def14a
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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
ARI Network Services, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
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ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224
_______________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
December 8, 2005
To the Shareholders of ARI Network Services, Inc.:
     The 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ARI Network Services, Inc. will be held at the headquarters of ARI Network Services, Inc., 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Thursday, December 8, 2005 at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
  1.   To elect one director to serve until 2008.
 
  2.   To ratify the appointment of Wipfli LLP as independent auditors.
 
  3.   To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
     Shareholders of record at the close of business on October 21, 2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and at all adjournments thereof.
     Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares must be present in person or by proxy in order for the meeting to be held. Shareholders are urged to date, sign and return the accompanying proxy in the enclosed envelope whether or not they expect to attend the annual meeting in person. If you attend the meeting and wish to vote your shares personally, you may do so by revoking your proxy at any time prior to the voting thereof.
     By order of the Board of Directors,
Timothy Sherlock, Secretary
November 9, 2005

 


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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
PROXY STATEMENT
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
OTHER MATTERS
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
APPENDIX A


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ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224
(414) 973-4300
PROXY STATEMENT
     The Board of Directors of ARI Network Services, Inc. (the “Company”) submits the enclosed proxy for the annual meeting to be held on the date, at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each shareholder of record at the close of business on October 21, 2005 will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock registered in such shareholder’s name. As of October 21, 2005, the Company had outstanding 6,148,264 shares of Common Stock. The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date is required for a quorum at the meeting. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy and Annual Report to Shareholders are being sent to the Company’s shareholders commencing on or about November 9, 2005.
     Any shareholder executing and delivering the enclosed proxy may revoke the same at any time prior to the voting thereof by written notice of revocation given to the Secretary of the Company.
     Unless otherwise directed, all proxies will be voted FOR the election of the individual nominated to serve as director and FOR the other proposal. The director will be elected by a plurality of votes cast at the meeting (assuming a quorum is present). In other words, the nominee receiving the largest number of votes will be elected. Any shares not voted, whether by withheld authority, broker non-vote or otherwise, will have no effect on the election of directors except to the extent that a failure to vote for an individual results in another individual receiving a larger number of votes. Any votes attempted to be cast “against” a candidate are not given legal effect and are not counted as votes cast in an election of directors. The other proposal will be approved if the affirmative votes exceed the votes cast against. Broker non-votes and abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting but are not affirmative votes or votes against and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of the voting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock by each person known by the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of the Common Stock, by each director or nominee of the Company, by certain executive officers of the Company, and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group as of October 21, 2005.
                 
NAME OF   AMOUNT AND NATURE OF    
BENEFICIAL OWNERS   BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)   PERCENT
Briggs & Stratton Corporation
               
12301 West Wirth Street
               
Milwaukee, WI 53201
    840,000       13.7 %
 
               
Peter H. Kamin (2)
    591,500       9.6 %
c/o The Nelson Law Firm, LLC
               
75 South Broadway, 4th Floor
               
White Plains, NY 10601
               
 
               
John C. Bray
    136,655       2.2 %
 
               
Gordon J. Bridge
    145,037       2.3 %

 


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NAME OF   AMOUNT AND NATURE OF    
BENEFICIAL OWNERS   BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)   PERCENT
Brian E. Dearing (3)
    569,252       9.1 %
 
               
Ted C. Feierstein
    59,106       1.0 %
 
               
Jeffrey E. Horn
    50,232       *  
 
               
Michael E. McGurk
    124,163       2.0 %
 
               
William C. Mortimore
    17,188       *  
 
               
Timothy Sherlock
    52,601       *  
 
               
Frederic G. Tillman
    83,909       1.3 %
 
               
Richard W. Weening (4)
    236,939       3.8 %
 
               
All executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons)
    1,432,986       21.0 %
 
*   Less than 1%
 
(1)   Except as otherwise noted, the persons named in the above table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Includes options exercisable within 60 days of October 21, 2005 as follows: Mr. Bray (104,625 shares), Mr. Bridge (86,295 shares), Mr. Dearing (96,375 shares), Mr. Feierstein (59,106 shares), Mr. Horn (35,625 shares), Mr. McGurk (86,688 shares), Mr. Mortimore (17,188 shares), Mr. Sherlock (45,625 shares), Mr. Tillman (71,875 shares), Mr. Weening (100,632 shares), and all other executive officers and directors as a group (686,845 shares).
(2)   Stock ownership information is provided as of December 31, 2004 based upon Schedule 13G amendment filed February 2, 2005. Mr. Kamin’s total includes 151,900 shares held by the Peter H. Kamin Childrens Trust, 103,200 shares held by the Peter H. Kamin Profit Sharing Plan, 28,100 shares held by the Peter H. Kamin Family Foundation and 25,000 shares held by 3K Limited Partnership.
 
