astea10k.htm
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
___________________________________________
FORM
10-K
(Mark
One)
[X] Annual
Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
For The
Fiscal Year Ended: December 31, 2008
or
[
] Transition
Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
For the
transition period
from to
Commission
File Number: 0-26330
ASTEA
INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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23-2119058
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S.
Employer
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incorporation
or organization)
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Identification
No.)
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240 Gibraltar Road, Horsham,
Pennsylvania
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19044
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (215) 682-2500
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
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Name
of Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common
Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share
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The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Exchange Act: NONE
Indicate
by checkmark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
_ No X
Indicate
by checkmark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes _ No X
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes X No
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ X ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting
company. See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated
filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large
Accelerated filer __ Accelerated Filer
__ Non-accelerated
Filer Smaller Reporting Company
_X_
Indicate
by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2
if the Exchange Act.) Yes__ No X
The
aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant as of June 30, 2008 (based on the closing price of $3.66 as reported
by the Capital Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC as of such date) was
$8,018,515. For purposes of determining this amount only, the
registrant has defined affiliates of the registrant to include the executive
officers and directors of registrant and holders of more than 10% of the
registrant’s common stock on June 30, 2008.
As of
March 5, 2009, 3,554,049 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were
outstanding.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions
of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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PART
I
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Item
1.
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Business
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Item
1A.
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Risk
Factors
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Item
1B.
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Unresolved
Staff Comments
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Item
2.
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Properties
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Item
3.
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Legal
Proceedings
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Item
4.
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Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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PART
II
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Item
5.
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Market
for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related
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Stockholder
Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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Item
6.
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Selected
Financial Data
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Item
7.
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Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial
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Condition
and Results of Operations
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Item
7A.
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Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
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Item
8.
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Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data
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Item
9.
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Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
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Item
9A(T).
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Controls
and Procedures
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Item
9B.
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Other
Information
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PART
III
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Item
10.
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Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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Item
11.
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Executive
Compensation
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Item
12.
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Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
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Management
and Related Stockholder Matters
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Item
13.
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Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and
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Director
Independence
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Item
14.
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Principal
Accountant Fees and Services
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PART
IV
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Item
15.
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Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules
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Signature
Page
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Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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80
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Certificates
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81
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PART
I
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
form 10-K may contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the
Company’s current assumptions, expectations and projections about future
events. Words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “project,” and similar expressions are used to identify
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain
these words. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates
reflecting the best judgment of the Company’s management and involve a number of
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to
differ from those expressed or implied by a forward-looking statement are those
described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
as filed with the SEC. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also
could have material adverse effects on the Company’s future results,
performance, or achievements. In light of these risks, uncertainties,
assumptions, and factors, actual results could differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date stated, or if no date is stated, as of the date of
this release.
The
Company is not under any obligation and does not intend to make publicly
available any update or other revision to any forward-looking statements to
reflect circumstances existing after the date of this release or to reflect the
occurrence or future events even if experience or future events make it clear
that any expected results expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements will not be realized.
Industry
Overview – Service Management
In a very
simplistic manner, service management is typically defined as a technician
performing repair, installation, or regularly scheduled/preventive maintenance
work at a customer site. It involves the management of incoming service
requests, dispatching of service technicians, managing parts, managing
contracts, prioritizing service based on service level agreement and severity of
problem, and the repair, refurbish and retirement process for a piece of
equipment. Field service organizations vary greatly in size, target industries
and supported technologies. Although every industry relies on field
service to some degree, for some industries field service is
critical. Equipment from computers and peripherals to building
systems, office equipment and medical equipment depend on field
service. Sometimes, this equipment is the lifeblood of a company, and
any downtime or service interruptions can significantly impair operations or
even endanger human life and safety.
Managing
today's service enterprise means planning and coordinating service on a global
scale. It means delighting your customers - and it calls for new technologies
and business practices designed specifically to solve the service lifecycle
management challenge. The benefits of implementing Service Management solutions
are applicable in virtually every service organization, regardless of type,
size, or geography served. In fact, the larger and more global the
organization, the greater the potential benefits are likely to
be. Typically benefits of implementing service management solutions
fall into 5 categories:
1. Reduced
Service Costs
· Improved
technician productivity
· Improved
Inventory/parts management
· Optimized
service delivery
· Reduced
time in the “service-to-cash” cycle
2. Streamlined
Workflow
Best-of-breed
service management solutions with industry best practices already built-in,
enable practitioners to benefit not only from the automation of their current
processes, but also by allowing them to redefine and improve their processes to
deliver optimum results
3. Improved Service Levels
There are
basically two ways to look at service management solutions - (1) as a tool for
lowering the cost of doing business, and (2) as a means for improving existing
service levels. While the cost savings may be very real, service management
solutions can also be a significant contributor to the overall improvement in
the levels of service performance for the organization, as follows:
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Complete
Charge Capture of Service Delivery
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Maximized
Cross-Selling and Up-Selling
Opportunities
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Ability
to Leverage Service as a Competitive
Advantage
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4. Enhanced
Quality and Growth
While
most of the benefits described thus far focus primarily on transitioning from
the past to the present, enhanced quality and growth clearly looks to the future
of the organization - and this is where service management solutions can really
excel. The three main forward-thinking benefits may be summarized as
follows:
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Ability
to Deliver Consistent Service
Globally
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Modularity
for Supporting Growth
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Improved
Quality and Reduced Costs
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5. Increased
Customer Satisfaction
The vast
majority of today’s services managers recognize customer satisfaction for
exactly what it is - an essential building block for long-term, profitable
relationships that ultimately leads to customer loyalty and repeat business.
Numerous studies have also shown that acquiring a customer is a lot more
expensive than retaining an existing one. By utilizing service management
solutions to anticipate customers’ needs and requirements, improve
responsiveness, and deliver consistent service, services organizations can
improve the way in which their customers perceive the quality of their service
offerings - and this will go a long way in their ability to transform customer
satisfaction into true customer loyalty.
General
Astea
International Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively “Astea” or the “Company”)
develop, market and support service management software solutions, which are
licensed to companies that sell and service equipment, and/or sell and deliver
professional services. Companies invest in Astea’s software and services to
automate enterprise business processes for purposes of revenue enhancement, cost
containment, operational efficiency improvement, and expansion of management’s
awareness of operational performance through analytical
reporting. Customers’ return on investment from implementing Astea’s
solutions is achieved through more efficient management of information, people
and cash flows, thereby increasing competitive advantages and customer
satisfaction as well as top-line revenue and profitability.
Astea
solutions are used in industries such as information technology, medical devices
and diagnostic systems, industrial controls and instrumentation, retail systems,
office automation, imaging systems, facilities management, telecommunications
and other industries with equipment sales and service requirements. Astea’s
strong focus on enterprise solutions for organizations that sell and deliver
services is a unique industry differentiator that draws upon the Company’s
extensive industry experience and core expertise.
Founded
in 1979, Astea is known throughout the industry, largely from its history as a
provider of software solutions for field service management and depot repair.
Astea has since expanded its product portfolio to also include integrated
management applications for sales and marketing, multi-channel customer contact
centers, and professional services automation.
Astea
offers all the cornerstones of service lifecycle management, including customer
management, service management, asset management, reverse logistics management
and mobile workforce management. This comprehensive approach provides
unmatched expertise in service lifecycle workflow and integration needs
throughout the service continuum. Astea’s solutions empower companies
by making more actionable data readily accessible, providing companies agility
needed to achieve sustainable value more quickly and compete successfully in a
global community.
Astea’s
software has been licensed to approximately 630 companies worldwide. Customers
range from mid-size organizations to large, multinational corporations with
geographically dispersed locations around the globe. The Company markets and
supports its products through a worldwide network of direct and indirect sales
and services offices with corporate headquarters in the United States and
regional headquarters in the United Kingdom and Australia. Sales
partners include distributors (value-added resellers, system integrators and
sales agents) and OEM partners. See Note 12 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements Geographic Segment Data for revenues, income (loss) from
operations and long lived assets related to each of the Company’s geographic
operating regions for the past three years.
In
addition to its own product development that is conducted at Company facilities
in the United States and Israel, Astea participates in partnerships with
complementary technology companies in order to reduce time-to-market with new
product capabilities and continually increase its value proposition to
customers. The Company’s
product strategies are developed from the collective feedback from customers,
industry consultants, technology partners and sales partners, in addition to its
internal product management and development. Astea also works with
its active user community who closely advises and participates in ongoing
product development efforts.
Astea
provides customers with an array of professional consulting, training and
customer support services to implement its products and integrate them with
other corporate systems such as back-office financial and ERP applications.
Astea also maintains and supports its software over its installed life cycle.
The Company’s experience and domain expertise in service and sales management,
distribution, logistics, finance, mobile technologies, internet applications and
enterprise systems integration are made available to customers during their
assessments of where and how their business processes can be
improved.
The
Company’s sales and marketing efforts are primarily focused on new software
licensing and support services for its latest generation of Astea Alliance and
FieldCentrix products. Marketing and sales of licenses and services related to
the Company’s legacy system DISPATCH-1® products are limited to existing
DISPATCH-1 customers.
Current
Product Offerings
Astea
Alliance
Astea
Alliance is a service management offering consisting of software applications
and services. The software product consists of a series of
applications. The offering has been developed as a global solution
from the ground up with multi-lingual and multi-currency
capabilities.
Astea
Alliance has been designed to address the complete service lifecycle, from lead
generation and project quotation to service and billing through asset
retirement. It integrates and optimizes critical business processes
for Campaigns, Call Center, Depot Repair, Field Service, Logistics,
Projects and Sales and Order Processing. Astea extends its
application suite with mobile, dynamic scheduling, portals, business
intelligence, tools and services solutions. In order to ensure
customer satisfaction and quick return on investment, Astea also offers
infrastructure tools and services.
Astea
Alliance is licensed to companies that sell and/or service capital equipment or
mission critical assets and human capital. Companies invest in
Astea’s software and services to automate service processes for cost
containment, operational efficiency, and management
visibility. Customers’ return on investment is achieved through
improved management of customer information, people and cash flows, thereby
increasing competitive advantage and customer satisfaction, top-line revenues
and profitability. Astea solutions are used in industries such as
information technology, medical devices and diagnostics systems, industrial
controls and instrumentation, retail systems, office automation, imaging
systems, facilities management, telecommunications and related industries with
equipments sales and service requirements.
In the
first quarter of 2007, the latest software version, Astea Alliance 8.0 was
released. This version delivered extensive enhancements and new
features to empower service-centric organizations to achieve a new level of
service excellence. Built on Microsoft .NET platform and offering
more than 200 web services for ease of integration and accelerated development,
Astea Alliance 8.0 is one of the most open and non-proprietary solutions
available on the market today. It builds on the prior version,
Astea Alliance 6.8, which was designed and built with new system architecture
for Web-based deployment using the Microsoft.NET development architecture. Prior
to this, products were engineered for Windows client/server technology and
marketed as AllianceEnterprise. AllianceEnterprise products included
re-engineered and enhanced versions of service modules that were initially
introduced as ServiceAlliance® in 1997, and a re-engineered and enhanced version
of the Company’s sales force automation product that was initially introduced as
SalesAlliance in 1999.
ServiceAlliance
and SalesAlliance, the earliest versions of Astea Alliance solutions, were the
Company’s initial new technology offerings following a long and highly
successful history with its DISPATCH-1 legacy system solutions. Astea
Alliance solutions have been licensed to over 250 customers worldwide.
Market acceptance of Astea Alliance by global and regional companies has
continually increased since 2002 and the Company has aggressively pursued
opportunities for larger system implementations with mid-size to large
enterprises on a worldwide basis.
The
current Astea Alliance offering consists of:
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Reporting
and Business Intelligence
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Astea
Alliance Core Applications:
Alliance
Contact Center
Alliance
Depot Repair
Alliance
Field Service
Alliance
Logistics
Alliance
Marketing Campaigns
Alliance
Order Processing
Alliance
Professional Services
Alliance
Sales
Alliance
Dynamic Scheduling Engine
Astea
Alliance Mobile Applications:
Alliance
Laptop for Service
Alliance
Mobile
Alliance
2-way Paging
Astea
Alliance Extended Portals:
Customer
Self-Service
Remote
Technician
Astea
Alliance Reporting and Business Intelligence:
Alliance
Reporting
Alliance
Business Intelligence
Astea
Alliance Tools:
Alliance
Links
Alliance
Studio
Alliance
Knowledge Base
Astea
Alliance Core Applications
Alliance
Contact Center
The
Alliance Contact Center application supports call centers, information desks,
service hotlines, inside sales and telemarketing activities. Integrated
multi-channel inbound/outbound capabilities enable customer service
representatives to serve prospects and customers in their media of choice,
including phone, fax, e-mail or Internet. Integrated customer
self-service portals with automated email response, automated call escalation
and interface to Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) systems help streamline
customer interaction processes. Work scheduling and demand balancing optimize
staff utilization. Employee personal portals with access to comprehensive
real-time customer data and decision support tools including intelligent
knowledge management and scripting for problem resolution and inside sales,
drive higher staff productivity. Aside from more efficient customer
service and higher levels of customer satisfaction, the objectives of Astea’s
Alliance Contact Center software are to reduce overhead through improved
first-call resolution rates and shorter service-call handling
times. A powerful, third-party knowledge engine is integrated into
this application to further enhance and extend the diagnostic tools available to
contact center agents. This optional module is also available for
Depot Repair and Field Service applications.
Alliance
Depot Repair
Alliance
Depot Repair automates tracking of assets through equipment calibration and
repair chains, including merchandise ownership, location, repair status and
warranty coverage. Objectives are to gain real-time visibility of all repair
chain activities, ensure compliance with warranty and contractual agreements,
respond to customer inquiries with up-to-the-minute repair status, collect and
analyze repair statistics for product design improvement, and reduce overhead
such as inventory carrying costs. Applications support in-house, subcontractor
and vendor calibration and repair; customer and vendor exchanges and advance
exchanges; equipment on loan; change of ownership; merchandise shipments, cross
shipments and pickups; consolidated repair orders; and, storage and
refurbishment programs. Integration with other Astea Alliance modules allows
repair orders and repair status queries to be initiated from customer contact
centers, field service, field sales and warehouses as well as the repair
depot.
Alliance
Field Service
The
Alliance Field Service core application delivers a robust set of automated
capabilities to streamline and improve management of field service
activities. By automating workflow field service representatives can
more efficiently complete and document assignments, manage vehicle assets,
capture expenses and generate revenue through add-on sales during a customer
contact. Applications alert dispatchers to contractual minimum response times
and expedite coordination of field force skills matching, scheduling, dispatch
and repair parts logistics. The use of the Dynamic Scheduling Engine
automates much of this process. The Remote Technician portal
allows site-based field engineers and other off-site agents secure access to the
core system. Mobile tools deliver rich functionality on
notebook and PDA platforms that enable field forces to work electronically for
receiving, documenting and reporting assignments, eliminating manual procedures,
service delays and paper reporting. The software supports all field service
categories including equipment installations, break/fix, planned maintenance and
meter reading. Applications can also be integrated with equipment diagnostic
systems for fully automated solutions that initiate and prioritize service
requests and dispatch assignments to field employees’ PDAs without human
intervention.
Alliance
Logistics
The
Alliance Logistics core application is divided into 3 functional
portals. These are Supply Chain, Inventory Management and Reverse
Supply Chain, reflecting the diversity of needs in this
area. Seamlessly integrated with sales and service applications,
Alliance Logistics enables equipment service organizations to control inventory
costs, manage assets and implement proactive service management
strategies. Automated calculation of stock profiles based on usage
eliminates overstocking and dramatically reduces costs associated with storing,
depreciating, and insuring inventory. The application supports parts
and tools management for effective field service delivery and SLA
compliance. Improved cost management improves cash flow by
streamlining and shortening the cycles from inventory to usage to
billing. Lower logistics costs open opportunities to recognize higher
margins on products and services. Key areas to apply Alliance
Logistics include asset management, field service parts/tools management, demand
fulfilment, and sales fulfilment.
Alliance
Marketing Campaigns
This core
application coordinates the planning, execution and analysis of marketing
campaigns. The software supports budgeting and tracking complete multi-channel
campaigns that integrate advertising, direct mail, email marketing,
telemarketing, etc. Electronic campaigns such as email and
telemarketing are further supported with list management, script development and
user interfaces for campaign execution. Marketing managers can define
campaign offerings such as products and services to be sold, pricing and
discount tolerances; assign campaign attributes; attach campaign documentation
such as descriptive text, images, slogans and lead conversion literature; and
monitor and measure response. The big picture view enables managers to
assess synergies each channel delivers to an overall campaign and adjust channel
details such as prospect lists, scripts, budgets or offering incentives to
elicit best results. Integration with other Astea Alliance modules enables
equipment and service organizations to leverage abundant customer information
for identifying new potential revenue sources and marketing to maximize customer
loyalty and sales opportunities.
Alliance
Order Processing
The
Alliance Order Processing module provides straightforward functionality for the
management of quotations and order fulfillment. Quotations can be
created for the sale of products and the provision of field
services. Integration with the Approvals process and the Logistics
and Field Service modules ensure good management control and sustainable
promises for delivery. This application is ideally suited to the sale
of “consumable products” in association with the provision of equipment-based
services, but can be equally applied to the supply of finished products
resulting from up-sell and cross-sell opportunities.
Alliance
Professional Services
Alliance
Professional Services supports management of knowledge workers, such as those
deployed by professional services organizations and internal service departments
of large organizations. Functionality focuses on planning, deploying and billing
service engagements that can extend for days, weeks, months and years.
Applications improve resource planning and allocation, workflow management,
consultant time and expense reporting, subcontractor and vendor invoice
processing, customer billing, and visibility of service engagements. Integration
with other Astea Alliance modules delivers an end-to-end solution to market,
sell, manage and bill professional services. Capabilities to share sales,
service, project, and post-project field service data across the enterprise
enable professional services organizations to operate with less overhead,
improved cash flow, higher profitability, and more competitive
bidding.
Alliance
Sales
Alliance
Sales consolidates and streamlines the sales processes of an enterprise, from
quote generation through order processing, at all points of customer contact
including field sales, inside sales, contact center sales and field service
sales. Lead-to-close sales process capabilities include integration with Astea
Alliance marketing, customer support and field service applications, leveraging
all enterprise knowledge pools to increase sales opportunities, margins and
close rates. Consolidated views of sales and service data also provide a clearer
understanding of enterprise operations to drive strategic business decisions.
Sales force automation application automates business rules and practices such
as enterprise-defined sales methodologies, sales pipeline management, territory
management, contact and opportunity management, forecasting, collaborative team
selling and literature fulfillment. The same functionality is delivered to
mobile resources via the notebook application – with full two-way data
synchronization with the central database, via wired and wireless
networks. Other applications prompt customer support and service
staff to up-sell and cross-sell during contact with customers.
Alliance
Dynamic Scheduling Engine (DSE)
Alliance
DSE is the new generation of field service scheduling solutions for a new era of
service management. It is a proven and robust, real-time scheduling
solution designed to optimize and balance the complex tradeoffs between service
cost and level of service. It addresses the specific challenges of
field service scheduling, while simultaneously increasing efficiency, accuracy
and profitability to help you sustain a competitive advantage in today’s
volatile environment. Astea has taken a scheduling engine that was developed to
handle mission critical environments such as emergency response, where a
response time determined life or death, and embedded it into its core
product. Alliance DSE provides for maximum flexibility that
enables companies to proactively drive, manage and monitor their technicians
through demand forecasting, workforce profiling, and operational
optimization. Powered by the latest Microsoft .NET technology,
Astea’s Alliance DSE enhances productivity, improves business processes and
maximizes return on investment.
Astea
Alliance Mobile Applications
Astea
provides a family of mobility applications for use away from the base
office. The applications enable customers to match mobile access to
field sales and service needs. Untethered wireless applications with
synchronized client databases are provided for notebooks and Pocket PC handheld
devices. Direct-connect, real-time wireless text messaging, is provided for
two-way pagers and capable mobile smart phones. The mobile connectivity
integrates field sales and service activity with automated front-office
processes and eliminates the time, costs, procedural delays and errors of paper
reporting. Benefits include reduced field administration costs; electronic data
sharing among field and in-house personnel; improved speed, accuracy, content
and compliance of field reporting; faster sales order processing and customer
service invoicing; and other operational efficiencies.
Astea
Alliance Extended Portals
The
Alliance Customer Portal is a secure, multi-level entry point that supports
unattended e-business transactions for customer self-service and
self-sales. Alliance Customer Portal empowers customers as it lessens
dependence on sales and service staff to conduct transactions that can be
performed over the Internet. It reduces routine voice and fax calls to customer
contact centers, freeing lines for customers whose critical needs do require
assistance from a service representative. The pre-defined
Entry-Level, Standard and Enterprise profiles in connection with a flexible and
powerful security utility ensure tight control on access to sensitive data and a
range of features that can be enabled. It also provides another
channel to promote and sell more products and services to an existing customer
base. The customer portal can delay or eliminate needs for contact center
expansion and associated increases in facility, equipment and staffing
costs.
The
Remote Technician Portal provides secure connectivity to the enterprise system
from customer sites, technician’s homes or other non-corporate
locations. The available functionality covers the needs of a mobile
service resource in the areas of work and inventory management – equivalent to
that available with Alliance Laptop for Service.
Astea
Alliance Reporting and Business Intelligence (BI)
For
proactive service management, Alliance BI provides highly visual, real-time
analysis of business performance, focusing on Key Performance Indicators - a
tool that facilitates businesses’ understanding of customer behavior. Alliance
BI enables the viewing of information for the entire enterprise, increasing
revenues and identifying new business opportunities. Alliance BI has
been designed to ensure that users of all kinds have immediate access to crucial
information whenever it's needed. In the boardroom, at agent level, or even for
customers, this tool effortlessly allows the viewing of performance data such as
performance against service level agreements, contract profitability, product
failure rate, repair turn around times, customer satisfaction and engineer
efficiency. Reports allow businesses to see how many orders have met their
contractual service ETA and how many failed, which helps organizations better
understand customer satisfaction. Workloads show the available
working hours at a specific location in contrast to the demand for workforce
planning and optimization.
