Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2008.

 

¨   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 000-10843

 

 

 

CSP Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

Massachusetts   04-2441294
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

43 Manning Road Billerica, Massachusetts 01821-3901 (978) 663-7598

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Exchange of Which Registered

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per share   NASDAQ Global Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 of 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 check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

As of March 31, 2008, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $17,664,246 based on the closing sale price of $6.03 as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market.

 

As of December 12, 2008, we had outstanding 3,749,258 shares of common stock.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Certain portions of the information required in Part III of this annual report are incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I.

   3
Item 1.    Business    3
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    10
Item 2.    Properties    15
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings    15
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    15

PART II.

   16
Item 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    16
Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    17
Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    31
Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    32
Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures    32
Item 9B.    Other Information    33

PART III.

   34
Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance    34
Item 11.    Executive Compensation    34
Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    34
Item 13.    Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence    35
Item 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services    35

PART IV.

   36
Item 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    36

 

Note: Items 1B, 6 and 7A are not required for smaller reporting companies and therefore not furnished.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

CSP Inc. (“CSPI”) was incorporated in 1968 and is based in Billerica, Massachusetts, just off Route 128 in the Boston computer corridor. To meet the diverse requirements of our industrial, commercial, and defense customers worldwide, CSPI and its subsidiaries develop and market IT integration solutions and high-performance cluster computer systems.

 

Segments

 

CSPI operates in two segments, the Systems segment and the Service and System Integration segment.

 

   

The Systems segment consists primarily of CSPI’s MultiComputer Division (the “MultiComputer Division”) which designs and manufactures specialty, high-performance computer signal processing systems for the aerospace & defense markets. The MultiComputer Division’s products are known as multicomputers or cluster computers, which use multiple microprocessors linked together in a specialized network to achieve very high performance processing capabilities. Our MultiComputer systems utilize “blades” (self-contained, high-density computer boards) to achieve a high level of compute processing per-cubic-foot-per-watt. The blades and other components that make up the system are housed in a ruggedized chassis, designed to withstand physically demanding environments such as those found on board a ship or airplane. In addition, CSPI’s MultiComputer products are designed to operate in environments that have low power, cooling and space requirements. These systems are used on land, and in airborne and shipboard platforms for high-speed digital signal processing (“DSP”) in radar, sonar, and surveillance applications. The MultiComputer Division sells all its products through its own direct sales force in the United States and via distributors and authorized resellers in the Asia-Pacific region, India, and Europe.

 

   

The Service and System Integration Segment includes the computer maintenance and integration services and third-party computer hardware and software value added reseller (“VAR”) businesses of our Modcomp subsidiary (“Modcomp”). Modcomp is a wholly owned subsidiary of CSPI which operates in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom (the “UK”). Modcomp markets and sells its products through its own direct sales force. Modcomp provides solutions and services for complex IT environments including data storage products, servers, unified communications solutions, IT security solutions and information life cycle management consulting. Modcomp also provides managed IT services through its state of the art network operations center.

 

Financial Information about Industry Segments

 

The following table details our sales by operating segment for fiscal years ending September 30, 2008 and 2007. Additional segment and geographical information is set forth in note 15 to our financial statements.

 

Segment

   2008    %     2007    %  
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Systems

   $ 4,957    6 %   $ 22,133    24 %

Service and System Integration

     71,825    94 %     71,905    76 %
                          

Total Sales

   $ 76,782    100 %   $ 94,038    100 %
                          

 

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Systems Segment

 

Products and Services

 

The Systems segment’s multicomputer systems utilize commodity hardware components that are compliant with industry standards and open source software, and deliver a high-performance, high density, and low power consuming computer solution to our customers. These systems incorporate tens to hundreds of processors, all interconnected by a very high-bandwidth network. They are specifically designed for analysis of complex signals and images in real-time or in modeling and simulations. Typical computationally intense applications requiring these products include radar, sonar, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) within the defense market segment.

 

We utilize the most recent, currently available high performance processor technology, large memory subsystems, and high-bandwidth networking components in the open hardware architecture of our multicomputer systems. These systems are scalable and easy to upgrade, allowing for continuous insertion of the latest technologies. To meet the demands of mission-critical applications, our MultiComputer systems incorporate high-availability features to facilitate continuous operation of the system. These features include instant booting from a cold start, error-correcting memory, hot-swappable hardware, extended environmental specifications, and built-in self-test. These systems ship in a variety of configurations ranging from small lab systems with as few as ten processors to multiple-chassis systems with over 400 processors.

 

Hardware Products

 

Our MultiComputer Division cluster computer systems are currently marketed under the brand name FastCluster. Introduced in 1997, the first generation of FastCluster products were referred to as the FastCluster 2000 SERIES. Based upon industry standards, the 2000 SERIES systems included a VME 6U form factor (the form factor best suited for use in rugged applications), the Motorola™ G4 PowerPC RISC processors with AltiVec™ technology, high-speed memory and Myrinet-2000™ cluster interconnect. The 2000 SERIES product line is ideally suited for use by customers in the aerospace and defense markets seeking Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (“COTS”) solutions to reduce costs and ensure widespread availability. To remain competitive, our COTS solutions incorporated the latest industry standard technologies and minimized the risks associated with proprietary solutions.

 

In fiscal year 2004, we introduced the StarGate I/O blade, a 2000 SERIES board-level component designed specifically for high-speed data acquisition. The StarGate bolstered our product offerings in software-defined radio, radar, sonar and surveillance DSP by providing the rapid execution times that are necessary for the complex signal processing demands of these applications. The StarGate I/O blade was the first 2000 SERIES product to benefit from the increased performance provided by the 1GHz Motorola 7457 PowerPC microprocessors and related technologies.

 

Also in 2004, the FastCluster product line was enhanced with the addition of rugged system capabilities for blades and enclosures with the introduction of the FastCluster 220R to our 2000 SERIES product line. The FastCluster 220R introduced a new rugged chassis, specifically designed to meet MIL-STD specifications for mission-critical, airborne defense programs. The advanced packaging maintained scalability to hundreds of processors and leveraged the latest Myrinet-2000 fiber clustering technology for multi-chassis configurations. This packaging offered better fault detection, hot-swap capability, plug-in power supply and blower assembly components for improved serviceability, and addressed MIL-STD requirements for shock, vibration, and EMC/EMI.

 

Building upon the momentum of the 2000 SERIES, we announced the next generation FastCluster product line, the 3000 SERIES, in fiscal 2006. The first prototype of a 3000 SERIES component was shipped to a customer for evaluation purposes in September 2007. This prototype was successfully evaluated by the customer

 

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during fiscal 2008, and we anticipate future orders for 3000 Series systems. The 3000 SERIES product line is being designed to deliver performance that is superior to our predecessor products in bi-section bandwidth and processing density while preserving absolute code reuse at the application layer. The 3000 SERIES product line is targeting high performance DSP, signal intelligence (SIGINT), radar, and sonar applications in airborne, shipboard and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms where space, power and cooling are at a premium. With its built-in 10-Gigabit Ethernet technology, the 3000 SERIES supports the U.S. Government Department of Defense (“DOD”) vision of “systems of systems” in which embedded systems are not designed, deployed, and used in isolation but rather in a cooperative way.

 

All of the products of the MultiComputer Division offer the user a choice in selecting the system software best suited to their application requirements. For customers wanting a lower cost solution, our cluster computer systems are available with the open-source Linux operating system and toolkit. Customer applications requiring real-time response have the option of purchasing systems with the industry standard VxWorks real-time operating system and Tornado II development tools suite.

 

All MultiComputer cluster computer systems use the best of open systems software technologies, such as message passing interface (“MPI”) software for interprocessor communications and the highly optimized industry standard math libraries: Industry Standard Signal Processing Library and Vector Signal and Image Processing Library. These libraries facilitate the development of truly portable code for seamless reuse across applications, while taking advantage of optimized performance on the PowerPC with AltiVec.

 

Markets, Marketing and Dependence on Certain Customers

 

Aerospace & Defense Market

 

We market our MultiComputer systems to the aerospace and defense markets with emphasis on applications requiring the analysis of complex signals such as sonar and radar. We distribute our products in these markets as an original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) supplier to system integrators, distributors, and value-added resellers. In these markets, the supplier/customer relationship is viewed as a long-term strategic partnership.

 

MultiComputer systems are sold primarily to prime contractors (serving as systems integrators) within the defense industry and are used in sonar, radar, C4ISR systems, simulators, and signal and image analysis computers. Customers in this market segment have unique requirements. A prime contractor will typically incorporate our products into their own future product developments and, therefore, will need early access to low-level, detailed technical specifications, prototype units, form, fit and function compatibility with previous products, long term product availability and support. As a supplier in this market, we recognize that there may be a significant up-front investment of time and resources in building a business partnership. However, the result of this partnership is a strong potential for long-term revenue streams as products progress from development phases into deployment.

 

Our cluster computing technologies that support “network centric warfare” and information exchange in real-time are becoming increasingly significant to twenty-first century military operations. There has been steady growth of new programs requiring signal/image processing and analysis equipment as well as upgrades to existing military programs. However, the efficiency inherent in these technologies reduces the number of systems required to achieve the same results. Both new and upgraded programs require a substantial investment in development and evaluation before products deploy into field use. The time from development to deployment varies based on the program; however, it very often extends beyond twenty-four months. Looking forward to fiscal 2009 and beyond, our focus is to build interest in our 3000 SERIES multicomputers among our customers.

 

Significant Customers

 

The Systems segment is reliant upon a small number of customers, the loss of any one of which could have a material adverse effect on the segment. See Note 15 for detailed information regarding customers which comprised 10% or more of consolidated revenues for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

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Competition

 

The Systems segment’s markets are very competitive. Customer requirements coupled with advancements in technology drive our efforts to continuously improve existing products and develop new ones. Starting with Intel i860 microprocessors used in the SuperCards of the 1980’s to the Motorola PowerPC’s with AltiVec processors incorporated in the early FastCluster 2000 SERIES and later the addition of Linux open source software, we have responded with product offerings that are vital to remaining competitive. Product development efforts in fiscal year 2008 involved completing and launching the new 3000 SERIES product line, with a focus on continuing to provide our defense customers with increased processing capabilities based on the latest industry standard technologies: VXS (VITA 41), multi-core processors, FPGA’s, and Myricom’s Myri-10G high speed interconnect with 10 Gigabit Ethernet support.

 

Applications expertise, product innovation, strong technical support, and dedicated customer service allow us to compete favorably as a provider of high-performance cluster computer systems.

 

Aerospace & Defense Market

 

Our direct competitors in the aerospace and defense market are Mercury Computer Inc., Curtis Wright and G. E. Fanuc. Our indirect competitors are the board manufacturers that specialize in the DSP segment of this market. In the past, manufacturers such as Motorola, Force, HP, IBM, and Dell participated in the low performance segment of the general-purpose computer and single board computer market. Today, those companies manufacture general-purpose computer systems incorporating multi-core processors and have the potential to become noteworthy competitors in compute intensive applications, such as radar and sonar. While our products are designed to offer the best overall value in combined performance, features, and price, we may not overcome the capabilities of larger companies to address the needs of the cost sensitive customer, where price, as opposed to system performance, size, and specialized packaging, is the primary factor in the buying decision.

 

New companies enter the field periodically, and larger companies with greater technical resources and marketing organizations could decide to compete in the future. The future growth of this market depends upon continued growth in strategic partnerships and providing high density and scalability in a compact, low power, and cost effective package that can be easily integrated into OEM designs for high performance computation. Since the majority of sales are to prime contractors, the principal barrier to gaining market share is the reluctance of established users to redesign their product once it is in production. A key area of opportunity exists in design wins on new programs.

 

Manufacturing, Assembly and Testing

 

All MultiComputer systems are shipped to our customers directly from our plant in Billerica, Massachusetts. Our manufacturing activities consist mainly of final assembly and testing of printed circuit boards and systems that are designed by us and fabricated by outside vendors. We offer products in a variety of standard formats and primarily build products based on customer orders. A varying percentage of sales reflect products customized to a particular customer’s specification, and even these products are easily reconfigurable should the customer cancel the order for any reason.

 

Upon receipt of material by us from outside suppliers, our QC/QA technicians inspect products and components. During manufacture and assembly, both subassemblies and completed systems are subjected to extensive testing, including burn-in and environmental stress screening designed to minimize equipment failure at delivery and over its useful service life. We also use diagnostic programs to detect and isolate potential component failures. A comprehensive log is maintained of all past failures to monitor quality procedures and improve design standards.

 

We provide a warranty covering defects arising from products sold and service performed, which varies from 90 days to one year, depending upon the particular unit.

 

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Customer Support

 

Our MultiComputer Division supports our customers with telephone assistance, on-site service, system installation, training, and education. We provide product support service during the warranty period. Customers may purchase extended software and hardware maintenance and on-site service contracts for support beyond the warranty period.

 

We offer training courses at our corporate headquarters or the customer site. Field and customer service support is provided by employees located at our headquarters in Billerica, Massachusetts for Systems segment customers.

 

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

 

Several components used in our Systems products are obtained from sole-source suppliers. We are dependent on key vendors like Myricom, Inc. for our high-speed interconnect components, Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. for our PowerPC processors and Wind River Systems, Inc. for VxWorks operating system software. Despite our dependence on these sole-source suppliers, we do not consider the risk of interruption of supply to be significant to meet our projected revenue requirements for the near term. Also, all components used to build our new 3000 SERIES systems are currently available in a timely manner.

 

Research and Development

 

For the year ended September 30, 2008, our expenses for research and development were approximately $2.2 million compared to approximately $2.6 million for fiscal year 2007. Expenditures for research and development are expensed as they are incurred. Our Systems segment expects to continue to have substantial expenditures related to the development of new hardware products and the software that enables the hardware to function. Our Systems products and development currently in process are intended to extend the usefulness and marketability of existing products and introduce new products into existing market segments, including the 3000 SERIES product line.

 

We do not have any patents that are material to our business.

 

Backlog

 

The backlog of customer orders and contracts in the Systems segment was approximately $687 thousand at September 30, 2008 as compared to $771 thousand as of September 30, 2007. Our backlog can fluctuate greatly. These fluctuations can be due to the timing of receiving large orders representing prime contractor purchases. It is expected that all of the customer orders in backlog will ship within the next twelve months.

 

Service and System Integration Segment

 

Recent Acquisition

 

On September 25, 2008 the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of R2 Technology Services, Inc. (“R2”), through its Modcomp subsidiary, as part of our Service and System Integration business segment. R2 is an IT solutions and managed service provider that specializes in unified communications and IT security solutions. The Company acquired R2 to expand our 3rd party product and IT services offerings and for potential synergies which we may realize by cross selling our legacy and newly acquired product and service capabilities among the newly combined customer base. The company paid total consideration of approximately $2.4 million to acquire substantially all of the assets of R2, of which $2 million was paid in cash at closing, $317 thousand was paid subsequently for net working capital items acquired, $36 thousand was incurred for transaction costs directly related to the acquisition, and approximately $90 thousand was incurred for the assumption of certain other liabilities. The Company funded the acquisition by borrowing $1.5 million under its revolving credit note and used approximately $900 thousand in cash. The amount borrowed under its revolving credit note was repaid in October of 2008.

 

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Products and Services

 

Integration Solutions

 

Over the past several years, the business of our Service and System Integration segment has evolved away from selling our proprietary process control and data acquisition (“PCDA”) computer systems, into becoming a systems integrator and VAR of integrated solutions including third-party hardware, software and technical computer-related services and managed services via a state of the art network operations center (“NOC”). Our value proposition is our ability to integrate diverse third-party components together into a complete solution and install the system at the customer site.

 

Third-Party Hardware and Software

 

Modcomp sells third-party hardware and software products in the Information technology market, with a strategic focus on high-end UNIX servers, industry standard servers, midrange data storage infrastructure products, unified communications and IT security hardware and software solutions, as well as computer networking equipment. Our key offerings include products from IBM, HP, Sun Microsystems, Juniper Networks, Hitachi, Citrix, APC, EMC, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Checkpoint and Computer Associates. Through our supplier relationships with these vendors, we are able to offer competitively priced best-of-breed products to meet our customers’ diverse systems and technology needs, providing procurement and engineering expertise in server infrastructure, storage, security, unified communications and networking, to the small-to-medium sized businesses (“SMBs”), and large enterprise businesses (“LEBs”) with complex IT environments. We offer our customers a single point of contact for complex multi-vendor technology purchases. Many of our SMB customers have unique technology needs, and may lack technical purchasing expertise or have very limited IT engineering resources on staff. We also provide installation, integration, logistical assistance and other value-added services that customers may require. Our current customers are in education, telecommunications, health services, distribution, financial services, professional services, manufacturing and entertainment industries. We target SMB and LEB customers across all industries.

