o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 |
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from _________ to __________ |
Commission file number 0-30070
AUDIOCODES LTD. |
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter and translation of Registrant's name into English) |
ISRAEL |
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
1 Hayarden Street, Airport City Lod 70151, Israel |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class None |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Ordinary Shares, nominal value NIS 0.01 per share |
(Title of Class) |
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None |
(Title of Class) |
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
As of December 31, 2004, the Registrant had outstanding 39,865,993 Ordinary Shares, nominal value NIS 0.01 per share.
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 o
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 o Item 18 x
Unless the context otherwise requires, "AudioCodes," "us," "we" and "our" refer to AudioCodes Ltd. and its subsidiaries.
ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 3. | KEY INFORMATION |
A. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
We derived the consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 from the audited consolidated financial statements set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report. We derived the consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 2001 and the consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 from audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this Annual Report.
On October 6, 2000, we effected a two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend. All share and per share data for periods prior to and including that date have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this stock split. All figures relating to outstanding shares exclude shares held in treasury.
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 | |||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: | |||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 71,798 | $ | 35,734 | $ | 27,189 | $ | 44,228 | $ | 82,756 | |||||||
Cost of revenues | 28,029 | 21,942 | 13,006 | 20,037 | 34,375 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit | 43,769 | 13,792 | 14,183 | 24,191 | 48,381 | ||||||||||||
Operating expense: | |||||||||||||||||
Research and development, net | 10,588 | 13,807 | 13,022 | 15,476 | 20,009 | ||||||||||||
Selling and marketing | 11,204 | 13,852 | 14,288 | 14,537 | 19,891 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 2,917 | 5,044 | 3,353 | 4,066 | 4,851 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 24,709 | 32,703 | 30,663 | 34,079 | 44,751 | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 19,060 | (18,911 | ) | (16,480 | ) | (9,888 | ) | 3,630 | |||||||||
Financial income, net | 8,057 | 6,388 | 2,623 | 1,883 | 2165 | ||||||||||||
Equity in losses of an affiliated company | - | 750 | 300 | 429 | 516 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes on income | 27,117 | (13,273 | ) | (14,157 | ) | (8,434 | ) | 5,279 | |||||||||
Taxes on income | 438 | - | - | - | 273 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 26,679 | $ | (13,273 | ) | $ | (14,157 | ) | $ | (8,434 | ) | $ | 5,006 | ||||
Basic net earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.68 | $ | (0.34 | ) | $ | (0.37 | ) | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.13 | ||||
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share | $ | 0.62 | $ | (0.34 | ) | $ | (0.37 | ) | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | 0.12 | ||||
Weighted average number of ordinary of | |||||||||||||||||
shares used in computing basic net | |||||||||||||||||
earnings (loss) per share | 39,273 | 39,591 | 38,518 | 37,509 | 38,614 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary | |||||||||||||||||
shares used in computing diluted | |||||||||||||||||
net earnings per share | 43,051 | 39,591 | 38,518 | 37,509 | 42,607 | ||||||||||||
December 31, |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 | |||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 9,575 | $ | 50,086 | $ | 47,799 | $ | 48,898 | $ | 166,832 | |||||||
Short-term bank deposits | 135,598 | 79,984 | 63,074 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Working capital | 146,119 | 126,242 | 108,370 | 46,232 | 171,447 | ||||||||||||
Long-term bank deposits and structured | |||||||||||||||||
notes | - | - | - | 50,270 | 50,195 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | 174,329 | 148,416 | 129,814 | 128,530 | 272,145 | ||||||||||||
Senior convertible notes | - | - | - | - | 120,660 | ||||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 149,720 | 131,255 | 113,384 | 106,518 | 121,985 |
B. | CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS |
Not applicable. |
- 2 -
C. | REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not applicable. |
D. | RISK FACTORS |
We are subject to various risks and uncertainties relating to or arising out of the nature of our business and general business, economic, financing, legal and other factors or conditions that may affect us. We believe that the occurrence of any one or some combination of the following factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
The slowdown in capital expenditures by telecommunications service providers has had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
A deterioration of economies around the world and economic uncertainty in the telecommunications market began in 2000 and continued through 2003. This resulted in a curtailment of capital investment by telecommunications carriers and service providers as well as by businesses that use our products, referred to as the enterprise market. It also reduced our ability to forecast orders, also referred to as low visibility. We cannot be sure whether increased expenditures will continue to be made in the telecommunications industry in general or in the voice over packet portion of the market. The decline in capital expenditures has in the past had a substantial impact on our results of operations with our revenues declining from $71.8 million in 2000 to $27.2 million in 2002 primarily as a result of such a decline. Because a substantial portion of our operating expenses consist of salaries, we may not be able to reduce our operating expenses in line with any reduction in revenues or may elect not to do so for business reasons. As a result of this downturn and our relatively stable operating expenses, we incurred a net loss of $13.3 million in 2001, $14.2 million in 2002 and $8.4 million in 2003. We will need to continue to generate increased revenues as well as manage our costs to maintain profitability. Any future industry downturn may increase our inventories, decrease our revenues, result in additional pressure on the price of our products and prolong the time until we are paid, all of which would have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations and on our cash flow from operations.
If new products we recently introduced or expect to introduce in the near future fail to generate the level of demand we originally anticipated, we will realize a lower than expected return from our investment in research and development with respect to those products, and our results of operations may suffer.
Our success is dependent, in part, on the willingness of our customers to transition or migrate to new products, such as our expanded offering of Mediant and Stretto systems, or expected future products. We are involved in a continuous process of evaluating changing market demands and customer requirements in order to develop and introduce new products, features and applications to meet changing demands and requirements. We need to be able to interpret market trends and the advancement of technology in order to successfully develop and introduce new products, features and applications. If potential customers defer transition or migration to new products, our return on our investment in research and development with respect to products recently introduced or expected to be introduced in the near future will be lower than we originally anticipated and our results of our operations may suffer.
- 3 -
Our industry is rapidly evolving and we may not be able to keep pace with technological changes, which could adversely affect our business.
The transmission of voice, data and fax over data networks is rapidly evolving. Short product life cycles place a premium on our ability to manage the transition from current products to new products. Our future success in generating revenues will depend on our ability to enhance our existing products and to develop and introduce new products and product features. These products and features must keep pace with technological developments and address the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers. The development of new technologies and products is increasingly complex and uncertain. This increases the difficulty in coordinating the planning and production process and can result in delay in the introduction of new technologies and products.
We are dependent on the development of the VoP market to increase our sales.
The market for Voice over Packet, or VoP, services is currently developing. We cannot be sure that the delivery of telephone and other communications services over packet networks rather than over traditional telephone networks will expand. We cannot be sure that packet based voice networks will become widespread or that connections between packet networks and telephone networks will become commonplace. The adaptation process of connecting packet networks and telephone networks can be time consuming and costly. In addition, limitations of VoP technology, such as the inability to make a call during a power outage and difficulty in accessing 911 services, could adversely affect the market for VoP services. Sales of our VoP products will depend on the development of packet networks and the commercialization of VoP services. If this market does not develop, or develops more slowly than we expect, we may not be able to sell our products in significant volume.
New industry standards, the modification of our products to meet additional existing standards or the addition of features to our products may delay the introduction of our products or increase our costs.
The industry standards that apply to our products are continually evolving. In addition, since our products are integrated into networks consisting of elements manufactured by various companies, they must comply with a number of industry standards and practices established by various international bodies and industry forums. Should new standards gain broad acceptance, we will be required to adopt those standards in our products. We may also decide to modify our products to meet additional existing standards or add features to our products. Standards may be adopted by various industry interest groups or may be proprietary and nonetheless accepted broadly in the industry. It may take us a significant amount of time to develop and design products incorporating these new standards. We may also have to pay additional fees to the developers of the technologies which constitute the newly adopted standards.
- 4 -
Our customers or potential customers may develop or prefer to develop their own technical solutions, and as a result, would not buy our products.
Our products are primarily sold as components or building blocks to large original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, or network equipment providers. Our customers incorporate our products into their product offerings, usually in conjunction with value-added services of their own or of third parties. Customers or potential customers may prefer to develop their own technology or purchase third party technology. They could also manufacture their own components or building blocks that are similar to the ones we offer. Large customers have already committed significant resources in developing integrated product offerings. Customers may decide that this gives them greater control over supplies, specifications and performance. Customers may therefore not buy components from an external manufacturer such as us. This could have an adverse impact on our ability to sell our products and our revenues.
We have depended on a small number of large customers. The loss of one of these customers or the reduction in purchases by a significant customer could have a material adverse effect on our revenue.
Historically, a substantial portion of our revenue has been derived from large purchases by a small number of OEMs and network equipment providers, systems integrators and distributors. For example, our top three customers accounted for approximately 29.0% of our revenues in 2004, 26.9% of our revenues in 2003 and 22.4% of our revenues in 2002. Sales to Nortel Networks accounted for 18.6% of our revenues in 2004 compared to 14.3% of our revenues in 2003 and 1.4% of our revenues in 2002. We do not enter into sales agreements in which the customer is obligated to purchase a set quantity of our products. Based on our experience, we expect that our customer base may change from period to period. If we lose a large customer and fail to add new customers there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our quarterly results of operations have fluctuated in the past and we expect these fluctuations to continue. Fluctuations in our results of operations may disappoint investors and result in a decline in our share price.
We have experienced and expect to continue to experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations. In some periods, our operating results may be below public expectations. If this occurs, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline.
The following factors have affected our quarterly results of operations in the past and are likely to affect our quarterly results of operations in the future:
| size, timing and pricing of orders, including order deferrals and delayed shipments; |
| launching of new product generations; |
| length of approval processes or market testing; |
| technological changes in the telecommunications industry; |
- 5 -
| competitive pricing pressures; |
| the timing and approval of government research and development grants; |
| accuracy of telephone company, distributor and original equipment manufacturer forecasts of their customers' demands; |
| changes in our operating expenses; |
| disruption in our sources of supply; and |
| general economic conditions. |
Therefore, the results of any past periods may not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance.
We have a limited order backlog. If revenue levels for any quarter fall below our expectations, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
We have a limited order backlog, which makes revenues in any quarter substantially dependent on orders received and delivered in that quarter. A delay in the recognition of revenue, even from one customer, may have a significant negative impact on our results of operations for a given period. We base our decisions regarding our operating expenses on anticipated revenue trends, and our expense levels are relatively fixed, or require some time for adjustment. Because only a small portion of our expenses varies with our revenues, if revenue levels fall below our expectations, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
Generally, we sell to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, network equipment providers or system integrator customers, as well as to distributors. As a result, we have less information with respect to the actual requirements of end users and their utilization of equipment. We also have less influence over the choice of equipment by these end users.
We typically sell to OEM customers, network equipment providers, and system integrators, as well as to distributors. Our customers usually purchase equipment from several suppliers and may be trying to fulfill one of their customers specific technical specifications. We rely heavily on our customers for sales of our products and to inform us about market trends and the needs of their customers. We cannot be certain that this information is accurate. If the information we receive is not accurate, we may be manufacturing products that do not have a customer or fail to manufacture products that end users want. Because we are selling products to OEMs, system integrators and distributors rather than directly to end users, we have less control over the ultimate selection of products by end users.
The markets we serve are highly competitive and many of our competitors have much greater resources, which may make it difficult for us to maintain profitability.
Competition in our industry is intense and we expect competition to increase in the future. Our competitors currently sell products that provide similar benefits to those that we sell.
- 6 -
Our principal competitors in the sale of signal processing chips are Texas Instruments, Broadcom Infineon, Centillium, Mindspeed, Netergy and VoicePump, a subsidiary of DSP Group. Several large manufacturers of generic signal processors, such as Motorola, Agere Systems and Intel have begun, or are expected to begin market competing processors. Competition for our module level products include semiconductor manufacturers such as Texas Instruments, Mindspeed, Centillium, Performance Technologies Inc., and Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. Our principal competitors in the communications board market are NMS Communications, Intel, Motorola, Brooktrout, Inc., Acculab and PIKA Technologies, Inc.
Our principal competitors in the area of analog media gateways (2 to 24 ports) for access and enterprise are Cisco Systems Inc., Mediatrix Telecom, Inc., Vega Stream Limited, Samsung, Innovaphone AG, Quintum Technologies, Tainet Communication System Corp., Welltech, Ascii Corp., D-Link Systems, Inc., Multitech Inc., Inomedia, OKE LG, Cisco Systems, Veraz Networks, Sonus Networks, Nuera, Tekelec, General Bandwidth, Telica and Commatch. In addition we face competition in mid and high density gateways from internal development at companies such as Nortel, Lucent, Alcatel, Siemens, Huawei, UTstarcom, ZTE and others.
We also face significant and increasing competition in the market for products utilized in the VoIP market. Our competitors in the market for VolP products include telecommunications companies, data communication companies and companies specializing in voice over IP products, some of which have greater name recognition, larger installed customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do.
