Note 8 - Segments and Geographic Information (Detail) - Summary of Reportable Segment Data (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Solutions:
Gross profit	$ 1,959	$ 1,215	$ 4,448	$ 3,922
Operating expenses:
Research and development	102	(278)	87	(144)
Sales and marketing	1,423	1,524	4,084	5,095
General and administrative	1,211	1,212	3,479	3,834
Valuation of equity instruments				56
Total operating expenses	2,736	2,458	7,650	8,841
Loss before income taxes	(926)	(1,455)	(3,687)	(5,432)
Provision for income taxes	(2)	(4)	(8)	(13)
Segment Income (Loss)	(928)	(1,459)	(3,695)	(5,445)
Solutions [Member]
Solutions:
Net sales	2,066	2,014	5,811	7,960
Cost of sales	1,672	1,686	4,912	6,686
Gross profit	394	328	899	1,274
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	320	311	1,004	1,032
General and administrative	244	231	558	706
Total operating expenses	564	542	1,562	1,738
Segment Income (Loss)	(170)	(214)	(663)	(464)
Products [Member]
Solutions:
Net sales	5,838	4,032	15,067	11,739
Cost of sales	4,273	3,145	11,518	9,091
Gross profit	1,565	887	3,549	2,648
Operating expenses:
Research and development	102	(278)	87	(144)
Sales and marketing	957	1,140	2,708	3,872
General and administrative	119	85	261	257
Total operating expenses	1,178	947	3,056	3,985
Segment Income (Loss)	387	(60)	493	(1,337)
Overhead [Member]
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	146	73	372	191
General and administrative	848	896	2,660	2,871
Valuation of equity instruments				56
Total operating expenses	994	969	3,032	3,118
Other expense	(149)	(212)	(485)	(513)
Segment Income (Loss)	217	(274)	(170)	(1,801)
Pool and Commercial Products [Member]
Solutions:
Net sales	4,159	3,127	11,354	9,149
Cost of sales	2,892	2,229	8,077	6,593
Gross profit	1,267	898	3,277	2,556
Government Products/ Research and Development Services [Member]
Solutions:
Net sales	1,679	905	3,713	2,590
Cost of sales	1,381	916	3,441	2,498
Gross profit	$ 298	$ (11)	$ 272	$ 92