 

Professional Services

 

We provide professional IT consulting services in the following areas:

 

   

Maintenance and technical support both for third-party products and proprietary Modcomp legacy PCDA hardware—hardware and software, operating system and user support

 

   

Implementation, integration, configuration and installation services

 

   

Enterprise security intrusion prevention, network access control and unified threat management—Using third-party products from companies like Checkpoint, Juniper Networks, Cisco Systems and NetScreen, our services are designed to ensure data security and integrity through the establishment of virtual private networks, firewalls and other technologies

 

   

IT security compliance services—We provide services for IT security compliance with personal privacy laws such as HIPPA and corporate governance laws such as Sarbanes-Oxley

 

   

Unified communications, wireless and routing and switching solutions using Cisco Systems’ products and services

 

   

Custom software applications and solutions development and support—We develop custom applications to customer specifications using industry standard platforms such as Microsoft .Net, Sharepoint, and Prince2 project management. We are a Microsoft Gold Partner.

 

   

NOC managed IT provides services that include monitoring, reporting and management of alerts for the resolution and preventive general IT and IT security support tasks.

 

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Markets, Marketing and Dependence on Certain Customers

 

We market the products we sell and services we provide through various sales offices in the US, Germany, and the UK through our direct sales force (for a detailed list of our locations, see Item 2 of this Form 10-K). We are an IT systems integrator and computer hardware and software VAR. We provide technical services to achieve a value-add to our customers. We operate within the VAR sales channels of major computer hardware and software OEMs, primarily within the geographic areas of our sales offices, and across the US. We provide innovative IT solutions, including a myriad of infrastructure products with customized integration consulting services and managed services to meet the unique requirements of our customers.

 

Significant customers

 

The Service and System Integration segment sells to literally hundreds of customers across the US and in Europe (primarily the UK and Germany). See Note 15 for detailed information regarding customers which comprised 10% or more of consolidated revenues for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

Competition

 

The primary competition in the Service and System Integration segment are other VARs, ranging from small companies that number in the thousands, to large enterprises such as CDW, PC Connection, Insight, MoreDirect, and MicroWarehouse. In addition, we compete directly with many of the companies who manufacture the third-party products that we sell including IBM, HP EMC, Hitachi and others. In the network management, security and storage systems integration services business, our competitors are extensive and vary to a certain degree in each of the geographical markets, but they include such competitors as EDS, IBM and Cap Gemini.

 

Nearly all of our product offerings are available through other channels. Favorable competitive factors for the Service and System Integration segment include procurement capability, product diversity allowing for delivery of complete and custom solutions to our customers, strength of key partner relationships with the major IT OEMs, ability to supply unique and/or specialized needs of the SMB and LEB markets, strong knowledge of the IT products that we sell, ability to provide managed services through our NOC, and the consulting integration services required to design and install the custom solutions that fit our customers’ IT needs. Unfavorable competitive factors include low name recognition, limited geographic coverage and pricing.

 

Backlog

 

The backlog of customer orders and contracts for the Service and System Integration segment was approximately $4.6 million at September 30, 2008, as compared to $4.5 million at September 30, 2007. Our backlog can fluctuate greatly. These fluctuations can be due to the timing of receiving large orders for third- party products and/or IT services. It is expected that all of the customer orders in backlog will ship within the next twelve months.

 

Employees

 

On September 30, 2008, we had 157 employees worldwide for our consolidated operations. None of our employees are represented by a labor union and we had no work stoppages. We consider relations with our employees to be good.

 

Financial Information about Geographic Areas

 

Information regarding our sales by geographic area and percentage of sales based on the location to which the products are shipped or services are rendered are in Note 15 of our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Factors that may Affect Future Performance

 

This document contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made. As it is not possible to predict every new factor that may emerge, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual future financial condition or results. In response to competitive pressures or new product introductions, we may take certain pricing or marketing actions that could adversely affect our operating results. In addition, changes in the products and services mix may cause fluctuations in our gross margin. Due to the potential quarterly fluctuations in operating results, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily an indicator of future performance.

 

Markets for our products and services are characterized by rapidly changing technology, new product introductions and short product life cycles. These changes can adversely affect our business and operating results. Our success will depend upon our ability to enhance our existing products and services and to develop and introduce, on a timely and cost effective basis, new products that keep pace with technological developments and address increasing customer requirements. The inability to meet these demands could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

We Depend on a Small Number of Customers for a Significant Portion of our Revenue and Loss of any Customer Could Significantly Affect the Business

 

We are dependent on a small number of customers for a large portion of our revenues. The Systems segment is reliant upon a small number of significant customers, the loss of any one of which could have a material adverse effect on the segment. In the Service and System Integration segment, sales to Atos Origin accounted for approximately 13% and 15% of total consolidated revenues for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. A significant diminution in the sales to or loss of any of our major customers would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our revenues are largely dependent upon the ability of our customers to have continued growth or need for services or to develop and sell products that incorporate our products. No assurance can be given that our customers will not experience financial or other difficulties that could adversely affect their operations and, in turn, our results of operations.

 

We Depend on Defense Business for a Significant Amount of our Revenue and the Loss or Decline of Existing or Future Defense Business Could Adversely Affect our Financial Results

 

Sales of our systems to the defense market accounted for approximately 6% and 23% of our consolidated revenues and 98% and 99% of the Systems segment sales for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Reductions in government spending on programs that incorporate our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, our subcontracts are subject to special risks, such as:

 

   

delays in funding;

 

   

ability of the government agency to unilaterally terminate the prime contract;

 

   

reduction or modification in the event of changes in government policies or as the result of budgetary constraints or political changes;

 

   

increased or unexpected costs under fixed price contracts; and

 

   

other factors that are not under our control.

 

In addition, consolidation among defense industry contractors has resulted in fewer contractors with increased bargaining power relative to our bargaining power. No assurance can be given that such increased bargaining power will not adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in the future.

 

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Changes in government administration, as well as changes in the geo-political environment such as the current “War on Terrorism,” can have significant impact on defense spending priorities and the efficient handling of routine contractual matters. Such changes could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations in the future.

 

We Face Competition That Could Adversely Affect our Sales and Profitability

 

The markets for our products are highly competitive and are characterized by rapidly changing technology, frequent product performance improvements and evolving industry standards. Due to the rapidly changing nature of technology, new competitors may emerge of which we have no current awareness. Competitors may be able to offer more attractive pricing or develop products that could offer performance features that are superior to our products, resulting in reduced demand for our products. Such competitors could have a negative impact on our ability to win future business opportunities. There can be no assurance that a new competitor will not attempt to penetrate the various markets for our products and services. Their entry into markets historically targeted by us may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Slowdown in the Economy Can Affect our Revenue and Profitability

 

The uncertainty regarding the growth rate of the worldwide economies has caused companies to reduce capital investment and this may cause further reduction of demand for our products and services. These reductions have been particularly severe in the electronics and technology industries.

 

Our Operating Results May Fluctuate Significantly

 

Our operating results have fluctuated widely on a quarterly and annual basis during the last several years, and we expect to experience significant fluctuations in future operating results. Many factors, some of which are beyond our control, have contributed to these fluctuations in the past and may continue to do so. Such factors include:

 

   

sales in relatively large dollar amounts to a relatively small number of customers;

 

   

competitive pricing programs and volume discounts;

 

   

loss of customers;

 

   

market acceptance of our products;

 

   

product obsolescence;

 

   

general economic conditions;

 

   

change in the mix of products sold;

 

   

obtaining or failure to obtain design wins for significant customer systems;

 

   

timing of significant orders;

 

   

delays in completion of internal product development projects;

 

   

delays in shipping our products;

 

   

delays in acceptance testing by customers;

 

   

production delays due to quality programs with outsourced components;

 

   

shortages of components;

 

   

timing of product line transitions;

 

   

declines of revenues from previous generations of products following announcement of replacement products containing more advance technology; and

 

   

fixed nature of our expenditures on personnel, facilities and marketing programs.

 

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We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations will not necessarily be meaningful and should not be relied upon as indicative of our future performance. It is also possible that in some periods, our operating results may be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. In such circumstances, the price of our common stock may decline.

 

We Rely on Single Sources for Supply of Certain Components and our Business may be Seriously Harmed if our Supply of any of These Components or Other Components is Disrupted

 

Several components used in our Systems products are currently obtained from sole-source suppliers. We are dependent on key vendors like Myricom, Inc. as well as Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (“Freescale”) for many of our PowerPC line of processors. Generally, suppliers may terminate their purchase order with us without cause upon 30-days notice and may cease offering products to us upon 180-days notice. If Freescale were to limit or reduce the sale of such components to us, or if these or other component suppliers to us, some of which are small companies, were to experience financial difficulties or other problems which prevented them from supplying us with the necessary components, such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These sole source and other suppliers are each subject to quality and performance issues, materials shortages, excess demand, reduction in capacity and other factors that may disrupt the flow of goods to us or our customers, which thereby may adversely affect our business and customer relationships.

 

We have no guaranteed supply arrangements with our suppliers and there can be no assurance that our suppliers will continue to meet our requirements. If our supply arrangements are interrupted, there can be no assurance that we would be able to find another supplier on a timely or satisfactory basis. Any shortage or interruption in the supply of any of the components used in our products, or the inability to procure these components from alternate sources on acceptable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that severe shortages of components will not occur in the future. Such shortages could increase the cost or delay the shipment of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Significant increases in the prices of these components would also materially adversely affect our financial performance since we may not be able to adjust product pricing to reflect the increase in component costs. We could incur set-up costs and delays in manufacturing should it become necessary to replace any key vendors due to work stoppages, shipping delays, financial difficulties or other factors and, under certain circumstances, these costs and delays could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We Depend on Key Personnel and Skilled Employees and Face Competition in Hiring and Retaining Qualified Employees

 

We are largely dependent upon the skills and efforts of our senior management, managerial, sales and technical employees. None of our senior management or other key employees are subject to any employment contracts which require services for a period of time. The loss of services of any of our executives or other key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our future success will depend to a significant extent on our ability to attract, train, motivate and retain highly skilled technical professionals. Our ability to maintain and renew existing engagements and obtain new business depends, in large part, on our ability to hire and retain technical personnel with the skills that keep pace with continuing changes in industry standards and technologies. The inability to hire additional qualified personnel could impair our ability to satisfy our growing client base, requiring an increase in the level of responsibility for both existing and new personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in retaining current or future employees.

 

Our International Operations are Subject to a Number of Risks

 

We market and sell our products in certain international markets, and we have established operations in the UK and Germany. Foreign-based revenue is determined based on the location to which the product is shipped or services are rendered, and represented 51% and 45% of our total revenue for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. If revenues generated by foreign activities are not adequate to offset

 

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the expense of establishing and maintaining these foreign subsidiaries and activities, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In addition, there are certain risks inherent in transacting business internationally, such as changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, export and import restrictions, export controls relating to technology, tariffs and other trade barriers, less favorable operations, longer payment cycles, problems in collecting accounts receivable, political instability, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, expatriation controls and potential adverse tax consequences, any of which could adversely impact the success of our international activities. A portion of our revenues are from sales to foreign entities, including foreign governments, which are primarily paid in the form of foreign currencies. There can be no assurance that one or more of such factors will not have a material adverse effect on our future international activities and, consequently, on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Our business could be adversely impacted if we have deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting.

 

Effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are necessary in order for us to provide reliable financial and other reports and effectively prevent fraud. These types of controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the proper preparation of our financial statements, as well as regarding the timely reporting of material information. If we cannot maintain effective internal control or disclosure controls and procedures, or provide reliable financial or SEC reports or prevent fraud, investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information, our Common Stock could be subject to delisting on the stock exchange where it is traded, our operating results and the trading price of our Common Stock could suffer, and we might become subject to litigation.

 

While our management will continue to review the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, there is no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in accomplishing all control objectives, including the prevention and detection of fraud, all of the time.

 

To be Successful, We Must Respond to the Rapid Changes in Technology

 

Our future success will depend in part on our ability to enhance our current products and to develop new products on a timely and cost-effective basis in order to respond to technological developments and changing customer needs. The defense market, in particular, demands constant technological improvements as a means of gaining military advantage. Military planners historically have funded significantly more design projects than actual deployments of new equipment, and those systems that are deployed tend to contain the components of the subcontractors selected to participate in the design process. In order to participate in the design of new defense electronics systems, we must be able to demonstrate our ability to deliver superior technological performance on a timely and cost-effective basis. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure an adequate number of defense electronics design wins in the future, that the equipment in which our products are intended to function eventually will be deployed in the field, or that our products will be included in such equipment if it is eventually deployed.

 

The design-in process is typically lengthy and expensive, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to meet the product specifications of our customers in a timely and adequate manner. In addition, if we fail to anticipate or to respond adequately to changes in technology and customer preferences, or if there is any significant delay in product developments or introductions, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including the risk of inventory obsolescence. Because of the complexity of our products, we have experienced delays from time to time in completing products on a timely basis. If we are unable to design, develop or introduce competitive new products on a timely basis, our future operating results would be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in developing new products or enhancing our existing products on a timely or cost-effective basis, or that such new products or product enhancements will achieve market acceptance.

 

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We Need to Continue to Expend Resources on Research and Development Efforts to Meet the Needs of our Customers

 

The industry in which our Systems segment competes is characterized by the need for continued investment in research and development. If we fail to invest sufficiently in research and development, our products could become less attractive to potential customers, and our business and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. As a result of our need to maintain or increase our spending levels in this area and the difficulty in reducing costs associated with research and development, our operating results could be materially harmed if our revenues fall below expectations. In addition, as a result of CSPI’s commitment to invest in research and development, spending as a percent of revenues may fluctuate in the future.

 

We May be Unable to Successfully Integrate Acquisitions

 

In order to achieve strategic objectives to maintain and grow our market position, we may have a need to acquire or make investments in complementary companies, products or technologies. Acquisitions may pose risks to our operations, including:

 

   

problems and increased costs in connection with the integration of the personnel, operations, technologies or products of the acquired companies;

 

   

unanticipated costs;

 

   

diversion of management’s attention from our core business;

 

   

adverse effects on business relationships with suppliers and customers and those of the acquired company;

 

   

acquired assets becoming impaired as a result of technical advancements or worse-than-expected performance by the acquired company;

 

   

entering markets in which we have no, or limited, prior experience; and

 

   

potential loss of key employees, particularly those of the acquired organization.

 

In addition, in connection with any acquisitions or investments we could:

 

   

issue stock that would dilute existing shareholders’ percentage of ownership;

 

   

incur debt and assume liabilities;

 

   

obtain financing on unfavorable terms;

 

   

incur amortization expenses related to acquired intangible assets or incur large and immediate write-offs;

 

   

incur large expenditures related to office closures of the acquired companies, including costs relating to termination of employees and leasehold improvement charges relating to vacating the acquired companies’ premises; and

 

   

reduce the cash that would otherwise be available to fund operations or to use for other purposes.

 

The failure to successfully integrate any acquisition or for acquisitions to yield expected results may negatively impact our financial condition and operating results. Any resulting impairment of goodwill would have a negative effect on results of operations.

 

Our Stock Price May Continue to be Volatile

 

Historically, the market for technology stocks has been extremely volatile. Our common stock has experienced, and may continue to experience, substantial price volatility. The following factors could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly:

 

   

loss of a major customer;

 

   

the addition or departure of key personnel;

 

   

variations in our quarterly operating results;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, new products or product enhancements;

 

   

acquisitions, distribution partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

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regulatory changes;

 

   

sales of our common stock or other securities in the future;

 

   

changes in market valuations of technology companies; and

 

   

fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes.

 

In addition, the stock market in general, and the NASDAQ Global Market and technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market and industry factors may materially adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against such companies.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

Listed below are our principal facilities as of September 30, 2008. Management considers all facilities listed below to be suitable for the purpose(s) for which they are used, including manufacturing, research and development, sales, marketing, service, and administration.

 

Location

   Principal Use    Owned or
Leased
   Approximate
Floor Area

Systems Segment Properties:

        

CSP Inc.

   Corporate Headquarters    Leased    21,500 S.F.

43 Manning Road

   Manufacturing, Sales,      

Billerica, MA

   Marketing, and      
   Administration      

Service and Systems Integration Segment Properties:

        

Modcomp, Inc.

   Division Headquarters    Leased    21,450 S.F.

1500 N. Powerline Road

   Sales, Marketing, and      

Deerfield Beach, FL

   Administration      

Modcomp, Inc.

   Sales, Marketing and Service    Leased    3,083 S.F.

9155 South Dadeland Blvd, Suite 1400

        

Miami, FL

        

Modular Computer Systems GmbH

   Sales, Marketing, Service    Leased    12,191 S.F.

Oskar-Jager-Strasse 125-143

   and Administration      

D-50825 Koln

        

Germany

        

Modcomp, Ltd.

   Sales, Marketing, and    Leased    2,490 S.F.

12a Oaklands Business Park, Fishponds Road

   Administration      

Wokingham Berkshire

        

United Kingdom

        

Modcomp Systemhaus GmbH

   Sales, Marketing and Service    Leased    2,819 S.F.

Gartenstr. 23-27

        

D-61352 Bad Homburg

        

Germany

        

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

We are currently not a party to any material legal proceedings.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

No matters were submitted for a vote of security holders during our fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market information.    Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol CSPI. The following table provides the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market for the periods indicated.

