EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INC
S-1/A, 1999-04-21
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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                                                      Registration No. 333-68901
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               -------------------
     
                          Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2  
                                       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           
 (Address, including zip code,                   Facsimile (414) 359-9011    
and telephone number, including          (Name, address, including zip code, and
  area code, of registrant's                telephone number, including area
 principal executive offices)                   code, of 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. [ ]
                       -----------------------------------

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

                                                              Proposed Maximum
      Title of Each Class of                Amount to           Offering Price           Proposed Maximum              Amount of
   Securities to be Registered           be Registered(1)        Per Share(3)        Aggregate Offering Price       Registration Fee

<S>                                           <C>                       <C>                    <C>                        <C> 
Common Stock, par value $.01 per              547,960(4)                $1.25                  $684,950                   $190
share (2)    

(1) In accordance with Rule 416, this Registration Statement includes an indeterminable number of shares of common stock, par
    value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Effective Management Systems, Inc.(the "Company"), which may be necessary to 
    adjust the number of shares to be issued upon conversion of the Company's Series B 8% Convertible Redeemable Preferred
    Stock (the "Series B").
(2) Represents shares of the Common Stock underlying the Series B.  Because dividends due on the Series B may be paid in shares 
    of Series B, the Company is registering the maximum number of shares that could be issuable following the payment of such
    dividends in shares of Series B.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(c), the proposed maximum offering price per share has been calculated based on the average of the bid
    and asked  prices for the Common Stock on April 15, 1999.
(4) Previously, the Company registered 947,214 (the registration fee was $551) shares of Series B. The Company is registering
    these additional shares to account for any Series B shares that may be issued as dividends.
</TABLE>
                             ----------------------

       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 1933 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.

    
<PAGE>

Subject to Completion
Dated April 15, 1999

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 TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY
STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.


                                   PROSPECTUS

   
1,495,174 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  1,495,174 shares of the
common stock for sale by the 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.  Any  commissions  paid or
concessions  allowed to any broker-dealer,  and, if any broker-dealer  purchases
common  stock as a  principal,  any  profits  received  on the  resale of shares
purchased by a  broker-dealer  may be deemed to be  underwriting  discounts  and
commissions under the Securities Act of 1933.

       Investing  in the  common  stock  involves  risks.  See  "Risk  Factors"
beginning on page 6.

       Our common  stock is traded on the OTC  Bulletin  Board  under the symbol
"EMSI".
    

       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.


The date of this prospectus is __________, 1999.

<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   
       This  summary  highlights   information   contained   elsewhere  in  this
prospectus.  It 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/
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  manufacturing execution system software program, meaning that it
aids  enterprises  in resource  planning,  accounting  and  executing and making
manufacturing  decisions,  and  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  

<PAGE>

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 current
conversion price of $2.00 per share.

       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 are exercisable at a price of $3.60 per share.



                                      -2-
<PAGE>

       This  prospectus  relates to the  shares of the common  stock that may be
issued upon  conversion  of the Series B Preferred  Stock,  including  shares of
Series B Preferred Stock that may be issued in lieu of cash dividends,  and upon
the exercise of the warrants.
    

Risk Factors

   
       An  investment  in the  common  stock  involves  risks  that a  potential
investor should carefully  evaluate prior to making an investment.  A discussion
of 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.

Principal Executive Office

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




                                      -3-
<PAGE>
   
  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - AT AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1999

                                                  Three months ended February 28
                                                     1999                 1998
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:                     (In thousands, except per share data)

Net revenues:
Software license fees                               $3,156              $5,335
Services                                            $3,994              $4,239
Hardware                                            $326                $672
                                                    ============================
                                Total net revenues  $7,476              $10,246


Cost of products and services:
Cost of software license fees                       $916                $1,723
Cost of services                                    $3,811              $3,220
Cost of hardware                                    $281                $527
                                                    ============================
                   Total cost of products/services  $5,008              $5,470


Selling and marketing expenses                      $2,821              $3,625
General and administrative expenses                 $784                $1,194
Product development expenses                        $881                $837
================================================================================
Total Operating Expenses                            $9,494              $11,126
================================================================================
Loss From Operations                                $(2,018)            $(880)
================================================================================

Other (income)/expense                              $(8)                $(10)
Interest (income)                                   $174                $153
                                                    ----------------------------
Interest expense                                    $166                $143


Loss before income taxes                            $(2,184)            $(1,023)
Income tax expense (benefit)                        $(9)                $33
================================================================================
Net Loss                                            $(2,175)            $1,056
================================================================================

Basic and diluted net loss per share                $0.53               $0.26


BALANCE SHEET DATA:                            28-Feb. 1999       
- -------------------                                               

Total assets                                        $20,291       
Long-term obligations                               $259          
Total stockholder's equity                          $1,459        

    

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - AT YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1998

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

<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>     
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

</TABLE>

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS

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

      Even though we are taking steps to improve our financial performance,  our
      business may continue to be unprofitable.
    

       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.

   
      If we are unable to obtain covenant  relief,  we may be unable to maintain
      liquidity and fund continuing operations.
    
       Our  credit  agreement  with  our  primary  lender  contains  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 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 February 28, 1999, we had  borrowing  availability  of
$891,000 under our credit agreement.
   
      Our poor  financial  performance,  which has led our  auditors  to express
      doubt  regarding our ability to continue as a going  concern,  may make it
      difficult for us to market our product.
    

       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.

   
      Even though we have  attempted  to improve our  financial  performance  by
      restructuring, the restructuring may not positively impact operations, and
      may even have negative impacts.
    
       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,  like the loss of  significant
customers and/or key employees.
   
      Since there is no formal  trading  market it may be difficult  for someone
      owning our common stock to sell it.
    

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

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
   
      A decrease  in revenue  from  license  fees  could  negatively  impact our
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, like 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.
   
      The failure of our  relationship  with Baan or failure of third-parties to
      supply software to us could negatively impact our operations.
    
       We  recently  entered  into an  arrangement  pursuant to which we license
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 this offering will remain viable in
our  target  market  or that  Baan  will  continue  the  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.
   
       The loss of key employees could negatively impact our future performance.
    

       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.

   
      Since there can be no  assurance  important  intellectual  property can be
      protected, it is possible our competitors could gain access to information
      that would allow them to develop a superior product.
    
       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  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 customers will take adequate  precautions to protect our 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.
   
       If we fail to properly  anticipate  revenue levels, our operating results
       could be adversely affected.
    
