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                                                                   Exhibit 10.20


                                   PROMISSORY NOTE

$100,000                                                           July 22, 1999

     BRUCE F. LOWTHERS JR. (hereinafter referred to as "Maker"), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to the order of TOWNE SERVICES, INC., a
Georgia corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Payee"), the aggregate
principal sum of One hundred thousand ($100,000) on July 31, 2002, together
with interest on the unpaid principal balance at the rate of 8.0% per annum,
compounded annually. The principal hereof and the interest thereon are payable
at 3950 Johns Creek Court, Suite 100, Suwanee, Georgia 30024, or at such other
place as Payee may from time to time designate to Maker in writing, in coin or
currency of the United States of America.

     Maker may, at any time and from time to time, prepay all or any portion of
the principal of this Note remaining unpaid, without penalty or premium.
Prepayments shall be applied first to the payment of accrued but unpaid
interest on this Note and the balance to principal.

     If any of the following events (an "Event of Default") shall occur and be
continuing for any reason whatsoever (and whether such occurrence shall be
voluntary or involuntary or come about or be effected by operation of law or
otherwise), then this Note shall thereupon be and become, forthwith due and
payable, without any further notice or demand of any kind whatsoever, all of
which are hereby expressly waived:

          (a)  If Maker defaults in the payment of principal or interest on this
     Note when and as the same shall become due and payable and such default
     continues for 20 days after Maker receives notice from Payee of such
     default; or

          (b)  If Maker makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or
     admits in writing an inability to pay his or its debts generally as they
     become due;

          (c)  If an order, judgement or decree is entered adjudicating Maker
     bankrupt or insolvent;

          (d)  If Maker petitions or applies to any tribunal for the appointment
     of a trustee or receiver of Maker, or of any substantial part of the assets
     of Maker, or commences any proceedings relating to Maker under any
     bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt,
     dissolution or liquidation law of any jurisdiction, whether now or
     hereafter in effect; or

          (e)  If any such petition or application is filed, or any such
proceedings are commenced, against Maker, and Maker by any act indicates its
approval thereof, consent thereto, or acquiescence therein, or an order is
entered appointing any such trustee or receiver, or approving the petition in
any such proceedings, and such order remains unstayed and in effect for more
than 90 days.



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     This Note is with full recourse to any assets of Maker.

     Any failure on the part of Payee at any time to require the performance by
Maker of any of the terms or provisions hereof, even if known, shall in no way
affect the right thereafter to enforce the same, nor shall any failure of Payee
to insist on strict compliance with the terms and conditions hereof be taken or
held to be a waiver of any succeeding breach or of the right of Payee to insist
on strict compliance with the terms and conditions hereof.

     Time is of the essence.

     This Note shall be governed by, and enforced and interpreted in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Georgia without regard to the principles of
conflict of laws.

     In the event this note, or any part hereof, is collected by or through an
attorney-at-law, Maker agrees to pay all costs of collection including, but not
limited to, attorneys' fees equal to 15% of the principal and interest then
due. In the even that Maker fails to make any payment when due, Payee shall
provide written notice of default to Maker, which notice shall allow Maker ten
(10) days from the date of receipt of such notice in which to cure such
default. If such default is not cured within the time allowed, the balance
hereof shall be deemed to be immediately accelerated without future notice to
Maker.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has executed this Note under seal as of the date
first set forth above.

                                        MAKER:


                                         /s/ Bruce F. Lowthers, Jr.
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