the 1991 Stock Option Plan of ARI Network
Services, Inc. and the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-54144) pertaining
to the 1992 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of ARI Network Services, Inc., of our
report dated September 4, 1998, except for Notes 2 and 9 as to which sate is
September 14, 1998 and September 15, 1998, respectively, with respect to the
financial statements and schedule of ARI Network Services, Inc. included in the
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 31, 1998.




Milwaukee, Wisconsin                                           ERNST & YOUNG LLP
October 23, 1998