       Our operating results can vary  substantially from quarter to quarter due
to various factors, including, among others:

   
       -      The size and timing of customer orders.
    

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
   
       -      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.

       -      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.
   
      Since some of our  competitors  are larger,  with  greater  personnel  and
      financial  resources,  it is possible they will produce superior  products
      against which we will not be able to compete.

       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 our 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.

      If brokers are subject to the "penny stock"  rules,  they may be 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 transactions in our securities.

      Since  management  controls  a  large  percentage  of  our  common  stock,
      management may be able, acting together, to significantly impact corporate
      actions contrary to the wishes of other shareholders.
    

       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.



                                      -8-
<PAGE>

   
      Based on our poor financial performance and past history, it is unlikely a
      holder of common stock will receive dividends on his or her 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.

   
      If  holders  of our  common  stock  wish to remove  directors  or effect a
      merger,  anti-takeover provisions of our charter, bylaws and Wisconsin law
      may hinder their ability to remove directors or complete a merger.

       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 the 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.

      Although  we are taking  steps to ensure  Year 2000  compliance,  there is
      still  a  possibility  Year  2000  problems  will  negatively  impact  our
      financial performance.
    

       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. These types of 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.
    


                                      -9-
<PAGE>


                              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

   
       Some  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 by the context of the statement  because
it will  include  words like we  "believe,"  "anticipate,"  "expect" or words of
similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, objectives
or goals are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are subject
to 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.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                 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  current  number of shares of common
stock  beneficially  owned by each of the selling  shareholders  and  registered
under this  registration  statement.  Additional  shares have been registered to
cover  common  stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of those  shares  of  Series B
Preferred  Stock that may be issued in lieu of the  payment  of cash  dividends.
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.
    



                                      -11-
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   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):

<S>                                  <C>               <C>            <C>                  <C>               <C> 
Alvin R. Bonnette, Trustee           26,255             *             26,255               0                  *

Arthur D. Sterling and Marie         13,130             *             13,130               0                  *
Sterling

Christopher Schreiber(4)              7,108             *             7,108                0                  *

Carl M. Birkelbach(7)                 2,100             *             2,100                0                  *

David H. Padden 1983 Trust           10,510             *             10,510               0                  *

David Random                         13,130             *             13,130               0                  *

Donald Gross                          5,255             *             5,255                0                  *

Donald T. McKiernan(7)                3,200             *             3,200                0                  *

Douglas E. Hailey(5)                 16,887             *             16,887               0                  *

EmJayco                              15,750             *             15,750               0                  *

Gary Arnold                          78,760            1.5%           78,760               0                  *

George N. Gaynor                     10,510             *             10,510               0                  *

Gustave Levinson and Lydia F.        13,130             *             13,130               0                  *
Levinson

JDN Partners, L.P.                   105,120           2.1%          105,120               0                  *

John Clifford                        52,510            1.0%           52,510               0                  *

John D. Holley                       78,840            1.5%           78,840               0                  *

John L. Palazzola and Maria          13,130             *             13,130               0                  *
Palazzola

John R. Bertsch                      10,500             *             10,500               0                  *

John R. Graham, Trustee of                                                                                               
the John R. Graham Trust              5,255              *            5,255                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                     5,255             *             5,255                0                  *

Lewco Securities as Nominee                                                                                              
for Schroder & Co. Custodian                                                                                             
f/b/o Ron Magruder and               52,560            1.0%           52,560               0                  *
Elizabeth Magruder

Lone Star Holdings Partners,         105,120           2.1%          105,120               0                  *
L.P.

Michael E. Recca(7)                   7,754             *             7,754                0                  *

Michael Taglich(6)                   19,647             *             19,647               0                  *


                                      -12-
<PAGE>
Morton Topfer                        131,270           2.6%          131,270               0                  *

Rafael Caballero                     26,280             *             26,280               0                  *

Richard C. Oh(7)                      1,000             *             1,000                0                  *

Robert C. Schroeder(7)                1,600             *             1,600                0                  *

Robert F. Taglich(6)                 19,647             *             19,647               0                  *

Robert L DeBruyn and Tracey           5,250             *             5,250                0                  *
H. DeBruyn

Sanford R. Penn Jr.                  26,280             *             26,280               0                  *

Shadow Capital LLC                   26,280             *             26,280               0                  *

Thomas J. Waggoner and Patsy          5,250             *             5,250                0                  *
Ann Waggoner

Thomas P. Morrisey                   15,750             *             15,750               0                  *

U.S. Bank, National                                                                                                      
Association, as Trustee for                                                                                              
the Dorsey & Whitney Master          10,510             *             10,510               0                  *
Trust FBO Stanley Rein

Vincent M. Palmieri(7)                1,000             *             1,000                0                  *

William C. Smith Jr.                  5,250             *             5,250                0                  *

William J. Easton Jr.                 5,250             *             5,250                0                  *

William Kuntz                        15,750             *             15,750               0                  *

William Wieck & Elizabeth             7,880             *             7,880                0                  *
Wieck

Wulf Paulick and Renate               7,880             *             7,880                0                  *
Paulick
- ----------------------------------------

* 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  5,110,885
       (4,118,486  outstanding  as of April 15,  1999,  plus 54,714  exercisable
       through the warrants and 937,685  exercisable  through  conversion of the
       Series B  Preferred  Stock at $2.00 as of April 15,  1999)  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 (a) 2,630 shares of common stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of
       shares of Series B Preferred  Stock and (b) 4,478  issuable upon exercise
       of his warrants.
(5)    Includes (a) 5,255 shares of common stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of
       shares of Series B Preferred  Stock and (b) 11,632 issuable upon exercise
       of his warrants.
(6)    Includes (a) 13,130,  shares of common stock issuable upon  conversion of
       shares of Series B Preferred  Stock and (b) 6,517  issuable upon exercise
       of his warrants.
(7)    Represents shares issuable upon exercise of his or her warrants.
</TABLE>
    

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
                                 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 those other
factors that 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 and the  publicly  traded  warrants to purchase  common
stock (the "Public  Warrants")  are traded on the OTC  Bulletin  Board under the
symbols "EMSI" and "EMSIW,"  respectively.  See "Risk  Factors." As of March 19,
1999,  we had 415 record  holders of the common stock and 300 record  holders of
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:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Common Stock                              Public Warrants
          1999              High                    Low                 High                    Low
<S>                        <C>                    <C>                  <C>                    <C>       
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
</TABLE>

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


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

   
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations - At and for the Three Months Ended February 28, 1999 and 1998

      Overview

       We incurred a 27% decrease in net  revenues and a net loss of  $2,175,000
for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 compared with a net loss of $1,056,000  for
the first  quarter of fiscal 1998.  The first quarter of fiscal 1999 and 1998 do
not reflect a tax benefit relating to the loss since for book purposes we are in
a loss  carryforward  position.  Software  revenues were down 40.8% in the first
quarter of fiscal 1999 compared to the same period in the prior year. Management
believes this  decrease in software  revenues was mainly the result of a general
decline in the Enterprise  Resource  Planning  ("ERP")  industry,  delays in the
sales of the Baan products distributed by us, an insufficient level of leads for
Baan prospects, a decline in our proprietary TCM/R/ product revenues and reduced
revenues  from  restructured  operations (a reduction of $249,000 from the first
quarter of 1998).