Many of our competitors have the ability to offer vendor-sponsored financing programs to prospective customers. Some of our competitors with broad product portfolios may also be able to offer lower prices on products that compete with ours because of their ability to recoup a loss of margin through sales of other products or services. Additionally, voice, audio and other communications alternatives that compete with our products are being continually introduced.
In the future, we may also develop and introduce other products with new or additional telecommunications capabilities or services. As a result, we may compete directly with telephone companies and other telecommunications infrastructure providers. Additional competitors may include companies that currently provide computer software products and services, such as telephone, media, publishing and cable television. The ability of some of ours competitors to bundle other enhanced services or other products, such as video images, with VoIP products could give these competitors an advantage over us.
Offering to sell system level products that compete with the products manufactured by our customers could negatively affect our business.
We have broadened our product offerings from chips to boards, subsystems and gateway level products (systems). These products could compete with products offered by our customers. These customers could decide to decrease purchases from us because of this competition. This could result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
- 7 -
We rely on third-party subcontractors to assemble our products and therefore do not directly control manufacturing costs, product delivery schedules or manufacturing quality.
Our products are assembled and tested by third-party subcontractors. As a result of our reliance on third-party subcontractors, we cannot directly control product delivery schedules. We have in the past experienced delays in delivery schedules. Any problems that occur and persist in connection with the delivery, quality or cost of the assembly and testing of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. This reliance could also lead to product shortages or quality assurance problems, which, in turn, could lead to an increase in the costs of manufacturing or assembling our products.
We may not be able to deliver our products to our customers, and substantial reengineering costs may be incurred if a small number of third-party suppliers do not provide us with key components on a timely basis.
Texas Instruments Incorporated supplies all of the chips for our signal processor product line. Our signal processor line is used both as a product line in its own right and as a key component in our other product lines. Motorola manufactures all of the communications processors currently used on our communications boards. These suppliers also supply many of our competitors.
We have not entered into any long-term supply agreements or alternate source agreements with our suppliers and, while we maintain an inventory of critical components, our inventory of chips would likely not be sufficient in the event that we had to engage an alternate supplier for these components.
Texas Instruments is also one of our major competitors in providing signal processing solutions. An unexpected termination of the supply of the chips provided by Texas Instruments or Motorola or disruption in their timely delivery, would require us to make a large investment in capital and manpower resources to shift to using signal processors manufactured by other companies and may cause a delay in introducing replacement products. Customers may not accept an alternative product design. Supporting old products or redesigning products may make it more difficult for us to support our products.
We utilize other sole source suppliers upon whom we depend without having long term supply agreements.
Some of our sole source suppliers custom produce components for us based upon our specifications and designs while other of our sole source suppliers are the only manufacturers of certain components required by our products. We have not entered into any long-term supply agreements or alternative source agreements with our suppliers and while we maintain an inventory of components from single source providers, our inventory would likely not be sufficient in the event that we had to engage an alternate supplier of these single source components. In the event of any interruption in the supply of components from any of our sole source suppliers, we may have to expend significant time, effort and other resources in order to locate a suitable alternative manufacturer and secure replacement components. If no replacement components are available, we may be forced to redesign certain of our products. Any such new design may not be accepted by our customers. A prolonged disruption in supply may force us to redesign and retest our products. Any interruption in supply from any of these sources or an unexpected technical failure or termination of the manufacture of components could disrupt production, thereby adversely affecting our ability to deliver products and to support products previously sold to our customers.
- 8 -
In addition, if demand for telecommunications equipment increases, we may face a shortage of components from our suppliers. This could result in longer lead times, increases in the price of components and a reduction in our margins, all of which could adversely affect the results of our operations.
Our customers may require us to produce products or systems to hold in inventory in order to meet their just in time, or short lead time, delivery requirements. If we are unable to sell this inventory on a timely basis, we could incur charges for excess and obsolete inventory which would adversely affect our results of operations.
Our customers expect us to maintain an inventory of products available for purchase off the shelf subsequent to the initial sales cycle for these products. This may require us to incur the costs of manufacturing inventory without having a purchase order for the products. The VoP industry is subject to rapid technological change and volatile customer demands, which result in a short product commercial life before a product becomes obsolete. If we are unable to sell products that are produced to hold in inventory, we may incur write offs and write downs as a result of slow moving items, technological obsolescence, excess inventories, discontinued products and products with market prices lower than cost. Write offs and write downs could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. We wrote off and wrote down inventory in the amount of $1.7 million in 2002, $835,000 in 2003 and $1.2 million in 2004.
Our products generally have long sales cycles and implementation periods, which increase our costs in obtaining orders and reduce the predictability of our revenues.
Our products are technologically complex and are typically intended for use in applications that may be critical to the business of our customers. Prospective customers generally must make a significant commitment of resources to test and evaluate our products and to integrate them into larger systems. As a result, our sales process is often subject to delays associated with lengthy approval processes that typically accompany the design and testing of new communications equipment. The sales cycles of our products to new customers are approximately six to twelve months after a design win, depending on the type of customer and complexity of the product. This time may be further extended because of internal testing, field trials and requests for the addition or customization of features. This delays the time until we realize revenue and results in our investing significant resources in attempting to make sales.
Long sales cycles also subject us to risks not usually encountered in a short sales span, including customers budgetary constraints, internal acceptance reviews and cancellation. In addition, orders expected in one quarter could shift to another because of the timing of customers procurement decisions. The time required to implement our products can vary significantly with the needs of our customers and generally exceeds several months; larger implementations can take multiple calendar quarters. This complicates our planning processes and reduces the predictability of our revenues.
- 9 -
Our proprietary technology is difficult to protect, and our products may infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties. Our business may suffer if we are unable to protect our intellectual property or we are sued for infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties.
Our success and ability to compete depend in part upon protecting our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws, nondisclosure and other contractual agreements and technical measures to protect our proprietary rights. These agreements and measures may not be sufficient to protect our technology from third-party infringement, or to protect us from the claims of others. Enforcement of intellectual property rights may be expensive and may divert attention of management and of research and development personnel away from our business. Intellectual property litigation could also call into question the ownership or scope of rights owned by us. We believe that at least one of our patents may cover technology related to the ITU G.723.1 standard. Because of our involvement in the standard setting process, we may be required to license certain of our patents on a reasonable and non-discriminatory basis to a current or future competitor, to the extent required to carry out the G.723.1 standard. Additionally, our products may be manufactured, sold, or used in countries that provide less protection to intellectual property than that provided under U.S. or Israeli laws or where we do not hold relevant intellectual property rights.
Any intellectual property claims against us, even without merit, could cost us a significant amount of money to defend and divert managements attention away from our business. We may not be able to get a license for technology that is used in our products and we may face injunctive proceedings that prevent distribution and sale of our products even prior to any dispute being concluded. These proceedings may also have a deterrent effect on purchases by customers, who may be unsure about our ability to continue to supply their requirements. We may be forced to repurchase our products and compensate customers that have purchased such infringing products. We may be forced to redesign the product so that it becomes non-infringing, which may have an adverse impact on the results of our operations.
Multiple patent holders in our industry may result in increased licensing costs.
There are a number of companies besides us that hold patents for various aspects of the technology incorporated in our industrys standards and our products. We expect that patent enforcement will be given high priority by companies seeking to gain competitive advantages or additional revenues. The holders of patents from which we have not obtained licenses may take the position that we are required to obtain a license from them. We cannot be certain that we would be able to negotiate a license agreement at an acceptable price or at all. Our results of operations could be adversely affected by the payment of any additional licensing costs or if we are prevented from manufacturing or selling a product.
- 10 -
Changes in governmental regulations in the United States or other countries could slow the growth of the VoIP telephony market and reduce the demand for our customers products, which, in turn, could reduce the demand for our products.
In the United States, changes in governmental regulation are being considered that may negatively impact the VoIP telephony market. For example, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has to date treated providers of telephone services over the public Internet as enhanced service providers. Enhanced service providers are currently exempt from federal and state regulations governing common carriers, including the obligation to pay access charges and contribute to the universal service fund. The FCC is examining the enactment of new regulations governing Internet telephony and the question of whether certain forms of telephone services over the Internet should be subject to the same FCC regulations as telecommunications services.
VoIP equipment can be used as a way to provide telecommunication services while bypassing the local service operator, in what is sometime referred to as toll bypass. Telecommunications traffic is diverted from traditional telephone lines to the public Internet, thus avoiding long distance call charges. As the use of VoIP to provide telecommunication services increases, phone companies are seeking the adoption of regulations that would require providers or users of such diverted calls to pay a charge to local service providers.
On March 10, 2004, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making that seeks to establish a regulatory framework for Internet Protocol-Enabled Services, including VoIP services. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making seeks comments on how various IP-enabled services, including VoIP, should be differentiated for regulatory purposes, and whether there are technical or other characteristics of particular VoIP services that warrant differential regulatory treatment. When the FCC enacts new regulations governing VoIP, or if it determines that certain telephony providers over the public Internet, or the services they provide, are subject to current FCC regulations governing common carriers, then some of the service providers that buy equipment from our customers may be forced to pay access charges and make universal service contributions, or may be subject to other taxes, fees or restrictions under any such new regulations. The required payment of additional taxes, fees or charges for VoIP services may impact the profitability of these services and the use of VoIP services or technology.
On May 19, 2005, the FCC issued an order that requires interconnected VoIP service providers to be able to deliver all 911 calls to the customers local emergency operator. Interconnected providers are those companies that enable VoIP customers to receive calls from and make calls to the traditional public switched telephone network. The FCC also indicated that it would adopt rules in the future that would require a method for determining the location of a VoIP customer making a 911 call without the customer having to report this information. VoIP service providers may have difficulties complying with this order in the required time frame, as well as any future orders issued by the FCC. Equipment and software manufacturers may have difficulty in complying with new technical requirements. In addition, the cost of providing Internet phone service could increase which could result in slower growth and decreased profitabilities for this industry. The increase in regulation of VoIP services and the increase in the cost of these services could adversely affect sales of our products and adversely affect our results of operations.
- 11 -
The enactment of any additional regulation or taxation of communications over the public Internet in the United States or elsewhere in the world could have a material adverse effect on our customers (and their customers) businesses and could therefore adversely affect sales of our products. We do not know what effect, if any, possible legislation or regulatory actions in the United States or elsewhere in the world may have on private telecommunication networks, the provision of VoIP services and purchases of our products.
Use of encryption technology in our products is regulated by governmental authorities and may require special development, export or import licenses. Delays in the issuance of required licenses, or the inability to secure these licenses, could adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.
Growth in the demand for security features may increase the use of encryption technology in our products. The use of encryption technology is generally regulated by governmental authorities and may require specific development, export or import licenses. Encryption standards may be based on proprietary technologies. We may be unable to incorporate encryption standards into our products in a manner that will insure interoperability. We also may be unable to secure licenses for proprietary technology on reasonable terms. If we cannot meet encryption standards, or secure required licenses for proprietary encryption technology, our revenues and results of operations could be adversely affected.
A significant portion of our revenues is generated outside of the U.S. and Israel and we intend to continue to expand our operations internationally and therefore our results of operations could suffer if we are unable to manage our international operations effectively.
We generated 36% of our revenues in 2003 and 28% of our revenues in 2004 outside of the United States and Israel. Part of our strategy is to expand our penetration in existing foreign markets and to enter new foreign markets. Our ability to penetrate some international markets may be limited due to different technical standards, protocols or product requirements in different markets. Expansion of our international business will require significant management attention and financial resources. Our international sales and operations are subject to numerous risks inherent in international business activities, including:
| economic and political instability in foreign countries; |
| staffing and managing foreign operations; |
| increased risk of collection; and |
| burdens that may be imposed by tariffs and other trade barriers. |
If we are unable to address these risks, our foreign operations may be unprofitable or the value of our investment in our foreign operations may decrease.
Currently, our international sales are denominated primarily in dollars. Therefore, any devaluation in the local currencies of our customers relative to the dollar could cause customers to decrease or cancel orders or default on payment.
- 12 -
The prices of our products may become less competitive due to foreign exchange fluctuations.
Foreign currency fluctuations may affect the prices of our products. Our prices in all countries are denominated primarily in dollars. If there is a significant devaluation in a specific country, the prices of our products will increase relative to the local currency and may be less competitive. We cannot be sure that our international customers will continue to place orders denominated in dollars. The introduction into circulation of the Euro in 2002 placed pressure on us to sell to European customers in Euro rather than dollar prices. Sales denominated in Euros could make our revenues subject to fluctuation in the Euro/dollar exchange rate.
We may be unable to attract sales representatives who will market our products effectively.
A significant portion of our marketing and sales involves the aid of independent sales representatives that are not under our direct control. We cannot be certain that our current independent sales representatives will continue to distribute our products or that, even if they continue to distribute our products, they will do so successfully. These representatives are not subject to any minimum purchase requirements and can discontinue marketing our products at any time. In addition, these representatives often market products of our competitors. Accordingly, we must compete for the attention and sales efforts of our independent sales representatives.
Our products could contain defects, which would reduce sales of those products or result in claims against us.