 

     2008    2007

Fiscal Year:

   High    Low    High    Low

1st Quarter

   $ 9.16    $ 6.19    $ 9.25    $ 5.51

2nd Quarter

     7.60      5.43      11.88      7.61

3rd Quarter

     6.30      5.55      10.16      8.45

4th Quarter

     6.33      4.76      10.50      7.14

 

Stockholders.    We had approximately 250 holders of record of our common stock as of December 12, 2008. This number does not include stockholders for whom shares were held in a “nominee” or “street” name. We believe the number of beneficial owners of our shares of common stock (including shares held in street name) at that date was approximately 1,374.

 

Dividends.    We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock. Our present policy is to retain earnings to finance expansion and growth, and no change in the policy is anticipated.

 

Share Repurchase Plans.    The following table provides information with respect to shares of our common stock that we repurchased during the year ended September 30, 2008:

 

Month Ended

   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
   Average Price
Paid per Share
   Total Number of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans (1)
   Maximum number of
Shares that May

Yet Be
Purchased Under

the Plans

October 31, 2007

   7,108    $ 7.65    7,108   

November 30, 2007

   21,677      7.10    21,677   

December 31, 2007

   16,283      6.50    16,283   

January 31, 2008

   3,890      7.07    3,890   

February 29, 2008

   10,795      6.38    10,795   

March 31, 2008

   15,675      5.85    15,675   

April 30, 2008

   2,110      5.93    2,110   

May 31, 2008

   10,890      5.81    10,890   

June 30, 2008

   15,550      5.76    15,550   

July 31, 2008

   11,365      5.51    11,365   

September 30, 2008

   500      5.14    500   
               

Total

   115,843    $ 6.36    115,843    194,857
               

 

(1)   All shares were purchased under publicly announced plans. For additional information about these publicly announced plans please refer to Note 14 of our audited financial statements.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The discussion below contains certain forward-looking statements related to, among others, but not limited to, statements concerning future revenues and future business plans. Actual results may vary from those contained in such forward-looking statements.

 

Overview of Fiscal 2008 Results of Operations

 

CSP Inc. operates in two segments:

 

   

Systems—the Systems segment consists of our MultiComputer Division which designs, develops and manufactures signal processing computer platforms that are used primarily in military applications and the PCDA proprietary hardware business of our Modcomp division.

 

   

Service and System Integration—the Service and System Integration segment includes the computer systems’ maintenance and integration services and third-party computer hardware and software products businesses of our Modcomp subsidiary.

 

Highlights include:

 

   

Revenue decreased by approximately $17.3 million, or 18%, to $76.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 versus $94.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2007.

 

   

Operating income decreased by approximately $8 million, or 122%, to an operating loss of approximately $1.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 versus operating income of $6.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2007.

 

   

Net income decreased by approximately $4.5 million, or 110%, to a net loss of approximately $407 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2008 versus net income of approximately $4.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2007.

 

   

Net cash used by operations was approximately $280 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2008 compared to net cash provided by operations of $9.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2007.

 

The reduction in revenues of $17.3 million was substantially due to lower revenues in our Systems division where revenues were down by approximately $17.2 million versus the year ended September 30, 2007. In fiscal year 2007, we shipped the largest contract awarded to us in the Company’s history, in the Multicomputer Division. This was a contract for Fast Cluster 220R systems from Raytheon Corporation, which totaled approximately $18.1 million in revenue for the year ended September 30, 2007. Sales to Raytheon were minimal for the year ended September 30, 2008.

 

Also in fiscal 2008 we were engaged in significant research and development efforts in the Systems segment making significant progress toward developing and launching our newest product line, the Fast Cluster Series 3000, which is designed to provide what we believe is the most advanced interconnect technology available today. The 3000 SERIES will provide our customers with another state-of-the-art, fully ruggedized open source system, which will be essential to our future growth opportunities.

 

We expect Systems segment revenues for fiscal year 2009 to be stronger than fiscal year 2008 revenues. However we do not expect that Systems segment revenues will return to the levels that we were able to realize in fiscal 2007. We are currently working with several of our long-standing customers, and additional prospects, in an effort to secure program wins for our next generation 3000 SERIES product line, for which there are a number of considerable opportunities. In addition, we continue to explore opportunities to further supply existing programs and new programs with our 2000 SERIES product line.

 

Revenues in the Service and System Integration segment in fiscal 2008 were $71.8 million versus fiscal 2007 revenues of $71.9 million. However, the US operations of this segment experienced strong sales growth in

 

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fiscal 2008, of $3.7 million, an 11% increase over fiscal year 2007. This growth was due to several significant new accounts originating toward the end of fiscal 2007 that carried into fiscal 2008. Offsetting the growth in the US operation, revenues declined in the German operation of the segment for fiscal year 2008 versus fiscal 2007 by $3.2 million, or 9%. The decline was due primarily to the absence of large orders in fiscal 2008 compared with fiscal 2007. The lack of these large orders resulted in a decline in sales volume in Germany of approximately $6.9 million. However, this decline was offset by a favorable fluctuation of the Euro versus the US dollar, of approximately $3.6 million. We are cautiously optimistic that demand for IT products, maintenance, installation, consulting, outsourcing, unified communications products and services and network security will provide for growth of the business in fiscal 2009, despite the economic downturn. We continue to see demand for quality integrated IT infrastructure solutions and we plan to utilize our expertise to grow the business in the future.

 

On September 25, 2008 the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of R2 Technology Services, Inc. (“R2”), through its Modcomp subsidiary, as part of our Service and System Integration business segment. R2 is an IT solutions and managed service provider that specializes in unified communications and IT security solutions. The Company acquired R2 to expand our 3rd party product and IT services offerings and for potential synergies which we may realize by cross selling our legacy and newly acquired product and service capabilities among the newly combined customer base. We expect that the acquisition of R2 will provide a significant increase to revenues of the Service and System Integration segment, and will be accretive to operating income of the segment as well. Revenues for R2 for the year ended September 30, 2008 were immaterial, because the acquisition occurred six days before year end.

 

The following table sets forth certain information which is based on data from our Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

     Percentage of sales     Period to Period  
     Fiscal year ended September     Dollar increase (decrease)  
     2008     2007     2008 compared to 2007  
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)  

Sales

   100.0 %   100.0 %   $ (17,256 )

Costs and expenses:

      

Cost of sales

   81.8 %   75.2 %     (7,900 )

Engineering and development

   2.8 %   2.7 %     (401 )

Selling, general and administrative

   17.3 %   15.1 %     (952 )

Total costs and expenses

   101.9 %   93.0 %     (9,253 )

Operating income (loss)

   (1.9 )%   7.0 %     (8,003 )

Other income

   0.8 %   0.8 %     (153 )

Income (loss) before income taxes

   (1.1 )%   7.8 %     (8,156 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

   (0.6 )%   3.5 %     (3,700 )

Net income (loss)

   (0.5 )%   4.3 %   $ (4,456 )

 

Results of Operations—2008 Compared to 2007

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, sales decreased to $76.8 million, compared to $94.0 million for fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The net loss for the year ended September 30, 2008 was $407 thousand, or $0.11 per diluted share compared with net income of $4.0 million, or $1.03 per diluted share for fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.

 

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Revenue

 

The following table details the Company’s sales by geographical region for fiscal years September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     For the Year Ended     $ Increase/
(Decrease)
    % Increase
(Decrease)
 
     September 30,
2008
   %     September 30,
2007
   %      
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)      

North America

   $ 37,337    49 %   $ 51,279    55 %   $ (13,942 )   (27 )%

Europe

     35,992    47 %     39,863    42 %     (3,871 )   (10 )%

Asia Pacific

     3,453    4 %     2,896    3 %     557     19 %
                                    

Totals

   $ 76,782    100 %   $ 94,038    100 %   $ (17,256 )   (18 )%
                                    

 

North American revenue, for the year ended September 30, 2008, decreased versus the prior year due largely to the decrease in sales in the Systems segment related to the decrease in sales to Raytheon of $18.1 million offset by the increases in sales to General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and BAE of approximately $180 thousand, $608 thousand and $764 thousand, respectively. In addition, sales increases to domestic customers in the US operation of the Service and System Integration segment were $2.6 million.

 

The decrease in revenues in Europe for the year ended September 30, 2008 versus the prior year was due primarily to sales volumes and foreign exchange rate fluctuations in the German operations of the Service and System Integration segment. Approximately $6.8 million of the decrease was related to decreased sales volume from the German division and approximately $569 thousand was due to lower sales volume from the UK division. Offsetting these decreases, the foreign exchange rate change of a stronger Euro versus the US dollar accounted for an increase in Europe sales of $3.6 million. The increase in sales in the Asia Pacific region was due to sales from the US division of the Service and System Integration segment of approximately $1.2 million offset by lower sales in the Systems segment to Kyokuto Boeki Kaisha (“KBK”) for the year ended September 30, 2008 versus the prior year of approximately $604 thousand.

 

The Company’s sales by geographic area are based upon the location of where the products were shipped or services rendered.

 

The following table details the Company’s sales for products and services by operating segment for the fiscal years September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Systems     Service and
System
Integration
    Total     % of
Total
 
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)        

2008

        

Product

   $ 4,633     $ 55,670     $ 60,303     79 %

Services

     324       16,155       16,479     21 %
                              

Total

   $ 4,957     $ 71,825     $ 76,782     100 %
                              

% of Total

     6 %     94 %     100 %  

2007

        

Product

   $ 21,193     $ 58,341     $ 79,534     85 %

Services

     940       13,564       14,504     15 %
                              

Total

   $ 22,133     $ 71,905     $ 94,038     100 %
                              

% of Total

     24 %     76 %     100 %  

 

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     Systems     Service and
System
Integration
    Total     % (Increase)
Decrease
 
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)  

Increase (Decrease)

        

Product

   $ (16,560 )   $ (2,671 )   $ (19,231 )   (24 )%

Services

     (616 )     2,591       1,975     14  %
                          

Total

   $ (17,176 )   $ (80 )   $ (17,256 )   (18 )%
                          

% Increase (decrease)

     (78 )%     —   %     (18 )%  

 

Total revenues were $76.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 versus $94.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2007 for a decrease of approximately $17.3 million, or 18%. The decrease in revenue was due substantially to a decrease in Systems segment revenues of approximately $17.2 million. Service and System Integration segment revenues decreased by approximately $80 thousand.

 

Product revenues for fiscal 2008 decreased by approximately $19.2 million, while service revenue increased by approximately $2.0 million, versus fiscal 2007. Systems segment product revenue decreased by approximately $16.6 million while Service and System Integration segment product revenue decreased by approximately $2.7 million.

 

The $16.6 million decrease in the Systems segment product revenue was primarily due to the decrease in sales to Raytheon for fiscal 2008, which decreased by $18.1 million versus fiscal year 2007. Sales to Raytheon in fiscal 2007 were in connection with an order for sixteen systems that were shipped over the course of fiscal 2007. Sales to Raytheon for the year ended September 30, 2008 were approximately $86 thousand consisting of spare parts and repairs. In addition, product sales to KBK decreased by approximately $604 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2008 versus the prior year comparable period, while product sales to Lockheed Martin, BAE and General Dynamics increased by $ 1.2 million, $764 thousand and $180 thousand, respectively.

 

The $2.7 million decrease in the Service and System Integration segment product revenue was due to a $6.4 million decrease in product sales from the segment’s German operations, offset by a $3.7 million increase in shipments in the segment’s US operations. The German division decrease was due to lower sales volume of $8.8 million offset by an increase due to the stronger Euro versus the US dollar during the year ended September 30, 2008 versus the comparable period of fiscal 2007, which totaled approximately $2.4 million. The decrease in sales volume was due to lower sales to large customers, Atos Origin, Kabel Deutschland, Ish NRW GmbH and Bytemobile. Product sales to these customers decreased by $5.8 million, $3.8 million, $811 thousand and $710 thousand, respectively. These decreases were due to large project wins in the prior year, which did not recur in the current year due to the lack of significant IT investment and projects in fiscal year 2008. Offsetting these decreases, were sales to two customers, UnityMedia which totaled approximately $2.1 million and Huttenwerke Krupp Maannesmann which totaled approximately $300 thousand. In the US operation, the increase was made up of increased new-customer sales versus prior year new-customer sales, which accounted for approximately $794 thousand of the increase, while same-customer sales increased by $2.9 million.

 

Service revenues increased by approximately $2.0 million. Systems segment service revenues decreased by approximately $616 thousand, while Service and System Integration segment service revenue increased by approximately $2.6 million. The Systems segment service revenue decrease was primarily the result of the absence of any royalty revenue from Lockheed Martin which totaled approximately $558 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2007. In the Service and System Integration segment, service revenues from the German division increased by approximately $3.2 million, approximately $1.2 million of which was the result of the foreign currency fluctuation impact and approximately $2.0 million was due to increased sales volume. The increase in sales volume was due to higher levels of professional services for consulting work in archiving and identity and access management. Offsetting the increased services revenues in Germany, service revenue in the UK subsidiary of the Service and System Integration segment decreased by approximately $568 thousand. This decrease resulted primarily from the non-recurrence of a large development project to a single customer, NCH,

 

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delivered in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, which accounted for a decrease in revenues of approximately $900. The UK division also realized increases in revenues from several other customers totaling approximately $300 for software maintenance and professional service contracts.

 

Cost of Sales, Gross Profit and Gross Margins

 

The following table details our cost of sales by operating segment for fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Systems     Service and
system
integration
    Total  
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)  

2008

      

Cost of Sales:

      

Product

   $ 2,916     $ 47,395     $ 50,311  

Services

     109       12,363       12,472  
                        

Total

     3,025       59,758       62,783  

% of Total

     5 %     95 %     100 %

% of sales

     61 %     83 %     82 %

Gross Profit:

      

Product

   $ 1,717     $ 8,275     $ 9,992  

Services

     215       3,792       4,007  
                        

Total

     1,932       12,067       13,999  

% of Total

     14 %     86 %     100 %

Gross Margins:

      

Product

     37 %     15 %     17 %

Services

     66 %     23 %     24 %

Total

     39 %     17 %     18 %

2007

      

Cost of Sales:

      

Product

   $ 8,498     $ 51,224     $ 59,722  

Services

     281       10,680       10,961  
                        

Total

     8,779       61,904       70,683  

% of Total

     12 %     88 %     100 %

% of sales

     40 %     86 %     75 %

Gross Profit:

      

Product

   $ 12,695     $ 7,117     $ 19,812  

Services

     659       2,884       3,543  
                        

Total

     13,354       10,001       23,355  

% of Total

     57 %     43 %     100 %

Gross Margins:

      

Product

     60 %     12 %     25 %

Services

     70 %     21 %     24 %

Total

     60 %     14 %     25 %

Increase (Decrease)

      

Cost of Sales:

      

Product

   $ (5,582 )   $ (3,829 )   $ (9,411 )

Services

     (172 )     1,683       1,511  
                        

Total

     (5,754 )     (2,146 )     (7,900 )

% decrease

     (66 )%     (3 )%     (11 )%

% of Sales

     21 %     (3 )%     7 %

Gross Profit:

      

Product

   $ (10,978 )   $ 1,158     $ (9,820 )

Services

     (444 )     908       464  
                        

Total

     (11,422 )     2,066       (9,356 )

% Increase (decrease)

     (86 )%     21 %     (40 )%

Gross Margins:

      

Product

     (23 )%     3 %     (8 )%

Services

     (4 )%     2 %     —    

Total

     (21 )%     3 %     (7 )%

 

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Total cost of sales decreased by approximately $7.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, over the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, to $62.8 million, down from $70.7 million in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in cost of sales was due, overall, to the decrease in sales, although while sales decreased by 18%, cost of sales decreased by only 11%. This resulted in an overall 7% decline in gross margin to 18% for the fiscal ended September 30, 2008 versus 25% in the prior fiscal year. This decrease in the overall gross margin was due to (i) the lower level of Systems segment sales as discussed above, coupled with the significant decline in the gross margins in the Systems segment which decreased from 60% gross margin for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 to 39% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, a decline of 21% in the gross margin. The decline was due in large part to low production levels associated with the low level of sales in the segment, resulting in a higher volume of unabsorbed overhead charged to cost of sales, and also to prior year Systems segment revenues having included approximately $558 thousand in royalty revenue, which carry no cost of sales; versus no royalty revenue in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

 

The gross profit margin for the Service and System Integration segment increased by 3% gross margin from 14% for the prior year fiscal year to 17% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. This increase was due primarily to greater number of smaller orders, which generally carry higher gross margin than large, high volume orders, coupled with more favorable sales mix toward products that carry higher margins than those sold in the prior year.

 

Gross profit decreased by approximately $9.4 million comparing the year ended September 30, 2008 to the year ended September 30, 2007, due to (i) the overall decrease in sales volume described above which accounted for $4.3 million of the decrease in gross profit and (ii) the 7% decrease in gross margin explained above, which accounted for approximately $5.1 million of the overall decrease in gross profit.