       Although we have taken various actions with the objective of returning to
profitability,  no  assurance  can be given that these  measures  will  actually
result in the  achievement of this  objective.  In addition,  as a result of the
recent  losses,  we have been required to obtain waivers from our primary lender
for covenant violations.  In the event that in the near term, 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 continue to
require covenant relief in fiscal 1999. In the event that covenant relief cannot
be obtained,  it would likely have a material  adverse  effect on our liquidity,
including  our  ability  to fund  current  operations.  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 fiscal 1998 audit report  contains an  explanatory  paragraph  for going
concern uncertainty,  pursuant to which the auditors expressed substantial doubt
as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

       Our on-going  operations are 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  historical  levels.  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 Revenues

       Net revenues  decreased to $7,476,000 for the three months ended February
28, 1999,  which  represented a 27.0% decrease from the  $10,246,000 in revenues
for the  same  quarter  in the  previous  year.  The mix of  revenues  comparing
software,  services,  and hardware  revenues as a percentage of net revenues was
42.2%,  53.4%, and 4.4%,  respectively,  in the first quarter of fiscal 1999, as
compared  with 52.1%,  41.4%,  and 6.7%,  respectively,  in the first quarter of
fiscal 1998.

       International  revenues represented less than 10% of net revenues for all
periods presented.

       Our  operating  revenues can vary  substantially  from quarter to quarter
based on the size and timing of  customer  orders and market  acceptance  of new
products.  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  substantially  dependent on orders booked and shipped
during that quarter.

      Software License Fees

       Software  license  fees are  customer  charges  for the  right to use our
software  products.  Software  license fees decreased 40.8% to $3,156,000 in the
first  quarter of fiscal  1999 from  $5,335,000  in the first  quarter 


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

of fiscal  1998.  Management  believes  this  decrease in software  revenues was
mainly the result of a general decline in the ERP industry,  delays in the sales
of Baan products,  an insufficient level of leads for Baan prospects,  a decline
in our proprietary TCM/R/ product revenues (a trend that is likely to continue),
reduced revenues from restructured  operations (a reduction of $249,000 from the
first quarter of 1998) and subsequent attrition.

      Service Revenues 

       We  offer a number  of  optional  services  to our  customers,  including
services like a telephone support program, systems integration,  custom software
development,   implementation  consulting,  and  formal  classroom  and  on-site
training.  Service  revenues  decreased to $3,994,000 for the three months ended
February 28, 1999, as compared with  $4,239,000 for the same period of the prior
year.  The  decrease  in  revenues  was mainly the result of a reduced  level of
personnel due to the  restructuring  we implemented in the quarter ended May 31,
1998 and subsequent attrition.

      Hardware Revenues

       Hardware  revenues  decreased  51.5% to $326,000 in the first  quarter of
fiscal 1999 compared with $672,000 for the  corresponding  period of 1998.  This
decrease was mainly due to increased sales of software on platforms for which we
do not supply  hardware  and a reduction  in new TCM/R/  system  sales.  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.

       Management  expects the trend of declining hardware sales to continue due
to both the  increasing  sales of software  licenses  operating on the Microsoft
Windows NT platform and the reduced level of new TCM/R/  system sales.  Hardware
used with the Microsoft Windows NT platform is either generally already in place
at the customer  site or readily  available  from local  suppliers  who can also
provide local support.

      Cost of Software License Fees

       The cost of software  license fees as a percentage of related revenue was
29.0% for the first  quarter  of fiscal  1999,  a  decrease  from  32.3% for the
corresponding  period of 1998. Cost of software license fees is composed of both
amortization  of past  investment  in software  development  and the third party
costs associated with the software revenues. Software amortization is related to
past  investment in software  development  and does not vary  consistently  with
variations in software revenues.  We wrote off a substantial portion of our past
investment in software development in conjunction with our restructuring efforts
in the quarter ended May 31, 1998. Software  amortization  decreased $479,000 in
the first  quarter of fiscal  1999 as  compared  to the same period of 1998 as a
result of the amounts written off of previously capitalized development costs in
the  restructuring.  The cost of software  license fees is also dependent on the
level of third party costs associated with software  revenues and includes items
like purchased licenses and other components.

      Cost of Services 

       The cost of services as a  percentage  of related  revenue  increased  to
95.4% for the three months ended  February 28, 1999,  as compared with 76.0% for
the same quarter in the previous year. The increase was mainly due to additional
compensation  for  current  personnel,  lower  levels  of  productivity  for new
personnel,  higher costs of outside-sourced  labor, and additional warranty work
associated with new versions of our software.  We have also initiated a group of
personnel to implement the Baan software solutions which has raised the level of
training  costs and other initial  non-billable  activities.  Last, we have been
implementing a new call  management  system for the hot line  telephone  support
area which has also  temporarily  raised costs. We have raised the billing rates
for our  services in line with  industry  practice,  but the effects will not be
fully realized until the third quarter of the 1999 fiscal year.



                                      -16-
<PAGE>

      Cost of Hardware

       The cost of hardware as a  percentage  of related  revenue  increased  to
86.2% in the first  quarter of fiscal  1999 from  78.4% in the first  quarter of
fiscal 1998. 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 pressure of the customer sale. The cost of hardware as
a  percentage  of  related  revenue  also  varies  with the amount of low margin
hardware sales to affiliates. Hardware sales to affiliates declined in the first
quarter of fiscal 1999 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 1998.