Astea
Alliance Tools
Alliance
Link
Alliance
Link is an enterprise application integration product that interfaces Astea
Alliance to other enterprise systems, such as back-office financial and ERP
applications, remote equipment monitoring and diagnostic software, and wireless
data transmission services. Alliance Link extend Astea Alliance’s return on
investment for customers by making all Alliance modules accessible to external
software through web services and open, well defined, synchronous and
asynchronous application programming interfaces (APIs) that are XML
based.
Alliance
Studio
Alliance
Studio is a toolset for easily adapting system behaviour and user interfaces to
specific business environments without expensive custom
programming. A customer can control how Astea Alliance automates
workflows as well as the system’s intuitiveness and “look and feel” to
employees, which thereby maximizes the system’s usability, effectiveness and
benefits. Alliance Studio reduces system implementation time and cost, and
subsequently enables customers to update system performance as their business
needs change—all of which contribute to the system’s low cost of
ownership.
Alliance
Knowledge Base
Alliance
Knowledge Base provides powerful and scalable enterprise search functionality
for corporate content, across a network or on a portal, intranet or Internet
site. Delivering single-point access to enterprise-wide data
collections; full-text searches can be conducted quickly and easily across
disparate data sources, from a single PC to corporate networks, intranets,
extranets, websites and portals, improving knowledge retention and sharing
across the organization. Alliance Search offers advanced functionality for
entering queries and results navigation to help users quickly find the
information they need. Alliance Search can provide user-friendly access to a
vast range of information, including product manuals, technical support
documentation, maintenance histories, repair notes, announcements, and much
more. With search functionality, Alliance Search becomes much more than simply
an operations tool; it can enable the sharing of all sorts of information,
improve problem resolution times, and improve the quality of decision-making
across an organization.
FieldCentrix
Enterprise Suite
The
FieldCentrix Enterprise is a service management solution that runs on a wide
range of mobile devices (handheld computers, laptops and PCs, and Pocket PC
devices), and integrates seamlessly with popular CRM and ERP
applications. Add-on features include a Web-based customer
self-service portal, workforce optimization capabilities, and equipment-centric
functionality. FieldCentrix has licensed applications to
companies in a wide range of sectors including HVACR, building and real estate
services, manufacturing and process instruments and controls, and medical
equipment.
The
current FieldCentrix Enterprise offering consists of:
·
|
FX
Resource Utilization
|
·
|
FX
Interchange for JD Edwards
|
FX
Service Center
FX
Service Center is an Internet-based service management and dispatch solution
that gives organizations unprecedented command over their field service
operation and helps them effectively manage call taking, entitlement
verification, field personnel scheduling and dispatching, customer service, work
orders, timesheets, service agreements, inventory and equipment tracking,
pre-invoicing, and reporting. The software is extremely intuitive, giving
organizations graphical picture views of the scheduling board, work order lists,
field service worker and site locations, and more. Real-time
drag-and-drop scheduling and re-scheduling take just a few mouse clicks, and
pre-scheduling preventive maintenance calls are simple as well. FX
Service Center makes completed work order and timesheet information instantly
available for export to an organization’s accounting, ERP, or CRM
system. Or, they can integrate FX Service Center with an
organization’s accounting, ERP or CRM system for seamless information
flow.
FX
Mobile
FX Mobile
is a revolutionary workflow software product that uses innovative wireless
communications technology with handheld computers, laptops, and PDA’s to
automate field service processes and help field service personnel do their jobs
better and faster. With FieldCentrix’s smart mobile client
technology, field service workers are able to complete their work,
uninterrupted, regardless of wireless coverage. Along with FX Service
Center, FX Mobile eliminates the manual inefficiencies and paperwork that can
overwhelm service technicians and an organization’s business. With FX
Mobile, service technicians receive work orders electronically on their mobile
devices. It then guides them, screen by screen, through the job –
prompting them to perform standard tasks, take notes, and even record future
recommended repairs or activities. With FX Mobile, field service
personnel can now spend their time in the field, better serving customers,
generating new business, and increasing organizations bottom line. FX
Mobile is an international offering that supports various languages, as well as
currencies, measurement systems and time zones.
FX
e-Service
FX
e-Service is an extension of the FieldCentrix solution that provides a dynamic
customer self-service portal that links directly from a customer’s Web
site. When integrated with FX Mobile software, it provides the unique
capability to truly deliver real-time information from the point of service to
your customers. Working seamlessly with FX Service Center call
center and dispatching software, FX e-Service gives an organization’s customers
the flexibility of submitting service requests, accessing work order
information, and managing their account over the Internet. Customers
can receive an email notification each time the status of a work order
changes. This allows them to know instantly when the request has been
received, scheduled, is in progress and when it is complete – all without ever
calling into the office, waiting on hold or taking up valuable CSR
resource.
FX
Fleet Manager
FX Fleet
Manager is FieldCentrix’s Global Positioning System (GPS) offering to help
customers manage their mobile resources more effectively. FX Fleet Manager gives
companies better control and management of their field operations and allows
them to make decisions that will increase profitability, reduce service costs,
enhance customer responsiveness and satisfaction, and improve productivity and
efficiency. With FX Fleet Manager, dispatchers and office personnel will always
know where mobile resources are located — in real-time. Are they where they
should be? Are they lost? Are they safe? There’s an emergency service request —
which resource is the closest with the right parts and skill sets? All this
information and more are available to more efficiently manage mobile
resources.
FX
Resource Utilization
With the
FieldCentrix Enterprise solution, organizations have already gained the
competitive advantage of best-of-breed mobile field service
automation. By adding FX Resource Utilization software to the mix,
they can now take their real time service data to the next level and
dramatically increase the productivity and efficiency of their work force and
service operations through load balancing and optimized resource
planning. FX Resource Utilization is a strategic workforce modelling
tool for accurately planning, tracking, and analyze service resources in
real-time. It provides an easy and automated way to size, manage, and
report on resource capacity and utilization across the enterprise to determine
how to best deploy resources, cost effectively balance workloads and service
engineers, and still make sure all service level commitments are met and
contracts remain profitable.
FX
Interchange
FX
Interchange software provides data transporting services that allow enterprises
to quickly and easily integrate FieldCentrix Enterprise to existing legacy and
business systems – to get the most value from field data. FX
Interchange converts data stored in FX Service Center knowledge base to XML
(eXtensible Markup Language) or a Microsoft SQL Server database. Once
converted, the data is easily accessible to other systems for basic billing and
payroll extraction, and extensive bi-directional integration purposes to support
the needs of an accounting, call center, or service dispatch integrated
solution.
FX
Interchange for JD Edwards
FieldCentrix
field service automation software and JD Edwards® Enterprise
and EnterpriseOne applications are integrated to provide medium to large
companies with an easy-to-use, cost-effective way to streamline and automate
field service operations. The systems are integrated through FX Interchange™ for
JD Edwards. This interface dynamically transfers key customer, work
order, and accounting related information between the FieldCentrix and JD
Edwards applications. This means the key functions that organizations need to
run their business efficiently and cost-effectively are now seamless and
completed electronically — without paper.
With the
FieldCentrix and JD Edwards solution, service workers in the field access and
enter all work order information using a mobile device at the job site. When the
work is done, the service worker closes the work order and the completed
information is sent wirelessly back to the office automatically. The electronic
information is instantly accessible for processing by an organization’s billing
system so there's no data entry needed. Because you also no longer have to wait
for the field service worker to bring in the paperwork before you can close the
work order, customers can be billed quicker.
FX
Mobility Express
For
customers who want to mobilize their workforce without deploying a full field
service automation solution, FieldCentrix offers a special mobilized application
development toolkit called FX Mobility Express™. The FX Mobility Express toolkit
is bundled with FieldCentrix’s popular mobile middleware and allows
organizations to quickly and easily build custom mobile applications that fully
leverage FieldCentrix’s robust and scalable mobile infrastructure and user-
friendly interface. Mobilizing applications with FX Mobility Express
provides organizations with a cost-effective way to create a powerful solution
that fits their unique business requirements on top of a tried and tested
platform – a platform built from years of mobile and wireless technology
experience and proven by thousands of users worldwide.
Astea
Client Services
Professional
Services:
Astea’s
typical professional services engagement includes planning, prototyping and
implementation of Astea’s products within the client’s
organization. Some customers may require customization, but they are
relatively insignificant.
During
the initial planning phase of the engagement, Astea’s professional services
personnel work closely with representatives of the customer to prepare a
detailed project plan that includes a timetable, resource requirements,
milestones, in-house training programs, onsite business process training and
demonstrations of Astea’s product capabilities within the customer’s
organization.
The next
phase of the Astea professional services engagement is the prototyping phase, in
which Astea works closely with representatives of the customer to configure
Astea’s software solutions to the customer’s specific business process
requirements.
The next
integral phase in the professional services engagement is the implementation
phase, in which Astea’s professional services personnel work with the client to
develop detailed data mapping, conversions, interfaces and other technical and
business processes necessary to integrate Astea’s solutions into the customer’s
computing environment. Ultimately, education plans are developed and
executed to provide the customer with the process and system knowledge necessary
to effectively utilize the software and fully implement the
solution. Professional services are charged on an hourly or daily
basis.
The last
phase of the engagement utilizes Astea’s professional services personnel to
assist in Go Live
planning and the Go Live effort. Astea will assist in the planning for
installation, initialization, data preparation, operational procedures,
schedules and required resources. The initialization and creation of the
production database is planned and prepared for the data history, open orders
and all required data for go live processing. During the cut-over to
the solution, Astea business resources are best utilized to assist new users
with functionality/processes while Astea technical resources support customer IT
staff.
Following
the Go Live, Astea professional services engages the customer in the Assessment
Phase. During this effort, the delivered system is assessed to
validate benefits, analyze processes to measure key performance indicators,
document and understand lessons learned. To perform these
assessments, Astea consultants collect and analyze the planned benefits,
processes used to capture and report on the key performance indicators, and
document the lessons learned from all phases of the
implementation. An action plan is developed from the lessons learned
and key performance indicators for use in future phases and/or
releases.
Technical
Services:
Astea’s
technical services teams provide services related to installation, data
verification, functional design, technical design, system infrastructure setup
or changes, customizations, QA activities, testing and go-live
support. Initially, software and database installation resources are
available to prepare the environment for the prototyping phase.
Data
verification and feedback services can be provided for initial data verification
analysis. These efforts are conducted to determine the present state
of information as far as type, conversions, data manipulation, location,
frequency, method of interface (initial load, ongoing load, data export or data
import,) and data integrity. Findings are documented and shared with
the project team.
During
the implementation phase, Astea’s technical services team is often engaged to
assist with the functional and/or technical design as related to customer
desired system personalization, minor customization and interfaces, often
referred to as ‘gaps’. Gap solutions are assessed and categorized
into system, studio, customization or interface. Utilizing the
services of the customer project team, Astea professional services and Astea
technical services create Business Requirement Documents (BRDs) for all
customizations and interfaces. Astea technical services will provide
specifications and a quote for the customization. The Customer and
Astea agree on the outcome of the customization and all expected outputs prior
to the actual development customization. Following acceptance of the
BRDs, code will be written as per design. QA of the code with test
data sets will complete these efforts.
Astea’s
technical services team will also provide testing and go-live support, as
required.
Customer
Support
Astea’s
customer support organization provides customers with telephone and online
technical support, as well as product enhancements, updates and new software
releases. The company can provide 24X7 “follow-the-sun” support
through its global support network. Local representatives support all
regions of Astea’s worldwide operations. Astea personnel or a distributor’s
personnel familiar with local business customs and practices provide support in
real-time and usually spoken in native languages. Typically, customer support
fees are established as a fixed percentage of license fees and are invoiced to
customers on an annual basis. Astea’s customer support representatives are
located in the United States, Europe, Israel and Australia. In
addition, Astea provides customer support 24X7 with its self-service
portal. The maintenance offering provides customers with support and
help desk services, as well as software service packs and release upgrades for
the modules they have purchased.
Education
& Training
Application
Training:
Key
business owners responsible for the implementation of the core components will
receive in-depth training designed to present the features, functionality and
terminology of Astea’s solutions. The objective of this training is to provide
the audience with a working knowledge of these solutions. This
exposure to the system will enable project communication and add insight into
specific business processes.
End-user
training plans and documents are created during the implementation
phase. These plans and documentation are utilized to conduct end-user
training sessions prior to go-live.
Technical
Training:
Software
and database installation/creation training is provided, as required and/or
recommended.
System
Administration training provides the customer IT staff pre-requisite knowledge
to manipulate and manage administrative tasks associated with the Astea
solutions. Included within these tasks are: Security,
Batch Applications, Escalation, Import, etc.
Many
customers are interested in performing their own personalization and minor
customization to the system. Training sessions are available to
enhance customer understanding of available options for personalization and how
to perform customizations.
Customers
The
Company estimates that it has sold licenses to approximately 630 customers ranging
from small, rapidly growing companies to large, multinational corporations with
geographically dispersed operations and remote offices. More than 255 licenses
(including 2008 sales) have been sold for Astea Alliance, 40 for FieldCentrix
products and the remainder for DISPATCH-1 software. The broad
applicability of the Company’s products is demonstrated by the wide range of
companies across many markets and industries that use one or more of Astea’s
products, including customers in information technology, medical devices and
diagnostic systems, industrial controls and instrumentation, retail systems,
office automation, imaging systems, facilities management, telecommunications,
and other industries with equipment sales and service
requirements. In 2008 no customers accounted for more than 10% of
total revenues. In 2007 two customers represented 11% and 10% of
total revenues respectively.
Sales
and Marketing
The
Company markets its products through a worldwide network of direct and indirect
sales and services offices with corporate headquarters in the United States and
regional headquarters in the United Kingdom (Europe, Middle East and Africa
Operations) and Australia (Asia Pacific Operations). Sales partners
include distributors (value-added resellers, system integrators and sales
agents) and OEM partners. The Company actively seeks to expand its
reseller network and establish an international indirect distribution channel
targeted at the mid-market tier. See “Certain Factors that May Affect
Future Results¾ Need to Expand Indirect
Sales.”
Astea’s
direct sales force employs a consultative approach to selling, working closely
with prospective clients to understand and define their needs and determine how
such needs can be addressed by the Company’s products. These clients
typically represent the mid- to high-end of the market. A prospect
development organization comprised of telemarketing representatives, who are
engaged in outbound telemarketing and inbound inquiry response to a variety of
marketing vehicles, develops and qualifies sales leads prior to referral to the
direct sales staff. Additional prospects are identified and qualified
through the networking of direct sales staff and the Company’s management as
part of daily business activities.
The
modular structure of Astea’s software and its ongoing product development
efforts provide opportunities for incremental sales of product modules and
consulting services to existing accounts. See “Certain Factors that May Affect
Future Results— Continued Dependence on
Large Contracts May Result in Lengthy Sales and Implementation Cycles and Impact
Revenue Recognition and Cash Flow.”
Astea’s
corporate marketing department is responsible for product marketing, lead
generation and marketing communications, including the Company’s corporate
website, dialogue with high tech industry analysts, trade conferences,
advertising, e-marketing, on-line and traditional seminars, direct mail, product
collateral and public relations. Based on feedback from customers, analysts,
business partners and market data, the marketing department provides input and
direction for the Company’s ongoing product development efforts and
opportunities for professional services. Leads developed from the
variety of marketing communications vehicles are routed through the Company’s
Astea Alliance sales and marketing automation system. The Company
also participates in an annual conference for users of Astea Alliance and
FieldCentrix products. Conference participants attend training
sessions, workshops and presentations, and interact with other Astea product
users, Astea management and staff, and technology partners, providing important
input for future product direction.
Astea’s
international sales accounted for 26% of the Company’s revenues in 2008 and 32%
of the Company’s revenues in 2007. See “Certain Factors that May
Affect Future Results—Risks Associated with International Sales.”
Product
Development
Astea’s
product development strategy is to provide products that perform with
exceptional depth and breadth of functionality and are easy to implement, use
and maintain. Products are designed to be flexible, modular and
scalable, so that they can be implemented incrementally in phases and expanded
to satisfy the evolving information requirements of Astea’s clients and their
customers. Each product is also designed to utilize n-tier,
distributed, thin-client and Web environments that can be powered by multiple
hardware platforms and operating systems. To accomplish these goals, the Company
uses widely accepted commercially available application development tools from
Microsoft Corporation for Astea Alliance and FieldCentrix. These software tools
provide the Company’s customers with the flexibility to deploy Astea’s products
across a variety of hardware platforms, operating systems and relational
database management systems. The latest Astea Alliance products are currently
being engineered for existing and emerging Microsoft technologies such as
Microsoft Message Queuing (MSMQ), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF); Visual
Studio 2008; Microsoft .NET Framework; Internet Information Server (IIS) and
Microsoft.NET Enterprise Servers including Windows 2003 and 2008 Servers, SQL
Server and BizTalk Server.
In
addition to product development that is conducted at Company facilities in the
United States and Israel, Astea may participate in partnerships with
complementary technology companies to reduce time-to-market with new product
capabilities in order to continually increase its value proposition to existing
and prospective customers.
The
Company’s total expense for product development for the years ended December 31,
2008 and 2007 was $4,224,000 and $4,402,000, respectively. These expenses
amounted to 17% and 14% of total revenues for 2008 and 2007
respectively. The Company’s capitalized software development costs
were $2,118,000 and $1,836,000 in 2008 and 2007,
respectively. Capitalized software development costs increased
approximately $300,000 in 2008 compared to 2007 principally due to the
development of FieldCentrix version 4.5 which was released in late
2008. At that time all costs related to improving the
product were no longer capitalized and instead charged directly to product
development expenses. The Company anticipates that it will continue
to allocate substantial resources to its development effort for the upgrade of
its suite of products. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Certain Factors that May
Affect Future Results—Need for Development of New Products.”
Manufacturing
The
Company’s software products are distributed on CD ROMs and electronically via
FTP (file transfer protocol). Included with the software products are
security keys (a software piracy protection) and documentation available on CD
ROM and hard copy. Historically, the Company has purchased media and
duplicating and printing services for its product packaging from outside
vendors.
Competition
The
service management software market is intensely competitive and subject to rapid
change. To maintain or increase its position in the industry, the
Company will need to continually enhance its current product offerings,
introduce new products and features and maintain its professional services
capabilities. The Company currently competes on the basis of the
depth and breadth of its integrated product features and functions, including
the adaptability and scalability of its products to specific customer
environments; the ability to deploy complex systems locally, regionally,
nationally and internationally; product quality; ease-of-use; reliability and
performance; breadth of professional services; integration of Astea’s offerings
with other enterprise applications; price; and the availability of Astea’s
products on popular operating systems, relational databases, Internet and
communications platforms.
Competitors
vary in size, scope and breadth of the products and services
offered. The Company encounters competition generally from a number
of sources, including other software companies, third-party professional
services organizations that develop custom software, and information systems
departments of potential customers developing proprietary, custom
software. In the service management marketplace, the Company competes
against publicly held companies and numerous smaller, privately held
companies. The Company’s competitors include Siebel Systems, Inc.
(“Siebel”) and PeopleSoft Inc., (“PeopleSoft”), both acquired by Oracle, SAP AG
(“SAP”), Oracle Corporation (“Oracle”), Clarify which was acquired by Amdocs
Limited (“Amdocs Clarify”), Viryanet Ltd. (“Viryanet”) and a number of smaller
privately held companies. See “Certain Factors that May Affect Future
Results—Competition in the Customer Relationship Management Software Market is
Intense.”
Licenses
and Intellectual Property
Astea
considers its software proprietary and licenses its products to its customers
under written license agreements. The Company also employs an
encryption system that restricts a user’s access to source code to further
protect the Company’s intellectual property. Because the Company’s
products allow customers to use the software’s built in features to customize
their applications without altering the framework source code, the framework
source code for the Company’s products is typically neither licensed nor
provided to customers. The Company does, however, license source code
from time to time and maintains certain third-party source code escrow
arrangements. See “Customers” and “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
The
Company seeks to protect its products through a combination of copyright,
trademark, trade secret and fair business practice laws. The Company
also requires employees, consultants and third parties to sign nondisclosure
agreements. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for
unauthorized parties to copy certain portions of the Company’s products or
reverse engineer or obtain and use information that the Company regards as
proprietary. The Company presently has no patents or patent
applications pending. See “Certain Factors that May Affect Future
Results—Risks of Dependence on Proprietary Technology.”
Because
the software development industry is characterized by rapid technological
change, Astea believes that factors such as the technological and creative
skills of its personnel, new product developments, frequent product
enhancements, and reliable product maintenance are more important to
establishing and maintaining a technology leadership position than current legal
protections.
Employees
As of
December 31, 2008, the Company, including its subsidiaries, had a total of 158
full time employees worldwide, 88 in the United States, 16 in the United
Kingdom, 5 in the Netherlands, 39 in Israel, 11 in Australia and 2 in Japan and
3 part time employees, 2 in the United States and 1 in the Netherlands
.. The Company’s future performance depends, in significant part, upon
the continued service of its key technical and management personnel and its
continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified and motivated
personnel in all areas of its operations. See “Certain Factors that
May Affect Future Results—Dependence on Key Personnel; Competition for
Employees.” None of the Company’s employees is represented by a labor
union. The Company has not experienced any work stoppages and
considers its relations with its employees to be good.