We develop complex and evolving products. Despite testing by us and our customers, undetected errors or defects may be found in existing or new products. The introduction of products with reliability, quality or compatibility problems could result in reduced revenues, additional costs, increased product returns and difficulty or delays in collecting accounts receivable. The risk is higher with products still in the development stage, where full testing or certification is not yet completed. This could result in, among other things, a delay in recognition or loss of revenues, loss of market share or failure to achieve market acceptance. We could also be subject to material claims by customers that are not covered by our insurance.
Obtaining certification of our products by national regulators may be time-consuming and expensive. We may be unable to sell our products in markets in which we are unable to obtain certification.
Our customers may expect us to obtain certificates of compliance with safety and technical standards set by national regulators, especially standards set by U.S. or European regulators. There is no uniform set of standards, and each national regulator may impose and change its own standards. National regulators may also prohibit us from importing products that do not conform to their standards. If we make any change in the design of a product, we are usually required to obtain recertification of the product. The process of certification may be time-consuming and expensive and may affect the length of the sales cycle for a product. If we are unable to obtain certification of a product in a market, we may be unable to sell the product in that market.
- 13 -
We depend on a limited number of key personnel who would be difficult to replace.
Because our products are complex and our market is evolving, the success of our business depends in large part upon the continuing contributions of our management and key personnel. Specifically, we rely heavily on the services of Shabtai Adlersberg, our Chief Executive Officer. If Shabtai Adlersberg is unable or unwilling to continue with us, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We do not carry key person insurance for Mr. Adlersberg.
The success of our business also depends upon our continuing ability to attract and retain other highly-qualified management, technical, sales and marketing personnel. We need highly-qualified technical personnel who are capable of developing technologies and products and providing the technical support required by our customers. Such personnel were and may again be in great demand and we may not be successful in attracting, integrating or retaining them when and as required.
We intend to expand our business through acquisitions that could result in diversion of resources and extra expenses. This could disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial condition.
Part of our strategy is to pursue acquisitions of, or investments in, businesses and technologies or to establish joint ventures to expand our business. For example, in April 2003, we purchased a product group from Nortel Networks and in May 2004 we purchased Ai-Logix Inc. We also increased our holdings in a privately held speech-recognition company during 2003. We recognized losses from this investment in our results of operations in each of the past three years.
The negotiation of acquisitions, investments or joint ventures as well as the integration of acquired or jointly developed businesses or technologies could divert our managements time and resources. Acquired businesses, technologies or joint ventures may not be successfully integrated with our products and operations. If any acquisition, investment or joint venture were to occur, we may not realize the intended benefits of the acquisition, investment or joint venture and we may incur future losses from such acquisition, investment or joint venture.
Acquisitions could result in:
| substantial cash expenditures; |
| potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities; |
| the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities; |
| a decrease in our profit margins; |
| amortization of intangibles and potential impairment of goodwill; and |
| write-offs of in-process research and development. |
If acquisitions disrupt our operations, our business may suffer.
- 14 -
If we do not manage our anticipated growth effectively, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
We have actively expanded our operations in the past and may continue to expand them in the future. This expansion has required, and may continue to require, the application of managerial, operational and financial resources. We cannot be sure that we will continue to expand, or that we will be able to expand our operations successfully. In particular, our business requires us to focus on multiple markets, including the VoIP, cable and wireless markets. In addition, we work simultaneously with a number of large OEMs and network equipment providers each of which may have different requirements for the products that we sell to them. We may not have sufficient manpower, or may be unable to devote this manpower when needed, to address the requirements of these markets and customers. If we are unable to manage our expanding operations effectively, our revenues may not increase, our cost of operations may rise and our results of operations may be adversely affected.
As we grow we may need new or enhanced systems, procedures or controls. The transition to such systems, procedures or controls, as well as any delay in transitioning to new or enhanced systems, procedures or controls, may seriously harm our ability to accurately forecast sales demand, manage our product inventory and record and report financial and management information on a timely and accurate basis.
We may not be able to raise additional financing for our future capital needs on favorable terms, or at all, which could limit our ability to grow and to continue our longer term expansion plans.
We may need to raise additional capital in the future to continue our longer term expansion plans. We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. This could inhibit our growth and increase our financing costs.
We extend credit to customers for purchases of our products. We could incur charges in our statement of operations if we are unable to collect these accounts receivable.
A portion of our receivables result from credit extended to customers for purchases of our products. We cannot be sure that we will be able to collect all of these accounts receivable. The failure to collect accounts receivable could adversely affect our cash flow position and results of operations.
Our gross profit percentage could be negatively impacted by increased manufacturing costs and other factors. This could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our gross profit percentage has increased in each of the past three years. However, our gross profit percentage is still lower than in 2000. The recent increase in our gross profit percentage could be negatively affected by an increase in manufacturing costs, a shift in our sales mix towards our less profitable products, increased customer demand for longer product warranties and increased cost pressures as a result of increased competition. Acquisitions of new businesses could also negatively affect our gross profit percentage, which could cause an adverse effect on our results of operations.
- 15 -
The growth in our product portfolio means that we have to service and support more products. This may result in an increase in our expenses and an adverse effect on our results of operations.
The size of our product portfolio has increased and continues to increase. As a result, we are required to provide to our customers sales support and maintenance. Customers have requested that we provide a contractual commitment to support a product for a specified period of time. This period of time may exceed the working life of the product or extend past the period of time that we may intend to manufacture or support a product. We are dependent on our suppliers for the components (hardware and software) needed to provide support and may be unable to secure the components necessary to satisfy our service commitments. We do not have long term contracts with our suppliers, and they may not be obligated to provide us with products or services for any specified period of time. We may need to purchase an inventory of replacement components and parts in advance in order to try to provide for their availability when needed. This could result in increased risk of write offs with respect to our replacement component inventory to the extent that we cannot accurately predict our future requirements under our customer service contracts. If any of our component suppliers cease production, cease operations or refuse or fail to make timely delivery of orders, we may not be able to meet our contractual commitments for product support or maintenance. We may be required to supply upgraded components or parts as substitutes if the original versions are no longer available. Product support may be costly and any extra service revenues may not cover the hardware and software costs associated with providing long-term support or maintenance.
Risks Relating to Operations in Israel
Conditions in Israel affect our operations and may limit our ability to produce and sell our products.
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, and our principal offices are located in the State of Israel. Political, economic and military conditions in Israel directly affect our operations. Terrorist attacks against Israel have greatly intensified since September 2000, which have led to ongoing hostilities between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and other groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. We cannot predict the effect on us of an increase in these hostilities or any future armed conflict, political instability or violence in the region. Some of our officers and employees in Israel are obligated to perform up to 36 days of military reserve duty annually and are subject to being called for additional active duty under emergency circumstances. We cannot predict the full impact of these conditions on us in the future, particularly if emergency circumstances occur. If many of our employees are called for active duty, our operations in Israel and our business may be adversely affected. Additionally, a number of countries continue to restrict or ban business with Israel or Israeli companies, which may limit our ability to make sales in those countries.
- 16 -
The Israeli rate of inflation may negatively impact our costs if it exceeds the rate of devaluation of the New Israeli Shekel against the U.S. dollar.
A substantial portion of the cost of our Israeli operations, mainly personnel and facility-related, is incurred in New Israeli Shekels (NIS). In 2004, approximately 37% of our costs were incurred in NIS. As a result, we bear the risk that the rate of inflation in Israel will exceed the rate of devaluation of the New Israeli Shekel in relation to the dollar or that the timing of such devaluations were to lag considerably behind inflation, which will increase our costs as expressed in dollars.
To protect against the changes in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows resulting from payments in NIS, we maintain a foreign currency cash flow hedging program. We hedge portions of our forecasted expenses denominated in foreign currencies with forward contracts. These measures may not adequately protect us from material adverse effects due to the impact of inflation in Israel.
The Israeli government programs and tax benefits that we currently participate in, or receive, require us to meet several conditions and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which would increase our costs.
We benefit from certain government programs and tax benefits, particularly as a result of exemptions and reductions resulting from the approved enterprise status of our existing production facilities and programs in Israel. To be eligible for these programs and tax benefits, we must continue to meet conditions, including making specified investments in fixed assets and financing a percentage of investments with share capital. If we fail to meet such conditions in the future, we will be subject to corporate tax at the rate then in effect under Israeli law for such tax year. A comprehensive amendment to the law prescribing these benefits has recently been approved by the Knesset. The amendment imposes additional eligibility criteria for approved enterprise benefits. The amendment also offers additional forms of alternative benefits. We do not believe that the amendment would have a material effect on us.
In 2004, we recognized a grant of $765,000 from the Government of Israel, through the Office of the Chief Scientist, or the OCS, for the financing of a portion of our research and development expenditures in Israel. The OCS budget has been subject to reductions, which may affect the availability of funds for these prospective grants and other grants in the future. As a result, we cannot be certain that we will continue to receive grants at the same rate, or at all. In addition, the terms of any future OCS grants may be less favorable than our past grant.
The government grants we have received for research and development expenditures limit our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel and require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties.
In connection with research and development grants received from the OCS, we must pay royalties to the OCS on the revenue derived from the sale of products, technologies and services developed with the grants from the OCS. The terms of the OCS grants and the law pursuant to which grants are made restrict our ability to manufacture products or transfer technologies developed outside of Israel if OCS grants funded the development of the products or technology. This restriction may limit our ability to enter into agreements for those products or technologies without OCS approval. We cannot be certain that any approval of the OCS will be obtained on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all.
- 17 -
In order to meet specified conditions in connection with the grants and programs of the OCS, we have made representations to the Government of Israel about our Israeli operations. From time to time the conduct of our Israeli operations has deviated from our representations. If we fail to meet the conditions related to the grants, including the maintenance of a material presence in Israel, or if there is any material deviation from the representations made by us to the Israeli government, we could be required to refund the grants previously received (together with an adjustment based on the Israeli consumer price index and an interest factor) and would likely be ineligible to receive OCS grants in the future. The inability to receive these grants would result in an increase in our research and development expenses.
It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors and our Israeli auditors or to assert U.S. securities law claims in Israel.
We are incorporated in Israel. Substantially all of our executive officers and directors and our Israeli auditors are nonresidents of the United States, and a majority of our assets and the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult to enforce a judgment obtained in the United States against us or any such persons. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws because Israel is not the most appropriate forum to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing these matters. Additionally, there is doubt as to the enforceability of civil liabilities under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act in original actions instituted in Israel.
Israeli law may delay, prevent or make difficult a merger with or an acquisition of us, which could prevent a change of control and therefore depress the price of our shares.
Provisions of Israeli law may delay, prevent or make undesirable a merger or an acquisition of all or a significant portion of our shares or assets. Israeli corporate law regulates acquisitions of shares through tender offers and mergers, requires special approvals for transactions involving significant shareholders and regulates other matters that may be relevant to these types of transactions. These provisions of Israeli law could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders. These provisions may limit the price that investors may be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares. In addition, our articles of association contain certain provisions that may make it more difficult to acquire us, such as a staggered board and the ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock. Furthermore, Israel tax considerations may make potential transactions undesirable to us or to some of our shareholders. See Description of Share Capital Possible Anti-Takeover Effects.
- 18 -
Risks Relating to our Ordinary Shares and our Notes
The market price for our ordinary shares, as well as the prices of shares of other technology companies, has been volatile. Between January 1, 2003 and May 20, 2005, our share price has fluctuated from a low of $2.10 to a high of $17.00. The following factors may cause significant fluctuations in the market price of our ordinary shares:
| fluctuations in our quarterly revenues and earnings or those of our competitors; |
| shortfalls in our operating results compared to levels forecast by securities analysts; |
| announcements concerning us, our competitors or telephone companies; |
| announcements of technological innovations; |
| the introduction of new products; |
| changes in product price policies involving us or our competitors; |
| market conditions in the industry; |
| the conditions of the securities markets, particularly in the technology and Israeli sectors; and |
| political, economic and other developments in the State of Israel and worldwide. |
In addition, stock prices of many technology companies fluctuate significantly for reasons that may be unrelated or disproportionate to operating results. The factors discussed above may depress or cause volatility of our share price, regardless of our actual operating results.
The trading prices of our notes could be significantly affected by the market price of our ordinary shares.
We believe that the trading price of our notes is significantly affected by the market price of our ordinary shares, which may be affected by a variety of factors as set forth in the immediately preceding risk factor. This relationship may result in greater volatility in the trading prices of our notes than would be expected for non-convertible debt securities.
- 19 -
Our notes are effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
Our notes are our general, unsecured obligations and are effectively subordinated to any existing and future secured indebtedness we may have. In addition, our notes are not guaranteed by our subsidiaries or any future subsidiaries and, accordingly, our notes are effectively subordinated to the existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. These liabilities may include indebtedness, trade payables, guarantees, lease obligations and letter of credit obligations. Therefore, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including the holders of the notes, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon that subsidiarys liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiarys creditors, except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. However, even if we are a creditor of one of our subsidiaries, our claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interests in, or mortgages or other liens on, the assets of that subsidiary and would be subordinate to any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to that held by us. As of May 31, 2005, our existing subsidiaries had no outstanding indebtedness (excluding intercompany debt and other liabilities).