 

Engineering and Development Expenses

 

The following table details engineering and development expenses by operating segment for fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     2008    % of
Total
    2007    % of
Total
    $ Decrease     % Decrease  
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)  

By Operating Segment:

              

Systems

   $ 2,171    100 %   $ 2,523    98 %   $ (352 )   (14 )%

Service and System Integration

     —      —   %     49    2 %     (49 )   (100 )%
                                    

Total

   $ 2,171    100 %   $ 2,572    100 %   $ (401 )   (16 )%
                                    

 

Engineering and development expenses decreased overall by approximately $401 thousand, or 16%, in fiscal 2008 compared to 2007. The decrease was primarily due to less research and development in the Systems Segment related to the 3000 SERIES product line.

 

Selling, General and Administrative

 

The following table details selling, general and administrative expense by operating segment for fiscal years ending September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     2008    % of
Total
    2007    % of
Total
    $ Increase
(Decrease)
    % Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)  

By Operating Segment:

              

Systems

   $ 3,485    26 %   $ 5,650    40 %   $ (2,165 )   (38 )%

Service and System Integration

     9,794    74 %     8,581    60 %     1,213     14 %
                                    

Total

   $ 13,279    100 %   $ 14,231    100 %   $ (952 )   (7 )%
                                    

 

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Overall, selling, general and administrative costs decreased by approximately $952 thousand, or 7%, in fiscal 2008 compared to 2007. The Systems segment selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $2.2 million year over year, due to lower commission expense of approximately $350 thousand and the absence of bonus expense for the year ended September 30, 2008, which was approximately $1.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2007. The lower commission and bonus expenses were due to the decrease in sales volume in the Systems segment and net loss in fiscal 2008 for the segment in the year ended September 30, 2008 versus the prior year. Also, in the Systems segment, audit fees and pension expense for the year ended September 30, 2008 were lower by $633 thousand and $165 thousand respectively, compared to the prior year.

 

The Service and Systems Integration segment selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $1.2 million. This increase was due to higher sales and marketing expenses in the German division of approximately $1 million due to higher marketing event expenses of $186 thousand , headcount increases of $160 thousand, a restructuring charge for $240 thousand and exchange rate fluctuation which accounted for $353 thousand of the increase. Sales and marketing expenses in the US operation increased by $449 thousand due to higher commissions of $375 thousand and higher sales salaries of $89 thousand. In the UK, selling, general and administration expenses decreased by approximately $204 thousand due to reduction in headcount.

 

Other Income/Expenses

 

The following table details Other Income/Expenses for fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     2008     % of
Total
    2007     % of
Total
    $ Increase
(Decrease)
    % Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (Dollar amounts in thousands)  

Interest income

   $ 682     117 %   $ 553     75 %   $ 129     23 %

Interest expense

     (91 )   (16 )%     (97 )   (13 )%     6     (6 )%

Gain (loss) on disposal of fixed assets

     (27 )   (4 )%     3     —   %     (30 )   (1,000 )%

Insurance settlements

     —       —   %     240     33 %     (240 )   (100 )%

Other income, net

     19     3 %     38     5 %     (19 )   (50 )%
                                      

Total other income, net

   $ 583     100 %   $ 737     100 %   $ (154 )   (21 )%
                                      

 

The increase in interest income was due primarily to higher balances of interest-generating assets during fiscal 2008 versus fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2007, the Company received a life insurance settlement, upon the death of a former officer, on a policy owned by the Company, that was purchased to secure the retirement benefits of the former officer, for which we realized a gain of $240 thousand. For the year ended September 30, 2008 there were no insurance settlement gains.

 

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

 

The Company recorded income tax benefit of $461 thousand for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, reflecting an effective income tax benefit rate of 53%, compared to income tax expense of $3.2 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, respectively, reflecting an effective tax rate of 45%. The tax benefit for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 was due to the carryback of the operating loss of our US operation for the year. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, our effective tax rate was higher than the U.S. statutory rate due to the increased profitability in the U.S. plus profitability of our European subsidiaries, primarily Germany.

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we considered our taxable future earnings and the expected timing of the reversal of temporary differences. Accordingly, we have recorded a valuation allowance which reduces the gross deferred tax asset to an amount which we believe will more likely than not be realized. Our inability to project future profitability beyond fiscal year 2010 in the U.S. and cumulative losses incurred in recent years in the U.K. represent sufficient negative evidence under SFAS 109 to record a valuation allowance

 

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against certain deferred tax assets. We maintained a substantial valuation allowance against our U.K. deferred tax assets as we have experienced continued cumulative losses and do not have any indication that the operation will be profitable in the future to an extent that will allow us to utilize much of our net operating loss carryforwards. To the extent that actual experience deviates from our assumptions, our projections would be affected and hence our assessment of realizability of our deferred tax asset may change.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s primary source of liquidity, after consideration of cash from operations, is our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, which decreased by $2.9 million to $18.5 million as of September 30, 2008, as compared to $21.4 million as of September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2008 our short-term investments consisted primarily of auction rate securities. On October 3, 2008, approximately $3.4 million of our auction rate securities, which were held at Bank of America, were redeemed at par value which was our carrying value. The remaining balance of our auction rate securities and closed end funds totaling approximately $1.6 million, which are held at Merrill Lynch, will be available for redemption at par value which is our carrying value, starting on January 2, 2009, on the interest reset dates for our security holdings. This redemption plan at Merrill Lynch is available for a period of one year. It is our intent to redeem our holdings on the reset dates in January 2009. The primary objective of our investment policy is the preservation of capital.

 

In fiscal year 2008, the Company used approximately $280 thousand in cash from operating activities, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $9.4 million in fiscal year 2007. The use of cash from operating activities for the year ended September 30, 2008 was driven by the net loss of $407 thousand, an increase in inventories of approximately $2.1 million, an increase in accounts receivable of approximately $419 thousand, contributions to retirement plans of $324 thousand and an increase in net income taxes receivable of $471 thousand. These operating uses of cash were offset by operating sources of cash including depreciation of approximately $567 thousand, share-based compensation of approximately $301 thousand, an increase in accounts payable and accrued items of approximately $2 million, an increase in deferred revenue of $231 thousand, a decrease in other current assets of $237 thousand and an increase to deferred taxes of $140 thousand.

 

The Company used approximately $338 thousand in investing activities during fiscal year 2008. During fiscal year 2008, a net amount of approximately $2.7 million in cash was generated from the purchase and sale of short term investments. Cash of $149 thousand was used to pay officer life insurance premiums during fiscal 2008, and the Company used $436 thousand to purchase property and equipment during fiscal 2008. In addition, the company acquired substantially all of the assets of R2, which represents a use of cash of $2.4 million.

 

The Company generated approximately $1.3 million from financing activities. Cash of $1.5 million was generated from short-term borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit note. The proceeds from shares issued pursuant to the employee stock purchase plan and from the exercise of stock options totaled $296 thousand. The Company used $757 thousand to purchase its own common stock during the year ended September 30, 2008. In addition, tax benefits from employee compensation related to the exercise of stock options was a source of cash from financing activities totaling approximately $265 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2008.

 

The Company has estimated future benefit payment obligations of approximately $7.8 million related to pension and post- retirement plans in Germany, the U.K., and the U.S. The Company expects to contribute $439 thousand to the plans in 2009.

 

If cash generated from operations is insufficient to satisfy working capital requirements, we may need to access funds through bank loans, sale of securities or other means. There is no assurance that we will be able to raise any such capital on terms acceptable to us, on a timely basis or at all. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we may not be able to complete development or enhancement of products, take advantage of future opportunities, respond to competition or continue to effectively operate our business.

 

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Based on our current plans and business conditions, management believes that the Company’s available cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations and investments will be sufficient to provide for the Company’s working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to uncollectible receivables, inventory valuation, goodwill, income taxes, deferred compensation, revenue recognition, retirement plans, restructuring costs and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical performance and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements: revenue recognition; valuation allowances, specifically the allowance for doubtful accounts and net deferred tax asset valuation allowance; inventory valuation; goodwill impairment; and pension and retirement plans.

 

Revenue recognition

 

The Company recognizes product revenue from customers at the time of transfer of title and risk of loss which is generally at the time of shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability of sales proceeds is reasonably assured. When significant obligations remain after products are delivered, such as for installation, system integration or customer acceptance, revenue and related costs are deferred until such obligations are fulfilled. The Company reduces revenue for estimated customer returns.

 

In certain software revenue arrangements, the Company is obligated to deliver to its customers multiple products and/or services (“multiple elements”). In these transactions, the Company allocates the total revenue to be earned under the arrangement among the various elements based on their relative fair value. The allocation is based on vendor specific objective evidence of fair value which is the price charged when that element is sold separately. The Company recognizes revenue related to the delivered products or services only if: (1) the above revenue recognition criteria are met; (2) any undelivered products or services are not essential to the functionality of the delivered products or services; (3) payment for the delivered products or services is not contingent upon delivery of the remaining products or services; (4) the Company has an enforceable claim to receive the amount due in the event it does not deliver the undelivered products or services; and (5) as discussed above, there is evidence of the fair value for each of the undelivered products or services. For example, in certain arrangements, installation services are considered essential to the functionality of the delivered product. Accordingly, revenue is not recognized in those arrangements until the installation is complete and all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

 

In accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Statement of Position 97-02, Software Revenue Recognition, (“SOP 97-2”), the Company recognizes revenue from software licenses when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the product has occurred and no significant Company obligations with regard to customization or implementation remain, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable.

 

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Task Force pronouncement 00-10, Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs (“EITF 00-10”), we include freight billed to our customers as sales and the related freight costs as cost of sales.

 

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The Company also offers training, maintenance agreements and support services. The Company has established fair value on its training, maintenance and support services based on prices charged in separate sales to customers at prices established and published in its standard price lists. These prices are not discounted. Revenue from these service obligations under maintenance contracts is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual period, which is typically three to twelve months, if all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Support services provided on a time and material basis are recognized as provided if all of the revenue recognition criteria have been met for that element and the support services have been provided. Training revenue is recognized when performed.

 

The following policies are applicable to the Company’s major categories of segment revenue transactions:

 

Systems Revenue

 

Revenue is recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria discussed above are met. The Company’s standard sales agreements generally do not include customer acceptance provisions. However, in certain instances when arrangements include a customer acceptance provision (such was the case with the Raytheon contract) or there is uncertainty about customer acceptance, revenue is deferred until the Company has evidence of customer acceptance. Customers generally do not have the right of return, once customer acceptance has occurred.

 

The Company generates royalty revenue related to the production and sale of certain of the Company’s proprietary system technology by a third party. The Company recognizes royalty revenues upon notification of shipment of the systems produced pursuant to the royalty agreement.

 

Service and System Integration Revenue

 

This segment also earns revenue for information technology consulting services. Time and material service contract revenue is recognized as the services are rendered. Fixed price professional services contract revenue is recognized as the services are rendered, or upon completion of the professional services contract. Losses on fixed price professional services contracts are recognized in the period in which the loss becomes known. The Company’s standard service agreements do not include customer acceptance provisions. However, in certain instances when arrangements include a customer acceptance provision, or if there is uncertainty about customer acceptance of services rendered, revenue is deferred until the Company has evidence of customer acceptance.

 

Revenue from the sale of third-party hardware and third-party software is recognized when the revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company’s standard sales agreements generally do not include customer acceptance provisions. However, in certain instances when arrangements include a customer acceptance provision or there is uncertainty about customer acceptance, revenue is deferred until the Company has evidence of customer acceptance. Customers do not have the right of return.

 

We sell certain third party service contracts, which are evaluated to determine whether the sale of such service revenue should be recorded as gross sales or net sales in accordance with the sales recognition criteria outlined in SAB 104 and EITF 99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent. We must determine whether we act as a principal in the transaction and assume the risks and reward of ownership or if we are simply acting as an agent or broker. Under gross sales recognition, the entire selling price is recorded in sales and our cost to the third-party service provider or vendor is recorded in cost of goods sold. Under net sales recognition, the cost to the third-party service provider or vendor is recorded as a reduction to sales resulting in net sales equal to the gross profit on the transaction and there are no costs of goods sold. We use the gross sales recognition method for the third party service contracts that we sell, as we have determined that we act as a principal in these sales transactions.

 

Revenue derived from consulting services rendered in connection with the integration of third-party hardware and third-party software is generally recognized when the services have been completed.

 

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Engineering and Development Expenses

 

Engineering and development expenses include payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation, and other headcount-related expenses associated with product development. Engineering and development expenses also include third-party development and programming costs and the amortization of purchased software code. We consider technological feasibility for our software products is reached upon the release of the software and, accordingly, no internal software development costs are capitalized.

 

Product Warranty Accrual

 

Our product sales generally include a 90-day to one-year hardware warranty. At time of product shipment, we accrue for the estimated cost to repair or replace potentially defective products. Estimated warranty costs are based upon prior actual warranty costs for substantially similar products.

 

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowances

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we considered our taxable future earnings and the expected timing of the reversal of temporary differences. Accordingly, we have recorded a valuation allowance which reduces the gross deferred tax asset to an amount which we believe will more likely than not be realized. Our inability to project future profitability beyond fiscal year 2010 in the U.S. and cumulative losses incurred in recent years in the U.K. represent sufficient negative evidence under SFAS No. 109 to record a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets.

 

Previously, we had recorded a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets due to our history of cumulative losses and our inability to reasonably project whether or not we would have future taxable income, primarily due to the erratic nature of our revenues in the Systems segment which primarily serves government customers. We have reviewed the projections for fiscal 2009 and 2010 and concluded that it was more likely than not that we would generate sufficient taxable income in the U.S. in that period in order to realize an estimated $152 thousand of benefit of our deferred tax assets, consisting primarily of inventory temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards. However, we do not have any further visibility beyond fiscal 2010 nor do we have any significant orders in our pipeline that would enable us to conclude it is more likely than not that we would be able to realize a substantial portion of the remaining deferred tax assets in fiscal 2010 or beyond.

 

We maintained a full valuation allowance against our U.K. deferred tax assets as we have experienced continued cumulative losses and do not have any indication that the operation will generate consistent profitable results in the future to utilize any of our net operating loss carryforwards.

 

In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we consider and rely upon projections of future income. The key assumptions in our projections include sales growth rates, including potential contract wins, and expected levels of operating expenditures in addition to factors discussed in the section Factors That May Affect Future Performance contained in Item 1A—Risk Factors. These assumptions are subject to variation based upon both internal and external factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. To the extent that actual experience deviates from our assumptions, our projections would be affected and hence our assessment of realizability of our deferred tax asset may change. At September 30, 2008, we had a consolidated deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $6.3 million. If our expectation of operating results for fiscal 2009 or beyond changes, our tax expense in future periods may be affected materially by changes to the valuation allowance.

 

Inventory Valuation

 

The recoverability of inventories is based upon the types and levels of inventories held, forecasted demand, pricing, competition and changes in technology. We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value

 

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based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

 

Goodwill Impairment

 

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and is tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. For goodwill the impairment determination is made at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. First, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit and compares it to its carrying amount. Second, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. The Company’s policy is to perform its annual impairment testing for all reporting units as of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.

 

At September 30, 2008 goodwill consisted of approximately $2.8 million in connection with the acquisition of certain assets of Technisource Hardware, Inc. (“Technisource”) on May 30, 2003 and approximately $1.1 million in connection with the acquisition of substantially all the assets of R2, for total goodwill of approximately $3.9 million. As of September 30, 2007, goodwill of $2.8 million related solely to Technisource. All of the goodwill as of September 30, 2008 and 2007 was within the Service and System Integration segment, which is considered the reporting unit for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment. The Company concluded there was no impairment of goodwill for this reporting unit based upon its annual assessments in 2008 and 2007.

 

The estimated fair value of the reporting unit with goodwill was based on a combination of discounted projected cash flows and observable market price-to-earnings multiples of relevant, comparable peer companies. At September 30, 2008, the Company’s market capitalization was less than its book value, which management attributes to both industry-wide and Company-specific factors. If the Company’s common stock price continues to trade below book value per common share, the Company may have to recognize an impairment of all, or some portion of, its goodwill and other intangible assets. There is no assurance that: (1) valuation multiples will not decline, (2) discount rates will not increase or (3) the earnings, book values or projected earnings and cash flows of the Company’s individual reporting units will not decline. Accordingly, an impairment charge to goodwill and other intangible assets may be required in the foreseeable future if the book equity value exceeds the estimated fair value of the enterprise or of an individual segment.

 

Pension and Retirement Plans

 

In the UK and Germany, the Company provides defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans for the majority of the employees. In the U.S., the Company also provides benefits through supplementary retirement plans to certain employees and former employees who are now retired. These supplemental plans are funded through life insurance policies. The Company expects to receive a refund of all insurance premiums paid under the plan in the future equal to the cash surrender value and a portion, if necessary, of death benefits to be paid upon the death of the participant. In the U.S. , the Company also provides for officer death benefits through post-retirement plans to certain officers. The Company will fund the supplemental plan obligation through life insurance contracts.

 

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Pension expense is based on an actuarial computation of current future benefits using estimates for expected return on assets, expected compensation increases and applicable discount rates. Management has reviewed the discount rates with our consulting actuary and investment advisor and concluded they were reasonable. A decrease in the expected return on pension assets would increase pension expense. Expected compensation increases are estimated based on historical and expected increases in the future. Increases in estimated compensation increases would result in higher pension expense while decreases would lower pension expense. Discount rates are selected based upon rates of return on high quality fixed income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefit. A decrease in the discount rate would result in greater pension expense while an increase in the discount rate would decrease pension expense.