Corporate
History
The
Company was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1979 under the name Applied System
Technologies, Inc. In 1992, the Company changed its name to Astea
International Inc. Until 1986, the Company operated principally as a
software-consulting firm, providing professional software consulting services on
a fee for service and on a project basis. In 1986, the Company
introduced its DISPATCH-1 product. In November 1991, the Company’s
sole stockholder acquired the outstanding stock of The DATA Group Corporation
(“Data Group”), a provider of field service software and related professional
services for the mainframe-computing environment. Data Group was
merged into the Company in January 1994. In February 1995, the
Company and its sole stockholder acquired the outstanding stock of Astea Service
& Distribution Systems BV (“Astea BV”), the Company’s distributor of
DISPATCH-1 and related services in Europe. In May 1995, the Company
reincorporated in Delaware. In July 1995, the Company completed its
initial public offering of Common Stock. In February 1996, the
Company merged with Bendata, Inc. In June 1996, the Company acquired
Abalon AB. In September 1998 (effective July 1, 1998), the Company
sold Bendata, Inc. In December 1998, the Company sold Abalon AB. In
December 1997, the Company introduced ServiceAlliance and in October 1999,
SalesAlliance. Both products were subsequently re-engineered into
components of the AllianceEnterprise suite which was introduced in 2001. Through
2001 and into 2002, the Company rebuilt its product functionality for Web-based
applications and in August 2003 introduced Astea Alliance version
6. The Company released a new system architecture based on
Microsoft.NET during the third quarter of 2004. On September 21,
2005, the Company acquired substantially all the assets and certain liabilities
of FieldCentrix, Inc. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company
delivered Astea Alliance version 8.0 which is built on the Microsoft .NET 2.0
platform offering more than 200 web services for ease of integration and
accelerated development.
The
Company does not provide forecasts of its future financial
performance. From time to time, however, information provided by the
Company or statements made by its employees may contain “forward looking”
information that involves risks and uncertainties. In particular,
statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical
fact may constitute forward looking statements and are made under the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. The Company’s actual results of operations and financial
condition have varied and may in the future vary significantly from those stated
in any forward looking statements. Factors that may cause such
differences include, but are not limited to, the risks, uncertainties and other
information discussed within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the
accuracy of the Company’s internal estimates of revenue and operating expense
levels.
The
following discussion of the Company’s risk factors should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and related notes thereto set forth elsewhere in
this report. The following factors, among others, could cause actual
results to differ materially from those set forth in forward looking statements
contained or incorporated by reference in this report and presented by
management from time to time. Such factors, among others, may have a
material adverse effect upon the Company’s business, results of operations and
financial conditions:
Recent History of Net
Losses
The
Company has a history of net losses. In 2008, it generated a net loss
of $3.1 million. The Company generated net income of $2.8 million in
2007 and a net loss of $7.1 million in fiscal 2006. As of December
31, 2008, stockholders’ equity is approximately $7.1 million, which is net of an
accumulated deficit of approximately $23.0 million. Moreover, the
Company expects to continue to incur additional operating expenses for research
and development. As a result, the Company will need to generate
significant revenues to achieve and maintain profitability. The
Company may not be able to achieve the necessary revenue growth or profitability
in the future. If the Company does not attain or sustain
profitability or raise additional equity or debt in the future, the Company may
be unable to continue its operations.
Decreased
Revenues from DISPATCH-1
In both
2008 and 2007, 2% of the Company’s total revenues were derived from licensing
and providing of professional services in connection with the implementation,
deployment and maintenance of DISPATCH-1 installations. See
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.” The Company originally introduced Astea Alliance in August 1997 in
order to target a market segment in which DISPATCH-1 was not cost-effective or
attractive. Subsequent, rapid changes in technology have now
positioned the Astea Alliance suite, introduced in 2001 and which includes the
Astea Alliance functionality, to supersede DISPATCH-1 as the company’s flagship
product. As a result, there are no license sales planned or
anticipated for DISPATCH-1 to new customers. In 2008, there were no
DISPATCH-1 license sales to existing customers compared to $77,000 in
2007. Total DISPATCH-1 revenues have been declining and insignificant
in each of the last three fiscal years. That trend is expected to
continue.
While the
Company has licensed Astea Alliance to over 255 companies worldwide from 1998
through 2008, and more than 40 companies for the FieldCentrix suite supported by
the Company since September 2005, revenues from sales of both Astea Alliance and
FieldCentrix may not be sufficient to support the expenses of the
Company. The Company’s future success will depend mainly on its
ability to increase licensed users of both the Astea Alliance suite and
FieldCentrix offerings, on developing new products and product enhancements to
complement its existing product offerings, on its ability to continue to
generate professional services, support and maintenance revenues to Astea
Alliance and FieldCentrix customers and on its ability to control its operating
expenses. Any failure of the Company’s products to achieve or sustain
market acceptance, or of the Company to sustain its current position in the
Customer Relationship Management software market, would have a material adverse
effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to increase demand for Astea
Alliance and FieldCentrix products, maintain an acceptable level of support and
maintenance revenues or to lower its expenses, thereby avoiding future
losses.
Need
for Development of New Products
The
Company’s future success will depend upon its ability to enhance its current
products and develop and introduce new products on a timely basis that keep pace
with technological developments, industry standards and the increasingly
sophisticated needs of its customers, including developments within the
client/server, thin-client and object-oriented computing
environments. Such developments may require, from time to time,
substantial capital investments by the Company in product development and
testing. The Company intends to continue its commitment to research
and development and its efforts to develop new products and product
enhancements. There can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development,
introduction and marketing of new products and product enhancements; that new
products and product enhancements will meet the requirements of the marketplace
and achieve market acceptance; or that the Company’s current or future products
will conform to industry requirements. Furthermore, reallocation of
resources by the Company, such as the diversion of research and development
personnel to development of a particular feature for a potential or existing
customer, can delay new products and certain product
enhancements. Some of our customers adopted our software on an
incremental basis. These customers may not expand usage of our
software on an enterprise-wide basis or implement new software products
introduced by the Company. The failure of the software to perform to
customer expectations or otherwise to be deployed on an enterprise-wide basis
could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to collect
revenues or to increase revenues from new as well as existing
customers. If the Company is unable to develop and market new
products or enhancements of existing products successfully, the Company’s
ability to remain competitive in the industry will be materially adversely
effected.
Rapid
Technological Change
In the
software industry there is a continual emergence of new technologies and
continual change in customer requirements. Because of the rapid pace
of technological change in the application software industry, the Company’s
current market position could be eroded rapidly by product
advancements. In order to remain competitive, the Company must
introduce new products or product enhancements that meet customers’ requirements
in a timely manner. If the Company is unable to do this, it may lose
current and prospective customers to competitors.
The
Company’s application environment relies primarily on software development tools
from Microsoft Corporation. If alternative software development tools
were to be designed and generally accepted by the marketplace, we could be at a
competitive disadvantage relative to companies employing such alternative
developmental tools.
Burdens
of Customization
On rare
occasions, the Company’s clients may request significant customization of Astea
Alliance and FieldCentrix products to address unique characteristics of their
businesses or computing environments. In these situations, the
Company would apply contract accounting to determine the recognition of license
revenues. The Company’s commitment to the customization could place a
burden on its client support resources or delay the delivery or installation of
products, which, in turn, could materially adversely affect its relationship
with significant clients or otherwise adversely affect business and results of
operations. In addition, the Company could incur penalties or
reductions in revenues for failures to develop or timely deliver new products or
product enhancements under development agreements and other arrangements with
customers. If customers are not able to customize or deploy the
Company’s products successfully, the customer may not complete expected product
deployment, which would prevent recognition of revenues and collection of
amounts due, and could result in claims against the Company.
Risk
of Product Defects; Failure to Meet Performance Criteria
The
Company’s software is intended for use in enterprise-wide applications that may
be critical to its customer’s business. As a result, customers and
potential customers typically demand strict requirements for installation and
deployment. The Company’s software products are complex and may
contain undetected errors or failures, particularly when software must be
customized for a particular customer, when first introduced or when new versions
are released. Although the Company conducts extensive product testing
during product development, the Company has at times delayed commercial release
of software until problems were corrected and, in some cases, has provided
enhancements to correct errors in released software. The Company
could, in the future, lose revenues or incur additional and unexpected costs as
a result of software errors or defects. Despite testing by the
Company and by current and potential customers, errors in the software,
customizations or releases might not be detected until after initiating
commercial shipments, which could result in additional costs, delays, possible
damage to the Company’s reputation and could cause diminished demand for the
Company’s products. This could lead to
customer dissatisfaction and reduce the opportunity to renew maintenance
contracts or sell new licenses.
Continued Dependence on Large
Contracts May Result in Lengthy Sales and Implementation Cycles and Impact
Revenue Recognition and Cash Flow
The sale
and implementation of the Company’s products generally involve a significant
commitment of resources by prospective customers. As a result, the
Company’s sales process is often subject to delays associated with lengthy
approval processes attendant to significant capital expenditures, definition of
special customer implementation requirements, and extensive contract
negotiations with the customer. Therefore, the sales cycle varies
substantially from customer to customer and typically lasts between four and
twelve months. During this time the Company may devote significant
time and resources to a prospective customer, including costs associated with
multiple site visits, product demonstrations and feasibility
studies. The Company may experience a number of significant delays
over which the Company has no control. Because the costs associated
with the sale of the product are fixed in current periods, there may be a lag
between the time the Company incurs costs with regard to a particular customer
or contract and the time the Company begins to receive or recognize revenues
from such customer or contract. Moreover, in the event of any
downturn in any existing or potential customer’s business or the economy in
general, purchases of the Company’s products may be deferred or
canceled.
In
addition, the implementation of the Company’s products typically takes several
months of integration of the product with the customer’s other existing systems
and customer training requires a close working relationship between the customer
and members of the Company’s professional service organization. These
issues make it difficult to predict the quarter in which expected orders will
occur. Delays in implementation of products could cause some or all
of the professional services revenues from those projects to be shifted from the
expected quarter to a subsequent quarter or quarters.
When the
Company has provided consulting services to implement certain larger projects,
some customers have delayed payment of a portion of license fees until
implementation was complete and in some cases have disputed the consulting fees
charged for implementation. There can be no assurance the Company
will not experience additional delays or disputes regarding payment in the
future, particularly if the Company receives orders for large, complex
installations. Additionally, as a result of the application of the
revenue recognition rules applicable to the Company’s licenses under generally
accepted accounting principles, license revenues may be recognized in periods
after those in which the respective licenses were signed. The Company
believes that period-to-period comparisons of its results of operations should
not be relied upon as any indication of future performance.
Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating
Results May Be Significant
The
Company’s quarterly operating results have in the past and may in the future
vary significantly depending on factors such as:
· Revenue
from software sales;
· the
timing of new product releases;
· market
acceptance of new and enhanced versions of the Company’s products;
· customer
order deferrals in anticipation of enhancements or new products;
· the size
and timing of significant orders, the recognition of revenue from such
orders;
· changes
in pricing policies by the Company and its competitors;
· the
introduction of alternative technologies;
· changes
in operating expenses;
· changes
in the Company’s strategy;
· personnel
changes;
· the
effect of potential acquisitions by the Company and its
competitors; and general domestic and international economic and
political
factors.
The
Company has limited or no control over many of these factors. Due to
all these factors, it is possible that in some future quarter the Company’s
operating results will be materially adversely affected.
Fluctuations
in Quarterly Operating Results Due to Seasonal Factors
The
Company expects to experience fluctuations in the sale of licenses for its
products due to seasonal factors. The Company has experienced and
anticipates that it may experience relatively lower sales in the first fiscal
quarter due to patterns in capital budgeting and purchasing cycles of current
and prospective customers. The Company also expects that sales may
decline during the summer months of its third quarter, particularly in the
European markets. Moreover, the Company generally records most of its
total quarterly license revenues in the third month of the quarter, with a
concentration of these revenues in the last half of that third
month. This concentration of license revenues is influenced by
customer tendencies to make significant capital expenditures at the end of a
fiscal quarter. The Company expects these revenue patterns to
continue for the foreseeable future. Thus, its results of operations
may vary seasonally in accordance with licensing activity, and will also depend
upon recognition of revenue from such licenses from time to time. The
Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of its results of operations
are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of
future performance.
General
Economic Conditions May Affect Operations
As business has grown, the Company has
become increasingly subject to the risks arising from adverse changes in
domestic and global economic conditions. Economic slowdowns in the United States
and in other parts of the world can cause many companies to delay or reduce
technology purchases and investments. Similarly, the Company’s
customers may delay payment for Company products causing accounts receivable to
increase. In addition, terrorist attacks could further contribute to the
slowdown in the economies of North America, Europe and Asia. The overall impact
to the Company of such a slowdown is difficult to predict, however, revenues
could decline, which would have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of
operations and on its financial condition, as well as on its ability to sustain
profitability.
Competition in the Customer
Relationship Management (CRM) Software Market is Intense
The
Company competes in the CRM software market. This market is highly
competitive and the Company expects competition in the market to
increase. The Company’s competitors include large public companies
such as Oracle, which owns PeopleSoft and Siebel, as well as traditional
enterprise resource planning (ERP) software providers such as SAP that are
developing CRM capabilities. In addition, a number of smaller
privately held companies generally focus only on discrete areas of the CRM
software marketplace. Because the barriers to entry in the CRM
software market are relatively low, new competitors may emerge with products
that are superior to the Company’s products or that achieve greater market
acceptance. Moreover, the CRM industry is currently experiencing significant
consolidation, as larger public companies seek to enter the CRM market through
acquisitions or establish other cooperative relationships among themselves,
thereby enhancing their ability to compete in this market with their combined
resources. Some of the Company’s existing and potential competitors
have greater financial, technical, marketing and distribution resources than the
Company. These and other competitors pose business risks to the
Company because:
·
|
they
compete for the same customers that the Company tries to
attract;
|
·
|
if
the Company loses customers to its competitors, it may be difficult or
impossible to win them back;
|
·
|
lower
prices and a smaller market share could limit the Company’s revenue
generating ability, reduce its
gross margins and restrict its ability
to become profitable or sustain profitability;
and
|
·
|
competitors
may be able to devote greater resources to more quickly respond to
emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or to the
development, promotion and sales of their
products.
|
There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against
current and future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by the
Company will not adversely affect its business and results of
operations.
Risk of Dependence on Proprietary
Technology
The
Company depends heavily on proprietary technology for its business to
succeed. The Company licenses its products to customers under license
agreements containing, among other terms, provisions protecting against the
unauthorized use, copying and transfer of the licensed program. In
addition, the Company relies on a combination of trade secrets, copyright and
trademark laws and confidentiality procedures to protect the Company’s
proprietary rights in its products and technology. The legal
protection is limited, however. Unauthorized parties may copy aspects
of the Company’s products and obtain and use information that the Company
believes is proprietary. Other parties may breach confidentiality
agreements or other contracts they have made with the
Company. Policing unauthorized use of the Company’s software is
difficult and, while the Company is unable to determine the extent to which
piracy of its software products exists, software piracy can be expected to be a
persistent problem. There can be no assurance that any of the
measures taken by the Company will be adequate to protect its proprietary
technology or that its competitors will not independently develop technologies
that are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company’s
technologies. If the Company fails to successfully enforce its
proprietary technology, its competitive position may be harmed.
Other
software providers could develop similar technology independently, which may
infringe on the Company’s proprietary rights. The Company may not be
able to detect infringement and may lose a competitive position in the market
before it does so. In addition, competitors may design around the
Company’s technology or develop competing technologies. The laws of
some foreign countries do not protect the Company’s proprietary rights to the
same extent as do the laws of the United States. Litigation may be
necessary to enforce the Company’s proprietary rights. Such
litigation is time-consuming, has an uncertain outcome and could result in
substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and
resources. However, if the Company fails to successfully enforce its
proprietary rights, the Company’s competitive position may be
harmed.
Possible
Infringement of Third Party Intellectual Property Rights
Substantial
litigation and threats of litigation regarding intellectual property rights are
common in this industry. The Company is not aware that its products
and technologies employ technology that infringes any valid, existing
proprietary rights of third parties. While there currently are no
pending lawsuits against the Company regarding infringement of any existing
patents or other intellectual property rights or any notices that it is
infringing the intellectual property rights of others, third parties may assert
such claims in the future. Any claims, with or without merit,
could:
· be time
consuming to defend;
· result in
costly litigation or damage awards;
· divert
management’s attention and resources;
· cause
product shipment delays; or
· require
the Company to seek to enter into royalty or licensing agreements, which may not
be available on terms acceptable to the Company, if
at all.
A
successful claim of intellectual property infringement against the Company or
the Company’s failure or inability to license the infringed or similar
technology could seriously harm its business because the Company would not be
able to sell the impacted product without exposing itself to litigation risk and
damages. Furthermore, redevelopment of the product so as to avoid
infringement could cause the Company to incur significant additional expense and
delay.
Dependence
on Technology from Third Parties
The
Company integrates various third-party software products as components of its
software. The Company’s business would be disrupted if this software, or
functional equivalents of this software, were either no longer available to the
Company or the Company was no longer able to gain access to this software on
commercially reasonable terms. In either case, the Company would be required to
either redesign its software to function with alternate third-party software or
develop these components itself, which would result in increased costs and could
result in delays in software shipments. Furthermore, the Company might be forced
to limit the features available in its current or future software
offerings.
Need
to Expand Indirect Sales
The
Company has historically sold its products through its direct sales force and a
limited number of distributors (value-added resellers, system integrators and
sales agents). The Company’s ability to achieve significant revenue
growth in the future will depend in large part on its success in establishing
relationships with distributors and OEM partners. The Company is
currently investing, and plans to continue to invest, significant resources to
expand its domestic and international direct sales force and develop
distribution relationships. The Company’s distributors also sell or
can potentially sell products offered by the Company’s
competitors. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to retain or attract a sufficient number of its existing or future third party
distribution partners or that such partners will recommend, or continue to
recommend, the Company’s products. The inability to establish or
maintain successful relationships with distributors and OEM partners or to train
its direct sales force could cause its sales to decline.
Risks of Future
Acquisitions
As part
of Astea’s growth strategy, it may pursue the acquisition of businesses,
technologies or products that are complementary to its business. Acquisitions
involve a number of special risks that could harm the Company’s business,
including the diversion of management’s attention, the integration of the
operations and personnel of the acquired companies, and the potential loss of
key employees. In particular, the failure to maintain adequate operating and
financial control systems or unexpected difficulties encountered during
expansion could harm the Company’s business. Acquisitions may result
in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, and the incurrence of
debt and contingent liabilities, any of which could materially adversely affect
the Company’s business and results of operations.
Risks
Associated with International Sales
Astea’s
international sales accounted for 26% of the Company’s revenues in 2008 and 32%
in 2007. The Company expects that international sales will continue
to be a significant component of its business. In the Company’s
efforts to expand its international presence, it will face certain risks, which
it may not be successful in addressing. These risks
include:
·
|
difficulties
in establishing and managing international distribution channels and in
translating products into foreign
languages;
|
·
|
difficulties
finding staff to manage foreign operations and collect accounts
receivable;
|
·
|
difficulties
enforcing intellectual property
rights;
|
·
|
liabilities
and financial exposure under foreign laws and regulatory
requirements;
|
·
|
fluctuations
in the value of foreign currencies and currency exchange rates;
and
|
·
|
potentially
adverse tax consequences.
|
Additionally,
the current economic difficulties in several Asian countries could have an
adverse impact on the Company’s international operations in future
periods. Any of these factors, if not successfully addressed, could
harm the Company’s operating results.
Research
and Development in Israel; Risks of Potential Political, Economic or Military
Instability
Astea’s
principal research and development facilities are located in Israel.
Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel may directly
affect its business. Continued political and economic instability or armed
conflicts in Israel or in the region could directly harm the Company’s business
and operations.
Since the
establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have
taken place between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and a state of hostility has
existed in varying degrees and intensity. This state of hostility has led to
security and economic problems for Israel. The future of peace efforts between
Israel and its Arab neighbors, particularly in light of the recent violence and
political unrest in Israel and the rest of the Middle East, remains uncertain
and several countries still restrict business with Israel and Israeli companies.
These restrictive laws and policies may also materially harm the Company’s
operating results and financial condition.
Dependence
on Key Personnel who are Required to Perform Military Service
Many of
the Company’s employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual military
reserve duty in the Israeli army and are subject to being called to active duty
at any time, which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to pursue its
planned research and development efforts. The Company cannot assess the full
impact of these requirements on its workforce or business and the Company cannot
predict the effect of any expansion or reduction of these obligations. However,
in light of the recent violence and political unrest in Israel, there is an
increased risk that a number of the Company’s employees could be called to
active military duty without prior notice. The Company’s operations could be
disrupted by the absence for a significant period of time of one or more of our
key employees or a significant number of other employees due to military
service. Any such disruption in the Company’s operations could harm its
operations.
Risks
Associated with Inflation and Currency Fluctuations
The
Company generates most of its revenues in U.S. dollars but all of its costs
associated with the foreign operations located in Europe, the Pacific Rim and
Israel are denominated in the respective local currency and translated into U.S.
dollars for consolidation and reporting. As a result, the Company is
exposed to risks to the extent that the rate of inflation in Europe, the Pacific
Rim or Israel exceeds the rate of devaluation of their related foreign currency
in relation to the U.S. dollar or if the timing of such devaluations lags behind
inflation in Europe, the Pacific Rim or Israel. In that event, the cost of the
Company’s operations in Europe, the Pacific Rim and Israel measured in terms of
U.S. dollars will increase and the U.S. dollar-measured results of operations
will suffer. Historically, Israel has experienced periods of high
inflation.
Dependence
on Key Personnel; Competition for Employees
The
continued growth and success largely depends on the managerial and technical
skills of key technical, sales and management personnel. In
particular, the Company’s business and operations are substantially dependent of
the performance of Zack B. Bergreen, the founder and chief executive
officer. If Mr. Bergreen were to leave or become unable to perform
services for the Company, the business would likely be harmed.