(3)   Mr. Dearing’s total includes 283,007 shares held in the Company’s 401(k) plan, of which Mr. Dearing is a trustee with voting power. Mr. Dearing disclaims any beneficial ownership in these shares in excess of his pecuniary interest (10,157 shares).
 
(4)   Mr. Weening’s total also includes 50,677 shares held by Quaestus Management Corp., 85,000 shares held by RPI Holdings, Inc., 535 shares held in tenancy in common with a third party and 125 shares held by his spouse. Mr. Weening disclaims any beneficial ownership in the shares held by third parties in excess of his pecuniary interest.

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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
     The Company’s directors are divided into three classes, with staggered terms of three years each. At the meeting, shareholders will vote on one director to serve until 2008, Brian E. Dearing.
Nominee For Election To Serve
Until The Annual Meeting In 2008
     Brian E. Dearing, 50; Mr. Dearing, is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He has been a director since 1995 and was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1997. Prior to joining ARI in 1995, Mr. Dearing held a series of electronic commerce executive positions at Sterling Software, Inc. in the U.S. and in Europe. Prior to joining Sterling in 1990, Mr. Dearing held a number of marketing management positions in the EDI business of General Electric Information Services since 1986. Mr. Dearing holds a Masters Degree in Industrial Administration from Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and a BA in Political Science from Union College.
Directors Whose Term
Expires At The Annual Meeting In 2006
     Gordon J. Bridge, 63; Mr. Bridge, a director since December 1995, is president and Chief Executive Officer of CM IT Solutions, a nationwide franchise system providing information technology consulting and support services to small and medium sized businesses. From December 1999 to August 2001, Mr. Bridge was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SurferNETWORK. From November 1995 to January 2000, Mr. Bridge was Chairman of the Board and from April 1997 to March 1998 was Chief Executive Officer of ConnectInc.com Company. Mr. Bridge held various executive management positions with AT&T from 1988 to 1995, including president of three business units for AT&T; Consumer Interactive Services (CSI), EasyLink Services and Computer Systems. Prior to joining AT&T, Mr. Bridge was with the IBM Corporation for nearly 23 years holding the positions of Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Marketing for the US for the National Accounts Division in the mid 1980’s. Mr. Bridge holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Bradley University.
     Ted C. Feierstein, 47; Mr. Feierstein, a director since January 2000, is a partner in Ascent Partners (“Ascent”), a merchant bank specializing in investments, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic assistance for Internet, software and information technology-focused professional service companies. Mr. Feierstein is also a founding partner of Prism Capital, a private equity fund. Prior to co-founding Ascent, Mr. Feierstein was a senior vice-president with the Corum Group, a firm specializing in merger and acquisition advisory services to the software industry, and was a venture capitalist with Wind Point Partners, a private equity fund. Mr. Feierstein received an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1989 and a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1979.
Directors Whose Term
Expires At The Annual Meeting In 2007
     William C. Mortimore, 59; Mr. Mortimore, a director since 2004, is the founder and an executive officer of Merge Technologies Incorporated (“MTI”). He has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Strategist of MTI since September 2000, as President and Chief Executive Officer of MTI from November 1987 through August 2000 and as a member of the Board of Directors of MTI since its inception in November 1987. MTI is a global healthcare software and services company that trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol MRGE. Mr. Mortimore has served as co-founder and a senior manager of several businesses in the fields of information communications technology, healthcare services and real estate and has been responsible for securing public and private financing for these organizations. Mr. Mortimore is an original member of the American College of Radiology / National Association of Electrical Manufacturers (“ACR / NEMA”) committee responsible for establishing and maintaining the DICOM medical imaging standard. Mr. Mortimore has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Diagnostic Imaging Division of NEMA, since the Spring of 1996. Mr. Mortimore has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of MRI Devices, Inc., a privately held diagnostic imaging manufacturer, from November 2002 until its sale to Intermagnetics General Corporation in mid 2004 . Mr. Mortimore received a B. S. in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University, an M.E.E. from the University of Minnesota and pursued doctoral studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota.

