Note 7 - Segment Information (Detail) - Schedule of operating segment information (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Sales:
Product	$ 16,328	$ 14,726	$ 43,607	$ 42,784
Service	6,026	4,063	18,869	14,261
Total sales	22,354	18,789	62,476	57,045
Profit (loss) from operations	1,205	(271)	2,638	803
Assets	47,366	41,430	47,366	41,430	43,108
Capital expenditures	78	37	373	249
Depreciation and amortization	118	123	340	362
Systems Segment [Member]
Sales:
Product	1,132	1,323	2,594	3,563
Service	2,159	152	5,407	2,036
Total sales	3,291	1,475	8,001	5,599
Profit (loss) from operations	874	(810)	1,345	(624)
Assets	14,266	12,508	14,266	12,508
Capital expenditures	13	9	130	142
Depreciation and amortization	30	24	78	66
Germany [Member]
Sales:
Product	5,179	3,230	12,998	9,481
Service	2,869	2,787	10,159	8,809
Total sales	8,048	6,017	23,157	18,290
Profit (loss) from operations	44	63	483	213
Assets	15,049	13,699	15,049	13,699
Capital expenditures	46	12	162	59
Depreciation and amortization	43	46	124	138
United Kingdom [Member]
Sales:
Product	227	68	1,298	140
Service	353	347	961	1,043
Total sales	580	415	2,259	1,183
Profit (loss) from operations	30	15	147
Assets	3,644	3,890	3,644	3,890
Capital expenditures		9	25	12
Depreciation and amortization	6	7	20	21
United States [Member]
Sales:
Product	9,790	10,105	26,717	29,600
Service	645	777	2,342	2,373
Total sales	10,435	10,882	29,059	31,973
Profit (loss) from operations	257	461	663	1,214
Assets	14,407	11,333	14,407	11,333
Capital expenditures	19	7	56	36
Depreciation and amortization	39	46	118	137
Total Service and System Integration Segment [Member]
Sales:
Product	15,196	13,403	41,013	39,221
Service	3,867	3,911	13,462	12,225
Total sales	19,063	17,314	54,475	51,446
Profit (loss) from operations	331	539	1,293	1,427
Assets	33,100	28,922	33,100	28,922
Capital expenditures	65	28	243	107
Depreciation and amortization	$ 88	$ 99	$ 262	$ 296