The
Company’s success also depends, to a substantial degree, upon its continuing
ability to attract, motivate and retain other talented and highly qualified
personnel. Competition for key personnel is intense, particularly so
in recent years. From time to time the Company has experienced
difficulty in recruiting and retaining talented and qualified
employees. There can be no assurance that the Company can retain its
key technical, sales and managerial employees or that it can attract, assimilate
or retain other highly qualified technical, sales and managerial personnel in
the future. If the Company fails to attract or retain enough skilled
personnel, its product development efforts may be delayed, the quality of its
customer service may decline and sales may decline.
Concentration
of Ownership
Currently,
Zack B. Bergreen, the Company’s chief executive officer, beneficially owns
approximately 38% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company. As
a result, Mr. Bergreen exercises significant control over the Company through
his ability to influence and control the election of directors and all other
matters that require action by the Company’s stockholders. Under
certain circumstances, Mr. Bergreen could prevent or delay a change of control
of the Company which may be favored by a significant portion of the Company’s
other stockholders, or cause a change of control not favored by the majority of
the Company’s other stockholders. Mr. Bergreen’s ability under
certain circumstances to influence, cause or delay a change in control of the
Company also may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Company’s
Common Stock.
Possible Volatility of Stock
Price
The
market price of the Common Stock has in the past been, and may continue to be,
subject to significant fluctuations in response to, and may be adversely
affected by, variations in quarterly operating results, changes in earnings
estimates by analysts, developments in the software industry, and adverse
earnings or other financial announcements of the Company’s customers as well as
other factors. In addition, the stock market can experience extreme
price and volume fluctuations from time to time, which may bear no meaningful
relationship to the Company’s performance. Broad market fluctuations,
as well as economic conditions generally and in the software industry
specifically, may result in material adverse effects on the market price of the
Company’s common stock.
Limitations
of the Company Charter Documents
The
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws contain provisions that could
discourage a proxy contest or make more difficult the acquisition of a
substantial block of the Company’s common stock, including provisions that allow
the Board of Directors to take into account a number of non-economic factors,
such as the social, legal and other effects upon employees, suppliers, customers
and creditors, when evaluating offers for the Company’s acquisition. Such
provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the
future for the Company’s shares of common stock. The Board of Directors is
authorized to issue, without stockholder approval, up to 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock with voting, conversion and other rights and preferences that
may be superior to the Company’s common stock and that could adversely affect
the voting power or other rights of our holders of common stock. The issuance of
preferred stock or of rights to purchase preferred stock could be used to
discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal.
The NASDAQ Capital Market Compliance
Requirements
The
Company’s common stock trades on Capital Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(“NASDAQ”), which has certain compliance requirements for continued listing of
common stock, including a series of financial tests relating to shareholder
equity, public float, number of market makers and shareholders, and maintaining
a minimum bid price per share for the Company’s common stock. If the
Company were to fail any of the requirements, the Company’s common stock could
be delisted from NASDAQ’s Capital Market. The
result of delisting from NASDAQ could be a reduction in the liquidity of any
investment in the Company’s common stock and a material adverse effect on the
price of its common stock. Delisting could reduce the ability of holders of the
Company’s common stock to purchase or sell shares as quickly and as
inexpensively as they could have done in the past. This lack of liquidity would
make it more difficult for the Company to raise capital in the future. Although
the Company is currently in compliance with all continued listing requirements,
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to satisfy
such requirements.
Securities
and Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
Compliance Requirements
As a
publicly traded company, the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Furthermore, the Company is
categorized as a smaller reporting company, which means that the Company must
have its’ auditors attest to the systems of internal control as of December 31,
2009 as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. Failure to adequately comply with either act can result in
penalties and sanctions. In addition, the independent auditors may issue a
qualified opinion on the Company’s systems of internal controls which may
negatively impact customer and investor confidence in the Company.
Material
Weakness in Internal Control
In
connection with the preparation for the 2007 audit, management discovered errors
in accounting for revenue. The discovery of these errors required
management to restate its annual financial statements for 2005 and 2006 as well
as all quarters from March 31, 2006 through September 30,
2007. Management communicated to the Company's Audit Committee
that the following matter involving the Company's internal controls and
operations was considered to be a material weakness, as defined under standards
established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
The
Company did not properly apply the provisions of US GAAP, namely AICPA Statement
of Position (SOP) 97-2-Software Revenue Recognition and SOP 98-9-Modification of
SOP 97-2 Software Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain Transactions, and
related practice aids issued by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (AICPA).
A
material weakness is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant
deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material
misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected by
the entity’s internal control.
The
Company upon determining that there was a material weakness in accounting for
revenues, expanded its internal contract documentation procedures as well as its
professional service implementation plan review procedures in order to fully
comply with all provisions of US GAAP, to correct the material weakness
identified. However, as of December 31, 2008, the material weakness
in accounting for revenues remains and it is possible that errors in future
financial statements could go undetected.
Increased
Costs for Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance
The
Company is considered a smaller reporting company for purposes of complying with
section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In 2007 and 2008, the Company
must comply by reporting that it has examined and tested its internal controls
and that it complies with the standards set for smaller reporting companies as
of December 31, 2007 and 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009,
the Company’s auditors will be required to attest to management’s assertion on
its internal accounting controls. As a result of the increased
requirements placed on the Company by section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the
Company expects to incur increased audit costs as well as costs to contract with
outside consultants to assist in the compliance effort.
None
The
Company’s headquarters are located in a leased facility of approximately 22,000
square feet in Horsham, Pennsylvania which runs through April 2014. The Company
also leases facilities for operational activities in Irvine, California;
Culemborg, Netherlands; and Karmiel, Israel, and for sales and customer support
activities in Cranfield, England and St. Leonards, Australia. The
Company believes that suitable additional or alternative office space will be
available in the future on commercially reasonable terms as needed.
None
No
matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter
of the fiscal year covered by this report, through the solicitation of proxies
or otherwise.
PART
II
The
Company’s Common Stock is traded on Capital Market of NASDAQ under the symbol
“ATEA.” The following table sets forth the high and low
closing sale prices for the Common Stock as reported by the NASDAQ for the past
two fiscal years:
2008
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
First
quarter
|
|
$ |
5.77 |
|
|
$ |
3.07 |
|
Second
quarter
|
|
|
5.90 |
|
|
|
3.37 |
|
Third
quarter
|
|
|
4.15 |
|
|
|
2.98 |
|
Fourth
quarter
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
1.86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
First
quarter
|
|
$ |
7.37 |
|
|
$ |
5.31 |
|
Second
quarter
|
|
|
8.05 |
|
|
|
5.35 |
|
Third
quarter
|
|
|
6.36 |
|
|
|
4.00 |
|
Fourth
quarter
|
|
|
6.76 |
|
|
|
4.11 |
|
As of
March 5 2009, there were approximately 43 holders of record of the Company’s
Common Stock. On March 5, 2009, the last reported sale price of the
Common Stock as reported by NASDAQ was $2.06 per share.
Dividend
Policy
The Board
of Directors from time to time reviews the Company’s forecasted operations and
financial condition to determine whether and when payment of a dividend or
dividends on common stock is appropriate. No dividends have been declared since
June 2000. The Company has no intention at this time to pay dividends
on its common stock. Consequently, shareholders will need to sell their shares
of our common stock to realize a return on their investment, if
any.
In
September 2008, the Company issued convertible preferred
stock. Dividends accrue daily at an initial rate of 6% and are
payable quarterly only when they are declared by the board of
directors. The first dividend was paid at the end of
2008. If a dividend is not declared and paid quarterly, then the
dividend accrual rate will increase to 8% until it is paid. After 2
years from the date of issuance, September 5, 2010, the annual dividend rate
increases from 6% to 10%.
Securities Authorized for
Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Plan
Category
|
Number
of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants
& Rights
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants &
Rights
|
Number
Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column
(a))
|
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
Equity
Compensation plans
approved
by security holders
|
469,000
|
$5.57
|
143,000
|
Equity
compensation plans not
approved
by security holders
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
469,000
|
$5.57
|
143,000
|
Years
ended December 31, |
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
(in
thousands, except per share data) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statement of Income Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software license fees
|
|
$ |
3,273 |
|
|
$ |
8,089 |
|
|
$ |
3,431 |
|
|
$ |
8,057 |
|
|
$ |
7,392 |
|
Services and maintenance
|
|
|
20,578 |
|
|
|
22,281 |
|
|
|
14,751 |
|
|
|
13,908 |
|
|
|
11,315 |
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
23,851 |
|
|
|
30,370 |
|
|
|
18,182 |
|
|
|
21,965 |
|
|
|
18,707 |
|
Cost
and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of software license fees
|
|
|
2,852 |
|
|
|
2,641 |
|
|
|
1,687 |
|
|
|
1,178 |
|
|
|
1,838 |
|
Cost of services and maintenance
|
|
|
12,099 |
|
|
|
11,908 |
|
|
|
10,262 |
|
|
|
8,261 |
|
|
|
6,356 |
|
Product development
|
|
|
4,224 |
|
|
|
4,402 |
|
|
|
3,842 |
|
|
|
2,461 |
|
|
|
1,431 |
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
4,735 |
|
|
|
5,319 |
|
|
|
5,923 |
|
|
|
6,192 |
|
|
|
5,565 |
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
3,103 |
|
|
|
3,405 |
|
|
|
3,757 |
|
|
|
3,003 |
|
|
|
2,051 |
|
Total costs and expenses (1)
|
|
|
27,013 |
|
|
|
27,675 |
|
|
|
25,471 |
|
|
|
21,095 |
|
|
|
17,241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)
income from operations
before interest and taxes
|
|
|
(3,162 |
) |
|
|
2,695 |
|
|
|
(7,289 |
) |
|
|
870 |
|
|
|
1,466 |
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
234 |
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
(Los)
income from
operations before income taxes
|
|
|
(3,094 |
) |
|
|
2,806 |
|
|
|
(7,055 |
) |
|
|
1,035 |
|
|
|
1,524 |
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net
(loss) profit
|
|
|
(3,135 |
) |
|
|
2,765 |
|
|
|
(7,084 |
) |
|
|
1,028 |
|
|
|
1,524 |
|
Preferred
dividend
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Net
(loss) income available to common stockholders
|
|
$ |
(3,214 |
) |
|
$ |
2,765 |
|
|
$ |
(7,084 |
) |
|
$ |
1,028 |
|
|
$ |
1,524 |
|
Basic
and diluted (loss) income per share
|
|
$ |
(.90 |
) |
|
$ |
.78 |
|
|
$ |
(2.00 |
) |
|
$ |
.33 |
|
|
$ |
.51 |
|
Shares
used in computing basic (loss) income
per
share
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,550 |
|
|
|
3,547 |
|
|
|
3,093 |
|
|
|
2,960 |
|
Shares
used in computing diluted (loss) income
per
share
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,550 |
|
|
|
3,547 |
|
|
|
3,116 |
|
|
|
3,001 |
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheet Data at December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working
capital (deficit)
|
|
$ |
1,294 |
|
|
$ |
323 |
|
|
$ |
(3,580 |
) |
|
$ |
5,495 |
|
|
$ |
3,969 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
15,166 |
|
|
|
17,560 |
|
|
|
18,059 |
|
|
|
21,612 |
|
|
|
13,754 |
|
Long-term
debt, less current portion
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(23,004
|
) |
|
|
(19,869
|
) |
|
|
(22,634 |
) |
|
|
(15,550
|
) |
|
|
(16,578
|
) |
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
7,172 |
|
|
|
7,108 |
|
|
|
3,815 |
|
|
|
10,459 |
|
|
|
5,461 |
|
(1)
|
Results
for 2008, 2007 and 2006 include expense of $308,000, $305,000 and $397,000
respectively for stock compensation plans as required under SFAS 123(R),
effective at January 1, 2006. Prior years do not contain cost
of stock compensation plans.
|
Overview
This
document contains various forward-looking statements and information that are
based on management’s beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information
currently available to management. Such statements are subject to various risks
and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from
those contained in such forward, looking statements. Should one or more of these
risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated,
expected or projected. Certain of these as well as other risks and uncertainties
are described in more detail in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The
Company develops, markets and supports service management software solutions,
which are licensed to companies that sell and service equipment, or sell and
deliver professional services. The Company’s principal product offerings, Astea
Alliance and FieldCentrix Enterprise suites, integrate and automate sales and
service business processes and thereby increase competitive advantages, top-line
revenue growth and profitability through better management of information,
people, assets and cash flows. Astea Alliance offers substantially broader and
far superior capabilities over the Company’s predecessor product, DISPATCH-1,
which was designed for only field service and customer support management
applications.
The
Company’s products and services are primarily used in industries such as
information technology, medical devices and diagnostic systems, industrial
controls and instrumentation, retail systems, office automation, imaging
systems, facilities management and telecommunications. An eclectic group of
other industries, all with equipment sales and service requirements, are also
represented in Astea’s customer base. The Company maintains offices in the
United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Israel and The
Netherlands.
The
Company generates revenues from two sources: software license fees
for its software products, and services and maintenance revenues from
professional services, which includes consulting, implementation, training and
maintenance related to those products.
Software
license fees accounted for 14% of the Company’s total revenues in 2008, which
was mostly comprised of sales of Astea Alliance. Software license fee
revenues also include some fees from the sublicensing of third-party software,
primarily knowledge management, mapping and analytical software
licenses. Typically, customers pay a license fee for the software
based on the number of licensed users. Depending on the contract
terms and conditions, software license fees are recognized as revenue upon
delivery of the product if no significant vendor obligations remain and
collection of the resulting receivable is deemed probable. If
significant vendor obligations exist at the time of delivery or if the product
is subject to uncertain customer acceptance, revenue is deferred until no
significant obligations remain or acceptance has occurred.
The
remaining component of the Company’s revenues consists principally of fees
derived from professional services associated with the implementation and
deployment of the Company’s software products and maintenance fees for ongoing
customer support, primarily external customer technical support services and
product enhancements. Professional services (including training) are
charged on an hourly or daily basis and billed on a regular basis pursuant to
customer work orders. Training services may also be charged on a
per-attendee basis with a minimum daily charge. Out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by company personnel performing professional services are
typically reimbursed by the customer. The Company recognizes revenue
from professional services as the services are performed. Maintenance
fees are typically paid to the Company under written agreements entered into at
the time of the initial software license. Maintenance revenue, which
is generally invoiced annually, is recognized ratably over the term of the
agreement.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in its
Summary of Accounting Policies, Note 2, to the Company’s consolidated financial
statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted within the United States of
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions in certain
circumstances that affect amounts reported in the accompanying financial
statements and related notes. In preparing these financial
statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain
amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to
materiality. The Company does not believe there is a great likelihood
that materially different amounts would be reported related to the accounting
policies described below; however, application of these accounting policies
involves the exercise of judgments and the use of assumptions as to future
uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these
estimates.
Revenue
Recognition
Astea’s
revenue is principally recognized from two sources: (i) licensing arrangements
and (ii) services and maintenance.
The
Company markets its products primarily through its direct sales force and
resellers. License agreements do not provide for a right of return,
and historically, product returns have not been significant.
The
Company recognizes revenue on its software products in accordance with AICPA
Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition,
SOP 98-9, Modification of SOP
97-2, Software Revenue
Recognition with Respect to Certain Transactions, and SEC Staff
Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 104, Revenue
Recognition.
The
Company recognizes revenue from license sales when all of the following
criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has
occurred, the license fee is fixed and determinable and the collection of the
fee is probable. We utilize written contracts as a means to establish
the terms and conditions by which our products support and services are sold to
our customers. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and
risk of loss have been transferred to the customer, which generally occurs after
a license key has been delivered electronically to the
customer. Revenue for arrangements with extended payment terms in
excess of one year is recognized when the payments become due, provided all
other recognition criteria are satisfied. If collectability is not
considered probable, revenue is recognized when the fee is
collected. Our typical end user license agreements do not contain
acceptance clauses. However, if acceptance criteria are required,
revenues are deferred until customer acceptance has occurred.
Astea
allocates revenue to each element in a multiple-element arrangement based on the
elements’ respective fair value, determined by the price charged when the
element is sold separately. Specifically, Astea determines the fair
value of the maintenance portion of the arrangement based on the price, at the
date of sale, if sold separately, which is generally a fixed percentage of the
software license selling price. The professional services portion of
the arrangement is based on hourly rates which the Company charges for those
services when sold separately from software. If evidence of fair
value of all undelivered elements exists, but evidence does not exist for one or
more delivered elements, then revenue is recognized using the residual
method. If an undelivered element for which evidence of fair value
does not exist, all revenue in an arrangement is deferred until the undelivered
element is delivered or fair value can be determined. Under the
residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the
remaining portion of the arrangement fee is recognized as
revenue. The proportion of the revenue recognized upon delivery can
vary from quarter-to-quarter depending upon the determination of vendor-specific
objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value of undelivered
elements. The residual value, after allocation of the fee to the
undelivered elements based on VSOE of fair value, is then allocated to the
perpetual software license for the software products being sold.
When
appropriate, the Company may allocate a portion of its software revenue to
post-contract support activities or to other services or products provided to
the customer free of charge or at non-standard rates when provided in
conjunction with the licensing arrangement. Amounts allocated are
based upon standard prices charged for those services or products which, in the
Company’s opinion, approximate fair value. Software license fees for
resellers or other members of the indirect sales channel are based on a fixed
percentage of the Company’s standard prices. The Company recognizes
software license revenue for such contracts based upon the terms and conditions
provided by the reseller to its customer.
Revenue
from post-contract support is recognized ratably over the term of the contract,
which is generally twelve months on a straight-line basis. Consulting
and training service revenue is generally unbundled and recognized at the time
the service is performed. Fees from licenses sold together with
consulting services are generally recognized upon shipment, provided that the
contract has been executed, delivery of the software has occurred, fees are
fixed and determinable and collection is probable.
We
believe that our accounting estimates used in applying our revenue recognition
are critical because:
• the
determination that it is probable that the customer will pay for the products
and services purchased is inherently judgmental;
• the
allocation of proceeds to certain elements in multiple-element arrangements is
complex;
• the
determination of whether a service is essential to the functionality of the
software is complex;
•
establishing company-specific fair values of elements in multiple-element
arrangements requires adjustments from time-to-time to reflect recent prices
charged when each element is sold separately; and
• the
determination of the stage of completion for certain consulting arrangements is
complex.
Changes
in the aforementioned items could have a material effect on the type and timing
of revenue recognized.
If
we were to change our pricing approach in the future, this could affect our
revenue recognition estimates, in particular, if bundled pricing precludes
establishment of VSOE.
In June
2006, the FASB reached a consensus on Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue
No. 06-3, How Taxes
Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be
Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net
Presentation), ("EITF 06-03"). EITF 06-3 indicates that the
income statement presentation on either a gross basis or a net basis of the
taxes within the scope of the issue is an accounting policy decision that should
be disclosed. EITF 06-3 is effective for interim and annual periods
beginning after December 15, 2006. The adoption of EITF 06-3 did not
change our policy of presenting taxes within the scope of EITF 06-3 on a
net basis and had no impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
Deferred
Revenue
Deferred
revenue includes amounts billed to or received from customers for which revenue
has not been recognized. This generally results from post-contract
support, software installation, consulting and training services not yet
rendered or license revenue which has been deferred until all revenue
requirements have been met or as services are performed.
Accounts
Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Regarding
accounts receivable the Company evaluates the adequacy of its allowance for
doubtful accounts at the end of each quarter. In performing this
evaluation, the Company analyzes the payment history of its significant past due
accounts, subsequent cash collections on these accounts and comparative accounts
receivable aging statistics. Based on this information, along with
consideration of the general strength of the economy, the Company develops what
it considers to be a reasonable estimate of the uncollectible amounts included
in accounts receivable. This estimate involves significant judgment
by the management of the Company. Actual uncollectible amounts may
differ from the Company’s estimate.
Unbilled
receivables are established when revenue is deemed to be recognized based on the
Company’s revenue recognition policy, but due to contractual restraints, the
Company does not have the right to invoice the customer.
We
believe that our estimate of our allowance for doubtful accounts is critical
because of the significance of our accounts receivable balance relative to total
assets. If the general economy deteriorated, or factors affecting the
profitability or liquidity of the industry changed significantly, then this
could affect the accuracy of our allowance for doubtful account
Capitalized
Software and Research and Development Costs
The
Company accounts for its internal software development costs are in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 86, "Accounting
for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise
Marketed". The Company capitalizes software development costs
subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility through the
product’s availability for general release. Costs incurred prior to the
establishment of technological feasibility are charged to product development
expense. Product development expense includes payroll, employee benefits, other
headcount-related costs associated with product development and any related
costs to third parties under sub-contracting or net of any collaborative
arrangements.
Software development costs are
amortized on a product-by-product basis over the greater of the ratio of current
revenues to total anticipated revenues or on a straight-line basis over the
estimated useful lives of the products beginning with the initial release to
customers. The Company’s estimated life for its capitalized software
products is two years based on current sales trends and the rate of product
release. The Company continually evaluates whether events or
circumstances had occurred that indicate that the remaining useful life of the
capitalized software development costs should be revised or that the remaining
balance of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates the
recoverability of capitalized software based on the estimated future revenues of
each product.
We
believe that our estimate of our capitalized software costs and the period for
their amortization is critical because of the significance of our balance of
capitalized software costs relative to our total assets. Potential impairment is
determined by comparing the balance of unamortized capitalized software costs to
the sales revenue projected for a capitalized software project. If efforts to
sell that software project are terminated, or if the projected sales revenue
from that software project drops below a level that is less than the unamortized
balance, then an impairment would be recognized.
Goodwill
Part of
the purchase price for the FieldCentrix assets, acquired September 21, 2005,
included the acquisition of goodwill. Goodwill is tested for
impairment on an annual basis as of September 30. It is also tested
between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exists, using a
fair-value-based approach. The valuation of goodwill uses two commonly accepted
valuation methods, the market and income approaches. The market
approach analyzed the market valuations of similar companies based on recent
market conditions. The income approach analyzed the company’s
expectation for future results based on current and expected economic
conditions. No impairment of goodwill has been identified during any of the
periods presented.