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     Richard W. Weening, 59; Mr. Weening, a director since 1981, organized the Company in 1981 as a business information publishing subsidiary of Raintree Publishers, Inc., now known as RPI Holdings, Inc. (“RPI”). He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company until October 1987, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company until October 1990, and Chairman of the Board of Directors until 1997. Mr. Weening is also the President, Chief Executive Officer and director of QUAESTUS & Co., Inc., a private equity investment firm; the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Prolitec Inc., an environmental technology and services company and Chief Executive Officer of Prolitec Defense Systems. Mr. Weening has served as President of RPI from 1972 to the present. In 1996 Mr. Weening founded Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ:CMLS), a radio broadcasting group, and served as its executive chairman until June 2000. In November 2003, Mr. Weening, without admitting or denying the allegations, entered into a Final Judgment and Order of Permanent Injunction to settle litigation instituted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to record-keeping and internal controls violations in connection with his position at Cumulus Media, Inc. Without admitting or denying the Commission’s findings, Mr. Weening consented to the issuance of the order that required him to pay a $75,000 civil penalty and be permanently enjoined from violating the record-keeping and internal controls requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including Section 13(b)(5) and Rules 13b2-1 and 13b2-2 promulgated thereunder, and from aiding and abetting violations of Section 13(b)(2)(A) of the Exchange Act.
     The Board of Directors held eleven meetings in fiscal 2005. Each incumbent director attended 75 percent or more of the combined number of meetings of the Board and committees on which such director served, during the period for which he has been a director or served on the committee. Directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of shareholders, but the Company has not adopted a formal policy requiring attendance at the annual meeting. Four of the Company’s five directors attended the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders.
     The Board of Directors currently does not have a formal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, efforts are made to ensure that the views of shareholders are heard by the Board or individual directors, as applicable, and that appropriate responses are provided to shareholders on a timely basis. The Board of Directors believes that informal communications are sufficient to communicate questions, comments and observations that could be useful to the Board. However, shareholders wishing to formally communicate with the Board of Directors may send communications directly to ARI Network Services, Inc., Attention: Chairman, 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224. The Chairman will review such communications and, if appropriate, forward such communications to other board members.
     The Company’s Board of Directors has established an audit committee which is currently composed of Mr. Bridge (chairman), Mr. Mortimore and Mr. Weening. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter which is included in this proxy statement as Appendix A. Information regarding the functions performed by the audit committee, its membership, and the number of meetings held during fiscal 2005 is set forth in the “Report of the Audit Committee,” included in this annual proxy statement. The members of the audit committee are independent under the rules adopted by the NASD regarding the independence of audit committee members. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Bridge, Mr. Mortimore and Mr. Weening are each an “audit committee financial expert” and are each “independent” as those terms are defined under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
     The Company’s Board of Directors has established a compensation committee that currently is composed of Mr. Bridge and Mr. Feierstein. The duties of the compensation committee are to approve all executive compensation, to administer the Company’s 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 1993 Director Stock Option Plan and the 2000 Stock Option Plan and to recommend director compensation for approval by the entire Board. The compensation committee met three times during fiscal 2005.
     The Company’s Board of Directors has not established a nominating committee, as decisions regarding Board membership are made by the full Board. Due to the small size of the Company’s Board of Directors, as well as the recent lack of turnover in the Board of Directors, the Board has determined not to have a separate nominating committee. Likewise, the Board has not adopted a written charter governing director nominating decisions. Messrs. Bridge, Feierstein, Mortimore and Weening meet the NASD definition of independence as it would apply to a nominating committee, but Mr. Dearing does not because he is an executive officer of the Company.

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     The Board will consider candidates for director that are nominated by shareholders in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company’s by-laws. Under the by-laws, nominations, other than those made by the Board of Directors, must be made pursuant to timely notice in proper form to the secretary of the Company. To be timely, a shareholder’s request to nominate a person for director, together with the written consent of such person to serve as a director, must be received by the secretary of the Company at the principal office not later than 90 days and not earlier than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the annual meeting of shareholders in the immediately preceding year. To be in proper written form, the notice must contain certain information concerning the nominee and the shareholder submitting the nomination.
     The Board will consider proposed nominees whose names are submitted to it by shareholders. However, it does not have a formal process for that consideration because it believes that the informal consideration process has been adequate given the historical absence of shareholder proposals. The Board intends to review periodically whether a formal policy should be adopted.
     The Board has generally identified nominees based upon suggestions by non-management directors, management members and/or shareholders. The Board considers factors important for potential members of the Board, including the individual’s integrity, general business background and experience, experience with our industry, and the ability to serve on the Board. The Board does not evaluate proposed nominees differently based on who made the proposal.
     For fiscal 2006 service, non-employee director compensation consists of an annual cash retainer of $18,000 and an option grant for 6,000 shares. Audit committee members receive an additional $6,000 per year ($8,000 for the chairman) and compensation committee members an additional $2,500. Any director who fails to attend in a fiscal year at least 75% of the combined number of the meetings of the Board and committees on which such director served, and fails to attend in person at least 75% of the in person Board meetings, may forfeit some or all of the compensation, as the Board may in its discretion determine.
     For fiscal 2005 service, non-employee directors received compensation of $4,500, and options for 16,875 shares, which were granted on December 9, 2004. Audit committee members received options for an additional 7,500 shares (10,000 shares for the chairman) and compensation committee members received options for an additional 2,500 shares. The options have a 10-year term and have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. The options vested in two equal annual increments, commencing July 31, 2005.
     Non-employee directors were not paid until fiscal 2005 for their service during fiscal 2004. On October 26, 2004, non-employee directors other than Mr. Mortimore (who joined the Board at the end of fiscal 2004) received fiscal 2004 compensation consisting of options for 15,000 shares of common stock. Directors received no cash compensation. Audit committee members received options for an additional 3,000 shares and compensation committee members received options for an additional 800 shares. The options have a 10-year term and have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. The options vested 50% immediately and 50% on July 31, 2005.
Code of Ethics
     ARI has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and persons performing similar functions. The code of ethics is designed to promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of conflicts of interest, compliance with applicable laws, and full, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports we send to our shareholders or file with the SEC. Violations of the code of ethics are to be reported to the audit committee. A copy of the code of ethics may be obtained, without charge, by sending a request to ARI Network Services, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
     The following table sets forth compensation for the last three fiscal years for each of the Company’s executive officers.
Summary Compensation Table
                                                         