There are no restrictive covenants in the indenture for the notes relating to our ability to incur future indebtedness or complete other transactions.
The indenture governing our notes does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions on the payment of dividends. The indenture does not restrict the issuance or repurchase of securities by us or our subsidiaries. The indenture contains no covenants or other provisions to afford holders of our notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, such as a leveraged recapitalization, that would increase the level of our indebtedness, or a change in control except for the ability of the holders to require us to redeem the notes under certain circumstances. The indenture governing our notes does not restrict us from incurring senior secured debt in the future or from guaranteeing our indebtedness, nor does it limit the amount of indebtedness that we can issue that is equal to our notes in right of payment. If we or our subsidiaries were to incur additional debt or liabilities, our ability to pay our obligations on the notes could be adversely affected.
Our indebtedness and debt service obligations recently increased upon the issuance of our notes, which may adversely affect our cash flow, cash position and stock price.
We intend to fulfill our debt service obligations with respect to our notes from our existing cash, investments and operations. In the future, if we are unable to generate cash or raise additional cash financings sufficient to meet these obligations and need to use existing cash or liquidate investments in order to fund these obligations, we may have to delay or curtail research, development and commercialization programs.
Our indebtedness could have significant additional negative consequences, including, without limitation:
| requiring the dedication of a portion of our expected cash flow to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of our expected cash flow available for other purposes, including funding our research and development programs and other capital expenditures; |
- 20 -
| increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic conditions; |
| limiting our ability to obtain additional financing; and |
| placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors and competitors that have better access to capital resources. |
Holders of our notes are not be entitled to any rights with respect to our ordinary shares, but they are subject to all changes made with respect to our ordinary shares.
Holders of our notes are not entitled to any rights with respect to our ordinary shares (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive dividends, if any, or other distributions on our ordinary shares), but such holders are subject to all changes affecting our ordinary shares. Holders of our notes are entitled to rights on the ordinary shares if and when we deliver ordinary shares to such holders in exchange for their notes. For example, in the event that an amendment is proposed to our articles of association requiring shareholder approval and the record date for determining the shareholders of record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to delivery to a converting holder of our notes of our ordinary shares, such holders will not be entitled to vote on the amendment, although that holder will nevertheless be subject to any changes in the powers, preferences or special rights of our ordinary shares.
Our ability to fulfill our obligations under our notes is dependent upon our future financial and operating performance.
Our ability to make interest and principal payments on our notes when due and to satisfy our other debt obligations depends in part upon our future financial performance and upon our ability to renew or refinance any debt obligations or to raise additional equity capital. Prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, will affect our ability to make these payments.
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt services obligations, we will have to pursue one or more alternatives, such as:
| reducing our operating expenses; |
| reducing or delaying capital expenditures; |
| selling assets; or |
| raising additional equity capital. |
We cannot be sure that any of these alternatives could be accomplished on satisfactory terms, if at all, or that those actions would provide sufficient funds to retire the notes and our other debt obligations.
- 21 -
We may not have the ability to purchase our notes for cash if required to do so by holders on November 9, 2009, November 9, 2014 or November 9, 2019, or upon the occurrence of a fundamental change.
On November 9, 2009, November 9, 2014 or November 9, 2029, or upon specified fundamental changes relating to us, each holder of the notes may require us to purchase for cash all or a portion of such holders notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such notes to but excluding the date of purchase. In addition, in the case of certain fundamental changes occurring before November 9, 2009, we may be required to pay a make-whole premium to holders of the notes. We cannot be sure that we will have sufficient financial resources to purchase the notes for cash, or will be able to raise debt financing if we are required to purchase the notes at the option of the holders of such notes or upon the occurrence of a fundamental change. This repurchase requirement may also delay or make it harder for others to obtain control of us.
We do not anticipate declaring any cash dividends on our ordinary shares.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares and do not plan to pay any cash dividends in the near future. Our current policy is to retain all funds and earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business.
U.S. shareholders may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences as a result of our possible status as a passive foreign investment company.
Based on the composition of our gross income and the composition and value of our gross assets during 2004, we do not believe that we would be treated as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the 2004 tax year, although it is possible that we would have been classified as a PFIC in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and there can be no assurance that we will not be treated as a PFIC for 2004 or any subsequent tax year. If we are a PFIC for any tax year, U.S. shareholders who owned our ordinary shares during such year may be subject to increased United States federal income tax liabilities and reporting requirements for such year and succeeding years, even if we are no longer a PFIC in such succeeding years. We urge U.S. holders of our notes or ordinary shares to review Item 10E. Taxation United States Tax Considerations United States Federal Income Taxes Passive Foreign Investment Company Status in this Annual Report and to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our ordinary shares.
ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY |
A. | HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY |
AudioCodes Ltd. was incorporated in 1992 under the laws of the State of Israel. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Hayarden Street, Airport City, Lod, 70151 Israel. Our telephone number is 972-3-976-4000.
- 22 -
Major Developments since January 1, 2004
Acquisition of Ai-Logix
On May 12, 2004, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Ai-Logix, Inc., a leading provider of advanced voice recording hardware technology. Ai-Logix had revenues of approximately $13 million in 2003. Its offices are located in Somerset, New Jersey.
We paid $10 million in cash at the closing and paid an additional $10 million in March 2005 based on the achievement of revenue milestones by the Ai-Logix business during 2004 and 2005.
This acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired based on their related fair values. We allocated $1.4 million of the purchase price to current assets and liabilities (excluding cash and cash equivalents), $329,000 to property and equipment, $3.1 million to technology and $3.8 million to goodwill. The results of Ai-Logixs operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date.
Ai-Logix is a strategic provider of voice and data hardware integration cards for the call recording and voice/data logging industry. Ai-Logix provides a wide variety of voice processing cards to its customers, which include contact centers, public safety agencies, financial institutions, air traffic control and other government agencies. Its products include proprietary public exchange integration products as well the SmartWORKS family of products that are designed for all segments of the call recording industry. Ai-Logix offers voice processing cards that support all three product segments in the call recording industry, including passive analog trunk interface cards, passive digital trunk interface cards and passive digital PBX telephone set integration cards.
Recent trends evidence a growing momentum in the use of VoP technology in new network deployments and an expected shift of communications budgets in the enterprise market towards IP-based architectures. The call recording industry is experiencing similar trends. According to Datamonitor, the contact center market and the call logging and recording industries are rapidly adopting IP-based networking solutions. A significant portion of future voice recording and call logging revenues are expected to be generated from deployments of VoIP architectures. We believe that our acquisition of Ai-Logix will enhance our board line business and provide an entry into the call recording market and computer telephony integration (CTI) market by leveraging our VoP expertise with Ai-Logixs technology, strategic partnerships and customer base.
Sale of Our 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2024
In November 2004, we raised net proceeds of approximately $120.2 million in a private placement of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024. These notes were issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. Holders of the notes are entitled to convert the notes into our ordinary shares at a conversion rate of 53.4474 ordinary shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is the equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $18.71 per share. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, such as changes in our capital structure or upon the issuance by us of share dividends or certain cash distributions. The notes may be redeemed by us, in whole or in part at any time on or after November 9, 2009. The holders may require us to redeem the notes on November 9, 2009, November 9, 2014 or November 9, 2019, or upon certain fundamental changes.
- 23 -
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement among us and the initial purchasers of the notes, we agreed to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 150 days of November 9, 2004, a shelf registration statement covering the notes and ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the notes and to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement until the earlier of the date on which all the shares have been resold under the registration statement, the date of expiration of the holding period under applicable law that would enable the resale of the shares without restriction or registration under applicable law, or November 16, 2006. We filed this registration statement on April 5, 2005 and expect that it will become effective shortly after we file this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
Acquisition of UAS
In April 2003, we purchased from Nortel Networks Limited selected assets of its Universal Audio Server business, or UAS. As part of the transaction, Nortel Networks granted to us a license to use its UAS technology. We have undertaken to act as an exclusive supplier to Nortel Networks for its UAS products over a period of three years. In addition, the parties have entered into a development agreement in relation to future platforms.
The UAS products provides enhanced conferencing, multi-language announcement functionality, and other regulatory media server applications for voice over packet networks. We are seeking to leverage the UAS product and technology in order to further enhance our media server products and increase related sales.
The consideration for the transaction amounted to $5.5 million, of which $2.0 million was paid at the closing, $2.0 million was paid nine months after the closing and $1.5 million was paid in April 2004. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, we also paid $1.0 million upon Nortel Networks completing product integration under the development agreement. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired based on their related fair values. We allocated $380,000 of the purchase price to property and equipment, $1.2 million to technology and $5.3 million to goodwill. The results of the UAS operations have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date.
We also made additional payments of $4.9 million in 2004 to Nortel Networks under the acquisition agreement based on net orders for UAS products placed by Nortel. These payments were not considered part of the acquisition cost and were offset against related revenues earned by us from orders by Nortel Networks during 2004.
- 24 -
B. | BUSINESS OVERVIEW |
We design, develop and market enabling technologies and system products for the transmission of voice, data and fax communications over packet networks, which we refer to as the new voice infrastructure. Our products enable our customers to build high-quality packet networking equipment and provide the building blocks to connect traditional telephone networks to the new voice infrastructure. Our products are sold to leading original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, system integrators and network equipment providers in the telecommunications and networking industries.
Packet networks are data communications networks that transport information compressed into packets over circuits shared simultaneously by several users. Equipment based on advanced voice communications standards enables packet networks to carry voice and data more efficiently than the traditional telephone networks, which were designed principally to transmit high quality voice calls.
Our voice compression technology permits the high quality transmission of voice over packet networks using substantially less network capacity than used in traditional telephone networks. Our products enable our customers to build highly-efficient, high capacity gateways and access equipment that are used to connect traditional telephone networks to packet networks. In addition, our gateway product offering provides our customers with a substantial building block for voice over packet carrier-based solutions, as an alternative to our customers developing or building their own gateways.
Our products consist of:
| Signal processor chips, which process voice, data and fax signals and compress this information into packets so that it can be sent between traditional telephone networks and packet networks. |
| Communications boards and modules for communication system products that are deployed on both access networks and enterprise networks. The carrier network applications for these boards and modules include media gateways, which terminate calls from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), packetize and compress the call and then switch the call to the packet network, and vice-versa. The enterprise applications for these products include Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) deployments for contact centers, providing call logging and recording utilizing either industry standard or proprietary protocols. |
| System products, including media servers and media gateways, for access networks, trunking applications in carrier networks, and enterprise networks. These systems enable voice, data and fax to be transmitted over Internet and other protocols, and interface with third party equipment to facilitate the introduction of enhanced voice and data services. Media servers provide enhanced conferencing, multi-language announcement functionality, and other media server applications for voice over packet networks. Our media gateway products include low density analog media gateways and low, mid and high density digital media gateways. |
- 25 -
Our products are based upon voice compression and fax detection technologies, which transform voice and fax transmissions into small digital packets. We were involved in the development of the voice coding standard that was adopted for use in packet networks by the Voice over IP Forum, an industry group founded to ensure the interoperability and high quality of telephone service over packet networks. We have also developed advanced technologies for processing compressed voice transmissions and have significant voice communication system design expertise.
We sell our products to leading original equipment manufacturers, system integrators and distributors in the telecommunications and networking industries for use in markets providing:
| telephony over packet networks based on Internet protocols or networks based on asynchronous transfer mode standards, known as ATM standards; |
| telephony over the wireless or cable television infrastructure; and |
| telephone service over high speed modems operating over wireless links or data modems, known as digital subscriber line, or DSL, modems. |
Customers for our products consist of OEMs, network equipment providers and systems integrators. In addition, our proprietary voice compression technology is licensed to a broad group of companies that manufacture equipment for a variety of markets. As one of the original developers of the standards for voice compression technology used in packet networks, we are positioned to take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for advanced communications components enabling high quality converged voice and data services.