SFAS No.
142, Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets, prescribes a two-step method for determining goodwill
impairment. In the first step, the Company determines the fair value of the
reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined using various
valuation techniques, including a comparable companies market multiple approach
and a discounted cash flow analysis (an income approach). The comparable
companies utilized in our evaluation are generally the members of our peer
group. The impairment test must be performed more frequently if there
are triggering events, as for example when the Company’s market capitalization
significantly declines for a sustained period, which could cause the Company to
do interim impairment testing that might result in an impairment to
goodwill.
The
determination of the fair value of the reporting unit and the allocation of that
value to individual assets and liabilities within the reporting unit requires
the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and
assumptions primarily include, but are not limited to: the selection of
appropriate peer group companies; control premiums appropriate for acquisitions
in the industries in which the Company competes; the discount rate; terminal
growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and
amortization, and capital expenditures.
Due to
the inherent uncertainty involved in making these estimates, actual financial
results could differ from those estimates. In addition, changes in assumptions
concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a
significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting unit or the amount
of the goodwill impairment charge.
Acquired
Intangible Assets
Acquired
intangible assets (excluding goodwill) are amortized on a straight-line basis
over their estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment on an annual
basis, or on an interim basis if an event or circumstance occurs between annual
tests indicating that the assets might be impaired. The impairment
test will consist of comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be
generated by the acquired intangible asset to its carrying amount. If
the asset is considered to be impaired, an impairment loss will be recognized in
an amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair
value.
Share-Based
Compensation – Option Plans
Beginning
on January 1, 2006, the Company began accounting for stock options under the
provision of SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which
requires the recognition of the fair value of share-based
compensation. The fair value of stock option awards was estimated
using a Black-Scholes closed-form option valuation model. This model
requires the input of assumptions in implementing SFAS 123(R), including
expected stock price volatility, expected term and estimated forfeitures of each
award. We elected the modified-prospective method for
adoption of SFAS 123(R).
Prior to
the implementation of SFAS 123(R), we accounted for stock option awards under
the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and made pro forma footnote disclosures as required by
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, or SFAS 148, Accounting For Stock-Based
Compensation – Transition and Disclosure, which amended Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. Pro forma net income and pro forma net income
per share disclosed in the footnotes to the consolidated condensed financial
statements were estimated using a Black-Scholes closed-form option valuation
model to determine the estimated value and by attributing such fair value over
the requisite service period on a straight-line basis for those awards that
actually vested.
The
adoption of SFAS 123(R) has impacted our Consolidated Statement of Operations
through the recognition of share-based compensation expenses in cost of services
and maintenance, development, sales and marketing, and general and
administrative expenses. Future periods are expected to reflect
similar costs. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R) no stock based
compensation cost had been recorded.
Accounting
for Income Taxes
Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial
reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax
credit carryforwards and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that
will be in effect when the difference and carryforwards are expected to be
recovered or settled. In accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FAS 109”) ,
a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided when we estimate that
it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets may
not be realized through future operations. This assessment is based
upon consideration of available positive and negative evidence which includes,
among other things, our most recent results of operations and expected future
profitability. We consider our actual historical results to have a
stronger weight than other more subjective indicators when considering whether
to establish or reduce a valuation allowance on deferred tax
assets.
As of
December 31, 2008, we had approximately $15.6 million of net deferred tax
assets, against which we provided a 100% valuation allowance. Our net
deferred tax assets were generated primarily by operating
losses. Accordingly, it is more likely than not, that we will not
realize these assets through future operations.
On
January 1, 2007, we implemented the provisions of FAS interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB statement
109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty
in income taxes and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute
for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken
or expected to be taken in a tax return. Estimated interest is
recorded as a component of interest expense and penalties are recorded as a
component of general and administrative expense. Such amounts were
not material for 2008, 2007 and 2006. The adoption of FIN 48 did not
have a material impact on our financial position.
In 2008,
the Israel Taxing Authority “ITA” notified the Company that it intends to
re-examine a 2002 transaction that it had previously approved. The Company is
vigorously defending itself in court and based on information to date, does not
expect this issue to result in any additional tax to the company.
Convertible
Preferred Stock
On
September 24, 2008 the Company sold 826,446 shares of Series-A Convertible
Preferred Stock (“preferred stock”) to its Chief Executive Officer at a price of
$3.63 per share for a total of $3,000,000. Dividends accrue daily on
the preferred stock at an initial rate of 6% and shall be payable only when, as
and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, quarterly in
arrears.
The
preferred stock may be converted into common stock at the initial rate of one
share of common for each share of preferred stock. The holder has the
right during the first six months following issuance to convert up to 40% of the
shares purchased, except in the event of a change in control of the Company, at
which time there is no limit. After six months there is no limit on
the number of shares that may be converted.
The
Company has the right to redeem, subject to board approval, up to 60% of the
shares of preferred stock at its option during the first six months after
issuance at a price equal to 110% of the purchase price plus all accrued and
unpaid dividends. The limitations on conversion and the redemption
rights during this initial six-month period are not applicable in the event of
certain change of control events. Commencing two years after
issuance, the Company shall have certain rights to cause conversion of all of
the shares of preferred stock then outstanding. Commencing four years
after issuance, the Company may redeem, subject to board approval, all of the
shares of preferred stock then outstanding at a price equal to the greater of
(i) 130% of the purchase price plus all accrued and unpaid dividends and (ii)
the fair market value of such number of shares of common stock which the holder
of the preferred stock would be entitled to receive had the redeemed preferred
stock been converted immediately prior to the redemption.
In
accordance with relevant accounting pronouncements, the Company recorded the
preferred stock on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet within Stockholders’
Equity. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 68, “Increasing Rate Preferred Stock,” the preferred
stock is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at the amount of net
proceeds received less an imputed dividend cost. The imputed dividend
cost of $218,000 was the result of the preferred stock having a dividend rate
during the first two years after its issuance (6%) that is lower than the rate
that becomes fixed (10%) after the initial two year period. The
imputed dividend cost of $218,000 will be amortized over the first two years
from the date of issuance and is based upon the present value of the dividend
discount using a 10% yield.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In April
2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position ("FSP") No. FAS 142-3, "Determination
of Useful Life of Intangible Assets" ("FSP 142-3"). FSP 142-3 amends
the factors that should be considered in developing the renewal or extension
assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset
under SFAS 142, "Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"). The intent of this FSP is to
improve the consistency between the useful life of an intangible asset
determined under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure
the fair value of the asset under SFAS 141R. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. We do not expect the implementation of FSP 142-3 to have a
material impact on the financial position, results of operations or
cash flows of the Company.
In March
2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS No. 161”), Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133
(“SFAS No.161”),
which requires additional disclosures about the objectives of the
derivative instruments and hedging activities, the method of accounting for such
instruments under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and a
tabular disclosure of the effects of such instruments and related hedged items
on our financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS
No. 161 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2009. We
do not expect the implementation of SFAS 161 to have a material impact on the
financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the
Company.
In May
2008, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 162, “The
Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“FAS
162”). FAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and
the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of
financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States. FAS 162 is effective sixty days following the SEC’s approval
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411,
“The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles”. We do not expect the implementation of FAS 162 to have a
material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows
of the Company.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("FAS") No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations ("FAS 141(R)") which
replaces FAS No.141, Business Combinations. FAS 141(R) retains the underlying
concepts of FAS 141 in that all business combinations are still required to be
accounted for at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting, but FAS
141(R) changed the method of applying the acquisition method in a number of
significant aspects. Changes prescribed by FAS 141(R) include, but are not
limited to, requirements to expense transaction costs and costs to restructure
acquired entities; record earn-outs and other forms of contingent consideration
at fair value on the acquisition date; record 100% of the net assets acquired
even if less than a 100% controlling interest is acquired; and to recognize any
excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the purchase consideration
as a gain to the acquirer. FAS 141(R) is effective on a prospective basis for
all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008, with the
exception of the accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and
acquired tax contingencies. FAS 141(R) amends FAS 109 such that adjustments made
to valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies
associated with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of FAS
141(R) would also apply the provisions of FAS 141(R). Early adoption is not
allowed. Once effective, this standard will be applied to all future
business combinations.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements ("FAS
160"). FAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin 51, Consolidated
Financial Statements, to establish accounting and reporting standards for the
noncontrolling (minority) interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation
of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is
an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as
equity in the consolidated financial statements and requires consolidated net
income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both
the parent and the noncontrolling interest. FAS 160 also clarifies that all of
those transactions resulting in a change in ownership of a subsidiary are equity
transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest in the
subsidiary. FAS 160 requires expanded disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the
parent's owners and the interests of the noncontrolling owners of a
subsidiary. FAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim
periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.
Earlier adoption is prohibited. FAS 160 shall be applied prospectively as of the
beginning of the fiscal year in which this Statement is initially applied,
except for the presentation and disclosure requirements. The presentation and
disclosure requirements shall be applied retrospectively for all periods
presented. At this time, the Company does not have any non
controlling interests in any subsidiaries. If such an interest is
obtained in the future, the Company will apply the rules of the standard as
appropriate.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," ("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No. 159
provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and
liabilities at fair value and to provide additional information that will help
investors and other users of financial statements to understand more easily the
effect on earnings of a company's choice to use fair value. It also requires
companies to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which
the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. We
adopted SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008. There has been no material impact to
our reporting as a result of adopting the standard.
The
Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 effective November 15, 2007. Under
this standard, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date.
The
Company has investments that are valued in accordance with the provisions of
SFAS 157. SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair
value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of
unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when
available. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the
reliability of inputs as follows:
1.
|
Level
1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical
assets that the Company has the ability to
access.
|
2.
|
Level
2 - Valuations based inputs on other than quoted prices included within
level 1, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly
or indirectly.
|
3.
|
Level
3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to
the overall fair value measurement.
|
On
December 31, 2008 the fair value for the Company’s investments was
determined based upon quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
(Level 1).
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth for the periods indicated, selected financial data
and the percentages of the Company’s total revenues represented by each line
item presented for the periods presented:
Years
ended December 31,
|
2008
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software
license fees
|
13.7
|
%
|
|
|
26.6
|
%
|
Services
and maintenance
|
86.3
|
|
|
|
73.4
|
|
Total
revenues
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Costs
and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of software license fees
|
12.0
|
%
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
Cost
of services and maintenance
|
50.7
|
|
|
|
39.2
|
|
Product
development
|
17.7
|
|
|
|
14.5
|
|
Sales
and marketing
|
19.9
|
|
|
|
17.5
|
|
General
and administrative
|
12.9
|
|
|
|
11.2
|
|
Total
costs and expenses
|
113.3
|
|
|
|
91.1
|
|
Net
(loss) income
|
(13.1))
|
%
|
|
|
9.1
|
%
|
Comparison
of Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
Revenues. Total
revenues decreased $6,519,000 or 21%, to $23,851,000 for the year ended December
31, 2008 from $30,370,000 for the year ended December 31,
2007. Software license revenues decreased 60% in 2008, compared to
2007. Services and maintenance fees for 2008 amounted to $20,578,000, an 8%
decrease from 2007.
Software
license fee revenues decreased $4,816,000 or 60% to $3,273,000 in 2008 from
$8,089,000 in 2007. Astea Alliance license revenues decreased to $2,
300,000 in 2008 from $6,420,000 in 2007, a decrease of 64%. The overall decrease
is attributable to a significant decline in license sales in all regions of the
world in which the Company operates which resulted from the economic slowdown
affecting the entire world at this time. The timing of the sales
cycle has also been extended contributing to the decline in license revenue. The
Company also sold $973,000 of FieldCentrix licenses compared to $1,592,000 in
2007. The Company did not have any license revenue in 2008 from its
existing DISPATCH-1 customers compared to $77,000 in 2007.
Total
services and maintenance revenues decreased $1,703,000 or 8% to $20,578,000 in
2008 from $22,281,000 in 2007. Part of the decrease is attributable
to the recognition in 2007 of $1,261,000 of Astea Alliance service and
maintenance revenues related to a U.K. contract in which revenue was deferred
from 2006 and 2005. In addition, $869,000 of service and
maintenance revenue was also recognized in 2007 for services performed in 2006
and 2005 but deferred due to the sales including certain undelivered analytical
modules. There was also a decrease in service and maintenance revenue
of $417,000 from the Company’s FieldCentrix customer base. The decrease in
FieldCentrix service and maintenance revenue resulted from a decrease in both
headcount and the decrease in FieldCentrix license sales which impacted both
implementation and pilot projects. DISPATCH-1 service and maintenance
revenues decreased 45% to $364,000 in 2008 from $657,000 in 2007. Due
to the decreasing demand for DISPATCH-1 professional services and the lack of
any related product development by the Company, the decrease in service and
maintenance revenue is expected to continue beyond 2008.
In 2008
no customers represented 10% or more of total revenues. In 2007, two
customers represented 11% and 10% of total revenues.
Costs of Revenues. Costs of
software license fee revenues increased 8% to $2,852,000 in 2008 from $2,641,000
in 2007. The increase results from increased amortization of capitalized
software development costs. Amortization of capitalized software
increased 18% to $2,639,000 in 2008 from $2,234,000 in 2007. The
principal reasons for the increase were due to the release of FieldCentrix
version 4.5 at the end of the third quarter of 2008 which began amortization in
the last quarter of 2008 and a full year of amortization from the 2007 release
of Astea Alliance version 8.0. Once the new versions were released,
the Company started to amortize the development costs that had previously been
capitalized. The gross margin percentage on software license sales is
13% in 2008 and 67% in 2007. The decline in the margin results from
the overall decrease in license revenue in 2008 and the increase in cost of
software license fees.
Costs of
services and maintenance revenues increased 2% to $12,099,000 in 2008 from
$11,908,000 in 2007. The increase in cost of services and maintenance
is primarily attributed to increases in salary expense in the
U.S. Partially offsetting the salary increase was a decline in share
based compensation expense for employees which declined from $71,000 in 2007 to
$44,000 in 2008. The service and maintenance gross margin percentage
decreased to 41% in 2008 from 47% in 2007. The decreased margin is
primarily attributable to a decrease in new projects resulting from lower
license sales in 2008.
Product Development. Product
development expense decreased 4%, or $178,000, to $4,224,000 in 2008 from
$4,402,000 in 2007. Development costs decreased due to a decreased in
headcount in 2008 from the same period in 2007. Additionally,
$42,000 in share based compensation expense for employees was recorded at
December 31, 2008 compared to $51,000 expense for year ending December 31,
2007.
Product
development as a percentage of total revenue increased to 18% in 2008 compared
to 14% in 2007. This increase in costs relative to expenses is due to the
overall decrease in revenues in 2008 compared to 2007. Gross
development expense before the capitalization of software costs and was
$6,342,000 in 2008, a 3% increase from $6,238,000 in
2007. Capitalized software totaled $2,118,000 in 2008 compared to
$1,836,000 in 2007. The increase in capitalized software of 15% over
last year reflects the intense effort put forth by the Company to expand and
improve its products. In 2008, the Company released version 4.5 of
its FieldCentrix offering.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and
marketing expenses decreased 11%, or $584,000, to $4,735,000 in 2008 from
$5,319,000 in 2007. The decrease is primarily the result of headcount
changes during 2008 and lower commissions paid due to lower sales in
2008. Additionally, $31,000 in share based compensation expense
for employees was expensed in 2008 compared to $32,000 recorded at December 31,
2007. The Company continues to focus on improving its market presence
through intensified marketing efforts to increase awareness of the Company’s
products. This occurs through the use of Webinars focused in the
vertical industries in which the Company operates, attendance at selected trade
shows, and increased investment in lead generation for its sales
force. Sales and marketing expense as a percentage of total revenues
increased to 20% in 2008 from 18% in 2007 principally resulting from the
decrease in revenue in 2008 compared to 2007.
General and
Administrative. General and
administrative expenses consist of salaries, benefits and related costs for the
Company’s finance, administrative and executive management personnel, legal
costs, accounting costs, bad debt expense and various costs associated with the
Company’s status as a public company. The Company’s general and
administrative expenses were $3,103,000 in 2008 and $3,405,000 in
2007. Expenses in 2008 declined $302,000, a 9%
decrease. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in
headcount. Partially offsetting the cost decreases was an increase of
$40,000 in share based compensation expense for employees in 2008 compared to
2007. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses
amounted to 13% in 2008 compared to 11% in 2007. The increase in
expenses previously described relative to revenues primarily results from the
decrease in revenues.
Interest Income. Net
interest income decreased $43,000, to $68,000 in 2008 from $111,000 in
2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in
interest rates in 2008 compared to 2007 as well as reduced funds invested.
Income Tax
Expense. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance
with SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” which requires that deferred tax
assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of
temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and
liabilities. SFAS No. 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be
reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion
or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Based on the
Company’s current year and historical operating losses, the Company determined
maintaining a full valuation allowance was appropriate. The Company
made a provision of $41,000 in both 2008 and also 2007, for income taxes which
resulted from a difference between an indefinite-lived asset, goodwill, which is
amortized for tax, but not amortized for financial reporting
purposes.
International Operations. Total revenues
from the Company’s international operations decreased $3,475,000 or 35% to
$6,315,000 in 2008 from $9,790,000 in 2007. Part of the decrease in
revenue from international operations was attributable to the recognition in
2007 of $1,679,000 in license, service and maintenance revenues which had been
deferred from a transaction that occurred with a U.K. customer in 2004 and
continued through 2006. Excluding the revenue recognized in 2007 from
the U.K. customer that had been deferred from previous years, total revenue from
international operations was $8,111,000 which would reflect a 22% decrease in
international revenues in 2008 over the same period in 2007. The
decrease in revenues results from a significant decrease in both license revenue
and professional services in Europe as well as a decline in license revenue in
the Asia Pacific region. Overall, international operations generated
a net loss of $255,000 for 2008 compared to net profit of $2,971,000 in
2007. International operating costs increased by $190,000 due to
higher cost of services and maintenance resulting from increased professional
service work in our Pacific location. The decrease in international
net income of $3,226,000 is the direct result of the decrease in service and
maintenance revenues and the recognition of deferred revenues from 2004 through
2006 for which all related costs had been recognized in prior
years.
Net income
(loss). The Company generated a net loss of $(3,135,000) for
the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to net income of $2,765,000 in
2007. The decrease of $5,900,000 is primarily the result of a 21%
decrease in revenues which approximates the change in earnings. The
decrease in revenues is due to the failure to close license deals due to the
slowing economy in 2008 as well as the recognition of $3,936,000 of revenue in
2007 deferred from 2006 and 2005 related to certain undelivered modules and
specified upgrade that were delivered in 2007.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Operating
Activities
Net cash
provided by operating activities was $1,335,000 for the year ended December 31,
2008, an increase of $386,000 over the year ended December 31, 2007 in which
$949,000 of cash was generated by operations. The increase was
primarily attributable in a decrease in accounts receivable in 2008 which
generated $4,839,000 of cash compared to 2007, an increase in depreciation and
amortization of $267,000, a reduction in recognized deferred revenues of
$1,888,000 compared to 2007 and a reduction in prepaid expenses of $61,000
compared to 2007. The significant reduction in deferred revenues
occurred due to the deferral of license, professional services and maintenance
revenues at December 31, 2006 resulting from undelivered elements, all of which
were delivered in 2007 and accordingly recognized in 2007. Partially
offsetting these increases in cash flow from operations are increased uses of
cash consisting of a swing in net loss of $5,900,000 which resulted from a loss
of $3,135,000 in 2008 compared to income of $2,765,000 in 2007 and a decrease in
accounts payable and accrued expenses of $479,000.
The
Company used $2,691,000 of cash for investing activities in 2008 compared to
using $2,357,000 in 2007. The increase in cash used for investing
activities of $334,000 results from an increase in property and equipment
purchases of $95,000 and an increase in capitalized software development costs
of $282,000 in 2008. The increase in cash outflows in 2008 were partially offset
by the reduction of acquisition costs payments related to the earn out provision
on the purchase of FieldCentrix. In addition there was a change in
the release of $256,000 from restricted cash.
The
Company generated $2,846,000 from financing activities in 2008 compared to
$15,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in cash
generated from financing activities is principally the result of $3,000,000 in
proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock in 2008, offset by $106,000 in
legal fees associated with the preferred stock transaction and $48,000 in
preferred stock dividend payments.
At
December 31, 2008, the Company had a working capital ratio of approximately
1.16:1 compared to 1.03:1 at December 31, 2007.
The
Company had $3,144,000 in cash at year ended December 31, 2008, compared to
$1,615,000 for year ended December 31, 2007.
The
Company has projected revenues for 2009 that will generate enough funds to
sustain its continuing operations. In addition, the Company has
initiated a number of cost containment programs which are expected to reduce the
cost of operating the business. The Company expects its cash from operations to
fund all of its financing needs for the upcoming year. However, if
actual results trail expectations, the Company has plans in place to reduce
operating expenditures appropriately in order to continue to fund all required
expenditures. The Board of Directors from time to time reviews the
Company’s forecasted operations and financial condition to determine whether and
when payment of a dividend or dividends is appropriate. The Company
does not plan any significant capital expenditures in 2009 other than to replace
its existing capital equipment as it becomes obsolete. The impact of
the strengthening dollar relative to the currency in the other regions of the
world in which it operates have also contributed to reducing
operating costs in other parts of the world. In addition, it does not
anticipate that its operations or financial condition will be affected
materially by inflation.
On May
23, 2006 the Company entered into a secured revolving line of credit (Line)
agreement with a bank. This agreement was amended in June of
2007. Maximum available borrowings under the Line represent the
lesser of 80% of the Borrowing Base, which is eligible accounts receivables as
defined, or $2.0 million. Amounts outstanding on the line of credit
were zero on December 31, 2008. During 2008 the Company occasionally
took loans against its line of credit which were all repaid in less than a month
after borrowed. The highest amount borrowed against the line was
$375,000. As of March 5, 2008, the Company had an available Borrowing
Base of $2.0 million.