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS No. 158”). SFAS No. 158 requires companies to prospectively recognize the funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under SFAS No. 158, gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and any remaining transition amounts under SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” (“SFAS No. 87”), that have not yet been recognized through pension expense will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic pension/postretirement benefits expense. Additionally, SFAS No. 158 requires companies to measure plan assets and obligations at their year-end balance sheet date. We adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions as of September 30, 2007. The Company presently measures its pension liability as of year-end; therefore we already comply with the measurement date provision of SFAS 158.

 

The adoption of SFAS No. 158 impacted the September 30, 2007 Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows: increase in liabilities of $108 thousand, and decrease in shareholders’ equity of $108 thousand.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”), which requires additional disclosures about the objectives of using derivative instruments; the method by which the derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB Statement No.133 and its related interpretations; and the effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 also requires disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format. SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged. We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of SFAS 161 will have on our financial statement disclosures.

 

On December 4, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations, (“SFAS 141(R)”). This Standard will require an acquiring company to measure all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent considerations and all contractual contingencies, at fair value as of the acquisition date. In addition, an acquiring company is required to capitalize In Process Research and Development (“IPR&D”) and either amortize it over the life of the product, or write it off if the project is abandoned or impaired. The Standard is effective for transactions occurring on or after January 1, 2009. We are evaluating the impact this standard will have on our financial statements.

 

On December 4, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). This Standard changes the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling or minority interests (now called noncontrolling interest) in consolidated financial statements.

 

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This Standard is effective January 1, 2009. When implemented, prior periods will be recast for the changes required by SFAS 160. We are evaluating the impact, if any, this standard will have on our financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Accounting for Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, and establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 (the year ending September 30, 2009 for the Company). The Company does not expect the new standard to have any material impact on the financial position and results of operations.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Statement Assets and Financial Liabilities (as amended). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 (the year ending September 30, 2009 for the Company). The Company does not expect to adopt this new standard.

 

In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB issued EITF No. 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements. (“EITF 06-4”) The Task Force reached a consensus that for an endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangement, an employer should recognize a liability for future benefits in accordance with SFAS 106 or Opinion 12, depending upon the specific facts in the insurance arrangement. The Company is reviewing the terms of its split-dollar life insurance arrangements to determine the effect, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the results of operations and the financial condition of the Company. EITF No. 06-4 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007 (the year ending September 30, 2009 for the Company), with earlier adoption permitted. We do not expect EITF No. 06-4 will have an impact on our financial statements as we are already accounting for our endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies which have postretirement benefit aspects in accordance with SFAS 106.

 

In March 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB issued EITF No. 06-10, Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements, (“EITF 06-10”). The Task Force reached a consensus that (i) an employer should recognize a liability for the postretirement benefit related to a collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement in accordance with either SFAS 106 (if, in substance, a postretirement benefit plan exists) or Opinion 12 (if the arrangement is, in substance, an individual deferred compensation contract) if the employer has agreed to maintain a life insurance policy during the employee’s retirement or provide the employee with a death benefit based on the substantive agreement with the employee and (ii) an employer should recognize and measure an asset based on the nature and substance of the collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement. The Task Force observed that in determining the nature and substance of the arrangement, the employer should assess what future cash flows the employer is entitled to, if any, as well as the employee’s obligation and ability to repay the employer. The Company is reviewing the terms of its split-dollar life insurance arrangements to determine the effect, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the results of operations and the financial condition of the Company. EITF No. 06-10 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007 (the year ending September 30, 2009 for the Company), with earlier adoption permitted. We do not expect EITF 06-1 will have an impact on our financial statements, because we currently do not have any collateral assignment split-dollar arrangements.

 

Inflation and Changing Prices

 

Management does not believe that inflation and changing prices had significant impact on sales, revenues or income (loss) during fiscal 2008 or 2007. There is no assurance that the Company’s business will not be materially and adversely affected by inflation and changing prices in the future.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

The consolidated financial statements are included herein.

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   40

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2008 and 2007

   41

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

   42

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

   43

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

   44

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   45

 

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.    The Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2008. Our chief executive officer, our chief financial officer, and other members of our senior management team supervised and participated in this evaluation. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2008, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.    The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. As defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by or under the supervision of a company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by a company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. It includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of a company;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of a company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and board of directors of a company; and

 

   

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of a company’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008. In making its assessment of internal control, management used the criteria described in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”) of the Treadway Commission.

 

As a result of its assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2008.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

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This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting.    During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

 

None.

 

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PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the sections captioned “Nominees for Election”, “Our Board of Directors”, “Our Executive Officers”, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Corporate Governance” in our 2008 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the sections captioned “Compensation of Executive Officers”, and “Compensation of Non-Employee Directors” in our 2008 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.

 

The equity compensation plans approved by our stockholders consist of the CSP, Inc. 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The equity compensation plan not approved by our stockholders is a stock option plan for certain employees of Modcomp. Stock options issued under this plan were granted at the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, have a term of ten years and vest at the rate of 25% per year starting one year from the date of grant. The following table sets forth information as of September 30, 2008, regarding the total number of securities outstanding under these stock option and stock purchase plans.

 

     (a)     (b)    (c)  

Plan Category

   Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options, warrants
and rights
    Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding
options, warrants and rights
   Number of securities
remaining available for future
issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in column
(a))
 

Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders:

   397,682  (1)   $ 7.10    347,763  (2)

Equity compensation
plans not approved by security holders:

   40,000     $ 2.70    —    
               

Total

   437,682     $ 6.69    347,763  

 

(1)   Does not include purchase rights under the ESPP, as the purchase price and number of shares to be purchased under the ESPP are not determined until the end of the relevant purchase period.

 

(2)   Includes 216,750 shares available for future issuance under the incentive stock and stock option plans and 131,013 under the ESPP.

 

We incorporate additional information required by this Item by reference to the section captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in our 2008 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the section captioned “Corporate Governance” in our 2008 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

We incorporate the information required by this item by reference to the section captioned “Fees for Professional Services” in our 2008 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)   (1)   Financial statements filed as part of this report:

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(2)   Financial Statement Schedules

 

All other financial statements and schedules not listed have been omitted since the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto included in Item 8, or is not applicable, material or required.

 

(3)   Exhibits

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

 

Filed with

this Form

10-K

 

Incorporated by Reference

      

Form

 

Filing Date

  Exhibit
No.
  3.1    Articles of Organization and amendments thereto    

10-K

 

December 26, 2007

  3.1
  3.2    By-laws, as amended January 8, 1998    

10-K

 

December 26, 2007

  3.2
10.1    Form of Employee Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement    

10-K

 

November 22, 1996

  10.3
10.2    CSPI Supplemental Retirement Income Plan  

X

     
10.4*    1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan  

X

     
10.5*    Employment Agreement with Mr. Lupinetti dated September 12, 1996    

10-K

 

November 27, 1996

  10.14
10.6*    1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended    

DEF 14A

 

December 1, 1997

  A
10.7*    1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan    

DEF 14A

 

December 1, 1997

  B
10.8*    2003 Stock Incentive Plan    

DEF 14A

 

December 23, 2003

  B
10.9*    2007 Stock Incentive Plan    

DEF 14A

 

March 30, 2007

  B
10.10*    2009 Variable Compensation (Executive Bonus) and Base Programs dated November 11, 2008  

X

     
21.1    Subsidiaries  

X

     
23.1    Consent of McGladrey & Pullen LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  

X

     

 

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Exhibit

No.

  

Description

 

Filed with

this Form

10-K

 

Incorporated by Reference

      

Form

 

Filing Date

  Exhibit
No.
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  

X

     
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  

X

     
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  

X

     
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  

X

     

 

*   Management contract or compensatory plan.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

CSP INC.
By:  

/s/    ALEXANDER R. LUPINETTI        

 

Alexander R. Lupinetti

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman

 

Date: December 29, 2008

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

  

 Title 

 

 Date 

/s/    ALEXANDER R. LUPINETTI        

Alexander R. Lupinetti

  

Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chairman

 

December 29, 2008

/s/    GARY W. LEVINE        

Gary W. Levine

  

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

 

December 29, 2008

/s/    ROBERT A. STELLATO         

Robert A. Stellato

  

Vice President of Finance
(Chief Accounting Officer)

 

December 29, 2008

/s/    J. DAVID LYONS        

J. David Lyons

  

Director

 

December 29, 2008

/s/    C. SHELTON JAMES        

C. Shelton James

  

Director

 

December 29, 2008

/s/    ROBERT M. WILLIAMS        

Robert M. Williams

  

Director

 

December 29, 2008

/s/    CHRISTOPHER J. HALL        

Christopher J. Hall

  

Director

 

December 29, 2008

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CSP INC.

 

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

Item 8

Financial Statements

Year Ended September 30, 2008

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

CSP Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CSP Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CSP Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

We were not engaged to examine management’s assessment of the effectiveness of CSP, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in Item 9A, and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon.

 

/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

 

Burlington, Massachusetts

December 29, 2008

 

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Table of Contents

CSP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except par value)

 

     September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2007
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,494     $ 13,687  

Short-term investments

     5,000       7,690  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $163 in 2008 and $133 in 2007

     11,470       10,678  

Inventories

     8,125       6,072  

Refundable income taxes

     1,774       27  

Deferred income taxes

     152       229  

Other current assets

     1,333       1,587  
                

Total current assets

     41,348       39,970  
                

Property, equipment and improvements, net

     1,003       1,044  
                

Other assets:

    

Goodwill

     3,941       2,779  

Intangibles, net

     913       —    

Deferred income taxes

     267       254  

Cash surrender value of life insurance

     2,251       2,045  

Other assets

     296       349  
                

Total other assets

     7,668       5,427  
                

Total assets

   $ 50,019     $ 46,441  
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 11,237     $ 9,073  

Short term note payable

     1,501       —    

Deferred revenue

     3,645       3,461  

Pension and retirement plans

     397       495  

Deferred income taxes

     187       279  

Income taxes payable

     808       552  
                

Total current liabilities

     17,775       13,860  

Pension and retirement plans

     7,382       6,859  

Deferred income taxes

     553       388  

Capital lease obligation

     70       —    

Other long term liabilities

     291       —    
                

Total liabilities

     26,071       21,107  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $.01 par; authorized, 7,500 shares; issued and outstanding 3,758 and 3,812 shares, respectively

     38       39  

Additional paid-in capital

     11,812       11,707  

Retained earnings

     15,385       15,236  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,287 )     (1,648 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     23,948       25,334  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 50,019     $ 46,441  
                

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CSP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except for per share data)

 

     Years ended September 30,  
     2008     2007  

Sales:

    

Product

   $ 60,303     $ 79,534  

Services

     16,479       14,504  
                

Total sales

     76,782       94,038  
                

Cost of sales:

    

Product

     50,311       59,722  

Services

     12,472       10,961  
                

Total cost of sales

     62,783       70,683  
                

Gross profit

     13,999       23,355  
                

Operating expenses:

    

Engineering and development

     2,171       2,572  

Selling, general and administrative

     13,279       14,231  
                

Total operating expenses

     15,450       16,803  
                

Operating income (loss)

     (1,451 )     6,552  
                

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     682       553  

Interest expense

     (91 )     (97 )

Foreign exchange gain

     19       —    

Other income (expense), net

     (27 )     281  
                

Total other income, net

     583       737  
                

Income (loss) before income tax

     (868 )     7,289  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (461 )     3,240  
                

Net income (loss)

   $ (407 )   $ 4,049  
                

Net income (loss) per share-basic

   $ (0.11 )   $ 1.07  
                

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

     3,783       3,777  
                

Net income (loss) per share-diluted

   $ (0.11 )   $ 1.03  
                

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

     3,783       3,933  
                

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CSP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

(Amounts in thousands)

 

    Shares     Amount     Additional
paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
    Comprehensive
income (loss)
 

Balance September 30, 2006

  3,716     $ 37     $ 10,957     $ 11,187     $ (3,266 )   $ 18,915    

Comprehensive income

             

Net income

  —         —         —         4,049       —         4,049     $ 4,049  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

             

Effect of foreign currency translation

  —         —         —         —         649       649       649  

Reduction in minimum pension liability

  —         —         —         —         1,077       1,077       1,077  
                   

Total comprehensive income

              $ 5,775  
                   

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158

            (108 )     (108 )  

Exercise of stock options

  126       2       528       —         —         530    

Stock-based compensation

  —         —         350       —         —         350    

Issuance of shares under employee stock purchase plan

  29       —         193       —         —         193    

Tax benefit realized from share options exercised

  —         —         100       —         —         100    

Purchase of common stock

  (59 )     —         (421 )     —         —         (421 )  
                                               

Balance September 30, 2007

  3,812     $ 39     $ 11,707     $ 15,236     $ (1,648 )   $ 25,334    

Comprehensive loss:

             

Net loss

  —         —         —         (407 )     —         (407 )   $ (407 )

Other comprehensive loss:

             

Effect of foreign currency translation

  —         —         —         —         (842 )     (842 )     (842 )

Increase in minimum pension liability

  —         —         —         —         (797 )     (797 )     (797 )
                   

Total comprehensive loss

              $ (2,046 )
                   

Effect of adoption of FIN 48 as of October 1, 2007

  —         —         —         556       —         556    

Exercise of stock options

  31       —         126       —         —         126    

Stock-based compensation

  —         —         301       —         —         301    

Issuance of shares under employee stock purchase plan

  30       —         170       —         —         170    

Tax benefit realized from share options exercised

  —         —         265       —         —         265    

Purchase of common stock

  (115 )     (1 )     (757 )     —         —         (758 )  
                                               

Balance September 30, 2008

  3,758     $ 38     $ 11,812     $ 15,385     $ (3,287 )   $ 23,948    
                                               

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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CSP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

 

     Years ended September 30,  
     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (407 )   $ 4,049  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     567       655  

Loss on disposal of property, net

     33       —    

Gain on life insurance settlement

     —         (240 )

Non-cash changes in accounts receivable

     53       56  

Deferred income taxes

     140       1,664  

Increase in cash surrender value life insurance

     (56 )     (69 )

Stock based compensation expense

     301       350  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

     (472 )     153  

Decrease (increase) in inventories

     (2,058 )     1,486  

Decrease (increase) in refundable income taxes

     (1,629 )     20  

Decrease (increase) in other current assets

     237       168  

Decrease (increase) in other assets

     (78 )     54  

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     2,024       296  

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue

     231       987  

Increase (decrease) in deferred compensation and retirement plans

     (324 )     94  

Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable

     1,158       (319 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (280 )     9,404  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of investments

     (16,550 )     (11,331 )

Maturities of investments

     19,240       5,814  

Proceeds from life insurance claim

     —         572  

Life insurance premiums paid

     (149 )     (124 )

Business acquired

     (2,443 )     —    

Purchases of property, equipment and improvements

     (436 )     (520 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (338 )     (5,589 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

     1,501       —    

Tax benefit realized from share options exercised

     265       100  

Proceeds from stock issued from exercise of options

     126       530  

Proceeds from issuance of shares under employee stock purchase plan

     170       193  

Purchase of common stock

     (758 )     (421 )
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,304       402  
                

Effects of exchange rate on cash

     (879 )     787  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (193 )     5,004  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     13,687       8,683  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 13,494     $ 13,687  
                

Supplementary cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ (109 )   $ (1,940 )
                

Cash paid for interest

   $ (89 )   $ (97 )
                

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Organization and Business

 

CSP Inc. (“CSPI” or the “Company”) was founded in 1968 and is based in Billerica, Massachusetts. To meet the diverse requirements of its industrial, commercial and defense customers worldwide, CSPI and its subsidiaries develop and market IT integration solutions, messaging and image-processing software, and high-performance cluster computer systems. The Company operates in two segments, its Systems segment and its Service and System Integration segment.

 

1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The U.S. dollar is the reporting currency for all periods presented. The financial information for entities outside the United States is measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the period. The resulting translation adjustment is reflected as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition are considered cash equivalents.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The carrying value for cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

Investments

 

The Company classifies its investments at the time of purchase as either held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. Held-to-maturity securities are those investments that the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and discounts, which approximates market value at the purchase date. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses net of the related tax effect, if any, on available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of shareholders’ equity, until realized. The estimated fair values of available-for-sale investments are based on par value as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recognized as income on the date the stock trades “ex-dividend.” The cost of marketable securities sold is determined by the specific identification method, and realized gains or losses are reflected in income.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets (other than goodwill) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Management assesses the recoverability of the long-lived assets (other than goodwill) by comparing the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets against their respective carrying amounts. The amount of impairment, if any, is calculated based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. There were no impairment charges for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142—“Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”), requires goodwill to be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests when events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. We test goodwill annually for impairment and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Pursuant to SFAS No. 142, an impairment loss must be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value. For goodwill, the impairment determination is made at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. First, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit and compares it to its carrying amount. Second, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. The Company’s policy is to perform its annual impairment testing for all reporting units as of the end of each fiscal year. The Company concluded there was no impairment of goodwill for this reporting unit based upon its annual assessments in 2008 and 2007.