                                    Long Term   All Other
            Annual Compensation   Compensation   Compensation
                                    Awards   Payouts    
                                    Securities        
                                    Underlying        
Name and                           Other Annual   Options/   LTIP    
Principal Position   Year   Salary   Bonus   Compensation (1)   SARs (#) (2)   Payouts ($)   $(3)
Brian E. Dearing,
    2005     $ 192,687     $ 72,839     $       50,000     $ 75,482     $ 1,927  
President and Chief
    2004     $ 179,610     $ 93,859     $       20,833     $ 135,170     $ 1,863  
Executive Officer
    2003     $ 172,687     $ 47,434     $       25,000     $ 13,708     $ 1,262  
 
                                                       
Timothy Sherlock
    2005     $ 163,890     $ 41,944     $       22,500     $ 45,903     $ 1,694  
Chief Financial Officer,
    2004     $ 163,890     $ 56,728     $           $ 18,058     $ 441  
Secretary, Treasurer and VP of Finance
    2003     $ 163,103     $ 29,561     $       15,000     $ 2,575     $  
 
                                                       
John C. Bray,
    2005     $ 157,661     $ 29,431     $ 14,269       22,500     $ 27,927     $ 1,061  
Vice President of New
    2004     $ 147,853     $ 37,132     $ 29,815       35,000     $ 87,510     $ 892  
Market Development
    2003     $ 142,573     $ 22,648     $ 59,144       15,000     $ 4,218     $ 1,516  
 
                                                       
Jeffrey E. Horn,
    2005     $ 108,890     $ 30,505     $ 95,902       22,500     $ 33,384     $ 1,523  
Vice President of North
    2004     $ 108,890     $ 41,257     $ 65,439           $ 8,866     $ 1,434  
American Sales
    2003     $ 106,757     $ 21,499     $ 78,284       20,000     $     $ 1,674  
 
                                                       
Michael E. McGurk,
    2005     $ 138,890     $ 42,579     $       22,500     $ 41,451     $ 1,120  
Vice President of
    2004     $ 129,082     $ 49,290     $       23,750     $ 97,448     $ 1,356  
Technology Operations
    2003     $ 123,103     $ 40,636     $       15,000     $ 8,397     $ 1,138  
 
                                                       
Frederic G. Tillman,
    2005     $ 118,745     $ 40,569     $       22,500     $ 43,406     $ 1,600  
Vice President of
    2004     $ 118,745     $ 53,978     $       20,000     $ 17,972     $ 1,772  
Technology Development
    2003     $ 118,244     $ 27,269     $       15,000     $ 8,397     $ 1,232  
 
(1)   Other annual compensation consists of commissions paid on sales.
 
(2)   Options granted during fiscal 2004 were awarded pursuant to an option exchange program.
 
(3)   Amounts represent a Company match in common stock under the Company’s 401(k) plan.