As of
March 5, 2009, the amount outstanding on the line of credit was
zero.
Contractual
Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The
following tables summarize our contractual and commercial obligations, as of
December 31, 2008:
|
|
Payment
Due By Period
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
2010-2011
|
|
|
|
2012-2013
|
|
|
2014 and after
|
|
Contractual
Cash
Obligations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
Debt
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Capital
Leases
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Operating
Leases
|
|
$ |
4,063,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,160,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,622,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,097,000 |
|
|
$ |
184,000 |
|
|
|
Amounts
of Commitment Expiration Per Period
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
2010-2011
|
|
|
|
2012- 2013
|
|
|
2014 and after
|
|
Other
Commercial
Commitments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Letters
of Credit
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Dividends
may be paid on common stock, when and if, declared by the Board of
Directors. However, no dividend has been paid on common stock since
January 2000. Dividends on convertible preferred stock are currently
payable at 6%, payable on quarterly basis in arrears, as declared by the Board
of Directors. If not paid, the rate increases to 8% until
paid. In September 2010, the dividend will be increased to
10%.
Off-Balance
Sheet Transactions
There are
no off balance sheet transactions that would require disclosure in the above
contractual obligations and commercial commitments table.
Market
risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to
adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure
is primarily a result of fluctuations in interest rates. We do not hold
financial instruments for trading purposes.
Interest
Rate Risk
The
Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates
primarily to the Company’s investment portfolio. The Company does not
have any derivative financial instruments in its portfolio. The
Company places its investments in instruments that meet high credit quality
standards. The Company is adverse to principal loss and ensures the
safety and preservation of its invested funds by limiting default risk, market
risk and reinvestment risk. As a result, as of December 31, 2008, the
Company’s investments consisted of institutional money market funds and
corporate bonds with maturities of less than 30 days. The Company
does not expect any material loss with respect to its investment
portfolio.
Foreign
Currency Risk
All costs
associated with the Company’s foreign operations in Europe, Asia/Pacific and
Israel are denominated in their respective local currencies and translated into
U.S. dollars for financial reporting. As a result, the Company is exposed to
risks to the extent that the rate of inflation in any of its foreign operating
regions differs from the rate of revaluation of their related currencies in
relation to the U.S. dollar or if the timing of such revaluations lags behind
inflation in these regions. In such an event, the costs of the
Company’s operations in these regions, measured in U.S. dollars, will change and
the U.S. dollar measured results of operations will be affected.
The
Company does not use foreign currency forward exchange contracts or purchased
currency options to hedge local currency cash flows or for trading
purposes. All sales arrangements with international customers are
denominated in foreign currency. The Company does not expect any
material loss with respect to foreign currency risk.
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board
of Directors
Astea
International Inc.:
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Astea International Inc.
and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated
statements of operations and stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the
two years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control
over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of Astea International
Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the consolidated
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in
the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As
discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 157, “Fair
Value Measurements”, and SFAS No. 159, “the Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an Amendment of FASB Statement
No. 115”, on January 1, 2008.
/s/ Grant
Thornton LLP
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
March 27,
2009
ASTEA
INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
3,144,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,615,000 |
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
Investments
available for sale
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Receivables,
net of allowance of $177,000 and $206,000
|
|
|
5,164,000 |
|
|
|
8,517,000 |
|
Prepaid
expenses and other
|
|
|
362,000 |
|
|
|
416,000 |
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
9,170,000 |
|
|
|
10,698,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
385,000 |
|
|
|
418,000 |
|
Intangibles,
net
|
|
|
1,159,000 |
|
|
|
1,439,000 |
|
Capitalized
software development costs, net
|
|
|
2,718,000 |
|
|
|
3,238,000 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
1,538,000 |
|
|
|
1,540,000 |
|
Other
long term restricted cash
|
|
|
146,000 |
|
|
|
163,000 |
|
Other
long-term assets
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
64,000 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
15,166,000 |
|
|
$ |
17,560,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$ |
2,764,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,632,000 |
|
Deferred
revenues
|
|
|
5,112,000 |
|
|
|
6,743,000 |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
7,
876,000 |
|
|
|
10,375,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax liability
|
|
|
118,000 |
|
|
|
77,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares
authorized,
issued and outstanding 826,000 and 0
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Common
stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares
authorized,
3,596,000 and 3,596,000 shares issued
respectively
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
Additional
paid-in-capital
|
|
|
30,998,000 |
|
|
|
27,852,000 |
|
Cumulative
translation adjustment
|
|
|
(658,000
|
) |
|
|
(703,000
|
) |
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(23,004,000
|
) |
|
|
(19,869,000
|
) |
Less: Treasury
stock at cost, 42,000 shares
|
|
|
(208,000
|
) |
|
|
(208,000
|
) |
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
7,
172,000 |
|
|
|
7,108,000 |
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$ |
15,166,000 |
|
|
$ |
17,560,000 |
|
See
accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
ASTEA
INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years ended December
31,
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software
license fees
|
|
$ |
3,273,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,089,000 |
|
Services
and maintenance
|
|
|
20,578,000 |
|
|
|
22,281,000 |
|
Total
revenues
|
|
|
23,851,000 |
|
|
|
30,370,000 |
|
Costs
and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of software license fees
|
|
|
2,852,000 |
|
|
|
2,641,000 |
|
Cost
of services and maintenance
|
|
|
12,099,000 |
|
|
|
11,908,000 |
|
Product
development
|
|
|
4,224,000 |
|
|
|
4,402,000 |
|
Sales
and marketing
|
|
|
4,735,000 |
|
|
|
5,319,000 |
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
3,103,000 |
|
|
|
3,405,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
costs and expenses
|
|
|
27,013,000 |
|
|
|
27,675,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)
income from operations
|
|
|
(3,162,000 |
) |
|
|
2,695,000 |
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
68,000 |
|
|
|
111,000 |
|
(Loss)
income before income taxes
|
|
|
(3,094,000 |
) |
|
|
2,806,000 |
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
Net
(loss) income
|
|
|
(3,135,000 |
) |
|
|
2,765,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
dividend
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net
(loss) income available to common stockholders
|
|
$ |
(3,214,000 |
) |
|
$ |
2,765,000 |
|
Basic
net (loss) income per share
|
|
$ |
(.90 |
) |
|
$ |
.78 |
|
Diluted
net (loss) income per share
|
|
$ |
(.90 |
) |
|
$ |
.78 |
|
Weighted
average shares used in computing basic
net
(loss) income per share
|
|
|
3,554,000 |
|
|
|
3,550,000 |
|
Weighted
average shares used in computing diluted
net
(loss) income per share
|
|
|
3,554,000 |
|
|
|
3,552,000 |
|
See
accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
ASTEA
INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Preferred
Stock
|
|
|
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
|
|
|
Accumulated
Compre-
hensive Loss
|
|
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
|
|
Treasury
Stock
|
|
|
Total
Stock-holders'
Equity
|
|
|
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
|
$ |
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
27,532,000 |
|
|
$ |
(911,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(22,634,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(208,000 |
) |
|
$ |
3,815,000 |
|
|
|
|
Exercise
of stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
305,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
305,000 |
|
|
|
|
Currency
translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
208,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
208,000 |
|
|
|
208,000 |
|
Net
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,765,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,765,000 |
|
|
|
2,765,000 |
|
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
27,852,000 |
|
|
|
(703,000 |
) |
|
|
(19,869,000 |
|
|
|
(208,000 |
) |
|
|
7,108,000 |
|
|
|
2,973,000 |
|
Legal
Fees – Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(106,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(106,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Dividends
paid on preferred stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(48,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(48,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Issuance
of preferred stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
2,992,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
308,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
308,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Currency
translation
adjustment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
Net
Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,135,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,135,000 |
) |
|
|
(3,135,000 |
) |
Balance,
December 31, 2008
|
|
$ |
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
30,998,000 |
|
|
$ |
(658,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(23,004,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(208,000 |
) |
|
$ |
7,172,000 |
|
|
$ |
(
3,090,000 |
) |
See
accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
ASTEA
INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended December
31,
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$ |
(3,135,000 |
) |
|
$ |
2,765,000 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
3,193,000 |
|
|
|
2,926,000 |
|
Increase in provision for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
276,000 |
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
308,000 |
|
|
|
305,000 |
|
Deferred tax expense
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
3,218,000 |
|
|
|
(1,621,000 |
) |
Prepaid expenses and
other
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses
|
|
|
(788,000
|
) |
|
|
(309,000 |
) |
Deferred
revenues
|
|
|
(1,656,000
|
) |
|
|
(3,544,000 |
) |
Other assets
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
111,000 |
|
Net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
|
1,335,000 |
|
|
|
949,000 |
|
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalized software
development costs
|
|
|
(2,118,000
|
) |
|
|
(1,836,000 |
) |
Purchases of property and
equipment
|
|
|
(241,000
|
) |
|
|
(146,000 |
) |
Purchase
of short term investments
|
|
|
(750,000
|
) |
|
|
(500,000 |
) |
Sale
of short term investments
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
Payment of contingent
purchase price
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(287,000 |
) |
Change in restricted
cash
|
|
|
168,000 |
|
|
|
(88,000 |
) |
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(2,691,000
|
) |
|
|
(2,357,000 |
) |
Cash flows from financing
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from line of credit
|
|
|
415,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Repayment
on line of credit
|
|
|
(415,000
|
) |
|
|
- |
|
Proceeds
from exercise of stock options and employee
stock purchase plan
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
Issuance
costs of preferred stock
|
|
|
(106,000
|
) |
|
|
- |
|
Dividend
paid on preferred stock
|
|
|
(48,000
|
) |
|
|
- |
|
Proceeds
from issuance of preferred stock
|
|
|
3,000,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net cash provided by
financing activities
|
|
|
2,846,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
Equivalents
|
|
|
39,000 |
|
|
|
(112,000 |
) |
Net increase (decrease) in
cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,529,000 |
|
|
|
(1,505,000 |
) |
Cash
and cash equivalents balance, beginning of year
|
|
|
1,615,000 |
|
|
|
3,120,000 |
|
Cash
and cash equivalents balance, end of year
|
|
$ |
3,144,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,615,000 |
|
Cash paid for interest expense
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
See
accompanying notes to the consolidated financial
statements.
|
ASTEA
INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Astea
International Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively the “Company” or “Astea”) are
a global provider of service management software that addresses the unique needs
of companies who manage capital equipment, mission critical assets and human
capital. Clients include Fortune 500 to mid-size companies, which
Astea services through Company facilities in the United States, United Kingdom,
Australia, The Netherlands and Israel. The Company’s principal
products are Astea Alliance, FX Service Center and FX Mobile. Astea
Alliance supports the complete service lifecycle, from lead generation and
project quotation to service and billing through asset retirement. FX
Service Center is a service management and dispatch solution system that gives
organizations command over their field service operations. FX
Mobile offerings include mobile field service automation (FSA) systems, which
include the wireless devices and support of mobile field technicians using
portable, hand-held computing devices. Since its inception in 1979,
Astea has licensed applications to companies in a wide range of sectors
including information technology, telecommunications, instruments and controls,
business systems, and medical devices.
2. Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles
of Consolidation
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Astea International
Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and branches. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon
consolidation.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. Significant assets and liabilities that are subject to
estimates include allowances for doubtful accounts, goodwill and other acquired
intangible assets, deferred tax assets and certain accrued and contingent
liabilities.
Revenue
Recognition
Astea’s
revenue is principally recognized from two sources: (i) licensing arrangements
and (ii) services and maintenance.
The
Company markets its products primarily through its direct sales force and
resellers. License agreements do not provide for a right of return,
and historically, product returns have not been significant.
Astea
recognizes revenue on its software products in accordance with AICPA Statement
of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition,
SOP 98-9, Modification of SOP
97-2,Software Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain Transactions,
and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 104, Revenue
Recognition.
Astea
recognizes revenue from license sales when all of the following criteria are
met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the
license fee is fixed and determinable and the collection of the fee is
probable. We utilize written contracts as a means to establish the
terms and conditions by which our products support and services are sold to our
customers. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and
risk of loss have been transferred to the customer, which generally occurs after
a license key has been delivered electronically to the
customer. Revenue for arrangements with extended payment terms in
excess of one year is recognized when the payments become due, provided all
other revenue recognition criteria are satisfied. If collectability
is not considered probable, revenue is recognized when the fee is
collected. Our typical end user license agreements do not contain
acceptance clauses. However, if acceptance criteria is required,
revenues are deferred until customer acceptance has occurred.
Astea
allocates revenue to each element in a multiple-element arrangement based on the
elements’ respective fair value, determined by the price charged when the
element is sold separately. Specifically, Astea determines the fair
value of the maintenance portion of the arrangement based on the price, at the
date of sale, if sold separately, which is generally a fixed percentage of the
software license selling price. The professional services portion of
the arrangement is based on hourly rates which the Company charges for those
services when sold separately from software. If evidence of fair
value of all undelivered elements exists, but evidence does not exist for one or
more delivered elements, then revenue is recognized using the residual
method. If an undelivered element for which evidence of fair value
does not exist, all revenue in an arrangement is deferred until the undelivered
element is delivered or fair value can be determined. Under the residual method,
the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion
of the arrangement fee is recognized as revenue. The residual value, after
allocation of the fee to the undelivered elements based on VSOE of fair value,
is then allocated to the perpetual software license for the software products
being sold. The Company’s policy is to recognize expenses as incurred
when revenues are deferred in connection with transactions where VSOE cannot be
established for an undelivered element as the Company follows the accounting
requirements of SOP 97-2. Accordingly, all costs associated with the
contracts are recorded in the period incurred, which may differ from the period
in which revenue is recognized.
When
appropriate, the Company may allocate a portion of its software revenue to
post-contract support activities or to other services or products provided to
the customer free of charge or at non-standard rates when provided in
conjunction with the licensing arrangement. Amounts allocated are
based upon standard prices charged for those services or products which, in the
Company’s opinion, approximate fair value. Software license fees for
resellers or other members of the indirect sales channel are based on a fixed
percentage of the Company’s standard prices. The Company recognizes
software license revenue for such contracts based upon the terms and conditions
provided by the reseller to its customer.
Revenue
from post-contract support is recognized ratably over the term of the contract,
which is generally twelve months on a straight-line basis. Consulting
and training service revenue is generally unbundled and recognized at the time
the service is performed.
Deferred
revenue represents payments or accounts receivable from the Company’s customers
for amounts billed in advance.
In June
2006, the FASB reached a consensus on Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue
No. 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental
Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus
Net Presentation), ("EITF 06-03"). EITF 06-3 indicates that the income
statement presentation on either a gross basis or a net basis of the taxes
within the scope of the issue is an accounting policy decision that should be
disclosed. EITF 06-3 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning
after December 15, 2006. The adoption of EITF 06-3 did not change our
policy of presenting taxes within the scope of EITF 06-3 on a net basis and
had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Reimbursable
Expenses
The
Company charges customers for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by its employees
during the performance of professional services in the normal course of
business. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force 01-14,
“Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for
‘Out-of-Pocket’ Expenses Incurred,” billings for out-of-pocket expenses that are
reimbursed by the customer are to be included in revenues with the corresponding
expense included in cost of services and maintenance. During fiscal
years 2008 and 2007, the Company billed $543,000 and $615,000, respectively, of
reimbursable expenses to customers.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Investments
Available for Sale
Investments
that the Company designated as available-for-sale are reported at fair value,
with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded in accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss). The Company bases the cost of the
investment sold on the specific identification method. The
available-for-sale investment consists of variable rate domestic
obligations. These are U.S. corporate obligations in which the yield
adjusts weekly and can be sold any time with funds available in 5
days.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," ("SFAS No. 157"). SFAS No. 157
provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and
liabilities at fair value and to provide additional information that will help
investors and other users of financial statements to understand more easily the
effect on earnings of a company's choice to use fair value. It also requires
companies to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which
the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. We
are required to adopt SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 and are currently
evaluating the impact, if any, of SFAS No. 157 on our consolidated financial
statements.
The
Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 effective November 15, 2007. Under
this standard, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date.
The
Company has investments that are valued in accordance with the provisions of
SFAS 157. SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair
value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of
unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when
available. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the
reliability of inputs as follows:
1.
|
Level
1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical
assets that the Company has the ability to
access.
|
2.
|
Level
2 - Valuations based inputs on other than quoted prices included within
level 1, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly
or indirectly.
|
3.
|
Level
3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to
the overall fair value measurement.
|
On
December 31, 2008 the fair value for the Company’s investments was
determined based upon quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
(Level 1).
Allowance
for Doubtful Accounts
The
Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically
identified amounts that management believes to be uncollectible. The
Company also records an additional allowance based on certain percentages of
aged receivables, which are determined based on historical experience and
management’s assessment of the general financial conditions affecting the
Company’s customer base. Once management determines that an account will not be
collected, the account is written off against the allowance for doubtful
accounts. If actual collections experience changes, revisions to the
allowances may be required. Activity in the allowance for doubtful
accounts is as follows:
Year
Ended December 31
|
|
Balance
at
beginning
of year
|
|
|
Expensed
|
|
|
Write
offs
|
|
|
Balance
at
end
of year
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
206,000 |
|
|
$ |
80,000 |
|
|
$ |
109,000 |
|
|
$ |
177,000 |
|
2007
|
|
$ |
163,000 |
|
|
$ |
276,000 |
|
|
$ |
233,000 |
|
|
$ |
206,000 |
|
Bad debt
expense decreased in 2008 by 71% from 2007 due to improved collections on
outstanding receivables. Bad debt expense in 2007 includes a large write-off of
accounts receivable resulting from a Canadian customer becoming insolvent and
filing for bankruptcy protection.
Senior
management reviews accounts receivable on a monthly basis to determine if any
receivables will potentially be uncollectible. Based on all
information available, the Company believes its allowance for doubtful accounts
as of December 31, 2008 is adequate. However, actual write-offs might
exceed the recorded allowance.
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are
provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
related assets or the lease term, whichever is shorter. When property
and equipment are sold or otherwise disposed of, the fixed asset account and
related accumulated depreciation account are relieved and any gain or loss is
included in operations. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are
charged to expense as incurred and significant renewals and betterments are
capitalized.
Impairment
of Long Lived Assets
The
Company evaluates its long-lived assets, including certain identifiable
intangible assets, excluding goodwill, for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be
recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured
by a comparison of the carrying amount of any asset to future undiscounted net
cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are
considered to be impaired, the impairment is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. As
of December 31, 2008, the Company has determined that no impairment has
occurred.
Capitalized
Software Development Costs
Capitalized
software costs are stated on the balance sheet at the lower of net book value or
net realizable value of capitalized software costs.
The
Company capitalizes software development costs in accordance with SFAS No. 86,
“Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise
Marketed.” The Company capitalizes software development costs subsequent to the
establishment of technological feasibility through the product’s availability
for general release. Costs incurred prior to the establishment of technological
feasibility are charged to product development expense. Development costs
associated with product enhancements that extend the original product’s life or
significantly improve the original product’s marketability are also capitalized
once technological feasibility has been established. Software development costs
are amortized on a product-by-product basis over the greater of the ratio of
current revenues to total anticipated revenues or on a straight-line basis over
the estimated useful lives of the products (usually two years), beginning with
the initial release to customers. The Company evaluates the recoverability of
capitalized software based on the estimated future revenues of each product. As
of December 31, 2008, management believes that no revisions to the remaining
useful lives or write-downs of capitalized software development costs are
required.
Research and Development
Costs
The
Company reports research and development costs as Product Development expense in
its statement of operations. These costs include the costs incurred
prior to the establishment of technological feasibility for new product
development. In addition, research and development costs also include
costs related to improving the quality of the Company’s released software
products and any costs incurred by third party companies that may be engaged
from time to time, to assist the Company in its product development
efforts.
Goodwill
Goodwill
represents the excess of the cost of businesses acquired over the fair value of
the net assets acquired at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized
but rather tested for impairment at least annually. The Company performs its
annual impairment test as of the first day of the fiscal fourth quarter. The
impairment test must be performed more frequently if there are triggering
events, as for example when our market capitalization significantly declines for
a sustained period, which could cause us to do interim impairment testing that
might result in an impairment to goodwill.
SFAS No.
142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, prescribes a two-step method for
determining goodwill impairment. In the first step, the Company determines the
fair value of the reporting unit and compares that fair value to the net book
value of the reporting unit. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined
using various valuation techniques, including a comparable companies market
multiple approach and a discounted cash flow analysis (an income
approach).
To
measure the amount of the impairment, SFAS No. 142 prescribes that the Company
determine the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the
Company had acquired those business units. Specifically, the Company must
allocate the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets of that unit,
including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical calculation that
would yield the implied fair value of goodwill.
Our
annual impairment test, which was completed during the fourth quarter of 2008,
indicated that the fair value of our one reporting unit exceeded the carrying
value and, therefore, the goodwill amount was not impaired for our one reporting
unit.
The
determination of the fair value of the reporting units and the allocation of
that value to individual assets and liabilities within those reporting units
requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. These
estimates and assumptions primarily include, but are not limited to: the
selection of appropriate peer group companies; control premiums appropriate for
acquisitions in the industries in which the Company competes; the discount rate;
terminal growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation
and amortization, and capital expenditures.
Due to
the inherent uncertainty involved in making these estimates, actual financial
results could differ from those estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning
future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a
significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting unit or the amount
of the goodwill impairment charge.
On
September 21, 2005, the Company acquired the assets and certain liabilities of
FieldCentrix, Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary, FC Acquisition Corp.
Included in the allocation of the purchase price was goodwill valued at
$1,100,000.