 

Purchased intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their useful lives unless those lives are determined to be indefinite. Purchased intangible assets are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally three to ten years.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined principally by the average-cost method, which approximates the first-in, first-out method.

 

Property, Equipment and Improvements

 

The components of property, equipment and improvements are stated at cost. The Company provides for depreciation by use of the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (three to seven years). Leasehold improvements are amortized by use of the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. For all customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are past due, current business environment and our historical experience. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Pension and Retirement Plans

 

In the United Kingdom and Germany, the Company provides defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans for the majority of the employees. In the U.S., the Company also provides benefits through supplementary retirement plans to certain employees and former employees who are now retired. These supplemental plans are funded through life insurance policies. The Company expects to receive a refund of all insurance premiums paid under the plan in the future equal to the cash surrender value and a portion, if necessary, of death benefits to be paid upon the death of the participant. In the U.S., the Company also provides for officer death benefits through post-retirement plans to certain officers. The Company funds the supplemental plan obligation through life insurance contracts.

 

Pension expense is based on an actuarial computation of current future benefits using estimates for expected return on assets, expected compensation increases and applicable discount rates. Management has reviewed the discount rates with our consulting actuary and investment advisor and concluded they were reasonable. A decrease in the expected return on pension assets would increase pension expense. Expected compensation increases are estimated based on historical and expected increases in the future. Increases in estimated compensation increases would result in higher pension expense while decreases would lower pension expense. Discount rates are selected based upon rates of return on high quality fixed income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefit. A decrease in the discount rate would result in greater pension expense while an increase in the discount rate would decrease pension expense.

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 106, and 132(R)”. SFAS No. 158 requires companies to prospectively recognize the funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under SFAS No. 158, gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and any remaining transition amounts under SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” that have not yet been recognized through pension expense will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic pension/postretirement benefits expense. Additionally, SFAS No. 158 requires companies to measure plan assets and obligations at their year-end balance sheet date. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 impacted the September 30, 2007 Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows: increase in liabilities of $108 thousand, and decrease in shareholders’ equity of $108 thousand. We adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions as of September 30, 2007. Effective after December 15, 2008, SFAS 158 also requires the measurement of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year end balance sheet date. The Company presently measures its pension liability as of year-end; therefore, we already comply with the measurement date provision of SFAS 158.

 

The Company funds its pension plans in amounts sufficient to meet the requirements set forth in applicable employee benefits laws and local tax laws. Liabilities for amounts in excess of these funding levels are accrued and reported in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes product revenue from customers at the time of transfer of title and risk of loss which is generally at the time of shipment, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability of sales proceeds is reasonably assured. When significant obligations

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

remain after products are delivered, such as for installation, system integration or customer acceptance, revenue and related costs are deferred until such obligations are fulfilled. The Company reduces revenue for estimated customer returns.

 

In certain software revenue arrangements, the Company is obligated to deliver to its customers multiple products and/or services (“multiple elements”). In these transactions, the Company allocates the total revenue to be earned under the arrangement among the various elements based on their relative fair value. The allocation is based on vendor specific objective evidence of fair value which is the price charged when that element is sold separately. The Company recognizes revenue related to the delivered products or services only if: (1) the above revenue recognition criteria are met; (2) any undelivered products or services are not essential to the functionality of the delivered products or services; (3) payment for the delivered products or services is not contingent upon delivery of the remaining products or services; (4) the Company has an enforceable claim to receive the amount due in the event it does not deliver the undelivered products or services; and (5) as discussed above, there is evidence of the fair value for each of the undelivered products or services. For example, in certain arrangements, installation services are considered essential to the functionality of the delivered product. Accordingly, revenue is not recognized in those arrangements until the installation is complete and all other revenue recognition criteria are met.

 

In accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Statement of Position 97-02, Software Revenue Recognition, (“SOP 97-2”), the Company recognizes revenue from software licenses when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the product has occurred and no significant Company obligations with regard to customization or implementation remain, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable.

 

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) pronouncement 00-10, Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs, we include freight billed to our customers as sales and the related freight costs as cost of sales.

 

The Company also offers training, maintenance agreements and support services. The Company has established fair value on its training, maintenance and support services based on prices charged in separate sales to customers at prices established and published in its standard price lists. These prices are not discounted. Revenue from these service obligations under maintenance contracts is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual period, which is typically three to twelve months, if all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Support services provided on a time and material basis are recognized as provided if all of the revenue recognition criteria have been met for that element and the support services have been provided. Training revenue is recognized when performed.

 

The following policies are applicable to the Company’s major categories of segment revenue transactions:

 

Systems Revenue

 

Revenue is recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria discussed above are met. The Company’s standard sales agreements generally do not include customer acceptance provisions. However, in certain instances when arrangements include a customer acceptance provision or there is uncertainty about customer acceptance, revenue is deferred until the Company has evidence of customer acceptance. Customers generally do not have the right of return, once customer acceptance has occurred.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The Company generates royalty revenue related to the production and sale of certain of the Company’s proprietary system technology by a third party. The Company recognizes royalty revenues upon notification of shipment of the systems produced pursuant to the royalty agreement.

 

Service and System Integration Revenue

 

This segment also earns revenue for information technology consulting services. Time and material service contract revenue is recognized as the services are rendered. Fixed price professional services contract revenue is recognized as the services are rendered, or upon completion of the professional services contract. Losses on fixed price professional services contracts are recognized in the period in which the loss becomes known. The Company’s standard service agreements do not include customer acceptance provisions. However, in certain instances when arrangements include a customer acceptance provision, or if there is uncertainty about customer acceptance of services rendered, revenue is deferred until the Company has evidence of customer acceptance.

 

Revenue from the sale of third-party hardware and third-party software is recognized when the revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company’s standard sales agreements generally do not include customer acceptance provisions. However, in certain instances when arrangements include a customer acceptance provision or there is uncertainty about customer acceptance, revenue is deferred until the Company has evidence of customer acceptance. Customers do not have the right of return.

 

We sell certain third party service contracts, which are evaluated to determine whether the sale of such service revenue should be recorded as gross sales or net sales in accordance with the sales recognition criteria outlined in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 104 and EITF 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent”. We must determine whether we act as a principal in the transaction and assume the risks and reward of ownership or if we are simply acting as an agent or broker. Under gross sales recognition, the entire selling price is recorded in sales and our cost to the third-party service provider or vendor is recorded in cost of goods sold. Under net sales recognition, the cost to the third-party service provider or vendor is recorded as a reduction to sales resulting in net sales equal to the gross profit on the transaction and there are no costs of goods sold. We use the gross sales recognition method for the third party service contracts that we sell, as we have determined that we act as a principal in these sales transactions.

 

Revenue derived from consulting services rendered in connection with the integration of third-party hardware and third-party software is generally recognized when the services have been completed.

 

Product Warranty Accrual

 

Our product sales generally include a 90-day to one-year hardware warranty. At time of product shipment, we accrue for the estimated cost to repair or replace potentially defective products. Estimated warranty costs are based upon prior actual warranty costs for substantially similar products.

 

Engineering and Development Expenses

 

Engineering and development expenses include payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation, and other headcount-related expenses associated with product development. Engineering and development expenses also include third-party development and programming costs and the amortization of purchased software code. We consider technological feasibility for our software products to be reached upon the release of the software, accordingly, no internal software development costs are capitalized.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” using the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. SFAS No. 109 also requires that the deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. This methodology requires estimates and judgments in the determination of the recoverability of deferred tax assets and in the calculation of certain tax liabilities. Valuation allowances are recorded against the gross deferred tax assets that management believes, after considering all the available objective evidence, both positive and negative, historical and prospective, with greater weight given to historical evidence, that it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized.

 

On October 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions. This interpretation requires us to recognize in the consolidated financial statements only those tax positions determined to be more-likely-than-not of being sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the positions as of the reporting date. If a tax position is not considered more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits, no benefits of the position are recognized. This is a different standard for recognition than was previously required. The more-likely-than-not threshold must continue to be met in each reporting period to support continued recognition of a benefit. Upon adoption of FIN 48, companies must adjust their financial statements to reflect only those tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained as of the adoption date. Any necessary adjustment is recorded directly to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption.

 

In addition, the calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. The Company records liabilities for estimated tax obligations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. These estimated tax liabilities include the provision for taxes that may become payable in the future.

 

Earnings per Share of Common Stock

 

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share reflects the maximum dilution that would have resulted from the assumed exercise and share repurchase related to dilutive stock options and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the assumed weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income per share computations for the Company’s reported net income (loss) is as follows:

 

     Years ended September 30,
         2008             2007    
     (Amounts in thousands,
except per share data)

Net income (loss)

   $ (407 )   $ 4,049
              

Weighted average number of shares outstanding—basic

     3,783       3,777

Incremental shares from the assumed exercise of stock options

     —         156
              

Weighted average number of shares outstanding—dilutive

     3,783       3,933
              

Net income (loss) per share—basic

   $ (0.11 )   $ 1.07
              

Net income (loss) per share—diluted

   $ (0.11 )   $ 1.03
              

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, “Earnings per Share” requires all anti-dilutive securities, including stock options, to be excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation. For fiscal year 2008 and 2007, 268,000 and 117,000 shares, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

On October 1, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options and employee stock purchases based on estimated fair values. In March 2005, the SEC issued SAB No. 107 (“SAB 107”) relating to SFAS No. 123(R). The Company has applied the provisions of SAB 107 in its adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

 

SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes the Company’s previous accounting under the provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company measured options granted prior to October 1, 2005 as compensation cost in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Accordingly, no accounting recognition was given to stock options granted at fair market value until they are exercised. Upon exercise, net proceeds, including tax benefits realized, are credited to equity.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, which required the application of the accounting standard as of October 1, 2005, the first day of the Company’s fiscal year 2006. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for periods prior to October 1, 2005 have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS No. 123(R). Stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS No. 123(R) for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 consisted of stock-based compensation expense related to options granted pursuant to the Company’s employee stock option and employee stock purchase plans of approximately $301,000 and $350,000, respectively.

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 included compensation expense for stock-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of September 30, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS No. 123 and compensation expense for the stock-based payment awards granted subsequent to September 30, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

 

The Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) to value employee stock options granted under the provisions of SFAS No. 123 for options granted prior to October 1, 2005 in order to provide pro forma information in years prior to fiscal 2006. The Company continues to use the Black-Scholes model to value employee stock options granted in 2007 and 2008 under the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (R).

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, which requires additional disclosures about the objectives of using derivative instruments; the method by which the derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS Statement No.133 and its related interpretations; and the effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 also requires disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption encouraged. We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will have on our financial statement disclosures.

 

On December 4, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations”. This standard will require an acquiring company to measure all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent considerations and all contractual contingencies, at fair value as of the acquisition date. In addition, an acquiring company is required to capitalize IPR&D and either amortize it over the life of the product, or write it off if the project is abandoned or impaired. The standard is effective for transactions occurring on or after January 1, 2009. We are evaluating the impact this standard will have on our financial statements.

 

On December 4, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51”. This standard changes the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling or minority interests (now called noncontrolling interest) in consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

This standard is effective January 1, 2009. When implemented, prior periods will be recast for the changes required by SFAS No. 160. We are evaluating the impact, if any, this standard will have on our financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Accounting for Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, and establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 (the year ending September 30, 2009 for the Company). The Company does not expect the new standard to have any material impact on its financial position and results of operations.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Statement Assets and Financial Liabilities (as amended). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 (the year ending September 30, 2009 for the Company). The Company does not expect to adopt this new standard.

 

In September 2006, the EITF issued EITF 06-4, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements. The Task Force reached a consensus that for an endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangement, an employer should recognize a liability for future benefits in accordance with SFAS No. 106 or APB Opinion 12, depending upon the specific facts in the insurance arrangement. The Company is reviewing the terms of its split-dollar life insurance arrangements to determine the effect, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the results of operations and the financial condition of the Company. EITF No. 06-4 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007 (the year ending September 30, 2009 for the Company), with earlier adoption permitted. We do not expect EITF 06-4 will have an impact on our financial statements as we are already accounting for our endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies which have postretirement benefit aspects in accordance with SFAS No. 106.

 

In March 2007, the EITF issued EITF 06-10, Accounting for Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements, (“EITF 06-10”) The Task Force reached a consensus that (i) an employer should recognize a liability for the postretirement benefit related to a collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement in accordance with either Statement 106 (if, in substance, a postretirement benefit plan exists) or Opinion 12 (if the arrangement is, in substance, an individual deferred compensation contract) if the employer has agreed to maintain a life insurance policy during the employee’s retirement or provide the employee with a death benefit based on the substantive agreement with the employee and (ii) an employer should recognize and measure an asset based on the nature and substance of the collateral assignment split-dollar life insurance arrangement. The Task Force observed that in determining the nature and substance of the arrangement, the employer should assess what future cash flows the employer is entitled to, if any, as well as the employee’s obligation and ability to repay the employer. The Company is reviewing the terms of its split-dollar life insurance arrangements to determine the effect, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the results of operations and the financial condition of the Company. EITF 06-10 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007 (the year ending September 30, 2009 for the Company), with earlier adoption permitted. We do not expect EITF 06-1 will have an impact on our financial statements, because we currently do not have any collateral assignment split-dollar arrangements.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate such risks by spreading its risk across multiple counterparties and monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties.

 

2.    Acquired Business

 

On September 25, 2008, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of R2 Technology Services, Inc. (“R2”), through its Modcomp subsidiary, as part of its Service and System Integration business segment. R2 is an IT solutions and managed service provider that specializes in unified communications and IT security solutions. The Company acquired R2 to expand our 3rd party product and IT services offerings and for potential synergies which we may realize by cross selling our legacy and newly acquired product and service capabilities among the newly combined customer base. R2 is an established, profitable business with knowledge and expertise in providing unified communications and IT security solutions. These factors contributed to a purchase price that resulted in the recognition of goodwill. The Company paid total consideration of approximately $2.4 million to acquire substantially all of the assets of R2, of which $2 million was paid in cash at closing, $317 thousand was paid subsequently for net working capital items acquired, $36 thousand was incurred for transaction costs directly related to the acquisition, and approximately $90 thousand was incurred for the assumption of certain other liabilities. The purchase of R2 resulted in goodwill not subject to amortization for book purposes totaling approximately $1.1 million. We expect the goodwill will be deductible for income tax purposes.

 

The purchase price was allocated as follows:

 

     (Amounts in
Thousands)
 

Accounts receivable

   $ 519  

Prepaid expenses

     3  

Inventories

     36  

Less: Accounts payable

     (241 )
        

Working capital

   $ 317  

Goodwill

     1,163  

Customer list (To be amortized over 10 years)

     820  

Non-compete agreements (To be amortized over 3 years)

     93  

Property and equipment

     50  
        

Total purchase price

   $ 2,443  
        

 

The acquisition was accounted for as an asset purchase. The results of operations of R2 for the period September 26 – September 30, 2008, which were immaterial, are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended September 30, 2008.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

3.    Investments

 

At September 30, 2008 and 2007, investments consisted of the following:

 

     Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Fair
Value
     (Amounts in thousands)

September 30, 2008

        

Closed end Funds:

        

Blackrock Preferred Strategy Fund

   $ 450    $ —      $ 450

Student Loan Backed Auction Rate Securities:

        

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Bonds

     1,100      —        1,100

Panhandle Plains Higher Education Authority, Inc. Bonds

     2,050      —        2,050

Nelnet Student Loan Funding, LLC Asset-Backed Notes

     1,400      —        1,400
                    

Total

   $ 5,000    $ —      $ 5,000
                    

September 30, 2007

        

Bonds and municipal revenue notes

   $ 7,690    $ —      $ 7,690
                    

Total

   $ 7,690    $ —      $ 7,690
                    
     Short-term    Long-term    Total

September 30, 2008

        

Available-for-sale

   $ 5,000    $ —      $ 5,000
                    
   $ 5,000    $ —      $ 5,000
                    

September 30, 2007

        

Held-to-maturity

   $ 7,690    $ —      $ 7,690
                    
   $ 7,690    $ —      $ 7,690
                    

 

Our investments in auction rate securities as of September 30, 2008, listed above totaling approximately $4.6 million were diversified across five separate issues and each issue maintains scheduled interest rate auctions in either 7-day or 28-day intervals. All of our auction rate securities are currently rated Aaa by Moody’s, AAA by Standard & Poor’s and/or AAA by Fitch, which are the highest ratings issued by each respective rating agency. These investments were issued by state agencies and are supported by student loans, for which repayment is substantially guaranteed by the U.S. government under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (“FFELP”) or MBIA Insurance Co. The remaining $450 thousand is a closed end, preferred auction security secured by the assets of the closed end funds. These funds are legally required to maintain assets of 200% of the face value of the preferred auction securities. During 2008, the Company changed its classification of these securities from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale.