Market Trends
The networking and telecommunications industries have experienced rapid change over the last few years. The primary factors driving this change include the following:
| Growth in data communications traffic. The growth of the Internet has led to a surge in data communications traffic. This growth has been fueled by the increasing number of users of the Internet, as well as by the increased use of electronic mail and multimedia content and the increased volume of information retrieved from the World Wide Web. In addition, organizations are increasingly turning to the use of intranets and private networks to increase productivity and create competitive advantages. This proliferation of intranets and private networks has further contributed to the surge in data traffic. |
| Emergence of packet networks and advances in networking technologies. Traditional voice communications networks were not designed to handle the dramatic increase in data traffic, the need for high-speed data communication and the need to serve a much larger number of users. As data traffic becomes the dominant factor in communications and as service providers begin to build and maintain converged networks for integrated voice and data services, a new generation of data-centric networks is being developed. This development has been enabled by a new generation of packet networking technologies. The capabilities to effectively carry voice and fax and preserve the quality of communications over these new networks have been made possible by the recent rapid advances in voice compression technologies, the advent of digital signal processing chips and new packet voice, fax and data networking technologies and protocols. The surge in data traffic has led to the need for new packet-based infrastructures. As a result, service providers are seeking to exploit the advances in high speed and packet voice networking technologies to build networks that are more cost effective than the traditional circuit-switched telephone networks. |
- 26 -
| Competition in the telecommunications industry. Competitive local exchange carriers and alternative carriers are trying to penetrate the local telephone market with varying degrees of success by bypassing the incumbent local telephone company network through the use of emerging packet technologies in new functions like telephony transmission over cable networks and digital subscriber line networks. In addition, there is a growth of toll bypass service providers, who seek to use public or private networks in order to bypass incumbent networks. Although these new and traditional service providers are not our direct customers, they are creating market demand for equipment manufactured by our customers. The surge in data traffic and the growth in overall volume and capacity of infrastructures has also created a need for new infrastructure equipment that is capable of more efficient utilization of the available networks. |
| New technologies. The expected extension of voice over packet technologies into wireless networks alongside the introduction of new wireless standards (referred to often as Second and Third Generations) and cable networks suggest a business opportunity for the deployment of such technologies and products in these market segments. It is possible that the introduction of Voice over Packet technologies into wireless and cable networks will then place pressure on the traditional circuit switch service providers to modernize their equipment so as to be able to compete with the new offerings, including price reductions of these alternative networks. |
Circuit-Switched versus Packet Networks
Traditionally, voice, data and fax communications have been transmitted and managed on separate networks, each with its own distinct industry standards and protocols. Voice, data and fax have been transmitted primarily over the traditional telephone network that is based on circuit-switched technology. When a call is placed on a circuit-switched network, a dedicated circuit is established between the two callers and is maintained for the duration of the call. This dedicated channel, which requires bandwidth of 64 kilobits per second, is unavailable for use by other callers on the network until the call is terminated.
- 27 -
Packet networks differ fundamentally from circuit-switched networks in that the packet networks resources and infrastructure can be shared simultaneously by several users and bandwidth can be flexibly allocated. Packet-based communications systems format the information to be transmitted, such as e-mail, voice, fax and data, into a series of smaller digital packages of information called packets. Each of these packets is then transmitted over the network and is reassembled as a complete communication at the receiving end. The various packet networks employ different network protocols for different applications, priority schemes and addressing formats to ensure reliable communication.
Packet networks offer a number of advantages over circuit-switched networks. Rather than requiring a dedicated circuit for each individual call, packet networks commingle packets of voice, fax and data from several communications sources on a single physical link. This provides superior utilization of network resources, especially in dealing with information sources with bursts of information followed by periods of silence. This superior utilization means that the same amount of traffic can be carried using fewer network resources. Additionally, the integration of voice and data communications makes possible an enrichment of services and an entire range of new, value-added applications, such as unified messaging and voice enabled web sites. In addition, voice traffic over packet networks is usually compressed to provide a further reduction in the use of or demand for bandwidth. For example, the rate at which information is transmitted over packet networks is generally between 6.3 and 8 kilobits per second as compared to 64 kilobits per second over circuit-switched telephone networks.
Convergence of Voice and Data
The proliferation of data-centric networks since the mid-1990s has made the transmission of voice and fax over these networks a cost-effective alternative to existing circuit-switched telephone networks. Most of the recent growth in packet networks has taken place over networks based on Internet protocols, and, to a lesser extent, on packet networks based on other protocols. Voice over IP, or VoIP, is the industry terminology used to describe the transmission of voice over Internet protocol-based networks.
The need to re-route voice and fax traffic from the traditional circuit-switched networks onto the new packet networks has led to the development of interface equipment between the two networks, generally referred to as gateways or access equipment, depending on the type of network. The processing of the voice and fax signals in gateway and access equipment is done according to industry-wide standards. These standards are needed to ensure that all traditional telephony traffic is seamlessly switched and routed over the packet network and vice versa.
Gateway equipment for Internet protocol-based packet networks has continued to experience significant development and growth. The gateway equipment can be generally divided into two key categories: open telecommunications architecture systems, built around industry-standard PC and workstation platforms for which components are available from a number of suppliers, and proprietary architecture-based gateways which are built around a custom design of a telecommunications equipment manufacturer. Voice over IP gateway equipment can be generally segmented into three classes: carrier class gateways for use in central office facilities; enterprise gateways for use by corporations and in small offices; and residential gateways for use at homes.
- 28 -
The Challenges
Despite the inherent advantages and the economic attractiveness of packet voice networking, the transmission of packet voice and fax poses a variety of technological challenges. These challenges relate to quality of service, reliability of equipment, functionality and features, and ability to provide a good return on investment.
Quality of Service. The most critical issues leading to poor quality of service in the transmission of voice and fax over packet networks are packet loss, packet delay and packet delay jitter. For real time signals like voice, the slightest delay in the arrival of a packet may render that packet unusable and, in a voice transmission, the delayed packet is considered a lost packet. Delay is usually caused by traffic hitting congestion or a bottleneck in the network. The ability to address delay is compounded by the varying arrival times of packets, called packet-jitter, which results from the different routes taken by different packets. This jitter can be eliminated by holding the faster arriving packets until the slower arriving packets can catch up, but this introduces further delay. These idiosyncrasies of packet networks do not noticeably detract from the quality of data transmission since data delivery is relatively insensitive to time delay. However, even the slightest delay or packet loss in voice and fax transmission can have severe ramifications such as voice quality degradation or, in the case of a fax transmission, call interruption. Therefore, the need to compensate for lost or delayed packets without degradation of voice and fax quality is a critical issue.
Gateway Reliability. In order for a packet network to be efficient for voice or fax transmission, the gateway equipment must be able to deliver an equivalent level of performance to that of existing switching equipment located at central offices. The telephony providers central offices contain circuit-switching equipment that typically handles tens of thousands of lines and is built to meet severe performance criteria relating to reliability, capacity, size, power consumption and cost. To date, the gateways available for use in packet networks have not been able to cost-effectively achieve these same levels of reliability in handling similar numbers of voice and fax calls. As a result, new generation gateway equipment that meets the same performance level as current circuit-switch technologies needs to be developed.
Functionality. In order to compete effectively with incumbent circuit-switching equipment, packet network equipment must be able to deliver equivalent and improved functionality and features for the service providers and network users.
Return on Investment. With the reduction in profitability of service providers there is an even greater need for them to achieve better returns on investment from capital expenditures on new equipment. Given the evolving nature of packet technologies and capabilities, there is greater pressure to provide cost effective technological solutions.
In order to maximize the benefits of using packet networks for the transmission of voice data and fax, products must be able to address and solve these inherent problems and challenges. These products must also be standards-based to support interoperability among different equipment manufacturers and to allow operation over various networks.
- 29 -
Using our proprietary voice compression algorithms and industry standards, advanced digital signal processing techniques and voice communications system design expertise, our products address the quality of service problems posed by packet delay, packet delay jitter and packet loss. As a result, we enable our customers to build packet networking equipment that provides communication quality comparable to the traditional telephone networks. In addition, our communications boards and modules improve gateway efficiency and provide the building blocks for high performance, large capacity, open telecommunications platform-based gateways. We work closely with our customers, tailor our products to meet their specific needs, assist them in integrating our products within their systems and help them bring their systems to market on a timely basis. We also work with our customers in deploying their systems in various network environments.
We believe that the following strengths have enabled us to develop our products and provide services to our customers:
| Leadership in voice compression technology. We are a leader in voice compression technology. Voice compression exploits redundancies within a voice signal to reduce the bit rate of data required to digitally represent the voice signal while still maintaining acceptable voice quality. Our key development personnel have significant experience in developing voice compression technology. We were involved in the development of the ITU G.723.1 voice coding standard that was adopted by the Voice over IP Forum and the International Telecommunications Union as the recommended standard for use in voice over IP gateways. We implement industry voice compression standards and work directly with our customers to design state-of-the-art proprietary voice compression algorithms that satisfy specific network requirements. We believe that our significant knowledge of the basic technology permits us to optimize its key elements and positions us to address further technological advances in the industry. We also believe that our technological expertise has resulted in us being sought out by leading equipment manufacturers to work with them in designing their systems and provision of solutions to their customers. |
| Digital signal processing design expertise. Our extensive experience and expertise in designing advanced digital signal processing algorithms enables us to implement them efficiently in real time systems. Digital signal algorithms are computerized methods used to extract information out of signals. In designing our signal processors, we use minimal digital signal processing memory and processing power resources. This allows us to develop higher density solutions than our competitors. Our expertise is comprehensive and extends to all of the functions required to perform voice compression, fax and modem transmission over packet networks and telephone signaling processing. |
| Compressed voice communications systems design expertise. We have the expertise to design and develop the various building blocks and the complete gateways and media servers required for complete voice over packet systems. In building these systems, we develop hardware architectures, voice packetization software and signaling software, and integrate them with our signal processors to develop a complete, high performance compressed voice communications system. We assist our customers in integrating our signal processors into their hardware and software systems to ensure high voice quality, high completion rate of fax and data transmissions and telephone signaling processing accuracy. Further, we are able to customize our off-the-shelf products to meet our customers specific needs, thereby providing them with a complete, integrated solution and enabling them to market their products with a reduced time to market. |
- 30 -
We believe that our products possess the following advantages:
| Voice over Packet signal processors. Our multi-channel signal processors enable our customers and us to create products that meet the reliability, capacity, size, power consumption and cost requirements needed for building high capacity gateways. |
| Multiple and comprehensive product lines.. We address both the standards-based open telecommunications architecture market or the proprietary system market, we are able to address both segments. We can do this because we enable our customers to offer multiple applications and address different market segments. For example, our voice over IP communications boards target the open telecommunications architecture market, while our signal processors, modules and voice packetization software target the proprietary system market. Our analog and digital media gateways target access, trunking and enterprise applications and our digital media gateways target wireless, wireline and cable networks. |
| Extensive feature set. Our products incorporate an extensive set of signal processing functions and features (such as protocols, coders), functionalities (such as H.323, Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), Media Gateway Control (Megaco) and Session Initiated Protocol (SIP)) and implement a complete system. We offer the ability to manage multiple channels of communications working independently of each other, with each channel capable of performing all of the functions required for voice compression, fax and modem transmission, telephone signaling processing and other functions. These functions include voice, fax or data detection, echo cancellation, telephone tone signal detection and generation and other telephony signaling processing. |
| Open architecture. Our voice over packet communications boards target the open architecture gateway market segment, which enables our customers to use hardware and software products widely available for standards-based open telecommunications platforms. We believe that this provides our customers with an improved time to market and the benefits of scalability, upgradeability and enhanced functionality without the need to completely redesign their systems for evolving applications. |
- 31 -
| Various entry level products. Our wide product range (chips to media gateways and media servers) provides our customers with a range of entry level products. We believe that these building blocks enable our customers to significantly shorten their time to market by adding their value added solution. |
| VoIPerfectTM architecture. Our VoIPerfect architecture serves as the underlying technology platform common to all of our products since 1998. VoIPerfectTM is regularly updated and upgraded with features and functionalities required to comply with evolving standards and protocols. VoIPerfectTM architecture comprises VoP digital signal processing, or DSP, software and media streaming embedded software, integrated public telephone switched network, or PTSN, signaling protocols and VoIP standard control protocols, provisioning and management engines. Additional features enable carrier-grade quality and high availability. VoIPerfectTM architecture components are available in AudioCodes products at various levels of integration from the chip level, through peripheral component interconnect Mezzanine Card, or PMC, modules and PCI/compact PCI (cPCI) blades, to high-availability and non-high-availability analog and digital media gateway platforms. |
Our goal is to be the leading provider of enabling technologies and products for the transmission of voice, data and fax over packet networks. The following are key elements of our strategy:
| Maintain and extend technological leadership. We intend to capitalize on our expertise in voice compression technology and proficiency in designing voice communications systems. In 1995, we co-authored the ITU G.723.1 voice coding standard that was adopted by the Voice over IP Forum as the recommended standard for use in voice over IP gateways. In 1998, we introduced NetCoder®, a new voice coder that was designed specifically for IP networks. In 2001, we introduced TrunkPack®1610, a cPCI Telephony board supporting PSTN, signaling, MGCP and MEGACO call controls. In 2002, we introduced the MediantTM2000 Media Gateway as part of our initiative to provide complete media gateways to our network equipment provider. In 2002, we also launched our media server product family to support IP-based local access and enhanced services for wireless, cable, voice virtual private network and IP centrex markets. We have invested heavily and are committed to continued investment in developing technologies that are key to providing high performance voice, data and fax transmission over packet networks and to be at the forefront of technological evolution in our industry. |
| Strengthen and expand strategic relationships with key customers. Our strategy has been to sell our products to leading equipment manufacturers in the telecommunications and networking industries and to establish and maintain long-term working relationships with them. We work closely with our customers to engineer products and subsystems that meet each customers particular needs. The long development cycles usually required to build equipment incorporating our products frequently results in close working relationships with our customers. By focusing on leading equipment manufacturers with large volume potential, we believe that we reach a substantial segment of our potential customer base while minimizing the cost and complexity of our marketing efforts. |
- 32 -
| Expand and enhance the development of highly-integrated products. We plan to continue designing, developing and introducing new product lines and product features that address the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers. We believe that our knowledge of core technologies and system design expertise enables us to offer better solutions that are more complete and contain more features than competitive alternatives. We believe that the greatest opportunities for our growth and profitability will come from the development of even more highly-integrated product lines and product features such as our recently announced digital media gateways. |
| Build upon existing technologies to penetrate new markets. The technology we developed in connection with the IP telephony market can be used to serve similar product requirements in emerging markets utilizing similar packet networking technologies. These markets include those providing telephony over digital subscriber lines, wireless networks and the cable television infrastructure. |
| Develop a network of strategic partners. Part of our strategy has been to sell our products through customers that can offer our products as part of a full-service solution to their customers. We expect to further develop our strategic partner relationships with system integrators and other service providers in order to increase our customer base. |
| Acquire complementary businesses and technologies. We expect to pursue the acquisition of complementary businesses and technologies or the establishment of joint ventures to broaden our product offerings, enhance the features and functionality of our systems, increase our penetration in targeted markets and expand our marketing and distribution capabilities. As part of this strategy, we acquired the UAS business from Nortel in April 2003 and Ai-Logix in May 2004. |
Our products facilitate the transmission of voice, data and fax over packet networks. To date, we have incorporated our algorithms, technologies and systems design expertise in nine product lines:
| voice over packet processors; |
| media gateway modules; |
| VoIP and VoATM communication boards; |
| enhanced voice services and contact center solutions; |
- 33 -
| analog media gateways for toll bypass access and enterprise applications; |
| digital media gateways with various capacities for wireless (StrettoTM), wireline (MediantTM) and cable (MediantTM Cable); |
| IPmediaTM boards and servers for enhanced services and functionalities such as conferencing and messaging (IPmediaTM Platforms); |
| universal audio server (IP MediaTM Media Server); |
| Element management system (EMS); and |
| Voice and data logging hardware integration board products. |
In addition, we continue to offer customers our professional services, which usually involve customization and development projects for customers.