The
purchase agreement provided for an earnout provision through June 30, 2007 that
paid the sellers a percentage of certain license revenues and certain
professional services. Due to the contingent nature of such payments,
the value of the future payments were not included in the purchase
price. However, under FAS 141, as such sales transactions occurred,
the related earnout amounts were added to the purchase price, specifically
goodwill. The total addition to goodwill from the date the assets of
FieldCentrix, Inc. were acquired through the end of the earnout period June 30,
2007 was $285,000. At December 31, 2008 goodwill was $1,538,000.
Major
Customers
In 2008,
no customers represented more than 10% of total revenues. In 2007,
two customers represented 11% and 10% of total revenues. At December
31, 2008, one customer represented 13% of the total accounts receivable and two
customers each represented 10% of total accounts receivable. One customer
represented 21% of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2007.
Concentration of Credit
Risk
Financial
instruments, which potentially subject the Company to credit risk, consist of
cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company’s policy is to
limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial
institution. The Company places investments with financial
institutions evaluated as being creditworthy, or investing in short-term money
market which are exposed to minimal interest rate and credit
risk. Cash balances are maintained with several
banks. Certain operating accounts may exceed the FDIC
limits.
Concentration
of credit risk, with respect to accounts receivable, is limited due to the
Company’s credit evaluation process. The Company sells its products
to customers involved in a variety of industries including information
technology, medical devices and diagnostic systems, industrial controls and
instrumentation and retail systems. While the Company does not
require collateral from its customers, it does perform continuing credit
evaluations of its customer’s financial condition.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
Due to
the short term nature of these accounts, the carrying values of cash, cash
equivalents, account receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses
approximate the respective fair values.
Income
Taxes
On
January 1, 2007, we implemented the provisions of FAS interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB statement
109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty
in income taxes and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute
for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken
or expected to be taken in a tax return. Estimated interest is
recorded as a component of interest expense and penalties are recorded as a
component of general and administrative expense. Such amounts were
not material for 2008 and 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a
material impact on our financial position.
Income
taxes are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes, under the asset-and-liability method. Under this method,
deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference
between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and
liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the
differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are
established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts
expected to be realized.
Advertising
Advertising
costs are expensed when incurred. Advertising costs for the years
ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $117,000 and $191,000 respectively and are
included in sales and marketing costs.
Currency
Translation
The
accounts of the international subsidiaries and branch operations are translated
in accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation,” which requires
that assets and liabilities of international operations be translated using the
exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The results of operations are
translated at average exchange rates during the year. The effects of exchange
rate fluctuations in translating assets and liabilities of international
operations into U.S. dollars are accumulated and reflected as a currency
translation adjustment in the accompanying consolidated statements of
stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in net income
(loss). General and administrative expenses include exchange gains (losses) of
$202,000 and ($33,000) for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
Net
(Loss) Income Per Share
The
Company presents earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings
per Share.” Pursuant
to SFAS No. 128, dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share
(“EPS”) is required for companies with complex capital structures on the face of
the statements of operations. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net
income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for
the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution from the
exercise or conversion of securities into common stock. Under the treasury stock
method it is assumed that dilutive stock options are
exercised. Furthermore, it is assumed that the proceeds are used to
purchase common stock at the average market price for the period. The
difference between the numbers of the shares assumed issued and the number of
shares assumed purchased represents the dilutive shares.
For the
year ended December 31, 2008, the Company had a net loss. In 2008
there were zero net additional dilutive shares assumed to be converted at an
average exercise price of $3.13. In addition, 100% of the outstanding
convertible preferred stock, 826,000 shares, was eligible to be converted into
common stock. For purposes of this calculation, if converted, it would have been
assumed that they were converted into common stock and the related dividends
were not paid. However, all options outstanding at December 31,
2008 to purchase shares of common stock and shares of common stock issued on the
assumed conversion of the eligible preferred stock were excluded from the
diluted loss per common share calculation as the inclusion of these options
would have been antidilutive. At December 31, 2007 there was 2,513
net additional dilutive shares assumed to be converted at an average exercise
price of $4.10.
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Net
(loss) income
|
|
$ |
(3,135 |
) |
|
$ |
2,765 |
|
Preferred
Dividend
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net
Income available to common shareholders
|
|
|
(3,214 |
) |
|
|
2,765 |
|
Basic
weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
(loss) earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
(.90 |
) |
|
$ |
.78 |
|
Effect
of dilutive stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Diluted
weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,552 |
|
Diluted
earnings (loss) per common share
|
|
$ |
(.90 |
) |
|
$ |
.78 |
|
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
The
Company follows SFAS No. 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income.” SFAS
No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and presentation of comprehensive
income (loss) and its components (revenues, expenses, gains and losses) in a
full set of general-purpose financial statements. This statement also
requires that all components of comprehensive income (loss) be displayed with
the same prominence as other financial statements. Comprehensive
income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and foreign currency translation
adjustments. The effects of SFAS No. 130 are presented in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.
Stock
Compensation
On
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of
SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under
this method, compensation costs recognized during 2006, include (a) compensation
costs for all share-based payments granted to employees and directors prior to,
but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date value
estimated in accordance with the original provision SFAS 123 and (b)
compensation costs for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1,
2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the
provisions of FAS 123(R).
The
Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the
Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula and amortizes, the estimated option
value using an accelerated amortization method where each option grant is split
into tranches based on vesting periods. The Company’s expected term represents
the period that the Company’s share-based awards are expected to be outstanding
and was determined based on historical experience regarding similar awards,
giving consideration to the contractual terms of the share-based awards and
employee termination data and guidance provided by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 107 (“SAB
107”). Executive level employees who hold a majority of the options
outstanding, and non-executive level employees were each found to have similar
historical option exercise and termination behavior and thus were grouped for
valuation purposes. The Company’s expected volatility is based on the historical
volatility of its traded common stock in accordance with the guidance provided
by SAB 107 to place exclusive reliance on historical volatilities to estimate
our stock volatility over the expected term of its awards. The Company has
historically not paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to issue dividends.
The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon
bonds with an equivalent term. Results for prior periods have not
been restated.
Under the
Company’s stock option plans, options awards generally vest over a four year
period of continuous service and have a 10 year contractual
term. The fair value of each option is amortized on a
straight-line basis over the option’s vesting period. The fair value
of each option is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes
Merton option pricing formula using the following assumptions as of December 31,
2008.
|
|
For
the year ended
|
|
|
For
the year ended
|
|
|
|
December
31, 2008
|
|
|
December
31, 2007
|
|
Risk-free
interest rate
|
|
|
2.23 |
% |
|
|
4.22 |
% |
Expected
life (in years)
|
|
|
4.28 |
|
|
|
4.18 |
|
Volatility
|
|
|
88 |
% |
|
|
91 |
% |
Expected
dividends
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Annual
forfeiture rate
|
|
|
19.23 |
% |
|
|
18.99 |
% |
The
weighted-average fair value of options granted during the years ended December
31, 2008 and 2007 was estimated as $2.49 and $3.11, respectively.
Prior to
the adoption of FAS 123(R), the Company accounted for stock-based awards to
employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB
25 as allowed under FAS 123. The exercise price of the Company’s
stock options granted to employees and directors equaled the market value of the
underlying stock at the date of grant. Under the intrinsic value
method, no stock-based compensation expense had been recognized in the Company’s
consolidated statement of operations because the average price of the Company’s
stock options granted to employees and directors equaled the market value of the
underlying stock at the date of the grant.
Prior to
the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company included all tax benefits associated
with stock-based compensation as operating cash flows in the consolidated
statements of cash flows. SFAS 123(R), requires any reduction in
taxes payable resulting from tax deductions that exceed the recognized
compensation expense (excess to tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash
flows. The Company did not have any excess tax benefit for the year
ending December 31, 2007.
Convertible
Preferred Stock
On
September 24, 2008 the Company issued 826,446 shares of Series-A Convertible
Preferred Stock (“preferred stock”) to its Chief Executive Officer at a price of
$3.63 per share for a total of $3,000,000. Dividends accrue daily on
the preferred stock at an initial rate of 6% and shall be payable only when, as
and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, quarterly in
arrears.
The
preferred stock may be converted into common stock at the initial rate of one
share of common for each share of preferred stock. The holder has the
right during the first six months following issuance to convert up to 40% of the
shares purchased, except in the event of a change in control of the Company, at
which time there is no limit. After six months there is no limit on
the number of shares that may be converted.
The
Company has the right to redeem, subject to board approval, up to 60% of the
shares of preferred stock at its option during the first six months after
issuance at a price equal to 110% of the purchase price plus all accrued and
unpaid dividends. The limitations on conversion and the redemption
rights during this initial six-month period are not applicable in the event of
certain change of control events. Commencing two years after
issuance, the Company shall have certain rights to cause conversion of all of
the shares of preferred stock then outstanding. Commencing four years
after issuance, the Company may redeem, subject to board approval, all of the
shares of preferred stock then outstanding at a price equal to the greater of
(i) 130% of the purchase price plus all accrued and unpaid dividends and (ii)
the fair market value of such number of shares of common stock which the holder
of the preferred stock would be entitled to receive had the redeemed preferred
stock been converted immediately prior to the redemption.
In
accordance with relevant accounting pronouncements, the Company recorded the
preferred stock on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet within Stockholders’
Equity. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 68, “Increasing Rate Preferred Stock,” the preferred
stock is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at the amount of net
proceeds received less an imputed dividend cost. The imputed dividend
cost of $218,000 was the result of the preferred stock having a dividend rate
during the first two years after its issuance (6%) that is lower than the rate
that becomes fixed (10%) after the initial two year period. The
imputed dividend cost of $218,000 will be amortized over the first two years
from the date of issuance and is based upon the present value of the dividend
discount using a 10% yield.
Recent
Accounting Standards or Accounting Pronouncements
In March
2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.
Statement 161 requires disclosure of how and why an entity uses derivative
instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted
for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s
financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Statement 161 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, with early
adoption permitted. We do not expect the implementation of this
standard to have a material impact on the financial position, results of
operations or cash flow of the Company.
In April
2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 142-3, Determination of
the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP FAS 142-3 amends the
factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions
used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB
Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. FSP FAS 142-3
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and early
adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact of the pending
adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 on our consolidated financial
statements.
In June
2006, the FASB ratified the consensus reached on EITF Issue No. 06-3, "How Taxes
Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be
Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation)"
("EITF 06-3"). EITF 06-3 requires disclosure of the method of accounting for the
applicable assessed taxes and the amount of assessed taxes that are included in
revenues if they are accounted for under the gross method. EITF 06-3 is
effective for the fourth quarter ending May 31, 2007; however, since the Company
presents revenues net of any taxes collected from customers, no additional
disclosures will be required.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("FAS") No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations ("FAS 141(R)") which
replaces FAS No.141, Business Combinations. FAS 141(R) retains the underlying
concepts of FAS 141 in that all business combinations are still required to be
accounted for at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting but FAS
141(R) changed the method of applying the acquisition method in a number of
significant aspects. Changes prescribed by FAS 141(R) include, but are not
limited to, requirements to expense transaction costs and costs to restructure
acquired entities; record earn-outs and other forms of contingent consideration
at fair value on the acquisition date; record 100% of the net assets acquired
even if less than a 100% controlling interest is acquired; and to recognize any
excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the purchase consideration
as a gain to the acquirer. FAS 141(R) is effective on a prospective basis for
all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008, with the
exception of the accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and
acquired tax contingencies. FAS 141(R) amends FAS 109 such that adjustments made
to valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies
associated with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of FAS
141(R) would also apply the provisions of FAS 141(R). Early adoption is not
allowed. We are currently evaluating the effects, if any, that FAS 141(R) may
have on our consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements ("FAS
160"). FAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin 51, Consolidated
Financial Statements, to establish accounting and reporting standards for the
noncontrolling (minority) interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation
of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is
an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as
equity in the consolidated financial statements and requires consolidated net
income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both
the parent and the noncontrolling interest. FAS 160 also clarifies that all of
those transactions resulting in a change in ownership of a subsidiary are equity
transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest in the
subsidiary. FAS 160 requires expanded disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the
parent's owners and the interests of the noncontrolling owners of a subsidiary.
FAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal
years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited.
FAS 160 shall be applied prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year in
which this Statement is initially applied, except for the presentation and
disclosure requirements. The presentation and disclosure requirements shall be
applied retrospectively for all periods presented. We are currently evaluating
the effects, if any, that FAS 160 may have on our consolidated financial
statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," ("SFAS No. 159"). SFAS No.
159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and
liabilities at fair value and to provide additional information that wil help
investors and other users of financial statements to understand more easily the
effect on earnings of a company's choice to use fail value. It also
requires companies to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for
which the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance
sheet. We adopted SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008. It did not have a
material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Billed
receivables represent billings for the Company’s products and services to end
users and value added resellers. Unbilled receivables represent contractual
amounts due within one year under software licenses that have been delivered or
statements of work for professional services, for work performed but not yet
invoiced. Billed receivables are shown net of reserves for estimated
uncollectible amounts. Receivables consist of the
following:
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Billed
receivables
|
|
$ |
4,534,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,470,000 |
|
Unbilled
receivables
|
|
|
630,000 |
|
|
|
1,047,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
5,164,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,517,000 |
|
4. Property
and Equipment
Property and equipment consist of:
|
|
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
Useful Life
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Computers
and related equipment
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$ |
4,070,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,542,000 |
|
Furniture
and fixtures
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
555,000 |
|
|
|
512,000 |
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
129,000 |
|
|
|
129,000 |
|
Software
|
|
|
1-3
|
|
|
|
987,000 |
|
|
|
416,000 |
|
Office
equipment
|
|
|
3-7
|
|
|
|
784,000 |
|
|
|
1,240,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,525,000 |
|
|
|
5,839,000 |
|
Less: Accumulated
depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,140,000 |
) |
|
|
(5,421,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
385,000 |
|
|
$ |
418,000 |
|
Depreciation and
amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $274,000
and $412,000, respectively.
5. Capitalized
Software Development Costs
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
Average Life
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Capitalized
software
development
costs
|
|
|
1.21
|
|
|
$ |
10,191,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,073,000 |
|
Less: Accumulated
amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,473,000 |
) |
|
|
(4,835,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,718,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,238,000 |
|
The
Company capitalized software development costs of $2,118,000 and $1,836,000 for
the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively. Amortization of capitalized software development costs
for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were $2,638,000 and $2,234,000,
respectively, and is reflected in cost of software license fees in the financial
statements. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2007, the
Company wrote-off $3,348,000 of fully amortized capitalized software for old
versions that had been deemed no longer useful or functional. The
Company amortizes software developments costs using the greater of the
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the product (two years)
or the revenue forecast method.
6. Intangible
Assets
Intellectual
property and customer lists (“intangible assets”) acquired as part of the
FieldCentrix acquisition are amortized on a straight-line basis over their
estimated annual lives or over the period of their expected benefit, generally
ranging from 5 to 10 years. Amortization expense related to these
intangible assets was the same at $280,000 for each of the years ended December
31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated Amortization
|
|
|
Net Carrying Value
|
|
Description
|
Weighted
Avg. Life
|
|
Gross Cost
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Software
|
5
years
|
|
$ |
720,000 |
|
|
$ |
474,000 |
|
|
$ |
330,000 |
|
|
$ |
246,000 |
|
|
$ |
390,000 |
|
Customer
Relationship
List
|
10
years
|
|
|
1,360,000 |
|
|
|
447,000 |
|
|
|
311,000 |
|
|
|
913,000 |
|
|
|
1,049,000 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,080,000 |
|
|
$ |
921,000 |
|
|
$ |
641,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,159,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,439,000 |
|
Estimated
amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows:
|
Amortization Expense
|
2009
|
280,000
|
2010
|
238,000
|
2011
|
136,000
|
2012
|
136,000
|
2013
|
136,000
|
7. Accounts
Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses consist of:
December
31,
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$ |
426,000 |
|
|
$ |
911,000 |
|
Accrued
compensation and related benefits
|
|
|
1,655,000 |
|
|
|
1,748,000 |
|
Accrued
professional services
|
|
|
59,000 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
Sales
and payroll taxes
|
|
|
388,000 |
|
|
|
335,000 |
|
Other
accrued liabilities
|
|
|
236,000 |
|
|
|
548,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
2,764,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,632,000 |
|
8. Income
Taxes
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN
48”), on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for
uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements
in accordance with FASB Statement 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” and
prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial
statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be
taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on
derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim
period, disclosure and transition.
The
Company has identified its federal tax return and its state returns in
Pennsylvania and California as “major” tax jurisdictions, as
defined. Based on the Company’s evaluation, it has been concluded
that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in
the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s evaluation was
performed for tax years ended 2003 through 2008, the only periods subject to
examination.
In 2008,
the Israel Taxing Authority “ITA” notified the Company that it intends to
re-examine a 2002 transaction that it had previously approved. The Company is
vigorously defending itself in court and based on information to date, does not
expect this issue to result in any additional tax to the company. It
is the opinion of the Company based on correct information that this matter will
not have a material impact on its financial condition.
The
Company believes that all of its other income tax positions and deductions will
be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result
in a material change to its financial position. Accordingly, the
Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment related to the adoption of
FIN 48.
The
Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties associated with audits is
to record such items as a component of income before income
taxes. Penalties are recorded in general and administrative expenses
and interest paid or received is recorded in interest expense or interest
income, respectively, in the statement of operations. For the years
end December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no interest or penalties related to
the settlement of audits.
The
Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes,
which provides for an asset and liability approach to accounting for income
taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax
consequences of the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts
for assets and liabilities versus the tax bases of assets and
liabilities. Under this method, deferred tax assets are recognized
for deductible temporary differences, operating loss and tax credit
carryforwards. Deferred liabilities are recognized for taxable
temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation
allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that
some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized. The impact of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and
liabilities is recognized in the year that the change is enacted.
The
provision for income taxes is as follows:
Years ended December
31,
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
State
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$ |
33,000 |
|
|
$ |
32,000 |
|
State
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
41,000 |
|
|
$ |
41,000 |
|
Pre-tax
(loss) income for domestic locations for the year ended December 31, 2008 and
2007 was ($2,839,000) and $72,000 respectively. Foreign locations had
pre-tax (loss) income of ($255,000) and $2,734,000 in 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
The approximate income tax effect of
each type of temporary difference is as follows:
December
31,
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Deferred
income tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timing
of revenue recognition
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
64,000 |
|
Accruals
and reserves not
currently
deductible for tax
|
|
|
154,000 |
|
|
|
194,000 |
|
Benefit
of net operating loss carryforward
|
|
|
13,830,000 |
|
|
|
14,229,000 |
|
Benefit
of foreign net operating loss
Carryforward
|
|
|
2,152,000 |
|
|
|
1,829,000 |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
176,000 |
|
|
|
224,000 |
|
Alternative
minimum tax
|
|
|
361,000 |
|
|
|
370,000 |
|
Non-qualified
stock options
|
|
|
137,000 |
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
Other
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
|
16,849,000 |
|
|
|
16,991,000 |
|
Deferred
income tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalized
software development costs
|
|
|
(1,204,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,306,000 |
) |
Amortization
of deductible goodwill
|
|
|
(117,000 |
) |
|
|
(77,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(1,321,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,383,000 |
) |
Net
deferred tax asset before allowance
|
|
|
15,528,000 |
|
|
|
15,608,000 |
|
Valuation
allowance
|
|
|
(15,646,000 |
) |
|
|
(15,685,000 |
) |
Net
deferred income tax liability
|
|
$ |
(118,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(77,000 |
) |
Realization
of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on future taxable income, the
amount and timing of which is uncertain. The valuation allowance is
adjusted on a periodic basis to reflect management’s estimate of the realizable
value of the net deferred tax assets. Therefore, a valuation
allowance has been recorded for the entire net deferred tax asset with the
exception of $118,000 related to the deferred tax liability associated with
indefinite-lived intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No.
142. Because indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not
amortized for book purposes, the related deferred tax liabilities will not
reverse until some indeterminate future period when the asset becomes impaired,
are disposed of, or in the case of indefinite-lived intangible assets, begin to
reverse if they are reclassified as an amortizing intangible
asset. SFAS No. 109 requires the expected timing of future reversals
of deferred tax liabilities to be taken into account when evaluating the
realizability of deferred tax assets. Therefore, the Company believes
the reversal of deferred tax liabilities related to indefinite-lived intangible
assets and goodwill should not be considered a source of future taxable income
when assessing the realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets. And as a
result a deferred expense has been recorded.
The
Company has a tax holiday in Israel, which expires in 2014. Taxable
income for the Israeli subsidiary was $222,000 and $272,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectfully. The Israeli subsidiary has
net carryforward losses for Israeli tax purposes of approximately $0.5
million.
As of
December 31, 2008, the Company had a net operating loss carryforward for United
States federal income tax purposes of approximately $31,648,000. Included
in the aggregate net operating loss carryforward is $8,900,000 of tax deductions
related to equity transactions, the benefit of which will be credited to
stockholders’ equity, if and when realized after the other tax deductions in the
carryforwards have been realized. The net operating loss carryforwards expire in
2016 through 2028.
The
Company does not provide for federal income taxes or tax benefits on the
undistributed earnings or losses of its international subsidiaries because
earnings are reinvested and, in the opinion of management, will continue to be
reinvested indefinitely. At December 31, 2008, the Company had not
provided federal income taxes on cumulative earnings of individual international
subsidiaries of $2,972,000. Should these earnings be distributed in
the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both U.S.
income taxes and withholding taxes in various international
jurisdictions. Determination of the related amount of unrecognized
deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practicable because of the
complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation. As noted
above, the Company has significant net operating loss carryforwards for U.S.
federal income taxes purposes, which are available to offset the potential tax
liability if the earnings were to be distributed.
The
extent to which the loss carryforward can be used to offset future taxable
income and tax liabilities, respectively, may be limited, depending on the
extent of ownership changes within any three-year period.
The
effective tax rate differed from the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate as
follows:
|
|
|
Year
ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
U.S.