      Selling and Marketing Expenses

       Selling  and  marketing  expenses  decreased  $804,000,  or  22.2%,  from
$3,625,000  in the first  quarter  of  fiscal  1998 to  $2,821,000  in the first
quarter of fiscal  1999.  This  decrease  in selling and  marketing  expense was
mainly due to reduced levels of personnel through attrition,  and reduced levels
of  expense  resulting  from  our  restructuring.   We  have  also  restructured
compensation  levels to more  effectively  match industry  practice in the upper
mid-market. As a percentage of total revenues, selling and marketing expense was
37.7% in the first quarter of fiscal 1999 compared to 35.4% in the corresponding
period of 1998. This increase was mainly attributable to a reduction in revenues
(see Software Revenues above).

      General and Administrative Expenses

       General and administrative  expenses decreased  $410,000,  or 34.3%, from
$1,194,000  in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 to $786,000 in the first quarter
of fiscal 1999. The decrease in general and  administrative  expenses was mainly
due to reduced expense levels as a result of our restructuring.  As a percentage
of net revenues, general and administrative expenses were 10.5% and 11.7% in the
first quarter of fiscal 1999 and 1998, respectively.

      Product Development Expense

       Product  development  expense  increased  5.3% from $837,000 in the first
quarter of fiscal  1998 to $881,000 in the first  quarter of fiscal  1999.  This
increase  primarily  related to a $189,000  decrease  in the amount of  software
capitalized.  We  capitalize  costs in  accordance  with  Statement of Financial
Accounting   Standard  (SFAS)  No.  86.  We  capitalized   $819,000  of  product
development  costs in the first quarter of fiscal 1999 compared to $1,008,000 in
the first quarter of fiscal 1998. As a percentage of software  license fees, the
total amount  invested in software  development was 53.6% and 34.7% in the first
quarter of fiscal  1999 and fiscal  1998,  respectively.  Management  expects to
reduce  the  level of  software  development  expense  in the  next  two  fiscal
quarters.

      Restructuring Charges

       In the second quarter of fiscal 1998, we recorded a restructuring  charge
of $6,836,000  related to entering into a new  distributor  arrangement  for the
Baan manufacturing  software,  and a reduction of costs focused on improving our
financial performance. The full amount of the restructuring charge has been paid
or expensed as of February 28, 1999.

      Other Income\Expense-Net

       Other income\expense-net was $143,000 of expense for the first quarter of
fiscal 1998  compared  to  $166,000  of expense for the first  quarter of fiscal
1999.  The increase in the level of expense was mainly the result of an increase
in interest  expense as a result of  increased  borrowings  under our  borrowing
facilities.



                                      -17-
<PAGE>

      Income Tax

       A tax  expense of $33,000  (for state and local  taxes) and no income tax
benefit was  recorded  for the first  quarter of fiscal  1998  compared to a tax
expense of $9,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 1999.  For some time,  we, for
book purposes, have been in a tax loss carryforward position. Generally accepted
accounting  principles  prohibit  us from  recording  a tax  benefit  under  the
circumstances.

      Liquidity and Capital Resources

       At February 28, 1999, we had cash and marketable  securities  aggregating
$6,000.  During  the first  quarter of fiscal  1999,  our  operating  activities
provided  $1,916,000  of cash  compared to providing  $1,039,000 of cash for the
same period of the prior year.  This  increase in the cash  provided  was mainly
attributable to our improved collection of accounts receivable.

       Investing  activities  used cash of  $1,000,000  in the first  quarter of
fiscal 1999  compared to $1,074,000 of cash in the first quarter of fiscal 1998.
The  principal  use of the cash in the first quarter of fiscal 1999 was $819,000
for  capitalized  product  development.  The principal uses of cash in the first
quarter of fiscal 1998 included $1,008,000 for capitalized product development.

       Financing activities used $931,000 of cash in the first quarter of fiscal
1999 compared with  providing  $305,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1998. The
cash  used  in  fiscal  1999  mainly  reflected  payments  under  our  borrowing
facilities.  As of February 28, 1999, we had $ 891,000 of availability under our
$5,000,000  line of  credit,  which is based on the level of  eligible  accounts
receivable.

       Our  credit   agreement  with  Foothill  Capital   Corporation   contains
restrictive covenants relating to income (EBITDA), tangible net worth, and level
of capital expenditures. On April 13, 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
management believes that waivers and/or additional financing can be obtained, if
needed,  no assurance can be given that waivers or 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 at current  levels.  We currently have past due amounts with vendors.
We have secured extended payment arrangements with some of these vendors and are
in the process of securing similar arrangements with other vendors. There can be
no assurance that we will be successful in extending these amounts owed to other
vendors or that funds will be available to pay obligations as they arise. We are
dependent on success in our selling  efforts to build  collateral  to meet these
obligations,  and a lack of success  could  substantially  impact our ability to
continue as a going concern.

       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.  All debt
pertaining to the credit  facility having  cross-default  provisions has been so
reclassified  regardless of whether or not covenant  violations have occurred or
are anticipated.  Our report from our independent accountants for the year ended
November 30, 1998, contains a going concern explanatory  paragraph,  pursuant to
which the auditors expressed  substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as
a going concern.

      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 


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

1999 than in fiscal 1998, our interest  expense would increase by $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 this type of  environment.  We have not
historically  used financial  instruments to hedge interest rate exposure and 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 May of fiscal  1999. A
formal  review and  approval  by the Board of  Directors  is  expected  to occur
immediately thereafter.

      State of Readiness

      Our 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.  Our versions of the 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 customers  since 1992 do not
expressly 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  ,  like
telecommunications  equipment,  network  equipment,  etc., to determine  whether
these 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  May,  1999.  We expect to complete
deployment of Year 2000 corrections on or around September of 1999.

      Third Party Reseller and Key Suppliers

       We plan to  assess  the Year  2000  readiness  of our  resellers  and key
suppliers  over the second  quarter of fiscal 1999.  With respect to some 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.
We expect to fund the future costs of remedation from operations.


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

      Risk

       Failure  to  correct  critical  Year 2000  issues  could  cause a serious
interruption in business  operations of our customers  and/or internal  systems.
These  type of  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 could also 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.  Some of the  risks  like
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-
<PAGE>

   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 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/R/  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/R/ 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/R/ 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
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  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 result of a strategic
decision to focus our marketing  and selling  efforts on generating an increased
percentage of 


                                      -21-
<PAGE>

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 factors like 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/R/ 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/R/ 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/R/ 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.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

      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/R/  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)  decreased to
$6,200,000  in fiscal 1998 from  $6,862,000  in fiscal 1997.  Total  development
expense  increased to $6,862,000


                                      -23-
<PAGE>

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 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 


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

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
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  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  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.