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     The table below provides information regarding option grants in the year ended July 31, 2005 to the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table.
Option/SAR Grants In Last Fiscal Year
                                 
    Number Of   Percent Of Total        
    Securities   Options/SARs        
    Underlying   Granted To        
    Options/SARs   Employees In Fiscal   Exercise Or Base   Expiration
Name   Granted # (1)   Year (1)   Price ($/Share)   Date
Brian E. Dearing
    50,000       10.5 %   $ 1.35       10/12/14  
 
                               
Timothy Sherlock
    22,500       4.7 %   $ 1.35       10/12/14  
 
                               
John C. Bray
    22,500       4.7 %   $ 1.35       10/12/14  
 
                               
Jeffrey E. Horn
    22,500       4.7 %   $ 1.35       10/12/14  
 
                               
Michael E. McGurk
    22,500       4.7 %   $ 1.35       10/12/14  
 
                               
Frederic G. Tillman
    22,500       4.7 %   $ 1.35       10/12/14  
 
(1)   All options granted in the fiscal year were awarded with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The options vest in four equal annual increments commencing July 31, 2005. Under the terms of the Plan under which the options were granted, the Compensation Committee retains discretion to, among other things, accelerate the exercise of an option, modify the terms of outstanding options (including decreasing the exercise price), and permit the exercise price and tax withholding obligations related to exercise to be paid by delivery of already owned shares or by offset of the underlying shares.
     The table below provides information regarding the exercises of stock options during fiscal 2005 and the value of stock options held at July 31, 2005 by the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table.
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises
In Last Fiscal Year And Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Values
                                 
                    Number Of Securities Underlying   Value Of Unexercised
    Shares           Unexercised Option/SARS At   In-The-Money Options At
    Acquired On   Value   Fiscal Year End (#)   Fiscal Year End
Name   Exercise (#)   Realized ($)   Exercisable/Unexercisable   Exercisable/Unexercisable (1)
Brian E. Dearing
    10,000     $ 11,738       106,375/48,958     $ 100,740/76,557  
Timothy Sherlock
        $       45,625/41,250     $ 93,006/29,325  
John C. Bray
        $       104,625/29,375     $ 136,613/44,725  
Jeffrey E. Horn
    5,000     $ 11,750       35,625/21,875     $ 50,131/37,069  
Michael E. McGurk
        $       86,688/26,563     $ 119,342/41,252  
Frederic G. Tillman
        $       71,875/25,625     $ 121,919/40,094  
 
(1)   For valuation purposes, a July 29, 2005 market price of $2.80 was used.

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     The table below provides information regarding long-term incentive plan awards in fiscal 2005 to the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
                                         
                    Estimated Future Payouts
                    Under Non-Stock Price-Based Plans
    Number   Period            
Name   of Units   Until Payment   Threshold   Target   Maximum
Brian E. Dearing
    (1 )     (2 )   $ 40,226     $ 53,635     $ 107,270  
 
                                       
Timothy Sherlock
    (1 )     (2 )   $ 23,164     $ 30,886     $ 61,771  
 
                                       
John C. Bray
    (1 )     (2 )   $ 16,253     $ 21,671     $ 43,342  
 
                                       
Jeffrey E. Horn
    (1 )     (2 )   $ 16,847     $ 22,462     $ 44,925  
 
                                       
Michael E. McGurk
    (1 )     (2 )   $ 23,515     $ 31,353     $ 62,706  
 
                                       
Frederic G. Tillman
    (1 )     (2 )   $ 22,405     $ 29,873     $ 59,746  
 
(1)   Consists of contingent, deferred cash and stock awards.
 
(2)   Consists of three consecutive one year performance periods commencing with fiscal 2006. The amount of the payout is adjusted on a sliding scale based upon the extent to which the Company’s revenue plan is achieved for each of the three years, ranging from a floor of 75% of the target award if the Company’s revenue plan is not met to a cap of 200% of the target award if revenue equals or exceeds 150% of plan. The award is paid in three annual installments following fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008, provided the participant is then employed by the Company.
 