 

On October 3, 2008, approximately $3.4 million of our auction rate securities, which were held at Bank of America, were redeemed at par value which was our carrying value. The remaining balance of our auction rate securities and closed end funds totaling approximately $1.6 million, which are held at Merrill Lynch, will be available for redemption at par value which is our carrying value, starting on January 2, 2009, on the interest reset dates for our security holdings. This redemption plan at Merrill Lynch is available for a period of one year. It is our intent to redeem our holdings on the reset dates in January 2009.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Net unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investments are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. There were no realized or unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investments for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

4.    Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

     September 30,
     2008    2007
     (Amounts in thousands)

Raw materials

   $ 1,531    $ 1,716

Work-in-process

     202      351

Finished goods

     6,392      4,005
             

Total

   $ 8,125    $ 6,072
             

 

5.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss are as follows:

 

     Effect of
Foreign
Currency
Translation
    Minimum
Pension

/ SFAS No. 158
Liability
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Balance September 30, 2006

   $ (1,356 )   $ (1,910 )   $ (3,266 )

Change in period

     649       1,170       1,819  

Tax effect of change in period

     —         (201 )     (201 )
                        

Balance September 30, 2007

   $ (707 )   $ (941 )   $ (1,648 )

Change in period

     (842 )     (703 )     (1545 )

Tax effect of change in period

     —         (94 )     (94 )
                        

Balance September 30, 2008

   $ (1,549 )   $ (1,738 )   $ (3,287 )
                        

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

6.    Income Taxes:

 

The components of income before income tax and income tax expense (benefit) are comprised of the following:

 

     Years Ended September 30,  
     2008     2007  
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Income (loss) before income tax:

    

U.S.

   $ (2,320 )   $ 5,835  

Foreign

     1,452       1,454  
                
   $ (868 )   $ 7,289  
                

Income tax expense (benefit):

    

Current:

    

Federal

   $ (675 )   $ 1,104  

State

     (43 )     105  

Foreign

     217       570  
                
     (501 )     1,779  
                

Deferred:

    

Federal

     48       991  

State

     10       484  

Foreign

     (18 )     (14 )
                
     40       1,461  
                
   $ (461 )   $ 3,240  
                

 

Reconciliation of “expected” income tax expense (benefit) to “actual” income tax expense (benefit) is as follows:

 

     Years Ended September 30,  
     2008     2007  
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Computed “expected” tax expense (benefit)

   $ (295 )   34.0 %   $ 2,478     34.0 %

Increases (reductions) in taxes resulting from:

        

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

     (26 )   3.0 %     361     5.0 %

Foreign operations

     (295 )   34.0 %     61     0.8 %

Change in valuation allowance

     196     (22.6 )%     433     6.0 %

Permanent differences

     30     (3.4 )%     (63 )   (0.9 )%

Inventory

     (77 )   8.9 %     (230 )   (3.2 )%

Stock-based compensation

     50     (5.7 )%     56     0.8 %

Write off of subsidiary

     (105 )   12.1 %     —       —   %

FIN48

     31     (3.6 )%     —       —   %

Other items

     30     (3.5 )%     144     2.0 %
                            

Income tax expense (benefit)

   $ (461 )   53.2 %   $ 3,240     44.5 %
                            

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The Company recorded a consolidated income tax benefit of $461 thousand in fiscal year 2008 reflecting an effective tax benefit rate of 53.2% compared to a tax expense of $3.2 million in fiscal year 2007 with an effective tax rate of 44.5%. In fiscal year 2008 we have recorded an income tax benefit of $600 thousand related to the carryback of the current year net operating loss. We previously utilized approximately $1.5 million of our net operating loss carryovers which were applied against our 2007 U.S. taxable income.

 

For the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, temporary differences, which give rise to deferred tax assets (liabilities), are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2007
 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Deferred compensation

   $ 2,409     $ 2,084  

Other reserves and accruals

     312       376  

Inventory capitalization and reserves

     465       223  

State credits, net of federal benefit

     47       88  

Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards

     307       69  

Federal capital loss carryover

     10       280  

Foreign net operating loss carryforwards

     2,840       3,344  

Foreign tax credits

     44       44  

Depreciation and amortization

     236       255  
                

Gross deferred tax assets

     6,670       6,763  

Less: valuation allowance

     (6,251 )     (6,280 )
                

Realizable deferred tax asset

     419       483  

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Goodwill

     (378 )     (307 )

Pension

     (175 )     (81 )

Reserves

     (187 )     (279 )
                

Gross deferred tax liabilities

     (740 )     (667 )
                

Net deferred tax liabilities

   $ (321 )   $ (184 )
                

 

The deferred tax valuation allowance was approximately $6.3 million at September 30, 2008 and 2007, decreasing only slightly, by $29 thousand from September 30, 2007 to September 30, 2008. During the year ended September 30, 2008, we wrote off certain deferred tax assets and the corresponding valuation allowance. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers its taxable future earnings and the expected timing of the reversal of temporary differences. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance which reduces the gross deferred tax asset to an amount which management believes will more likely than not be realized. The valuation allowance was determined in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” (“SFAS 109”) which requires an assessment of both positive and negative evidence when determining whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets are realizable. Such assessment is required on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. The Company’s inability to project future profitability beyond fiscal year 2010 in the U.S. and the cumulative losses incurred in recent years in the U.K. represent sufficient negative evidence under SFAS No. 109 to record a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

As of September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state tax purposes of approximately $3.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively which are available to offset future taxable income through 2026. As of September 30, 2008, the Company also has state investment tax credits of approximately $72 thousand, which do not expire.

 

As of September 30, 2008, the Company had U.K. net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $9.5 million that have an indefinite life with no expiration.

 

Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $3.3 million and $2.1 million at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company’s policy is that its undistributed foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. federal and state deferred tax liabilities have been recorded.

 

In addition, the calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. The Company records liabilities for estimated tax obligations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. These estimated tax liabilities include the provision for taxes that may become payable in the future.

 

On October 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions. Upon adoption of FIN 48, companies must adjust their financial statements to reflect only those tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained as of the adoption date. Any necessary adjustment is recorded directly to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption. The cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48, as of October 1, 2007, resulted in an increase to retained earnings of $556 thousand.

 

As of October 1, 2007, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $260 thousand, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. We recognize interest and potential penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next twelve months.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     Year Ended
September 30, 2008
     (Amounts
in thousands)

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year

   $ 260

Increases in tax positions in the current year

     3

Settlements

     —  

Accrued penalties and interest

     28
      

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year

   $ 291
      

 

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We have not been notified of intent to audit, nor are we currently undergoing an income tax audit in any jurisdiction. With few exceptions, our returns are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, or non-U.S. income tax examinations for the years before 2004.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

7.    Property, Equipment and Improvements, Net

 

Property, equipment and improvements, net consist of the following:

 

     September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2007
 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Leasehold improvements

   $ 295     $ 377  

Equipment

     7,850       8,030  

Automobiles

     84       58  
                
     8,229       8,465  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (7,226 )     (7,421 )
                

Property, equipment and improvements, net

   $ 1,003     $ 1,044  
                

 

The Company uses the straight-line method, over the estimated useful lives of the assets to record depreciation expense. Depreciation expense was $567 thousand and $655 thousand for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

8.    Goodwill and Other Intangibles

 

Goodwill

 

At September 30, 2008 the goodwill balance of $3.9 million consisted of approximately $2.8 million in connection with the acquisition of certain assets of Technisource Hardware, Inc. (“Technisource”) on May 30, 2003 and approximately $1.1 million in connection with the acquisition of substantially all the assets of R2 (see Note 2). As of September 30, 2007, goodwill of $2.8 million related solely to the acquisition of Technisource. All of the goodwill as of September 30, 2008 and 2007 was within the Service and System Integration segment. The reporting unit for purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment was the Modcomp U.S. Systems and Solutions division. The Company concluded there was no impairment of goodwill for this reporting unit based upon its annual assessments in 2008 and 2007.

 

The estimated fair value of the reporting unit with goodwill was based on a combination of discounted projected cash flows and observable market price-to-earnings multiples of relevant, comparable peer companies. At September 30, 2008, the Company’s market capitalization was less than its book value, which management attributes to both industry-wide and Company-specific factors. If the Company’s common stock price continues to trade below book value per common share, the Company may have to recognize an impairment of all, or some portion of, its goodwill and other intangible assets. There is no assurance that: (1) valuation multiples will not decline, (2) discount rates will not increase or (3) the earnings, book values or projected earnings and cash flows of the Company’s individual reporting units will not decline. Accordingly, an impairment charge to goodwill and other intangible assets may be required in the foreseeable future if the book equity value exceeds the estimated fair value of the enterprise or of an individual segment.

 

Intangible Assets

 

As of September 30, 2008, intangible assets totaled approximately $913 thousand, which consisted of customer lists and non-compete agreements totaling approximately $820 thousand and $93 thousand, respectively. The weighted average amortization period in the aggregate, for the customer lists and non-compete agreements were 9.3 years, 10 years and 3 years, respectively. These intangible assets were acquired with the purchase of R2 (see Note 2). Amortization expense on these intangible assets for fiscal 2008 was negligible due to

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

the acquisition occurring within 6 days of the fiscal year end. Therefore the intangible assets are recorded at their acquisition value, because amortization as of September 30, 2008 was immaterial. Annual amortization expense related to intangible assets for each of the following successive fiscal years is as follows:

 

     Amortization
expense
     (Amounts
in thousands)

2009

   $ 113

2010

     113

2011

     113

2012

     82

2013

     82

Thereafter

     410
      

Total

   $ 913
      

 

9.    Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

     September 30,
         2008            2007    
     (Amounts in thousands)

Accounts payable

   $ 7,822    $ 3,989

Commissions

     137      169

Compensation and fringe benefits

     1,465      2,564

Professional fees and shareholders’ reporting costs

     624      766

Taxes, other than income

     291      325

Warranty

     167      557

Current portion of capital lease

     21      —  

Other

     710      703
             
   $ 11,237    $ 9,073
             

 

10.    Stock Options and Awards

 

In 1991, the Company adopted the 1991 Stock Option Plan (the “1991 Plan”), and authorized 332,750 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1991 Plan. The 1991 Plan expired on October 23, 2001. In 1997, the Company adopted the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”), and authorized 199,650 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1997 Plan. In 2003, the Company adopted the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”) and authorized 200,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance pursuant to the 2003 Plan. In 2007, the Company adopted the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) and authorized 250,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance pursuant to the 2007 Plan. The 2003 Plan and 2007 Plan also provide for awards of restricted and unrestricted stock. Under all of the stock option plans, both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options may be granted to officers, key employees and other persons providing services to the Company. All of the Company’s stock option plans have a ten year life. Options issued under any of the stock option plans are not affected by termination of the plan. The Company issues stock options at their fair market value on the date of grant. Stock options granted pursuant to the Company’s stock option plans vest over four years and expire ten years from the date of grant, except for options granted to non-employee directors, which vest after six months and expire three years from the date of grant. The Company provides an annual non-discretionary grant of 2,500 to each of the non-employee directors as part of the directors’ annual compensation.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

In 2003, the Company issued non-qualified stock options to non-officer employees hired as part of the Technisource acquisition. These options were granted at their fair value on the date of grant. These options vested over a period of four years and expire ten years from the date of grant.

 

On October 1, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options and awards of restricted and unrestricted stock based on estimated fair values, as described in note 1. Stock-based compensation expense incurred and recognized under SFAS No. 123(R) for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 related to employee stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors under the company’s employee stock option and employee stock purchase plans totaled approximately $301,000 and $350,000, respectively. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that the classification of the cost of share based compensation, in the statement of operations, is consistent with the nature of the services being rendered in exchange for the share based payment. The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense under SFAS No. 123(R) in the Company’s statements of operations:

 

     For the Years ended
     September 30,
2008
   September 30,
2007
     (Amounts in thousands)

Cost of sales

   $ 10    $ 12

Engineering and development

     41      49

Selling, general and administrative

     250      289
             

Total

   $ 301    $ 350
             

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value stock options. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of a number of assumptions including volatility of the Company’s stock price, the weighted average risk-free interest rate, and the weighted average expected life of the options, at the time of grant. Because the Company does not pay dividends, the dividend rate variable in the Black-Scholes model is zero. For the year ended September 30, 2008, the Company granted 54,000 share options to employees and 10,000 share options to non-employee directors. For the year ended September 30, 2007 the Company granted 28,350 share options to employees, and 10,000 shares to non-employee directors. The table below summarizes the assumptions used to value these options:

 

     For the Years ended
     September 30,
2008
   September 30,
2007

Expected volatility

   59%    60%

Expected dividend yield

   —      —  

Risk-free interest rate

   2.18%-3.87%    4.51%-4.69%

Expected term (in years)

   3.0-7.9    2.3-6.0

 

The volatility assumption is based on the historical weekly price data of the Company’s stock over a period equivalent to the weighted average expected life of the Company’s options. Management evaluated whether there were factors during those periods which would distort the volatility figures if used to estimate future volatility and concluded that there were no such factors.

 

The risk-free interest rate assumptions are based on U.S. Treasury rates determined at the date of option grant.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The expected terms of employee stock options represent weighted-average periods that the stock options are expected to remain outstanding. They are based upon the historical average of the actual terms that stock options were outstanding, or are expected to be outstanding. Management believes this historical data is representative of the expected term of options granted for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations pursuant to SFAS No. 123(R) is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, expense for grants beginning upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on October 1, 2005 has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The forfeiture rates for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were based on actual forfeitures.

 

No cash was used to settle equity instruments granted under share-base payment arrangements in any of the years in the two-year period ended September 30, 2008.

 

The following is a summary of stock option activity:

 

    Weighted
average
exercise
price of
shares
under
plans
  Weighted
average fair
value of
options
granted
during the
year
  Number of Shares  
      2007
Plan
  2003
Plan
    1997
Plan
    1991
Plan
    Non
Qualified
Stock
Options
    Total  

Outstanding September 30, 2006

  $ 5.75     —     145,500     181,900     129,152     58,750       515,302  

Granted

  $ 9.87   $ 5.21   —     37,750     600     —       —         38,350  

Expired or forfeited

  $ 7.05     —     (1,875 )   —       —       —         (1,875 )

Exercised

  $ 4.21     —     (5,875 )   (54,850 )   (50,896 )   (14,000 )     (125,621 )
                                       

Outstanding September 30, 2007

  $ 6.57     —     175,500     127,650     78,256     44,750       426,156  

Granted

  $ 6.39   $ 3.69   38,000   26,000     —       —       —         64,000  

Expired or forfeited

  $ 7.32     —     (12,125 )   —       (9,036 )   —         (21,161 )

Exercised

  $ 4.03     —     —       (26,563 )   —       (4,750 )     (31,313 )
                                       

Outstanding September 30, 2008

  $ 6.69     38,000   189,375     101,087     69,220     40,000       437,682  
                                       

Available for future grants

      212,000   4,750     —       —       —         216,750  

Exercisable

  $ 6.48     6,250   124,311     100,712     69,220     40,000       340,493  

Weighted average contractual term of exercisable options

                  3.06 years  

Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options

                $ 136,472  

 

As of September 30, 2008, unrecognized stock based compensation related to stock options was approximately $348 thousand. This cost is expected to be expensed over a weighted average period of 2.6 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $85 thousand and $643 thousand.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September 30, 2008:

 

     Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number
Outstanding
   Weighted Average
Remaining Years
Of Contractual
Life
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Number
Exercisable
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$2.250—$3.375

   40,000    4.66    $ 2.70    40,000    $ 2.70

$3.375—$4.500

   9,350    2.08    $ 4.23    9,350    $ 4.23

$4.500—$5.625

   105,487    2.35    $ 5.05    91,487    $ 5.01

$5.625—$6.750

   116,845    2.60    $ 6.42    99,845    $ 6.42

$6.750—$7.875

   51,250    7.35    $ 6.91    16,000    $ 7.08

$7.875—$9.000

   —      —      $ —      —      $ —  

$9.000—$10.125

   101,750    6.78    $ 9.85    73,061    $ 9.95

$10.125—$11.250

   13,000    3.05    $ 10.97    10,750    $ 10.99
                  
   437,682    4.26    $ 6.69    340,493    $ 6.48
                  

 

The following table is the non-vested stock options activity for the year ended September 30, 2008:

 

     Options     Weighted
Average
Fair
Value

Non-vested at September 30, 2007

   87,250     $ 4.92

Activity in 2008

    

Granted

   64,000     $ 3.69

Vested

   (52,123 )   $ 4.45

Forfeited

   (1,938 )   $ 4.50
        

Non-vested at September 30, 2008

   97,189     $ 4.38
        

 

11.    Stock Purchase Plan

 

In October 1997, the board of directors of the Company adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “1997 Purchase Plan”), which was ratified by the shareholders. There are 332,750 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 1997 Purchase Plan. Under the 1997 Purchase Plan, the Company’s employees may purchase shares of common stock at a price per share that is 85% of the lesser of the fair market value as of the beginning or end of semi-annual option periods. Compensation expense recorded for shares issued pursuant to the 1997 Purchase Plan for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $60 thousand and $88 thousand, respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, 30,126 and 28,749 shares were issued pursuant to the 1997 Purchase Plan, respectively. Since inception of the plan, 201,737 shares have been issued, and there are 131,013 shares available for future issuance under the 1997 Purchase Plan as of September 30, 2008.