Our products are designed to build on our core technology and competence extending them both vertically (chips inserted into boards, boards inserted into digital media gateways) and horizontally into different applications for different market segments, such as enterprise, wireline, cable and wireless.
Voice Over Packet Processors
Our signal processor chips compress and decompress voice, data and fax communications. This enables these communications to be sent from circuit-switched telephone networks to packet networks. Our chips are digital signal processors on which we have embedded our algorithms. These signal processor chips are the basic building blocks used by our customers and us to enable their products to transmit voice, fax and data over packet networks. These chips may be incorporated into our communications boards, Media Gateway Modules and Analog Media Gateways for access and enterprise applications or they may be purchased separately and incorporated into other boards or customer products.
Our signal processor chips implement a complete signal processing system, supporting voice compression, echo cancellation, fax and modem processing and telephony signaling processing. The signal processor chips also enhance gateway efficiency by supporting multiple independently processed channels of communication.
We provide a range of voice over packet processors of voice communications over different types of packet networks, such as IP and ATM. Our processors are used by original equipment manufacturers, known as OEMs, in their products enabling simple development and a significant reduction in time-to-market. Each processor constitutes a full voice band subsystem that includes standards-based low bit rate voice compression, echo cancellation, in-band signaling detection and generation fax transmission and other signaling tones handling.
- 34 -
Media Gateway Modules
Our media gateway modules are medium to high density, multi-protocol modules that allow OEM gateway designers to take full advantage of the complete media gateway functionality inherent in our TrunkPack® architecture, which is installed in millions of lines worldwide. These modules connect as daughter cards onto proprietary OEM carrier boards and convert content into low bit rate packetized voice over IP voice trunking. Their comprehensive feature set and standard interfaces make them an integral building block for high performance, carrier class media gateways by providing fast time to market and a cost effective solution.
In common with our TrunkPack® boards and compact peripheral component interconnect, or PCI, solutions for open standards-based platforms. These modules bridge the gap between our voice over packet processors, which offer developers maximum design flexibility, and the communication boards that fit into standard peripheral component interconnect, or PCI, or CompactPCI platforms.
The module product family performs a variety of media gateway functions such as packetization, compression, streaming and protocol processing. The module line also provides echo cancellation functionality.
VoIP and VoATM Communication Boards
Our communications boards are designed to operate in gateways connecting the circuit-switched telephone network to packet networks based on Internet protocols. Our boards comply with voice over IP and voice over ATM (AAL2) industry standards and allow for interoperability with other gateways. The boards also enable high capacity operations while fitting into a single PCI or CompactPCI platforms. Just as our signal processor chips can handle multiple channels on a single processor, our communications boards can support multiple telephony trunk processing and differing modes of operations to provide manufacturers with greater system flexibility.
Our boards support standards-based open telecommunications architecture systems and combine our signal processor chips with communications software, signaling software and proprietary hardware architecture to provide a cost efficient interoperable solution for high capacity gateways. We believe that using open architecture permits our customers to bring their systems to market quickly and to integrate our products more easily within their systems.
Our boards represent a combined functionality of both media streaming processing (voice fax and modem) and on-board telephony interfaces, along with their associated signaling protocols.
Enhanced Voice Services and Contact Center Solutions
Our ArditoTM media gateway boards offer developers of enhanced voice services and contact center solutions the capability to support PSTN infrastructure today and VoIP foundations in the future.
- 35 -
Analog Media Gateways for Toll Bypass Access and Enterprise Applications
MediaPackTM, our analog media gateways for toll bypass access and enterprise applications, empower the next-generation network by providing cost-effective, cutting-edge technology solutions that deliver voice and fax services to the corporate market, small businesses and home offices. Our analog media gateways for access and enterprise applications provide media streaming functionality while being either controlled by a centralized call agent or use on-box VoIP control protocols (H.323, MGCP and SIP). Convergence of data, voice and fax is achieved by a combination of the media gateway with any IP access technology, eliminating the cost of multiple access circuits. This product family utilizes our experience and digital signal processing, or DSP, technology for echo cancellation, voice compression, silence suppression and comfort noise generation.
The MediaPackTM family represents a feature rich product for streaming voice quality with a powerful analog interface supporting all major control protocols such as H323, SIP, MGCP and MEGACO.
Digital Media Gateways with Various Capacities for Wireless (StrettoTM) Wireline (MediantTM) and Cable (MediantTM Cable.)
MediantTM is our family of media gateways for wireline backbone and enterprise networks. The MediantTM product family offers scalability and functionality, providing a full suite of voice coders standard compliant control protocols and public switched telephone network, or PSTN, signaling interfaces for a variety of wireline media gateway applications in most softswitch control environments. The MediantTM family provides carriers with a comprehensive line of different sized gateways. Small or medium-sized gateways enable cost-effective solutions for enterprise or small points of presence, as well as entry into fast growing new and emerging markets. The large gateway scales to central office capacities and is designed to meet carriers operational requirements. The entire MediantTM gateway family shares our same VoIP media gateway boards, assuring mature, field-proven solutions.
The MediantTM cable access gateway family is our line of packet telephony standards-compliant cable access gateways designed for either hybrid or all IP cable network architecture. The Mediant cable access gateway enables deployment of advanced packet-based cable telephony at multiple service operators own pace, without costly hardware changes. The MediantTM cable access gateway can be initially deployed as a V5.2 IP access terminal and then easily migrated by software upgrade to a cable telephony media gateway with external call management provided by a softswitch and an SS7 interface to the PSTN. Our StrettoTM product line is our family of media gateways for the second and third generations of wireless networks. StrettoTM is intended to enable packetization of legacy wireless networks, as well as serving as a voice media gateway in third generation packet enabled architecture. The StrettoTM product family is compatible with popular wireless voice coders and protocols for wireless networks such as code-division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000 and universal mobile telecommunications service (UMTS), and builds on our TrunkPack® architecture, which is installed in millions of lines worldwide.
- 36 -
0IPmediaTM Boards and Servers for Enhanced Services and Functionalities such as Conferencing and Messaging (IPmediaTM Platforms)
The IPmediaTM product family is designed to allow OEMs to provide sophisticated content and services that create revenue streams and customer loyalty through the ability to provide additional services. The IPmediaTM platforms interface both packet (IP or ATM) and switched-circuit telephony modules, while saving space. The IPmediaTM platform provides voice and fax processing capabilities to enable, together with our partners, an architecture for development and deployment of enhanced services.
IPmediaTM platforms are designed to answer the growing market demand for enhanced voice services over packet networks, particularly network-based applications like unified communications, call recording, and conferencing by carriers and application service providers. IPmediaTM enables our customers to develop and market applications such as: unified communications, interactive voice response, call-centers, conferencing and voice-activated personal assistant. IPmediaTM products are currently offered on our PCI and cCPI boards and on the 2000 series 1U media gateway box (IPmediaTM 2000) and will soon also be available in the recently announced 3000 series 2U gateway platform, featuring IP and ATM interfaces and capabilities.
Universal Audio Server (IPmediaTM Media Server)
The universal audio server is a product that we acquired from Nortel Networks in April 2003. This product has been redesigned, upgraded and integrated into our IPmedia boards and servers. The universal audio server provides enhanced conferencing, multi-language announcement functionality, lawful intercept capabilities and other media server applications for voice over packet networks.
Element Management System (EMS)
Our Element Management System (EMS), is an advanced solution for centralized, standard-based management of our VoP gateways, covering all areas vital to the efficient operations, administration, management and provisioning of our MediantTM, StrettoTM and MediaPackTM VoP gateways.
Our EMS offers network equipment providers and system integrators fast setup of medium and large VoP networks with the advantage of a single centralized management system that configures, provisions and monitors all of AudioCodes gateways deployed, either as Customer Premises Equipment, access or core network platforms.
Voice and Data Logging Hardware Integration Board Products
The SmartWORKSTM family of products is our voice and data logging hardware integration board product line. SmartWORKSTM boards for the call recording and voice voice/data logging industry are compatible with a multitude of Private Branch Exchange, or PBX, telephone system integrations.
- 37 -
We believe that one of our key competitive advantages is our broad base of core technologies ranging from advanced voice compression algorithms to complex architecture system design. We have developed and continue to build on a number of key technology areas.
Low Bit Rate Voice Compression Algorithms
Voice compression techniques are essential for the transmission of voice over packet networks. Voice compression exploits redundancies within a voice signal to reduce the bit rate required to digitally represent the voice signal, from 64 kilobits per second, or kbps, down to low bit rates ranging from 5.3 kbps to 8 kbps, while still maintaining acceptable voice quality. A bit is a unit of data. Different voice compression algorithms, or coders, make certain tradeoffs between voice quality, bit rate, delay and complexity to satisfy various network requirements. Use of voice activity detection techniques and silence removal techniques further reduce the transmission rate by detecting the silence periods embedded in the voice flow and discarding the information packets which do not contribute to voice intelligibility.
We are one of the innovators in developing low bit rate voice compression technologies. Our patented MP-MLQTM coder was adopted in 1995 by the ITU as the basis for the G.723.1 voice coding standard for audio/visual applications over the circuit-switched telephone networks. By adhering to this standard, system manufacturers guarantee the interoperability of their equipment with the equipment of other vendors.
Advanced Digital Signal Processing Algorithms
To provide a complete voice over packet communications solution, we have developed a library of digital signal processing functions designed to complement voice compression coders with additional functionality, including: echo cancellation; voice activity detection; facsimile and data modem processing; and telephony signaling processing. Our extensive experience and expertise in designing advanced digital signal processing solutions allows us to implement algorithms using minimal processing memory and power resources. Our algorithms include:
| Echo cancellation. Low bit rate voice compression techniques introduce considerable delay, necessitating the use of echo cancellation algorithms. The key performance criterion of an echo canceller is its ability to deal with large echo reflections, long echo delays, fast changing echo characteristics, diverse telecommunications equipment and network effects. Our technology achieves low residual echo and fast response time to render echo effects virtually unnoticeable. |
| Fax transmission. There are two widely used techniques for real time transmission of fax over networks based on Internet protocols: fax relay and fax spoofing. Fax relay takes place when a fax is sent from a fax machine through a gateway over networks based on Internet protocols in real time to a fax machine at the other end of the network. At the gateway, the analog fax signals are demodulated back into digital data, converted into packets, routed over the packet network and reassembled at the receiving end. Fax relay is used when the round trip network delay is small (typically below one second). When the round trip network delay increases, one of the fax machines may time out while waiting for a response from the other fax machine to arrive. |
- 37 -
| Data modem technology. We have developed data modem technologies that facilitate data relay over packet networks. Our data modem relay software algorithms support all existing data modem standards up to a bit rate of 14.4 kbps. |
| Telephony signaling processing. Various telephony signaling standards and protocols are employed to route calls over the traditional telephone network, some of which use in-band methods, which means that the signaling tones are sent over the telephone line just like the voice signal. As a result, in-band signaling tones may have to undergo the compression process just like the voice signal. Most low bit-rate voice coders, however, are optimized for speech signals and exhibit poor tone transfer performance. To overcome this, our processors are equipped with tone detection and tone generation algorithms. To provide seamless transparency between the traditional telephone network and packet networks for signaling, we employ various digital signal processing techniques for efficient tone processing. |
Voice Communications Software
To transmit the compressed voice and fax over packet networks, voice packetization processes are required to construct and deconstruct each packet of data for transmission. The processing involves breaking up information into packets and adding address and control fields information according to the specifications of the appropriate packet network protocol. In addition, our software provides the interface with the signal processors and addresses packet delay and packet loss issues.