    Targets for fiscal 2006 will equal the fiscal 2006 bonuses earned, up to 40% of the target bonuses, adjusted upward if the Company overachieves its fiscal 2006 net income objective. Payouts will be adjusted as noted above based on the Company’s revenue during fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009 and paid in installments following each of those fiscal years, provided the employee is then employed by the Company. One-half of the threshold amount will be paid in ARI stock, valued at the time of payment, and the remainder paid in cash.
     The Company has entered into Change of Control Agreements (“Change of Control Agreements”) with each of its executive officers. The Change of Control Agreements are intended to reduce the incentive for officers not to support a transaction that is beneficial to shareholders for fear that their employment would be terminated, retain the services of these officers and provide for continuity of management in the event of any “Change of Control,” as defined below. These Change of Control Agreements provide that each officer shall receive severance benefits equal to two times the sum of salary and targeted bonuses and medical and dental plan continuation for two years if, within two years following a “Change of Control,” as defined below, the officer’s employment is terminated without cause. For this purpose, “without cause” is defined to include: (i) a significant reduction in the executive’s compensation, duties, title or reporting responsibilities; (ii) a change in the executive’s job location; or (iii) the termination by the officer of his employment for certain enumerated reasons. In addition, the officer will receive a prorated portion of the officer’s average annual bonus for the preceding three fiscal years. If the officer leaves ARI for any other reason, within two years following a Change of Control, the officer will receive a prorated portion of the officer’s average annual bonus for the preceding three fiscal years. The officer is under no obligation to mitigate amounts payable under the Change of Control Agreements. In addition, upon a Change of Control, all stock options and similar awards become immediately vested and all deferred compensation becomes payable.
     For purposes of the Change of Control Agreements, a “Change of Control” means any of the following events: the acquisition (other than from ARI) by any individual, entity or group, subject to certain exceptions, of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of ARI’s then outstanding voting securities; (ii) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or sale or disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii) approval by the Company’s shareholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
     Only January 3, 2005, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Ascent Partners, Inc. Under the agreement, Ascent provides consulting services at a rate of $300 per hour, plus reimbursement for modeling expenses of approximately $5,000. During fiscal 2005, Ascent was paid approximately $45,200 under the agreement. Mr. Feierstein, a director of the Company, is a partner of Ascent.
     Briggs & Stratton Corporation (“Briggs”) is one of the Company’s customers and owns more than 5% of the Company’s stock. Briggs has entered into customer contracts with the Company in the ordinary course business. Generally, the contracts are for one year and renew annually unless either party elects otherwise. The Company invoiced Briggs approximately $610,000 for products and services provided during fiscal 2005.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
     Based solely upon its review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, all of such forms were filed on a timely basis by reporting persons during fiscal 2005, except as follows: During fiscal 2005, Mr. Bridge’s broker mistakenly sold 170 shares of stock without authorization. Mr. Bridge subsequently repurchased 170 shares at a higher price. The two Forms 4 related to these transactions were late because the forms were filed more than two business days after the transactions had occurred.
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
     The Audit Committee has appointed Wipfli LLP to serve as the Company’s independent accountant to audit the books and accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2006. The Board of Directors has recommended that shareholders ratify this appointment. It is intended that the shares represented by the proxy will be voted (unless the proxy indicates to the contrary) for ratification of the appointment. Wipfli LLP also served as the Company’s independent accountant for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005. A representative of Wipfli LLP is expected to be present at the meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Auditor’s Fees
     Fees for professional services provided by our independent auditors in each of the last two fiscal years, in each of the following categories, were as follows:
                 
    2005   2004
Audit Fees
  $ 102,500     $ 89,708  
Audit Related Fees
  $ 10,766     $  
Tax Fees
  $ 6,497     $ 6,401  
All Other Fees
  $ 450     $ 1,460  
Total Fees
  $ 120,213     $ 97,569  
     Tax services rendered by our independent auditors included consultations on state sales and use tax. Audit related fees included consultations related to Sarbanes Oxley 404. All other services rendered by our independent auditors in fiscal 2005 included consultations on accounting matters regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     The audit committee pre-approves all audit and allowable non-audit services provided by the independent auditors, unless such pre-approval is waived in accordance with Item 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The audit committee has delegated the authority to grant pre-approval of auditing or allowable non-audit services to the chairman of the audit committee. Each pre-approval decision pursuant to this delegation is to be presented to the full audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.

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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
     The following table sets forth certain information about shares of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding and available for issuance under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans, the 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 1993 Director Stock Option Plan, the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 2000 Stock Option Plan. The table details securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of July 31, 2005. The table below does not include stock option grants, exercises or cancellations since July 31, 2005 and, in accordance with SEC rules, excludes information concerning the Company’s 401(k) plan. The Company has discontinued granting options under the 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 1993 Director Stock Option Plan, although options are outstanding under those plans.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
                         
                    Number of
                    securities
                    remaining available
    Number of           for future issuance
    securities to be           under equity
    issued upon   Weighted-average   compensation plans
    exercise of   exercise price of   [excluding
    outstanding   outstanding   securities
    options, warrants   options, warrants   reflected in column
    and rights   and rights   (a)
Plan category   (a)   (b)   (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    1,632,842     $ 1.31       168,753  
 
                       
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (1)
    24,675       N/A       N/A  
 
                       
Total
    1,657,517               168,753  
 
(1)   Represents estimated number of shares to be issued pursuant to long-term incentive plan awards described above, based on an assumed value of $2.31 per share (the October 21, 2005 closing stock price).
OTHER MATTERS
Other Proposed Action
     The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters which may come before the meeting. However, if any matters other than those referred to above should properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote such proxy in accordance with their discretion.
Shareholder Proposals
     All proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Company’s 2006 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company at its executive offices on or before September 9, 2006, in order to be presented at the meeting (and must otherwise be in accordance with the requirements of the Bylaws of the Company) and must be received by July 12, 2006 to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for that meeting.
Costs of Solicitation
     The expenses of printing and mailing proxy materials, including reasonable expenses involved in forwarding materials to beneficial owners of Common Stock, will be borne by the Company. In addition, directors, officers or employees of the Company may solicit the return of proxies from certain shareholders by telephone, e-mail, facsimile or personal solicitation.