Federal Statutory rate
|
|
|
34.0 |
% |
|
|
34.0 |
% |
State
Tax
|
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
0.3 |
% |
Permanent
differences
|
|
|
(4.6 |
%) |
|
|
3.9 |
% |
Foreign
benefit
|
|
|
6.7 |
% |
|
|
(9.1 |
%) |
Other
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Valuation
allowance
|
|
|
(45.3 |
%) |
|
|
(27.6 |
%) |
|
|
|
(2.3 |
%) |
|
|
1.5 |
% |
9. Line
of Credit
On May
23, 2006 the Company entered into a secured revolving line of credit (Line)
agreement with a bank. This agreement was amended in June of 2008
with an expiration date of June 30, 2009. Maximum available
borrowings under the Line represent the lesser of 80% of the Borrowing Base,
which is eligible accounts receivables as defined, or $2.0
million. Amounts outstanding on the line of credit were zero on
December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Interest is payable monthly
based on the Bank’s prime rate, which was 3.25% at December 31, 2008 and 7.25%
at December 31, 2007. The Company pays a quarterly fee for the unused
portion of the line of credit. The fee is .25% for the unused portion
of the available line of credit. The Company paid $7,500 and $5,000
in unused line of credit fees in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
10. Commitments
and Contingencies
The
Company leases facilities and equipment under non cancelable operating leases.
Rent expense for facility leases for the years ended December 31, 2008and 2007
was $950,000 and $1,128,000, respectively. Equipment and vehicle
expense for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $194,000 and
$257,000, respectively.
Future
minimum lease payments under the Company’s leases as of December 31, 2008 are as
follows:
|
|
Operating Leases
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
1,160,000 |
|
2010
|
|
|
1,044,000 |
|
2011
|
|
|
578,000 |
|
2012
|
|
|
549,000 |
|
2013
|
|
|
548,000 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
184,000 |
|
Total
minimum lease payments
|
|
$ |
4,063,000 |
|
From time
to time, the Company may be involved in certain legal actions and customer
disputes arising in the ordinary course of business. In the Company’s opinion,
the outcome of such actions will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s financial position or results of operations.
11. Profit
Sharing Plan/Savings Plan
The
Company maintains a discretionary profit sharing plan, including a voluntary
Section 401(k) feature, covering all qualified and eligible employees. Company
contributions to the profit sharing plan are determined at the discretion of the
Board of Directors. The Company matches 25% of eligible employees’
contributions to the 401(k) plan up to a maximum of 1.5% of each employee’s
compensation. The Company contributed approximately $93,000 and
$87,000 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
12. Equity
Plans
Share-Based
Awards
Effective
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions
of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), or SFAS 123(R),
Share-Based Payment,
using the modified-prospective transition method, and therefore, has not
restated its financial statements for prior periods. For awards expected to
vest, compensation cost recognized in the year ended December 31, 2008
includes the following: (a) compensation cost, based on the grant-date
estimated fair value and expense attribution method of SFAS 123, related to any
share-based awards granted through, but not yet vested as of January 1,
2008, and (b) compensation cost for any share-based awards granted on or
subsequent to January 1, 2008, based on the grant-date fair value estimated
in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R).
SFAS No.
123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment
awards issued in the form of stock options on the date of the grant using an
option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is
ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite
service period. The Company estimated, at the adoption of SFAS No.
123(R), the value of an additional paid-in capital pool for tax impacts related
to employee share-based compensation awards for which compensation costs were
reflected in our pro forma disclosures required under SFAS No. 123 to be
approximately $308,000. Although not recorded in the financial
statements, this pool (a hypothetical credit in paid-in capital) can be utilized
to charge tax expense (recorded as deferred tax asset), which are ultimately not
realizable when stock options are exercised or expire. As the Company
presently has valuation allowances related to its deferred tax assets, the use
of the hypothetical pool could not occur until such valuation reserve has been
eliminated.
As of
December 31, 2008, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to
non-vested options amounted to $274,000, which is expected to be recognized over
the options’ remaining vesting periods of 1.65 years. No income tax
benefit was realized by the Company in the year ended December 31, 2008 as the
Company maintains a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax
asset.
Stock
Option Plans
The
Company has Stock Option Plans (the “Plans”) under which incentive and
non-qualified stock options may be granted to its employees, officers, directors
and others. Generally, incentive stock options are granted at fair value, become
exercisable over a four-year period, and are subject to the employee’s continued
employment. Non-qualified options are granted at exercise prices determined by
the Board of Directors and vest over varying periods. A summary of
the status of the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and
changes during the years then ended are as follows:
|
|
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
|
|
|
OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Wtd.
Avg.
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Wtd.
Avg.
Exercise
Price
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
427,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.71 |
|
|
|
118,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.59 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
202,000 |
|
|
|
5.04 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(140,000
|
) |
|
|
7.23 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(5,000
|
) |
|
|
3.10 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Expired
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
484,000 |
|
|
$ |
5.91 |
|
|
|
177,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.43 |
|
Authorized
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Granted
|
|
|
64,000 |
|
|
|
3.83 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(60,000
|
) |
|
|
5.89 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Expired
|
|
|
(19,000
|
) |
|
|
7.38 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Balance,
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
469,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.10 |
|
|
|
243,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.10 |
|
During
the second quarter of 2006, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2006
Stock Option Plan in order to fulfill the Company’s needs of attracting new
managerial and technical talent and retaining existing talent. The
2006 Plan authorizes the issuance of a maximum of 350,000 additional shares of
Common Stock of the Company. When added to the existing plans, there are143,000
shares available for granting future options as of December 31,
2008.
The
following table summarizes outstanding options that are vested and expected to
vest under the Company’s stock option plans as of December 31,
2008.
|
|
Number
of
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Price
Per Share
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Remaining Contractual
Term (in years)
|
|
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
|
|
Outstanding
Options
|
|
|
469,000 |
|
|
$ |
5.57 |
|
|
|
7.01 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending
Vested and Expected to Vest
|
|
|
366,000 |
|
|
$ |
5.71 |
|
|
|
6.58 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
Exercisable
|
|
|
243,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.10 |
|
|
|
5.54 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ending December 31, 2008 and
2007 was $0 and $15,000, respectively. The total fair value of
shares vested for the years December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $377,000 and
$314,000, respectively.
The
Company’s policy is to issue shares from the pool of authorized but unissued
shares upon the exercise of stock options.
A summary
of the status of the Company’s nonvested share options as of December 31, 2008
is presented below:
Non Vested Shares
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Wtd.
Avg.
Grant
Date
Fair Value
|
|
Nonvested
at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
307,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.01 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.83 |
|
Vested
|
|
|
(87,000 |
) |
|
$ |
5.11 |
|
Forfeited
or expired
|
|
|
(59,000 |
) |
|
$ |
3.93 |
|
Nonvested
at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
226,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, the Company classified
share-based compensation expense within the cost of services and maintenance,
development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative
expenses. The following table shows total share based
compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statement of
Operations:
|
|
Year
Ended
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
Year
Ended
December 31, 2007
|
|
Cost
of Services and Maintenance
|
|
$ |
44,000 |
|
|
$ |
71,000 |
|
Development
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
|
|
51,000 |
|
Sales
& Marketing
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
General
& Administrative
|
|
|
191,000 |
|
|
|
151,000 |
|
Pre-tax
share based compensation
|
|
|
308,000 |
|
|
|
305,000 |
|
Income
tax benefit
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Share-based
compensation expense, net
|
|
$ |
308,000 |
|
|
$ |
305,000 |
|
13. Geographic
Segment Data
The
Company and its subsidiaries are engaged in the design, development, marketing
and support of its service management software
solutions. Substantially all revenues result from the license of the
Company’s software products and related professional services and customer
support services. The Company’s chief executive officer reviews
financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by
disaggregated information about revenues by geographic region for purposes of
making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. The
Company has realigned its segments to more accurately reflect its
business. The Company has reclassified certain information reported
in 2007 to be consistent with the 2008
presentation. Accordingly, the Company considers itself to have
three reporting segments as follows:
Year
ended December 31,
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software
license fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
$ |
2,
509,000 |
|
|
$ |
6,129,000 |
|
Export
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
United States software license fees
|
|
|
2,
509,000 |
|
|
|
6,129,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
Kingdom
|
|
|
179,000 |
|
|
|
997,000 |
|
Asia/Pacific
|
|
|
585,000 |
|
|
|
963,000 |
|
Total
foreign software license fees
|
|
|
764,000 |
|
|
|
1,960,000 |
|
Total
software license fees
|
|
|
3,
273,000 |
|
|
|
8,089,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services
and maintenance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic
|
|
|
14,744,000 |
|
|
|
14,287,000 |
|
Export
|
|
|
284,000 |
|
|
|
197,000 |
|
Total
United States service and maintenance revenue
|
|
|
15,028,000 |
|
|
|
14,484,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe
|
|
|
3,147,000 |
|
|
|
6,146,000 |
|
Asia/Pacific
|
|
|
2,403,000 |
|
|
|
1,651,000 |
|
Total
foreign service and maintenance revenue
|
|
|
5,550,000 |
|
|
|
7,797,000 |
|
Total
service and maintenance revenue
|
|
|
20,578,000 |
|
|
|
22,281,000 |
|
Total
revenue
|
|
$ |
23,851,000 |
|
|
$ |
30,370,000 |
|
Net
(loss) income from operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
(2,880,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(206,000 |
) |
Europe
|
|
|
(1,217,000
|
) |
|
|
2,119,000 |
|
Asia/Pacific
|
|
|
962,000 |
|
|
|
852,000 |
|
Net
(loss) income
|
|
$ |
(3,135,000 |
) |
|
$ |
2,765,000 |
|
Long
lived assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
5,
807,000 |
|
|
$ |
6,646,000 |
|
Europe
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
Asia/Pacific
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
Total
long-lived assets
|
|
$ |
5,
850,000 |
|
|
$ |
6,699,000 |
|
14. Selected
Consolidated Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
2008
Quarter Ended
|
|
Dec
31,
|
|
|
Sep
30,
|
|
|
Jun
30,
|
|
|
Mar
31,
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
5,912,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,442,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,471,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,026,000 |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
2,
810,000 |
|
|
|
1,636,000 |
|
|
|
1,497,000 |
|
|
|
2,956,000 |
|
Net
(loss) income
|
|
|
401,000 |
|
|
|
(976,000
|
) |
|
|
(2,135,000
|
) |
|
|
(425,000
|
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
net (loss) income per share
|
|
$ |
.09 |
|
|
$ |
(.27
|
) |
|
$ |
(.60
|
) |
|
$ |
(.12
|
) |
Diluted
net (loss) income per share
|
|
$ |
.09 |
|
|
$ |
(.27
|
) |
|
$ |
(.60
|
) |
|
$ |
(.12
|
) |
Shares
used in computing basic
net
(loss) income per share
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
Shares
used in computing diluted
net
(loss) income per share (in
thousands)
|
|
|
4,381 |
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
Quarter Ended
|
|
Dec
31,
|
|
|
Sep
30,
|
|
|
Jun
30,
|
|
|
Mar
31,
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
6,822,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,153,000 |
|
|
$ |
6,877,000 |
|
|
$ |
9,518,000 |
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
3,011,000 |
|
|
|
3,152,000 |
|
|
|
3,248,000 |
|
|
|
6,410,000 |
|
Net
(loss)
|
|
|
(80,000
|
) |
|
|
192,000 |
|
|
|
(299,000
|
) |
|
|
2,952,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
net (loss) per share
|
|
$ |
(.02
|
) |
|
$ |
.05 |
|
|
$ |
(.08
|
) |
|
$ |
.83 |
|
Diluted
net (loss) per
share
|
|
$ |
(.02
|
) |
|
$ |
.05 |
|
|
$ |
(.08
|
) |
|
$ |
.83 |
|
Shares
used in computing basic
net
(loss) per share (in
thousands)
|
|
|
3,552 |
|
|
|
3,549 |
|
|
|
3,549 |
|
|
|
3,549 |
|
Shares
used in computing diluted
net
(loss) per share (in
thousands)
|
|
|
3,552 |
|
|
|
3,551 |
|
|
|
3,549 |
|
|
|
3,576 |
|
15. Subsequent
Events
On
January 26, 2009 the Company formed Astea International Japan Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary. The purpose of the subsidiary is to establish a
local presence in Japan to improve service to our existing customer base and
pursue new business opportunities.
On June
7, 2007, BDO Seidman, LLP (“BDO”) notified Astea International Inc. that it had
resigned as the Company’s independent auditor effective
immediately.
BDO’s
report on the financial statement for the years ended December 31, 2006 and
2005, contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles.
The Audit
Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors was informed of, but did not
recommend or approve, BDO’s resignation. There were no disagreements between the
Company and BDO on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or audit scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not
resolved to BDO’s satisfaction, would have caused BDO to make reference to the
subject matter of the disagreement in connection with their report.
On June
9, 2007, the Company’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors appointed Grant
Thornton LLP as their new independent registered public accounting
firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2007.
Controls
and Procedures
As of the
end of the period covered by this report, the Company conducted an evaluation,
under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive
officer, who is also the principal financial officer, of the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures ( as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based
on this evaluation, the principal financial officer concluded that as of
December 31, 2008, due to a material weakness in revenue recognition and
accounting for stock based compensation, discussed below in Management’s Annual
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, our disclosure controls and
procedures were not effective. Additional review, evaluation and
oversight were undertaken on the part of management in order to ensure our
consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and, as a result, management has concluded that
the consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly
presents, in all material respects, our financial position, results of
operations and cash flows for the periods presented.
Management’s
Annual Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the
participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief
financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness and design and operation of
our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal
Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
In
connection with management’s assessment of our internal control over financial
reporting described above, management has identified that as of December 31,
2008, our disclosure controls and were not effective controls over the
accounting for revenue recognition. Specifically, our disclosure
controls and procedures did not adequately provide for effective control over
the review and monitoring of revenue recognition for certain license sale
contracts that included undelivered elements. As a result of this
deficiency, the Company had to restate its Form 10-K for the years ending
December 31, 2006 and 2005. In addition, the Company restated its
quarterly consolidated financial statements for the quarters ended March 31,
2006, June 30, 2006, September 30, 2006, December 31, 2006, March 31, 2007, June
30, 2007 and September 30, 2007.
Because
of the material weaknesses identified, management has concluded that our
internal control over financial reporting and procedures were not effective
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on
criteria in the COSO framework.
This
annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered
public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial
reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the
Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only
management’s report in this annual report.
In connection with
the completion of its audit of and the issuance
of an unqualified report on the Company's consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Company's
independent registered public accounting firm,
Grant Thornton LLP("Grant Thornton"), communicated
to the Company's Audit Committee that the following matter involving the
Company's internal controls and operations was considered to be a material
weakness, as defined under standards established by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board.
The
Company does not maintain sufficiently detailed documentation regarding how
modifications to its standard software license terms (and the related accounting
impact, if any) comply with provisions in US GAAP, namely SOP 97-2 Software Revenue Recognition
and SOP 98-9 Modification of SOP 97-2 Software
Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain Transactions and related practice
aids issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA).
A
material weakness is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant
deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material
misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected by
the entity’s internal control.
The
Company intends to immediately expand its internal contract documentation
procedures in order to fully comply with all provisions of US GAAP, in order to
completely correct the material weakness identified.
There
were no changes that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008
that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect,
our internal controls over financial reporting.
None
PART
III
Item
10. Directors
and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
Certain
information required by Part III is omitted from this Report in that the Company
will file a definitive proxy statement with 120 days after the end of this
fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) for its 2009
Annual Meeting of Stockholders proposed to be held on June 24, 2009, and the
information therein is incorporated herein reference.
The
information set forth under the captions “Executive Officers” of the Proxy
Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
2.
|
The
Board of Directors and its
Committees
|
3.
|
Communicating
with the Board of Directors
|
4.
|
Code
of Conduct and Ethics
|
5.
|
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management
|
6.
|
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
|
7.
|
Compensation
and Other Information Concerning Directors and
Officers
|
8.
|
Report
of the Audit Committee
|
9.
|
Ratification
and Selection of Auditors
|
10.
|
Certain
Relationships and Related
Transactions
|
11.
|
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
|
12.
|
Stockholder
Proposals
|
13.
|
Expenses
and Soliatation
|
14.
|
House
holding of Proxy Materials
|
Executive
Severance Agreements
On March
21, 2008, as authorized by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
at its meeting on April 15, 2008, the Company entered into supplemental
agreements with its three principal executive officers, to provide severance
benefits in the event of: a) the termination of their employment
without Cause; b) their resignation for Good Reason; or c) either of the above
in the twelve month period following a Change of Control of the
Company. The Executive Severance Agreements (the “Agreements”) were
made with Zack Bergreen, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, John Tobin,
the President, and Rick Etskovitz, the Chief Financial
Officer. “Cause”, “Good Reason” and “Change in Control” are as
defined in the Agreements.
In the
event of a termination without Cause or a resignation for Good Reason, in either
case unrelated to a Change in Control, the Agreements provide that the executive
will be entitled to receive severance compensation an amount equal to
six months’ base pay at the then current base pay, plus reimbursement of the
cost of “COBRA” continuation coverage for six months. Such payment
would be paid out via normal payroll over the six month period.
In the
event that that the executive’s employment is terminated within one year of the
effective date of a Change in Control of the Company, due to a termination
without Cause or a resignation for Good Reason, then the executive will be
entitled to receive severance compensation in an amount equal to twelve months’
base pay at the then current rate of pay, plus reimbursement of the cost of
“COBRA” continuation coverage for twelve months. Such payment would
be made in a single lump sum following execution of the appropriate
release.
In either
event, the executive would be required to execute a release of claims prior to
the benefits being paid.
The
Agreements also provided for compliance with the requirements of Internal
Revenue Code Section 409A, including the delayed payments of benefits if
determined to be applicable pursuant to Section 409A.
The above
description of the Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Form of Severance Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.30 to this Form
10-K.
The
information in the Proxy Statement set forth under the captions “Executive
Compensation Summary”, “Report on Executive Compensation”, “Report of
Compensation Committee” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation” of the 2009 Proxy Statement, is incorporated herein by
reference.
The
information set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein
by reference.
See
“Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” under Part
II, Item 5.
The
information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Proxy
Statement under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions” and “Board of Directors and its
Committees.”
The
information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the Proxy
Statement under the heading “Principal Accountant Fees and
Service.”
PART
IV
|
|
|
(a)(1)(A)
|
|
Consolidated Financial
Statements. |
|
|
|
|
i) |
Consolidated
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007 |
|
ii)
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31,
2008 and
2007
|
|
iii)
|
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31,
2008and 2007
|
|
iv) |
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and
2007
|
|
v) |
Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
|
|
(a)(1)(B)
|
|
Report of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
|
|
|
(a)(2)
|
|
Schedules. |
|
|
|
|
a) |
Schedule
II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
Schedule
listed above has been omitted because the information required to be set
forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the accompanying Financial
Statements or notes thereto. |
|
|
|
(a)(3)
|
|
List of
Exhibits. |
The
following exhibits are filed as part of and incorporated by reference into this
Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Exhibit
No. |
Description |
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
|
|
3.2
|
By-Laws
of the Company (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 33-92778)).
|
|
3.3
|
Certificate
of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (Incorporated by
reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 26,
2008).
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen
certificate representing the Common Stock (Incorporated herein
by Reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
|
|
10.7
|
Amendment
No. 1 to 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1997).
|
|
10.8
|
1995
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Enrollment/Authorization Form (Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form S-8, filed on September 19, 1995 (File No.
33-97064)).
|
|
10.9
|
Amended and Restated 1995
Non-Employee Director Stock Option
Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997).
|
|
10.10
|
Form
of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1995
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
S-8, filed on September 19, 1995 (File No. 33-97064)).
|
|
10.11
|
1997
Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996).
|
|
10.12
|
Form
of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1997 Stock Option
Plan. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996).
|
|
10.13
|
Form
of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1997 Stock Option
Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996).
|
|
10.14
|
1998
Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December31,
1997).
|
|
10.15
|
Form
of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1998 Stock Option
Plan. (Incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1997).
|
|
10.16
|
Form
of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1998 Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997).
|
|
10.28
|
2001
Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No.
333-107757)).
|
|
10.30
|
Form of Severance Agreement,
dated April 14, 2008, between Astea International Inc. and certain
of its officers 10.31 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement by and
between Astea International Inc. and Zack Bergreen, dated September 24,
2008 (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed September 26, 2008).
|
|
|
|
|
Each
Severance Agreement executed with the executive officers listed below is
substantially the same as the form of each other:
Officers
|
Title
|
Zack
Bergreen
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
Fredric
Etskovitz
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
John
Tobin
|
President
|
24.1* Powers
of Attorney (See the Signature Page).
* Filed
herewith.
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized this 31st day of March
2009.
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ASTEA
INTERNATIONAL INC.
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By:
/s/Zack
Bergreen
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Zack
Bergreen
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Chief
Executive
Officer
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POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL
MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Zack Bergreen and Rick Etskovitz, jointly and
severally, his attorney-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in
any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K and
to file same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that each of said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/Zack Bergreen
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Chief
Executive Officer
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March
31, 2009
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Zack
Bergreen
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(Principal
Executive Officer)
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/s/Rick Etskovitz
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Chief
Financial Officer
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March
31, 2009
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Rick
Etskovitz
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(Principal
Financial and Accounting
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Officer)
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/s/Eileen Smith
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Controller
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March
31, 2009
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Eileen
Smith
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/s/Thomas
J. Reilly, Jr.
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Director
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March
31, 2009
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Thomas
J. Reilly, Jr.
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/s/Zack Bergreen
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Director
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March
31, 2009
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Zack
Bergreen
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/s/Adrian Peters
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Director
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March
31, 2009
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Adrian
Peters
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/s/Eric Siegel
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Director
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March
31, 2009
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Eric
Siegel
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