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

       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 a future 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 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.


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

      Internal Systems

   
       We are in the  process  of  assessing  the  Year  2000  readiness  of our
internal   computer   information   system  and   non-computer   systems,   like
telecommunications  equipment,  network  equipment,  etc., to determine  whether
these types of 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
some 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.  This type of interruption 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.  Some of the  risks  like
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.
    


                                      -27-
<PAGE>

                                    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 software program, and FACTORYnet/R/ I/S, which is an integrated
manufacturing   execution   system  software   program,   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 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 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.

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

   
       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
like enterprise  resource  planning .  Manufacturing  execution  system software
programs 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 system
software  programs  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.

   
       These  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.

   
       Commitment  to  Manufacturing  Execution  System  Software  Programs.  We
believe that discrete  manufacturers can gain significant  competitive advantage
by implementing manufacturing execution system software programs.

       We offered our first  manufacturing  execution system software package in
1988 and believe that it is currently a leader in this software segment. Typical
business functions included in a manufacturing execution system software program
are  described  below.  Although  the people in an  organization  which use this

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

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 software program extends far beyond this realm.
We believe, based on the experience of our customers,  that the major benefit of
implementing  a  manufacturing  execution  system  software  program  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 software
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 system software provides
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
pre-integrated  manufacturing  execution  system software  providing  production
management,  shop floor scheduling and operations  support and (b) FACTORYnet(R)
I/S, which is a manufacturing  execution  system software  program 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  seven  categories  listed  below.  TCM(R)  and  FACTORYnet(R)  I/S  provide
different  capabilities  within the manufacturing  execution system and decision
support tools software 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.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>  `                                            <C>                                         <C>
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


                                      -30-
<PAGE>

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.
</TABLE>



                                      -31-
<PAGE>

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 system software programs which:

       -      provide production management, shop floor scheduling, distribution
              of "electronic drawings" as well as textual information on factory
              floor computer workstations;

       -      collect information from bar coding systems; and

       -      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 system software programs
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.


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

VI.      Decision Support Tools.
   
1
    
          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

          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 like 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  like 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 


                                      -33-
<PAGE>

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
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.



                                      -34-
<PAGE>

      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               Cleveland, OH
    
Boston, MA                   Menomonee, MI
Chicago, IL                  Pittsburgh, PA
Cincinnati, OH               Wausau, WI
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)


                                      -35-
<PAGE>

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 a  relationship  with respect to a Tier 1  manufacturing  software
product.

          Our  relationship  with the equipment and software  product  suppliers
described  above  is  basically  that of a  reseller  of  their  products.  As a
reseller,  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 like 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.  Some 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  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 


                                      -36-
<PAGE>

area for  discrete  manufacturers.  Additionally,  that  firm  identified  eight
competitors in the  manufacturing  execution  system  software market as of June
1997.  Although  Gartner Group identified a limited number of competitors in its
manufacturing  execution  system  software  study, we generally do not encounter
these  competitors in the marketplace.  We believe that our primary  competition
for our manufacturing execution system software 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.
    

      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 like
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.


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

                                   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
to that, 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 


                                      -38-
<PAGE>

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


                                      -39-
<PAGE>

      Director Compensation

   
          Directors  who are  officers or  employees  of the company  receive no
compensation  for  service  as  members  of  either  the Board of  Directors  or
committees of the Board of Directors. 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  to the  non-employee
director's options 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 the 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,  (a) Mr.  Wassarman  was granted an
option to purchase  20,000 shares of common stock and (b) 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  (a) as to 30% of the shares of the common stock subject
to these options  immediately,  (b) as to an additional 30% of the shares of the
common stock  subject to these  options after one year has elapsed from the date
of grant  and (c) as to the  remaining  40% of the  shares of the  common  stock
subject to these options 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 nominations


                                      -40-
<PAGE>

to be made  pursuant to timely notice (as specified in the Bylaws) in writing to
our Secretary.  The 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 the director
served during the year.
    

      Executive Compensation

   
          The following  table sets forth  information  concerning  compensation
paid for the last three fiscal years to (a) our Chief Executive  Officer and (b)
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."
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

<S>                                  <C>               <C>          <C>               <C>                    <C> 
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)  Some personal  benefits  provided by us and our  subsidiaries  to the Named
     Executive  Officers are not included in the table. These benefits consisted
     of company-provided automobiles and reimbursement of some medical expenses.
     The aggregate amount of these benefits for each Named Executive  Officer in
     each  year  reflected  in the table  did not  exceed  10% of the sum of the
     officer's salary and bonus in each respective year.

(2)  Consists of matching contributions made by the company under its 401(k) plan. 
      Stock Options
    
</TABLE>

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

   
          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  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.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           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
             ----                  -----------    ---------------     -----------      ----------     -------   ------

<S>                                    <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>       <C>    
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  (a) as to 30% of the  shares of common  stock
     subject to these options  immediately,  (b) as to an additional  30% of the
     shares of common stock  subject to these options after one year has elapsed
     from the date of grant  and (c) as to the  remaining  40% of the  shares of
     common stock  subject to these options 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.

</TABLE>

                                      -42-
<PAGE>

          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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         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
                                                               -----------      -------------       -----------       -------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>               <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C>
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.
</TABLE>

      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 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 some 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 termination.



                                      -43-
<PAGE>

          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 the event described above, he will be entitled to
receive his base salary and  insurance  benefits for up to twelve  months,  some
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 the debt, EMS Solutions paid interest  thereon at a 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.



                                      -44-
<PAGE>

                                           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.



                                      -45-
<PAGE>

      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 December 31,
1998. The beneficial ownership listed below has been reported on filings made by
the  beneficial  owners  on  Schedule  13G  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Amount and Nature                                             
Name and Address                                               of Beneficial Ownership                                
of Beneficial Owners                                     Voting Power               Investment Power                  
- --------------------                                     ------------               ----------------                      Percent  
                                                    Sole          Shared         Sole        Shared       Aggregate      of Class  
                                                    ----          ------         ----        ------       ---------      -------- 
<S>                                                <C>              <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>             <C>  
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.

</TABLE>


                                      -46-
<PAGE>

                          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 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 "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 a 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  of this section 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).