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     SHAREHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AT NO COST BY WRITING TO THE INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC., 11425 WEST LAKE PARK DRIVE, SUITE 900, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53224.
         
  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Timothy Sherlock, Secretary
November 9, 2005
 
 
     
     
     

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
     The primary responsibility of the Committee is to oversee the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and to report the results of its activities to the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls. A complete description of the Committee’s duties is set forth in its charter, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement.
     In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
     The Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States). In addition, the Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence from management and the Company including matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with auditors’ independence.
     The Committee discussed with the Company’s independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their audit. The Committee meets with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examination and their evaluation of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Committee held six meetings during fiscal 2005.
     In reliance on the views and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended July 31, 2005 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee has also approved the selection of the Company’s independent auditors.
     
/s/ Gordon J. Bridge
   
 
Gordon J. Bridge, Chairman of the Audit Committee
   
 
   
/s/ Richard W. Weening
   
 
Richard W. Weening, Audit Committee Member
   
 
   
/s/ William C. Mortimore
   
 
William C. Mortimore, Audit Committee Member
   

 


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APPENDIX A
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Effective as of October 21, 2005
I. Purpose
     The Audit Committee shall assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility to the shareholders, to the investment community and to governmental agencies relating to corporate accounting, financial reporting practices, and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the Company. The primary responsibility of the Committee is to oversee the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and to report the results of its activities to the Board. It is not the responsibility of the Committee or any member of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management of the Company is responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements, and the independent public accountants are responsible for auditing the Company’s financial statements.
II. Committee Composition
     The Committee shall be composed of at least two members, comprised solely of “independent” directors who are “financially literate” at the time of their appointment to the Committee. A director is “independent” and “financially literate” if he or she meets the requirements set forth in the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the SEC. In addition, no member of the Committee shall have participated in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements during any of the past three years.
     The members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board to hold such office until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Unless a Chairman is elected by the Board, the members of the Committee may designate a Chairman by majority vote of the full Committee membership.
III. Meetings and Reports
     The Committee shall meet as frequently as the Committee deems necessary, but not less frequently than four times each year. Special Meetings of the Committee may be called at any time by any member thereof on not less than three days notice. The Committee shall report periodically to the Board of Directors regarding the Committee’s activities, findings and recommendations.
     The Committee may conduct its business and affairs at any time or location it deems appropriate. Attendance and participation in a meeting may take place by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Any action to be taken at any meeting of the Committee may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Committee consent thereto in writing and such writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Committee. All decisions of the Committee shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.

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ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
                                     
                Audit Committee Meeting for:    
            Responsibility   Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4   Other   Comments
A.   Oversight of the Independent Auditors                    
 
    1.     Appoint the independent public accountants to audit the books and records of the Company and approve audit engagement fees and terms.                       Any changes in independent public accountants must be approved prior to proxy mailing.
 
                          X        
 
    2.     Obtain a formal written statement listing all relationships between the independent public accountants and the Company from the independent public accountants on an annual basis. Review and discuss with the independent public accountants any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent public accountants and review the actions taken to ensure the independent public accountants’ independence.                        
 
                          X        
 
    3.     Receive the written disclosures and confirmation from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), as may be modified or supplemented from time to time, discuss with the independent auditors the independent auditors’ independence, including engaging in a dialog with the independent auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors, and take appropriate action in response to the independent auditors’ report to satisfy itself of the independent auditors’ independence.                        
 
                          X        
 
    4.     Monitor the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law.                        
 
                          X        

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            Audit Committee Meeting for:    
        Responsibility   Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4   Other   Comments
 
  5.   Review and approve hiring decisions by the Company involving any partner or employee of the independent public account who worked on the Company’s account during the preceding three years. No audit engagement team member that participated in the audit of the Company within one year prior to the proposed date of hire may be hired by the Company as a senior executive.                   X   As needed
 
                               
B.   Financial Statement and Disclosure Matters                    
 
                               
 
  1.   Review with management and the independent public accountants the Company’s audited financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.               X       Meet with the independent auditors both with and without Management present.
 
