Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 73	$ 105
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income (loss)	786	(1,112)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	286	266
Amortization of intangibles	65	65
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	63	129
Non-cash changes in accounts receivable	136	37
Non-cash changes in inventory	226	38
Stock-based compensation expense on stock options and restricted stock awards	181	188
Deferred income taxes	23	(21)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance	(50)	(23)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	(3,008)	(3,267)
(Increase) decrease in inventories	699	(741)
(Increase) decrease in refundable income taxes	44	(619)
Increase in other current assets	(310)	(296)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	25	(59)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,530	785
Decrease in deferred revenue	(715)	(1,017)
Decrease in pension and retirement plans liability	(164)	(36)
Increase in income taxes payable	268	6
Increase in other long term liabilities	4	3
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	89	(5,674)
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Life insurance premiums paid	(161)	(109)
Purchases of property, equipment and improvements	(345)	(223)
Net cash used in investing activities	(506)	(332)
Dividends, Common Stock	(833)	(808)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net cash used in financing activities	(760)	(703)
Effects of exchange rate on cash	16	(717)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,161)	(7,426)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	11,181	16,448
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	10,020	9,022
Supplementary cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	28	52
Cash paid for interest	$ 85	$ 85