       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 some other 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
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 shares are acquired.  Similarly,  sections 180.1130 to 180.1133 of
the Wisconsin  Statutes  contain  special voting  provisions  applicable to some
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 some share repurchases
effected at a premium to the market and on some 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  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


                                      -47-
<PAGE>

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 of the
preferred stock, 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 1,875.37 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 :
(a) $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 .
    

          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.

   
          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 


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

fractional  shares of the common stock upon conversion of the Series B Preferred
Stock, but will pay a cash adjustment for any 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:

   
          -         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 the  registration  is then
                    currently effective; and

          -         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  in which 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  explained 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 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 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 the 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:

          -         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;

          -         any  declaration of a dividend or other  distribution  by us
                    upon the common stock payable in shares of the common stock;
                    or

          -         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)  issue shares of the
common stock, or


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

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
(the 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 the 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 the 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 the  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 fraction.
    

          There will be no  adjustment  in the event  that we pay a dividend  in
cash to  holders  of  common  stock;  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:

          -         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 by
                    more than thirty (30%) percent; or

          -         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  anti-dilution  provisions in the event we take  specified  actions,
like,  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:



                                      -50-
<PAGE>

          -         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");

          -         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

          -         to  keep  the  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
)), then we will offer the selling  shareholders the opportunity to register the
number of  registerable  securities  as each  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 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 a holder,  each  person who  controls  (within  the meaning of the
Securities  Act of 1933) a 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 to the above or supplement to the above,  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 the 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 the holder to us; provided,  however, that the liability
of any holder will be limited to the amount of the net proceeds  received by the
holder in the offering giving rise to the 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 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 


                                      -51-
<PAGE>

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 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 under this registration statement, 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 the 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 describe 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.

          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.  The 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 this common
stock  for a period  of nine  business  days  prior to the  commencement  of the
distribution and ending upon the completion of the 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  some  circumstances  the  selling
shareholders   against  some  liabilities,   including   liabilities  under  the
Securities Act of 1933. The selling  shareholders have agreed to indemnify us in
some  circumstances  against some 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 this report given
upon the authority of Ernst & Young LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
    

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

   
          Some legal  matters in  connection  with the sale of the shares of the
common stock offered under this  registration  statement will be passed upon for
us by Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    


                                      -52-
<PAGE>

                       Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                        Consolidated Financial Statements


Years ended November 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996

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

Financial Statement Schedule
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors .................F-22
Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts ....................F-23

Unaudited interim financial statements for quarter ended February 28, 1999

Consolidated Financial Statements
Balance Sheets.....................................................F-24
Statements of Operations...........................................F-26
Statements of Cash Flows...........................................F-27 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.........................F-29


                                      F-1
<PAGE>

                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
<PAGE>

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



                                      F-3
<PAGE>

                                                            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
     4,067,310 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
                                                       ===================

See accompanying notes.
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                       Effective Management Systems, Inc.

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

<CAPTION>
                                                                         Year ended November 30
                                                                   1998           1997           1996
                                                              ----------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>               <C>            <C>    
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
                                                              ==============================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.
                                      F-5
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
                      Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                
                                           Preferred Stock                Common Stock            Common 
                                    ------------------------------------------------------------   Stock 
                                         Shares         Amount        Shares         Amount      Warrants
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                       <C>        <C>              <C>              <C>          <C>  
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
                                    =========================================================================

</TABLE>



                                      F-6
<PAGE>

     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
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                       Effective Management Systems, Inc.

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Year ended November 30
                                                                        1998         1997          1996
                                                                    ----------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>           <C>     
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
<PAGE>

<CAPTION>
                       Effective Management Systems, Inc.

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

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


<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>          <C>    
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


</TABLE>


See accompanying notes

                                      F-9
<PAGE>


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
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>


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
<PAGE>

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:
                                                  Capital      Operating   
          Fiscal Year Ending                       Leases       Leases     
             November 30                        -------------------------- 
                                              
          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
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>

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

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Number        Exercise Price      Weighted Average
                                                   of Shares         Per Share         Exercise Price
                                               ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>                      <C>  
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
                                               ============================================================
</TABLE>

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Number        Weighted Average     Number of Options
                                                of Options       Exercise Price         Exercisable
                                            ---------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                <C>               <C>                  <C>    
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
</TABLE>


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
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>

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:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year ended November 30
                                         1998            1997              1996
                                   ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                 <C>              <C>  
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
                                   ====================================================
</TABLE>

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
<PAGE>

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
<PAGE>

                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 dues 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
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                                   Schedule II Valuation and qualifying accounts
<CAPTION>

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

<S>                                          <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>                   <C>     
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
- --------------------------------------- ------------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------------- -------------------

</TABLE>

                                      F-23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands) (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ASSETS                                                                     28-Feb              30-Nov
                                                                             1999                1998
======================================================================================================
<S>                                                                         <C>                <C>   
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash                                                                           $6                 $21
Accounts receivable: trade, less allowance for
   doubtful accounts                                                        8,626              12,871
   Related parties                                                            437                 426
Inventories                                                                   480                 275
Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                     272                 225
                                                              ----------------------------------------

                                         TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS               9,821              13,818

LONG TERM ASSETS
Computer software, net                                                      4,718               4,373
       Investments in and advances to unconsolidated
           joint ventures                                                     291                 291
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net                                   3,001               3,202
Intangible assets, net                                                      2,074               2,129
Other assets                                                                  386                 347
                                                              ----------------------------------------

                                      TOTAL LONG TERM  ASSETS              10,470              10,342

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

TOTAL ASSETS                                                              $20,291             $24,160

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

</TABLE>

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                      F-24
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY              28-Feb              30-Nov
                                                                   1999                1998
==============================================================================================
<S>                                                                <C>                 <C>   
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable                                                   $4,607              $3,662
Accrued liabilities                                                 1,499               2,937
Deferred revenues                                                   6,319               6,522
Customer deposits                                                     133                 113
Current portion of long-term obligations                            5,244               6,194

            TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                              17,802              19,428

LONG TERM LIABILITIES
Deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities                      771                 858
Long-term obligations                                                 259                 242

                                                                 -----------------------------
            TOTAL LONG TERM LIABILITIES                             1,030               1,100

Commitments and Contingencies

STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY
Preferred stock; authorized 3,000,000 shares of which
  5,000 shares are designated as Series B 8% Convertible
  Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series B")
  1,875.37 shares, of Series B, issued and outstanding
  (liquidation preference at $1,000 per share)                      1,394               1,411
Common stock,  $.01 par value; authorized
  20,000,000 shares; issued 4,118,486 and
  4,106,377 shares; outstanding 4,105,861 and
  4,093,752 shares                                                     41                  41
Common Stock Warrants                                                 144                 144
Additional  Paid- in capital                                       11,444              11,426
Retained Earnings (Deficit)                                      (11,504)             (9,330)
Cost of Common Stock in Treasury(12,625 shares)                      (60)                (60)
                                                                 -----------------------------

            TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                              1,459               3,632

                                                                 -----------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                        $20,291             $24,160

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

</TABLE>

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.