 

12.    Pension and Retirement Plans

 

In the United Kingdom and Germany, the Company provides defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans for the majority of its employees. Domestically, the Company also provides benefits through supplemental retirement plans to certain current and former employees. These supplemental plans provide benefits derived out of cash surrender values relating to current and former employee and officer life insurance policies,

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

equal to the difference between the amounts that would have been payable under the defined benefit pension plans, in the absence of legislation limiting pension benefits and earnings that may be considered in calculating pension benefits, and the amounts actually payable under the defined benefit pension plans. In addition, domestically, the Company provides for officer death benefits through the post-retirement plans to certain officers.

 

Defined Benefit Plans

 

The Company funds its pension plans in amounts sufficient to meet the requirements set forth in applicable employee benefits laws and local tax laws. Liabilities for amounts in excess of these funding levels are accrued and reported in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

The German Plan does not have any assets and therefore all costs and benefits of the plan are funded annually with cash flow from operations.

 

The domestic supplemental retirement plans have life insurance policies which are not considered plan assets but were purchased by the Company as a vehicle to fund the costs of the plan. These insurance policies are included in the balance sheet at their cash surrender value, net of policy loans, aggregating $1.6 million and $1.5 million as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The loans against the policies have been taken out by the Company to pay the premiums. The costs and benefit payments for these plans are paid through operating cash flows of the Company to the extent that they can not be funded through the use of the cash values in the insurance policies. The Company expects that the recorded value of the insurance policies will be sufficient to fund all of the Company’s obligations under these plans.

 

At September 30, 2008, our pension plan in the United Kingdom was the only plan with assets, holding investments of approximately $7.4 million. The Company’s investment strategy is to maximize the long-term rate of return on plan assets within an acceptable level of risk while maintaining adequate funding levels. The portfolio is managed to achieve optimal diversity. The following table presents the percentages of the fair value of plan assets by investment category as of September 30:

 

     Percentage of
plan assets
 

Global equity securities

   72.7 %

Debt securities

   9.7 %

Cash

   17.6 %
      

Total

   100.0 %
      

 

As of September 30, 2008, our actual asset mix approximated our target mix.

 

Assumptions:

 

The following table provides the weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine the actuarial present value of projected benefit obligations at:

 

     Domestic     International  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Discount rate:

   7.50 %   6.25 %   6.66 %   5.67 %

Expected return on plan assets:

   —   %   —   %   7.10 %   6.80 %

Rate of compensation increase:

   —   %   —   %   1.62 %   1.90 %

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The following table provides the weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended:

 

     Domestic     International  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Discount rate:

   6.25 %   6.00 %   5.67 %   4.64 %

Expected return on plan assets:

   —   %   —   %   6.80 %   5.75 %

Rate of compensation increase:

   —   %   —   %   1.90 %   2.00 %

 

For domestic plans, the discount rate was determined by comparison against the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve and Liability Index for AA rated corporate instruments. The Company monitors other indices to assure that the pension obligations are fairly reported on a consistent basis. The international discount rates were determined by comparison against country specific AA corporate indices, adjusted for duration of the obligation.

 

The Company’s UK plan is invested in low-cost balanced funds and aims to produce consistent investment performance in-line with average UK pension funds.

 

The periodic benefit cost and the actuarial present value of projected benefit obligations are based on actuarial assumptions that are reviewed on an annual basis. The Company revises these assumptions based on an annual evaluation of long-term trends, as well as market conditions that may have an impact on the cost of providing retirement benefits.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The components of net periodic benefit costs related to the U.S. and international plans are as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended September 30  
     2008     2007  
     Foreign     U.S.     Total     Foreign     U.S.     Total  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Pension:

            

Service cost

   $ 84     $ 8     $ 92     $ 123     $ 7     $ 130  

Interest cost

     794       138       932       673       142       815  

Expected return on plan assets

     (650 )     —         (650 )     (490 )     —         (490 )

Amortization of:

            

Prior service gains

     —         —         —         (6 )     —         (6 )

Amortization of net loss

     —         19       19       39       47       86  
                                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 228     $ 165     $ 393     $ 339     $ 196     $ 535  
                                                

Post Retirement:

            

Service cost

   $ —       $ 64     $ 64     $ —       $ 65     $ 65  

Interest cost

     —         52       52       —         47       47  

Expected return on plan assets

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Amortization of:

            

Prior service costs/(gains)

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Net transition asset

     —         1       1       —         138       138  
                                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ —       $ 117     $ 117     $ —       $ 250     $ 250  
                                                

Pension:

            

Increase (decrease) in minimum liability included in comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 908     $ (146 )   $ 762     $ (1,090 )   $ (84 )   $ (1,174 )

Post Retirement:

            

Increase in minimum liability included in comprehensive income (loss)

   $ —       $ (59 )   $ (59 )   $ —       $ 4     $ 4  
                                                

Total:

            

Increase (decrease) in minimum liability included in comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 908     $ (205 )   $ 703     $ (1,090 )   $ (80 )   $ (1,170 )
                                                

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The following table presents an analysis of the changes in 2008 and 2007 of the benefit obligation, the plan assets and the funded status of the plans:

 

    For the Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007  
    Foreign     U.S.     Total     Foreign     U.S.     Total  
    (Amounts in thousands)  

Pension:

           

Change in projected benefit obligation (“PBO”)

           

Balance beginning of year

  $ 14,144     $ 2,214     $ 16,358     $ 13,170     $ 2,368     $ 15,538  

Service cost

    84       8       92       123       7       130  

Interest cost

    794       138       932       673       142       815  

Changes in actuarial assumptions

    (907 )     (128 )     (1,035 )     (887 )     (37 )     (924 )

Foreign exchange impact

    (1,489 )     —         (1,489 )     1,293       —         1,293  

Benefits paid

    (255 )     (266 )     (521 )     (228 )     (266 )     (494 )
                                               

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

  $ 12,371     $ 1,966     $ 14,337     $ 14,144     $ 2,214     $ 16,358  
                                               

Changes in fair value of plan assets:

           

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

  $ 9,830     $ —       $ 9,830     $ 8,110     $ —       $ 8,110  

Actual gain (loss) on plan assets

    (1,428 )     —         (1,428 )     1,017       —         1,017  

Company contributions

    467       266       733       141       266       407  

Foreign exchange impact

    (1,170 )     —         (1,170 )     790       —         790  

Benefits paid

    (255 )     (266 )     (521 )     (228 )     (266 )     (494 )
                                               

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

  $ 7,444     $ —       $ 7,444     $ 9,830     $ —       $ 9,830  
                                               

Funded status

  $ (4,927 )   $ (1,966 )   $ (6,893 )   $ (4,314 )   $ (2,214 )   $ (6,528 )

Unamortized net loss

    —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                               

Net amount recognized

  $ (4,927 )   $ (1,966 )   $ (6,893 )   $ (4,314 )   $ (2,214 )   $ (6,528 )
                                               

Post Retirement:

           

Change in projected benefit obligation (“PBO”):

           

Balance beginning of year

  $ —       $ 826     $ 826     $ —       $ 659     $ 659  

Service cost

    —         64       64       —         65       65  

Interest cost

    —         52       52       —         47       47  

Changes in actuarial assumptions

    —         (57 )     (57 )     —         55       55  

Foreign exchange impact

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Benefits paid

    —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                               

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

  $ —       $ 885     $ 885     $ —       $ 826     $ 826  
                                               

Changes in fair value of plan assets:

           

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Actual gain/(loss) on plan assets

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Company contributions

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Foreign exchange impact

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

Benefits paid from plan assets

    —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                               

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

  $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    
                                               

Funded status

  $ —       $ (885 )   $ (885 )   $ —       $ (826 )   $ (826 )

Unamortized net loss

    —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                               

Net amount recognized

  $ —       $ (885 )   $ (885 )   $ —       $ (826 )   $ (826 )
                                               

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consist of:

 

     For the Years Ended September 30  
     2008     2007  
     Foreign     U.S.     Total     Foreign     U.S.     Total  
     (Amounts in thousands)  

Pension:

            

Accrued benefit liability

   $ (4,928 )   $ (1,966 )   $ (6,894 )   $ (4,314 )   $ (2,214 )   $ (6,528 )

Deferred tax

     (174 )     —         (174 )     (81 )     —         (81 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,883       (91 )     1,792       881       56       937  
                                                

Net amount recognized

   $ (3,219 )   $ (2,057 )   $ (5,276 )   $ (3,514 )   $ (2,158 )   $ (5,672 )
                                                

Post Retirement:

            

Accrued benefit liability

   $ —       $ (885 )   $ (885 )   $ —       $ (826 )   $ (826 )

Deferred tax

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     —         (54 )     (54 )     —         4       4  
                                                

Net amount recognized

   $ —       $ (939 )   $ (939 )   $ —       $ (822 )   $ (822 )
                                                

Total pension and post retirement:

            

Accrued benefit liability

   $ (4,928 )   $ (2,851 )   $ (7,779 )   $ (4,314 )   $ (3,040 )   $ (7,354 )

Deferred tax

     (174 )     —         (174 )     (81 )     —         (81 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,883       (145 )     1,738       881       60       941  
                                                

Net amount recognized

   $ (3,219 )   $ (2,996 )   $ (6,215 )   $ (3,514 )   $ (2,980 )   $ (6,494 )
                                                

 

The decrease in the under funded status of the pension plans in 2007 resulted primarily from actuarial gains and losses. In fiscal 2007, the Company revised its estimate of the PBO for certain UK plan members whose benefits were partially transferred to the UK government plan. This change in estimate of approximately $599 thousand is included above as a change in actuarial assumptions in the PBO.

 

Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets are attributable to unfunded domestic supplemental retirement plans, our German plans which are legally not required to be funded, and our U.K. retirement plan.

 

Accrued benefit liability reported as:

 

     September 30,
     2008    2007
     (Amounts in thousands)

Current accrued benefit liability

   $ 397    $ 495

Noncurrent accrued benefit liability

     7,382      6,859
             

Total accrued benefit liability

   $ 7,779    $ 7,354
             

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

We adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158 as of September 30, 2007. The incremental effect that the adoption of SFAS No. 158 had on the Company’s balance sheet as of September 30, 2007 was as follows:

 

     Before Application of
SFAS No. 158
    Adjustments     After Application of
SFAS No. 158
 

Pension and retirement plan liability

   $ 7,198     $ 156     $ 7,354  

Deferred income taxes

     715       (48 )     667  

Total liabilities

     20,999       108       21,107  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     (1,540 )     (108 )     (1,648 )

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 25,442     $ (108 )   $ 25,334  

 

As of September 30, 2008 and 2007 the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, consisted of deferred net losses totaling approximately $1.7 million and $941 thousand, respectively.

 

The amount of net deferred gain expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost for the year ending September 30, 2009, will be a net gain of approximately $2 thousand.

 

Contributions

 

The Company expects to contribute $414 thousand to its pension plan and $96 thousand to its other postretirement benefit plan for fiscal 2009.

 

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

 

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (amounts in thousands):

 

     Pension Benefits

2009

   $ 439

2010

     492

2011

     520

2012

     497

2013

     544

Thereafter

     5,287

 

Defined Contribution Plans

 

The Company has defined contribution plans in domestic and international locations under which the Company matches the employee’s contributions and may make discretionary contributions to the plans. The Company’s contributions were $220 thousand and $251 thousand for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

13.    Line of Credit

 

The Company’s current line of credit note allows for borrowings of up to $2.5 million. Availability under the facility is reduced by outstanding letters of credit issued thereunder. Interest on borrowings under the credit facility accrues based upon either the LIBOR rate plus 1.5% (the “Libor Option”) or at the lender’s prime rate (the “Prime Rate Option”). The Company may choose at its discretion whether interest shall accrue at the Libor

 

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YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Option or the Prime Rate Option, by giving notice to the lender on or before the date that interest is due. The credit note contains financial and non-financial covenants, including requirements to maintain (i) a level of $25 thousand in operating cash flow for the trailing twelve months from the end of each fiscal quarter; (ii) a minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.25 and (iii) a minimum current ratio excluding inventory from current assets of 1.5 at the end of each fiscal quarter. The Company’s operating cash flow and debt service ratio did not meet these criteria as of September 30, 2008. The lender waived those specific covenant requirements as of, and for the year ended September 30, 2008. The Company was in compliance with all other covenants for the year ended and as of September 30, 2008.

 

The outstanding balance under this credit facility as of September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, was $1.5 million and $0, respectively. The maximum outstanding borrowings under the credit facility during the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $1.5 million and $0, respectively. The outstanding balance as of September 30, 2008 is considered short-term in the financial statements because the balance was paid in full in October 2008.

 

14.    Commitments and Contingencies

 

Leases

 

The Company occupies office space under lease agreements expiring at various dates during the next five years. The leases are classified as operating leases, and provide for the payment of real estate taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance.

 

The Company was obligated under non-cancelable operating leases as follows:

 

Fiscal year ending September 30:

   (Amounts in thousands)

2009

   $ 1,327

2010

     771

2011

     402

2012

     33
      
   $ 2,533
      

 

Occupancy expenses under the operating leases approximated $1.7 million in 2008 and $1.7 million in 2007.

 

Common Stock Repurchase

 

On October 19, 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at market price. During the year ended September 30, 2008, the Company repurchased the remaining 60,700 shares available to be purchased pursuant to this authorization. On November 13, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 250,000 additional shares of outstanding common stock at market prices. As of September 30, 2008, the Company purchased an additional 55,143 shares pursuant to the additional authorization, for total repurchases of 115,843 shares purchased for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, leaving an additional 194,857 shares available to be purchased. The average per share price of all shares repurchased during fiscal 2008 was $6.36.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

15.    Segment and Geographical Information

 

The following table presents certain operating segment information.

 

Fiscal Years Ended September 30,

   Systems     Service and
system
integration
   Consolidated
Total
 
     (Amounts in thousands)  

2008

       

Sales:

       

Product

   $ 4,633     $ 55,670    $ 60,303  

Service

     324       16,155      16,479  
                       

Total sales

     4,957       71,825      76,782  

Profit (loss) from operations

     (3,803 )     2,352      (1,451 )

Assets

     15,828       34,191      50,019  

Capital expenditures

     105       331      436  

Depreciation

     223       344      567  

2007

       

Sales:

       

Product

   $ 21,193     $ 58,341    $ 79,534  

Service

     940       13,564      14,504  
                       

Total sales

     22,133       71,905      94,038  

Profit from operations

     5,181       1,371      6,552  

Assets

     19,620       26,821      46,441  

Capital expenditures

     317       203      520  

Depreciation

     262       393      655  

 

Profit (loss) from operations is sales less cost of sales, engineering and development, selling, general and administrative expenses but is not affected by either non-operating charges/income or by income taxes. Non-operating charges/ income consists principally of gain on sale of property, investment income and interest expense. In calculating profit from operations for individual operating segments, sales and administrative expenses incurred at the corporate level are allocated to each segment based upon their relative sales levels.

 

All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

 

The following table details the Company’s sales by operating segment for fiscal years September 30, 2008 and 2007. The Company’s sales by geographic area based on the location of where the products were shipped or services rendered are as follows:

 

2008

   North
America
    Europe     Asia     Total     % of
Total
 

Systems

   $ 2,667     $ 31     $ 2,259     $ 4,957     6 %

Service and System Integration

     34,670       35,961       1,194       71,825     94 %
                                      

Total

   $ 37,337     $ 35,992     $ 3,453     $ 76,782     100 %
                                      

% of Total

     49 %     47 %     4 %     100 %  

2007

   North
America
    Europe     Asia     Total     % of
Total
 

Systems

   $ 19,293     $ —       $ 2,840     $ 22,133     24 %

Service and System Integration

     31,986       39,863       56       71,905     76 %
                                      

Total

   $ 51,279     $ 39,863     $ 2,896     $ 94,038     100 %
                                      

% of Total

     55 %     42 %     3 %     100 %  

 

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Table of Contents

CSP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 and 2007

 

Long-lived assets by geographic location at September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

     September 30,
2008
   September 30,
2007
     (Amounts in thousands)

North America

   $ 5,464    $ 3,492

Europe

     393      331
             

Totals

   $ 5,857    $ 3,823
             

 

The following table lists customers from which the Company derived revenues in excess of 10% of total revenues for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

     For the Years Ended  
     September 30, 2008     September 30, 2007  
     Amount    % of
Revenues
    Amount    % of
Revenues
 

Raytheon Corporation

   $ 0.1    0.1 %   $ 18.1    19 %

Atos Origin GmbH

   $ 9.8    13 %   $ 13.7    15 %

 

16.    Restructuring Expense

 

In connection with a reduction in force in the German division of Modcomp, the Company accrued a restructuring charge of approximately $269 thousand in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, which was charged to selling, general and administrative expense. This amount consists of termination payments to one affected employee.

 

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