                               
 
  2.   Review with management and the independent public accountants the Company’s quarterly operating results to be included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Chairman of the Committee may represent the entire Committee for purposes of this review.   X   X   X            
 
                               
 
  3.   Review any disclosures made to the Committee by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer regarding any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.                   X   As disclosures occur
 
                               
 
  4.   As part of the review of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, review and discuss with the independent public accountants (1) all critical accounting policies and practices used in the audited financial statements, (2) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, the ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors, and (3) other written communications between the independent auditors and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.               X        
 
                               
 
  5.   Discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 as may be modified or supplemented from time to time.               X        

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            Audit Committee Meeting for:    
        Responsibility   Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4   Other   Comments
 
  6.   Based on the review and discussions referred to in Sections IV.A.3, IV.B.1 and IV.B.5, make a recommendation to the Board of Directors regarding inclusion of the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed each year.               X        
 
                               
 
  7.   Review any recommendations of the independent auditors resulting from the audit and monitor management’s response in an effort to ensure that appropriate actions are taken.                   X   Review initially at the Q4 meeting, establish actions at the Q1 meeting, monitor responses as needed.
 
                               
 
  8.   Review with the independent auditors any matter of significant disagreement between management and the independent auditors and any other problems or difficulties encountered during the course of the audit and management’s response to such disagreements, problems or difficulties.               X        
 
                               
 
  9.   Review with management and the independent auditors (1) the Company’s annual assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting, (2) the independent auditor’s attestation and report about the Company’s assessment and (3) any material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified by management.               X        
 
                               
C.   Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services                        
 
                               
 
  1.   Except as provided in (a) and (b) below, pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the Company’s independent public accountants. The Company may, if it so chooses, designate pre-approval responsibilities to one or more members of the Committee and provide that the designated member must present his decision to the full Committee at the Committee’s next meeting.                   X   Written approval required prior to start of service.
 
                               
    (a)   Pre-approval of permitted non-audit services is not required if (1) the aggregate amount of all such non-audit services constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by the Company to the independent public accountants during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided, (2) such services were not recognized by the Company at the time of engagement to be non-audit services, and (3) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee prior to the completion of the audit.

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            Audit Committee Meeting for:    
        Responsibility   Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4   Other   Comments
    (b)   The following are prohibited non-audit services which may not be performed by any independent public accountant for the Company: (1) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Company, (2) financial information systems design and implementation, (3) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports, (4) actuarial services, (5) internal audit outsourcing services, (6) management functions or human resources, (7) broker or dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services, (8) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit, and (9) any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.
 
                               
D.   Other                        
 
                               
 
  1.   Review, periodically, the Company’s protection of assets programs, including insurance.       X                
 
                               
 
  2.   Establish, review and update as needed a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for certain principal officers (Code) and ensure that management has established a system to enforce the Code.       X                
 
                               
 
  3.   Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.       X                
 
                               
 
  4.   Review and approve any material transaction to which the Company is a party involving a conflict of interest with a director, executive officer or other affiliate of the Company.                   X   As transactions occur
 
                               
E.   Committee Administration                        
 
                               
 
  1.   Review and assess the adequacy of this Charter on at least an annual basis.           X            
 
                               
 
  2.   Review and assess on an annual basis whether the Committee has satisfied its responsibilities during the prior year in compliance with this Charter.           X            
 
                               
 
  3.   Direct and supervise an investigation into any matter the Committee deems necessary and appropriate.                   X   As Committee deems necessary
 
                               
 
  4.   In the course of fulfilling its duties, the Committee has the authority to retain its own independent legal, accounting and other advisors in its sole discretion. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of fees to any such advisors.                   X   As Committee deems necessary
 
                               
 
  5.   Take action in connection with such other powers and responsibilities as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine.                   X   As the Board of Directors deems necessary

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ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
December 8, 2005
 
 
 
 
 
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible
¯ Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. ¯
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PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x

         
1.
  Election of Director:    
      NOMINEE:
¨
  FOR    
      BRIAN E. DEARING
¨
  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY    
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
         
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
       
 
  To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to this the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.  

¨
 
                   
 
      FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN
 
2.
  To ratify the selection of Wipfli LLP as the   ¨   ¨   ¨
 
  Company’s independent public accountants for fiscal 2006.            
 
 
               
 
3.
  In their discretion, the proxy holders are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the 2005 Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.            
 
 
               
  THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR AND “FOR” THE OTHER PROPOSAL.            
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               
 
 
               

                     
 
Signature of Shareholder
Date
  Signature of Shareholder
Date
 
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  Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
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ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
     The undersigned, a shareholder of ARI Network Services, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby appoints Brian E. Dearing and Timothy Sherlock, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint a substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all of the shares of stock of the Company held of record by the undersigned on October 21, 2005, at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on December 8, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
         
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