                                      F-25
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                            28-Feb           28-Feb
                                                              1999             1998

<S>                                                         <C>              <C>   
NET REVENUES:
Software license fees                                       $3,156           $5,335
Services                                                     3,994            4,239
Hardware                                                       326              672
                                                      ------------  ---------------
     Total net revenues                                      7,476           10,246

COST OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Software license fees                                          916            1,723
Services                                                     3,811            3,220
Hardware                                                       281              527
                                                      ------------  ---------------
     Total cost of products and services                     5,008            5,470

Selling and marketing expenses                               2,821            3,625
General and administrative expenses                            784            1,194
Product development expenses                                   881              837
                                                      ------------  ----------------
     Total costs and operating expenses                      9,494           11,126
                                                      ------------  ----------------
LOSS  FROM OPERATIONS                                      (2,018)            (880)

Other (Income)/ Expense
   Interest (income)                                           (8)             (10)
   Interest expense                                            174              153
                                                      ------------  ---------------

                                                               166              143
                                                      ------------  ---------------
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                   (2,184)          (1,023)
Income tax (benefit) expense                                   (9)               33

                                                      ------------- ----------------
NET LOSS                                                  ($2,175)         ($1,056)
                                                      ============= ================

Loss per share - basic and diluted                         ($0.53)          ($0.26)
===================================================   ============= ================

</TABLE>
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.


                                      F-26
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                  28-Feb           28-Feb
                                                                                   1999             1998
============================================================================================================

<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>     
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss                                                                           ($2,175)        ($1,056)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
 cash provided by
   By (used in) operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                                                     343             352
      Amortization of capitalized computer software
         development costs                                                              475             954
      Equity in earnings of joint ventures                                                -               -
      Goodwill amortization                                                              55              58
      Deferred income taxes                                                               -               -
      Restructuring and other charges                                                     -
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
           Accounts receivable                                                        4,486           1,270
           Inventories and other current assets                                       (504)             (1)
           Accounts payable and other liabilities                                     (764)           (538)
                                                                               -----------------------------
Total adjustments                                                                     4,091           2,095
                                                                               -----------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                             1,916           1,039

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Additions to equipment and leasehold improvements                                     (143)            (74)
Proceeds from sale of securities                                                          -               -
Software development costs capitalized                                                (819)         (1,008)
Other                                                                                  (38)               8
                                                                               -----------------------------
Net cash (used in) investing activities                                             (1,000)         (1,074)


                                      F-27
<PAGE>

<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                    <C>               <C>
   FINANCING ACTIVITIES
         Proceeds on long-term debt and other notes payable                            (932)             272
         Additional paid-in capital                                                       18              33
         Preferred stock dividend                                                       (17)               -
                                                                                 ----------------------------
       Net cash provided (used) by financing activities                                (931)             305
                                                                                 ----------------------------
       Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                 ($15)            $270
   Cash-beginning of period                                                              $21             $14
                                                                                 ============================
   Cash-end of period                                                                     $6            $284
   ==========================================================================================================

</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.


                                      F-28
<PAGE>


                       EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                February 28, 1999
                           (Unaudited) (In Thousands)

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

         The accompanying  consolidated  interim financial  statements  included
herein have been prepared by Effective Management Systems, Inc. (the "Company"),
without an audit, in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles
for interim  financial  information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of
the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.  Certain  information  and  footnote
disclosures  normally  included in financial  statements  prepared in accordance
with generally  accepted  accounting  principles  have been condensed or omitted
pursuant to such rules and  regulations,  although the Company believes that the
disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

         In the  opinion  of  management,  the  information  furnished  for  the
three-month  periods ended  February 28, 1999 and February 28, 1998 includes all
adjustments,  consisting  solely of normal recurring  accruals,  necessary for a
fair  presentation  of the financial  position and results of operations for the
interim  periods.  The results of operations for the three months ended February
28,  1999 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the results of  operations  to be
expected for the entire  fiscal year ending  November 30, 1999.  It is suggested
that the interim  financial  statements be read in conjunction  with the audited
consolidated  financial statements for the year ended November 30, 1998 included
in the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K  filed  with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission.

Note 2 - Additional Financial Disclosure

Equipment and leasehold improvements consisted of the following:

                                          28-February-1999       30-Nov-1998

Gross                                         $10,055                 $9,913
Less:  Accumulated Depreciation              (  7,054 )              (  6,711 )
                                             --------                --------
Net                                            $3,001                  $3,202

Allowance for doubtful accounts consisted of the following:

                                 28-February-1999       30-Nov-1998
Balance                               $  326                 $  506

Provision for doubtful accounts consisted of the following:

                                 28-February-1999       30-Nov-1998
                                      $   48                  $  17



                                      F-29
<PAGE>

Note 3 - Net Loss Per Share

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 128,  "Earnings Per Share." SFAS No.
128 replaced the  calculation  of primary and fully  diluted  earnings per share
with basic and diluted  earnings per share.  Unlike primary  earnings per share,
basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive  effects of options and warrants.
Earnings  per share  amounts  for all periods  have been  presented  and,  where
appropriate, restated to conform to SFAS No. 128 requirements.