Media Processing
Our media processing products provide the enabling technology and platforms for developing enhanced service applications for legacy and next generation networks. We have developed media processing technologies such as message recording/playback, announcements, voice coding and mixing and call progress tone detection that enable our customers to develop and offer advanced revenue generating services such as conferencing, network announcements, voice mail and interactive voice response. Our media processing technology and products offer PSTN and packet interfaces to enable flexible deployment options.
Digital Cellular Communications Technology
Convergence of wireline and wireless networks is becoming a key driver for deployment of voice over packet networks, enabling operators to use common equipment for both networks, thus lowering capital expenditures and operating expenses, while offering enriched services.
Our cellular voice over packet products provide a cost effective solution for these convergence needs, complying with 2G and 3G cellular standards, for GSM/UMTS and CDMA/CDMA2000 networks. These include support for cellular vocoders (concurrently with wireline vocoders), interfaces and protocols. These interfaces and protocols are being defined by special standardization groups (e.g., 3GPP and 3GPP2) and include capabilities such as handling IP, ATM and TDM concurrently, mediation (mobile to mobile calls with no transcoding), support for handoff and lawful intercept and various other cellular-specific capabilities.
- 39 -
VoIP for Telephony over Cable Networks
Telephony over cable networks is characterized by technical challenges due to the intrinsic nature of the cable system which broadcasts across the subscriber network. The cable telephony market is divided into two main standards: softswitch solutions and IP access terminal, or IPAT, V5.2 solutions utilizing Class 5 switches. We have developed media gateway technology that is capable of supporting both standards while migration from IPAT solutions to softswitch solutions may be done by a software only upgrade, thus protecting the end customers investment. Our technology complies with PacketCable standards including security/encryption technology, support for quality of service, call control and signaling.
Hardware Architectures for High Density Multi-Trunk Voice over Packet Systems
Our voice over packet product offerings include high density, multi-trunk voice over packet systems for standards-based open telecommunications platforms in access equipment. Multi-trunk processing is centered around a design encompassing two key processing elements, signal processors performing voice, fax and data processing and a communications processor. Overall system performance, reliability, capacity, size, cost and power consumption are optimized, based on our hardware architecture, which supports high throughput rates for multi-trunk processing. On-board efficient network and system interfaces relieve the system controller from extensive real time data transfer and processing of data streams.
Carrier Grade System Expertise
To provide state of the art carrier grade media gateways, we have developed a wide expertise in a number of fields essential to such a product line. .We have developed or integrated the various components required to implement a full digital media gateway solution that behaves as a unified entity to the external world. This required a major investment in adapting standard cPCI platforms to our needs. Such adaptation included optimizing power supply and cooling requirements, adding centralized shelf controllers, fabric switches and alarm cards to the chassis. Another aspect of the expertise developed to undertake this task is related to High Availability software and hardware design. High Availability is a required feature in any carrier grade media gateway platform. We have also developed a sophisticated EMS (Element Management System) to complete our offering. This EMS enables the user to provision and monitor a number of media gateways from a centralized location.
Our customers consist of OEMs, network equipment providers and systems integrators and distributors. Historically, we have derived the majority of our revenues from sales to a small number of customers. The identities of our principal customers have changed, and we expect that they will continue to change, from year to year. We expect that a small number of customers will continue to account for a large percentage of our sales. Our largest customer in terms of our sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 was Nortel Networks.
- 40 -
Sales to Nortel Networks accounted for 14.3% of our revenues in 2003 and 18.6% of our revenues in 2004. No other customer accounted for more than 8.0% of our revenues in 2003 or in 2004.
Our sales and marketing strategy is to achieve design wins with industry leaders in our targeted markets. Prospective customers generally must make a significant commitment of resources to test and evaluate our products and to integrate them into larger systems. As a result, our sales process is often subject to delays associated with lengthy approval processes that typically accompany the design and testing of new communications equipment. For these reasons, the sales cycles of our products to new customers are often lengthy, averaging approximately six to twelve months after achieving a design win. This time may be further extended because of internal testing, field trials and requests for the addition or customization of features.
We also provide our customers with reference platform designs, which enable them to achieve easier and faster transitions from the initial prototype designs we use in the test trials through final production releases. We believe this significantly enhances our customers confidence that our products will meet their market requirements and product introduction schedules.
We market our products in the United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Israel primarily through a direct sales force. Marketing managers are dedicated to principal customers to promote close cooperation and communication. Additionally, we market our products in these areas through independent sales representatives and system integrators. We select these independent entities based on their ability to provide effective field sales, marketing communications and technical support to our customers. We have generally entered into a combination of exclusive and non-exclusive sales representation agreements with these representatives in each of the major countries in which we do business. These agreements are typically for renewable 12-month terms, are terminable at will by us upon 90 days notice, and do not commit the sales representative to any minimum sales of our products to third parties. Some of our representatives have the ability to return some of the products they have previously purchased and purchase more up to date models.
Texas Instruments Incorporated supplies all of the signal processor chips used for our signal processors. The communications processor currently used on our communications boards is manufactured by Motorola. We believe that similar communications processors are available from other suppliers. Other components are generic in nature and we believe they can be obtained from multiple suppliers.
We have not entered into any long-term supply agreements. To date, we have been able to obtain sufficient amounts of these components to meet our needs and do not foresee any supply difficulty in obtaining timely delivery of any parts or components. However, an interruption in supply from any of these sources, especially with regard to signal processors from Texas Instruments Incorporated, or an unexpected termination of the manufacture of certain electronic components could disrupt production, thereby adversely affecting our results. We generally maintain an inventory of critical components used in the manufacture and assembly of our products although our inventory of signal processor chips would likely not be sufficient in the event that we had to engage an alternate supplier for these components.
- 41 -
We utilize contract manufacturing for substantially all of our manufacturing processes. Until the third quarter of 2002, all of our boards, modules and analog media gateways were assembled by third-party subcontractors in Israel. Since the third quarter of 2002, we have extended our manufacturing capabilities through third party subcontractors in the United States and in China. Our subsidiary, Ai-Logix, utilizes third-party subcontractors in the United States and Mexico to manufacture its products. Our internal manufacturing activities consist primarily of the production of prototypes, test engineering, materials purchasing and inspection, final product configuration and quality control and assurance.
Competition in our industry is intense and we expect competition to increase in the future. There has been a significant amount of merger and acquisition activity and strategic alliances, frequently involving major telecommunications equipment manufacturers acquiring smaller companies, and we expect that this will result in an increasing concentration of market share among these companies, many of whom are our customers.
Our principal competitors in the sale of signal processing chips for voice over packet are Texas Instruments, Broadcom, Infineon, Centillium, Mindspeed, Netergy and VoicePump, a subsidiary of DSP Group. We expect that large manufacturers of generic signal processors, such as Motorola, Agere Systems and Intel will market competing processors. Competition for our module level products include semiconductor manufacturers such as Texas Instruments, Mindspeed, Centillium Performance Technologies Inc. and Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. Our principal competitors in the communications board market are NMS Communications, Intel, Motorola, Brooktrout, Inc., Acculab and PIKA Technologies, Inc.
Our principal competitors in the area of media gateways are Cisco Systems Inc., Mediatrix Telecom, Inc., VegaStream Limited, Samsung, Innovaphone AG, Quintum Technologies, Tainet Communication System Corp., Welltech, Ascii Corp, D-Link Systems, Inc., Multitec Inc., Innomedia, OKI, LG. Cisco Systems, Veraz Networks, Sonus Networks, Nuera, Tekelec, General Bandwidth, Telica and Commatch. In addition we face competition in mid and high density gateways from internal development at companies such as Nortel, Lucent, Alcatel, Siemens, Huawei, UTstarcom, ZTE and others.
Some of our competitors have greater name recognition, larger installed customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. As a result of the ongoing consolidation in our industry, several of our competitors have greater financial, personnel and other resources, offer a broader range of products and services than we do.
- 42 -
Our success is dependent in part upon proprietary technology. We rely primarily on a combination of patent, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, to protect our proprietary rights. We also rely on trademark protection concerning various names and marks that serve to identify it and our products. While our ability to compete may be affected by our ability to protect our intellectual property, we believe that, because of the rapid pace of technological change in our industry, maintaining our technological leadership and our comprehensive familiarity with all aspects of the technology contained in our signal processors and communication boards is also of primary importance.
We own U.S. patents that relate to our voice compression technology. We also actively pursue patent protection in selected other countries of interest to us. In addition to patent protection, we seek to protect our proprietary rights through copyright protection and through restrictions on access to our trade secrets and other proprietary information which we impose through confidentiality agreements with our customers, suppliers, employees and consultants.
There are a number of companies besides us who hold or may acquire patents for various aspects of the technology incorporated in the ITUs standards or other industry standards or proprietary standards, for example, in the fields of wireless and cable. While we have obtained cross-licenses from some of the holders of these other patents, we have not obtained a license from all of the holders. The holders of these other patents from whom we have not obtained licenses may take the position that we are required to obtain a license from them. Companies that have submitted their technology to the ITU (and generally other industry standards making bodies) for adoption as an industry standard are required by the ITU to undertake to agree to provide licenses to that technology on reasonable terms. Accordingly, we believe that even if we were required to negotiate a license for the use of such technology, we would be able to do so at an acceptable price. Similarly, however, third parties who also participate with respect to the same standards-setting organizations as do we may be able to negotiate a license for use of our proprietary technology at a price acceptable to them, but which may be lower than the price we would otherwise prefer to demand.
Under a pooling agreement dated March 3, 1995, as amended, between AudioCodes and DSP Group, Inc., on the one hand, and France Telecom, Universite de Sherbrooke and their agent, Sipro Lab Telecom, on the other hand, we and DSP Group, Inc. granted to France Telecom and Universite de Sherbrooke the right to use certain of our specified patents, and any other of our and DSP Group, Inc. intellectual property rights incorporated in the ITU G.723.1 standard. Likewise France Telecom and Universite de Sherbrooke granted AudioCodes and DSP Group, Inc. the right to use certain of their patents and any other intellectual property rights incorporated in the G.723.1 standard. In each case, the rights granted are to design, make and use products developed or manufactured for joint contribution to the G.723.1 standard without any payment by any party to the other parties.
In addition, each of the parties to the agreement granted to the other parties the right to license to third parties the patents of any party included in the intellectual property required to meet the G.723.1 standard, in accordance with each licensing partys standard patent licensing agreement. The agreement provides for the fee structure for licensing to third parties. The agreement provides that certain technical information be shared among the parties, and each of the groups agreed not to assert any patent rights against the other with respect of the authorized use of voice compression products based upon the technical information transferred. Licensing by any of the parties of the parties intellectual property incorporated in the G.723.1 standard to third parties is subject to royalties that are specified under the agreement.
- 43 -
Each of the parties to the agreement is free to develop and sell products embodying the intellectual property incorporated into the G.723.1 standard without payment of royalties to other parties, so long as the G.723.1 standard is implemented as is, without modification. The agreement expires upon the last expiration date of any of the AudioCodes, DSP Group, Inc., France Telecom or Universite de Sherbrooke patents incorporated in the G.723.1 standard. The parties to the agreement are not the only claimants to technology underlying the G.723.1 standard.
We are aware of parties who may be infringing our technology that is part of the G.723.1 standard. We evaluate these matters on a case by case basis, directly or through our licensing partner. Although we have not yet determined whether to pursue legal action, we may do so in the future. There can be no assurance that any legal action will be successful.
Third parties have claimed, and from time to time in the future may claim, that our past, current or future products infringe their intellectual property rights. Intellectual property litigation is complex and there can be no assurance of a favorable outcome of any litigation. Any future intellectual property litigation, regardless of outcome, could result in substantial expense to us and significant diversion of the efforts of our technical and management personnel. Litigation could also disrupt or otherwise severely impact our relationships with current and potential customers as well as our manufacturing, distribution and sales operations in countries where relevant third party rights are held and where we may be subject to jurisdiction. An adverse determination in any proceeding could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties, require disputed rights to be licensed from such parties, assuming licenses to such rights could be obtained, or require us to cease using such technology and expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology. We may not be able to obtain a license at an acceptable price.
We have entered into technology licensing fee agreements with third parties. We expect that in the ordinary course of business we may be required to enter into additional licensing agreements. Under one agreement, we agreed to pay a third party royalty fees until 2008, based on 0.75% of our revenues.