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


                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                         February 28,
                                                     1999                1998
Denominator
Denominator for basic earnings per share -
     weighted average common shares                 4,114               4,075
Effect of dilutive securities - stock options                                 
     and warrants                                       0                   0
Effect of dilutive securities - preferred stock         0                   0

Denominator for diluted earnings per share -
adjusted weighted average common shares             4,114               4,075



                                      F-30
<PAGE>

========================================  ======================================
   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   authorized.    This
prospectus  does not constitute an offer        Effective Management    
to sell or the  solicitation of an offer            Systems, Inc.       
to buy any  securities  other  than  the                             
securities  to  which it  relates  or an            Common Stock        
offer to sell or the  solicitation of an      (par value $.01 per share)
offer  to  buy  such  securities  in any                             
circumstances  in  which  such  offer or     
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-At Three                          PROSPECTUS          
   Months Ended February 28, 1999..   4                             
Selected Financial Data-For                          -------------------      
   Fiscal Year End.................   5  
Risk Factors.......................   6
Forward-Looking Statements.........  10   
Use of Proceeds....................  11
Selling Security Holders...........  11
Dividend Policy....................  14
Market for Common Stock............  14   
Price Range of Common Stock........  14
Management's Discussion and
   Analysis  at and for the Three
   Months Ended February 28, 1999
   and 1998........................  15
Management's Discussion and
   Analysis at and for the Fiscal 
   Years Ended 1998, 1997 and 1996.  21
Business...........................  28
Management.........................  38
Principal Shareholders.............  44
Description of Capital Stock.......  47
Plan of Distribution...............  52
Experts............................  53
Legal Matters......................  53
Index to Financial Statements......  F-1
Additional Information............. II-1
    

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

<PAGE>

                                     PART II

      INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

   
   Securities and Exchange Commission filing fee.................      $741
   Accountants' fees and expenses................................   $20,000
   Legal fees and expenses.......................................   $20,000
   Miscellaneous.................................................    $1,259

                      Total......................................   $42,000
    
          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
<PAGE>

      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.

   
          Pursuant  to the terms of the Series B, we were  obligated  to provide
cumulative  preferential  dividends to the holders of the Series B on January 2,
1999 and April 1, 1999.

          With respect to each of the  above-referenced  dividend payment dates,
our Board of  Directors,  in  accordance  with the terms of the Series B, having
reviewed  our cash  situation,  determined  that we would pay the  dividends  in
shares of Series B.  Thus,  on (i)  January  2,  1999,  in  accordance  with and
pursuant to the terms of the Series B, 34.74  shares of the Series B were issued
in payment of the dividends due the holders of the Series B and (ii) on April 1,
1999, in accordance with and pursuant to the terms of the Series B, 55.63 shares
of the Series B were issued in payment of the  dividends  due the holders of the
Series B.
    

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 


                                      II-2
<PAGE>

                     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.

       (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
<PAGE>

                                   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 15th 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 15th
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
<PAGE>

                                  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].



                                    Exhibt-1
<PAGE>

       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    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 April 13, 1999  [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              4.1 to Effective  Management  System,  Inc.'s  Quarterly Report on
              Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 1999].

       4.9    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].

       4.10   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)].

       4.11   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.

       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)].
    


                                    Exhibit-2
<PAGE>

   
       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)].
    
       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)].
    


                                   Exhibit-3
<PAGE>
   
       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)].

    
       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].
    


                                   Exhibit-4
<PAGE>
   
       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].
    
       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)].
   
       10.28  Form of  Nonstatutory  Stock Option  Agreement,  dated February 1,
              1999  [Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  4.1 to  Effective
              Management  System,  Inc.'s  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
              quarter ended February 28, 1999].
    
       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

                            FOLEY & LARDNER
CHICAGO                      FIRSTAR CENTER                       SACRAMENTO
DENVER                 777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE                   SAN DIEGO
JACKSONVILLE        MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53202-5367            SAN FRANCISCO
LOS ANGELES             TELEPHONE (414) 271-2400                 TALLAHASSEE
MADISON                 FACSIMILE (414) 297-4900                       TAMPA
MILWAUKEE                                                   WASHINGTON, D.C.
ORLANDO                                                      WEST PALM BEACH

                                 April 21, 1999


Effective Management Systems, Inc.
12000 West Park Place
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224

Ladies and Gentlemen:

       We have  acted as counsel  for  Effective  Management  Systems,  Inc.,  a
Wisconsin  corporation  (the  "Company"),  with respect to the  preparation of a
Registration  Statement on Form S-1, as amended (the "Registration  Statement"),
including the  prospectus  constituting  a part thereof (the  "Prospectus"),  as
filed by the Company  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  under the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended  (the  "Securities  Act"),  relating to the
proposed  sale of up to  1,495,174  shares of common  stock,  par value $.01 per
share,  of the Company  (the  "Common  Stock") by certain  selling  shareholders
listed therein (the "Selling Shareholders").  The shares of Common Stock subject
to the Registration Statement are issuable upon the exercise of certain warrants
(the "Warrants") and in connection with the conversion of the Company's Series B
8% Convertible  Redeemable  Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred  Stock") by
the Selling Shareholders.

       In  connection  with  our  representation,  we  have  examined:  (a)  the
Registration  Statement,  including the Prospectus;  (b) the exhibits (including
those  incorporated  by  reference)  constituting  a part of  said  Registration
Statement;  (c) the  Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  and  By-Laws  of the
Company, as amended to date; (d) resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors
relating  to the  authorization  of the  issuance  of certain of the  securities
subject to the Registration Statement; and (e) such other proceedings, documents
and records as we have deemed necessary to enable us to render this opinion.

       Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

       1. The Company is a corporation  validly  existing  under the laws of the
State of Wisconsin.

       2. The shares of Common Stock subject to sale by the Selling Shareholders
as contemplated by the Registration Statement,  when issued upon exercise of the
Warrants or upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock, as the case may be,
and  upon  receipt  of the  consideration  contemplated  upon  the  exercise  or
conversion thereof, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, except
with  respect  to wage  claims of, or other  debts  owing to,  employees  of the
Company for services performed, but not exceeding six months' service in any one
case,  as  provided  in  Section   180.0622(2)(b)  of  the  Wisconsin   Business
Corporation Law and as such section may be interpreted by a court of law.

       In rendering the opinion set forth in paragraph 2 above,  we have assumed
that any  issuance of shares of Series B  Preferred  Stock that may be issued in
the future to the Selling  Shareholders in lieu of the payment of cash dividends
will be validly authorized by action of the Board of Directors of the Company.

       We consent to the use of this  opinion as an exhibit to the  Registration
Statement and to the references to our firm therein.  In giving our consent,  we
do not admit  that we are  "experts"  within  the  meaning  of Section 11 of the
Securities  Act or within the category of persons  whose  consent is required by
Section 7 of the Securities Act.

                                                     Very truly yours,



                                                     /s/  FOLEY & LARDNER



               Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors



We consent to the  reference to our firm under the caption  "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated  January 18, 1999 in  Pre-Effective  Amendment  No. 2 to
Effective  Management  Systems,   Inc.'s  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-1
(including the related  Prospectus) for the  registration of 1,495,174 shares of
its common stock.



                                                  /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 20, 1999




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