We are not a party to any material legal proceedings.
C. | ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE |
AudioCodes Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, is a Delaware corporation.
- 44 -
AudioCodes National Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AudioCodes Inc., is a Delaware corporation.
Ai-Logix Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AudioCodes Inc., is a Delaware corporation
AudioCodes Europe Limited, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is incorporated in England.
In 2005, we incorporated in Brazil AudioCodes Brasil Equipamentos de Voz sobre IP Ltda, a wholly-owned subsidiary.
D. | PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT |
We lease our main facilities, located in Airport City, Lod, Israel, which currently occupy approximately 111,000 square feet. We moved into these facilities in February 2004 which enabled us to consolidate all of our operations in Israel into one location.
Our U.S. subsidiary leases a 7,356 square foot facility in San Jose, California. Our subsidiary has additional offices in Raleigh, Chicago, Boston and Dallas. We also have a leased representative office in Beijing, China and in Tokyo, Japan.
Our U.S. subsidiary, Ai-Logix, Inc., leases a 29,000 square foot facility in Somerset. New Jersey.
We believe that these properties are adequate to meet our current needs. We may need to increase the size of our current facilities, seek new facilities, close certain facilities or sublease portions of our existing facilities in order to address our needs in the future.
Rent expense was $1,713,000 in 2002, $1,829,000 in 2003, and $2,927,000 in 2004. We project that our rent expense for 2005 will be approximately $2,705,000.
ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS |
Statements in this Annual Report concerning our business outlook or future economic performance; anticipated revenues, expenses or other financial items; product introductions and plans and objectives related thereto; and statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are forward-looking statements as that term is defined under the United States Federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Risk Factors in this Annual Report, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- 45 -
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or US GAAP. These accounting principles require management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions based upon information available at the time that they are made, historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented.
On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition and allowance for sales returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories, investment in an affiliated company and goodwill. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors 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.
In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by US GAAP and does not require managements judgment in its application. There are also areas in which managements judgment in selecting among available alternatives would not produce a materially different result. Our management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with our Audit Committee. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which contain additional information regarding our accounting policies and other disclosures required by US GAAP.
Management believes the significant accounting policies that affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements and are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating AudioCodes reported financial results include the following:
| Revenue recognition and allowance for sales returns; |
| Allowance for doubtful accounts; |
| Inventories; |
| Investment in an affiliated company; and |
| Goodwill |
Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Sales Returns
We generate our revenues primarily from the sale of products. We sell our products through a direct sales force and sales representatives. Our products are generally a bundled hardware and software solution that is delivered together to our customers, which include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), network equipment providers, systems integrators and distributors of a variety of telecommunications and networking products, all of whom are considered end users.
Revenues from products are recognized when the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred, (iii) the fee is fixed or determinable and (iv) collectability is probable. We have no obligation to customers after the date on which products are delivered, other than pursuant to warranty obligations and any applicable right of return. We generally grant our customers the right of return or the ability to exchange a specific percentage of the total price paid for products they have purchased over a period of three months for other products.
- 46 -
We maintain a provision for product returns and exchanges. This provision is based on historical sales returns, analysis of credit memo data and other known factors. This provision is deducted from revenues, and amounted to $272,000 in 2002, $294,000 in 2003 and $619,000 in 2004.
Revenues from the sale of products which were not yet determined to be final sales due to market acceptance or technological compatibility were deferred and included in deferred revenues.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management exercises its judgment as to our ability to collect outstanding receivables. Provisions are made based upon a specific review of all significant outstanding invoices. For those invoices not specifically reviewed, provisions are made based upon the age of the receivable. In determining the provision, we analyze our historical collection experience and current economic trends. If the historical data used to calculate the allowance provided for doubtful accounts does not reflect the future ability to collect outstanding receivables, additional provisions for doubtful accounts may be needed and the future results of operations could be materially affected.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using the moving average cost method for raw materials and on the basis of direct manufacturing costs for finished products. We periodically evaluate the quantities on hand relative to current and historical selling prices and historical and projected sales volume and technological obsolescence. Based on these evaluations, inventory write-offs and write-down provisions are provided to cover risks arising from slow moving items, technological obsolescence, excess inventories, discontinued products and for market prices lower than cost. We wrote-off and wrote-down inventory in a total amount of $1.7 million in 2002, $835,000 in 2003 and $1.2 million in 2004.
Investment in an Affiliated Company
Through December 31, 2004, we had invested an aggregate of $2.5 million in a privately-held company engaged in speech recognition. We currently own approximately 40% of the equity in this company. This investment is accounted for by the equity method and is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. As of December 31, 2004, based on managements most recent analyses, no impairment losses have been identified in connection with this investment.
- 47 -
Goodwill
SFAS No.142 requires goodwill to be tested for impairment at least annually or between annual tests in certain circumstances, and written down when impaired, rather than being amortized as previous accounting standards required. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. In connection with our acquisition of selected assets of UAS, we recognized $4.3 million of goodwill in 2003 and an additional $1.0 million of goodwill in 2004. We recognized $3.8 million of goodwill in 2004 in connection with our acquisition of Ai-Logix. We paid an additional $10 million in March 2005 based on the achievement of revenue milestones by the Ai-Logix business during 2004 and 2005. This contingent was recorded as part of the acquisition cost as additional goodwill during 2005. Goodwill in connection with the UAS and Ai-Logix acquisitions was reviewed for impairment during the fourth quarter of 2004. No impairment losses have been identified in connection with these acquisitions.
A. | OPERATING RESULTS |
You should read this discussion with the consolidated financial statements and other financial information included in this Annual Report.
We design, develop and market enabling technologies and products for the transmission of high quality voice, data and fax over packet networks. Newly developed equipment based on advanced voice communications standards enables packet networks to carry voice and data more efficiently and at a lower cost than traditional telephone networks by using substantially less network capacity. Our products are designed to enable our customers to build packet voice networking equipment that provides comparable communication quality to that of traditional telephone networks. Our communication boards are the building blocks for connecting traditional telephone networks with packet voice networks and provide high performance and large capacity on open telecommunications platform-based gateways. We have continued to broaden our offerings as we have expanded in the last few years from selling chips to boards, subsystems, media gateway systems and media servers.
Our headquarters are in Airport City, Lod, Israel and we have eight additional offices worldwide: in the United States in San Jose, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Raleigh and Somerset, New Jersey, as well as in Tokyo, Japan and Beijing, China.
In 2002, no customer accounted for more than 8.9% of our total revenues and our top five customers accounted for 30.2% of our total revenues. Nortel Networks accounted for 14.3% of our total revenues in 2003 and 18.6% of our total revenues in 2004 and our top five customers accounted for 34.2% of our total revenues in 2003 and 35.7% of our total revenues in 2004. Based on our experience, we expect that our largest customers may change from period to period. If we lose a large customer and fail to add new customers to replace lost revenue our operating results may be materially adversely affected.
- 48 -
Revenues based on the location of our customers for the last three fiscal years are as follows:
2002 |
2003 |
2004 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Americas | 40.0 | % | 56.9 | % | 62.3 | % | |||||
Far East | 37.4 | 23.7 | 14.3 | ||||||||
Europe | 10.7 | 12.6 | 13.3 | ||||||||
Israel | 11.9 | 6.8 | 10.1 | ||||||||
Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||
Part of our strategy involves the acquisition of complementary businesses and technologies. Our first strategic acquisition involved the purchase of the UAS product group from Nortel Networks in April 2003. This acquisition added new media server technology and products that we could offer to our customers and provided us with research and development capability in the United States. As a result of our supply agreement with Nortel entered into in connection with this transaction, we significantly increased our sales to Nortel, with sales to Nortel accounting for 18.6% of our revenues in 2004 compared to 14.3% of our revenues in 2003 and 1.4% of our revenues in 2002. We expect that sales to Nortel will continue to account for a high percentage of our revenues in 2005.
We completed a second acquisition in May 2004, acquiring Ai-Logix, a leading provider of advanced voice recording hardware technology. We believe that this acquisition has enhanced our board line business and provides an entry into the call recording market and the computer telephony integration, or CTI, market by leveraging our VoP expertise with the technology, strategic partnerships and customer base of Ai-Logix. We paid $10.0 million in cash at the closing of the transaction. We paid an additional $10 million in March 2005 based on the achievement of revenue milestones by the Ai-Logix business during 2004 and 2005. The payment was recorded as part of the acquisition cost as additional goodwill in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 141 in 2005.
The increase in the percentage of our revenues from customers located in the Americas over the past two years was primarily the result of our increased sales in the United States. The increase in sales in the United States was primarily due to increased sales to Nortel as a result of our acquisition of the UAS product group and our acquisition of Ai-Logix.
We believe that prospective customers generally are required to make a significant commitment of resources to test and evaluate our products and to integrate them into their larger systems. As a result, our sales process is often subject to delays associated with lengthy approval processes that typically accompany the design and testing of new communications equipment. For these reasons, the sales cycles of our products to new customers are often lengthy, averaging approximately six to twelve months. As a result, we may incur significant selling and product development expenses prior to generating revenues from sales.
The currency of the primary economic environment in which our operations are conducted is the U.S. dollar, and as such, we use the dollar as our functional currency. Transactions and balances originally denominated in dollars are presented at their original amounts. All transaction gains and losses from the remeasurement of monetary balance sheet items denominated in non-dollar currencies are reflected in the statement of operations as financial income or expenses, as appropriate.
- 49 -
The accelerated demand for Voice over IP, or VoIP, technology has impacted our business during the last two years.. Over the past two years, the shift from traditional circuit-switched networks to next generation packet-switched networks continued to gain momentum. As data traffic becomes the dominant factor in communications, service providers are building and maintaining converged networks for integrated voice and data services. In addition, underdeveloped markets without basic wireline service in countries such as China and India are beginning to use VoP technology to deliver voice and data services that were previously unavailable. These trends are helping to overcome the downturn in the telecommunications industry that affected us during previous years.
Unfavorable economic conditions affected the communications sector during the period from 2000 to 2003. This caused a decrease in our revenues from 2000 to 2001 and from 2001 to 2002. It also resulted in our net losses in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Sales of products, particularly for applications in converged networks, to OEMs for use by large service providers declined significantly during these periods. In response to our revenue decreases, we implemented expense control programs to reduce operating expenses, while at the same time we continued to invest in developing products that we believe our customers will need as the market for telecommunications equipment improves. Many companies that had reduced their capital expenditures during the recent economic downturn have begun to invest again in their communications networks. The acceptance of next generation packet-switched networks is contributing to these infrastructure investments as enterprises and service providers begin to increase their use of IP networks for data traffic, such as fax transmissions, and VoIP. These improving market conditions helped our revenues to increase in 2003 and in 2004, and we expect our revenues in 2005 to exceed our revenues in 2004.
- 50 -
The following table sets forth the percentage relationships of certain items from our consolidated statements of operations, as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 | |||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: | |||||||||||
Revenues | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||
Cost of revenues | 47.8 | 45.3 | 41.5 | ||||||||
Gross profit | 52.2 | 54.7 | 58.5 | ||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
Research and development, net | 47.9 | 35.0 | 24.2 | ||||||||
Selling and marketing | 52.6 | 32.9 | 24.0 | ||||||||
General and administrative | 12.3 | 9.2 | 5.9 | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | 112.8 | 77.1 | 54.1 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (60.6 | ) | (22.4 | ) | 4.4 | ||||||
Equity in losses of an affiliated company | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.6 | ||||||||
Financial income, net | 9.6 | 4.3 | 2.6 | ||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes on | |||||||||||
income | (52.1 | ) | (19.1 | ) | 6.4 | ||||||
Taxes on income | - | - | 0.3 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | (52.1 | )% | (19.1 | )% | 6.1 | % | |||||
Revenues. Revenues increased 87.1% to $82.8 million in 2004 from $44.2 million in 2003. The increase in revenues was primarily due to an increase in sales in the United States, derived mainly from the inclusion of a full year of sales by our UAS product group, which was acquired in April 2003, and from sales generated as a result of our acquisition of Ai-Logix in May 2004. Our increase in revenues in 2004 also reflected the increased interest and activity in the market for packet-based VoIP products.
Gross Profit. Cost of revenues includes the manufacturing cost of hardware, quality assurance, overhead related to manufacturing activity and technology licensing fees payable to third parties. Gross profit increased to $48.4 million in 2004 from $24.2 million in 2003. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues increased to 58.5% in 2004 from 54.7% in 2003. The increase in our gross profit percentage was primarily a result of higher sales volume that allowed us to leverage our operations as our manufacturing overhead was spread over a larger sales base. In addition, gross profit percentage increased because of higher sales of integrated systems which usually have higher margins than sub-systems and chips. In the first quarter of 2004, we completed product integration and started shipping UAS platforms based on our hardware which allowed us to achieve better margins on these products. The increase in gross profit percentage was also due to our ability to offset the continued decline in average selling prices of our products with a reduction in manufacturing costs. The reduction in manufacturing costs was primarily due to a reduction in our raw material costs.
- 51 -
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs of employees engaged in ongoing research and development activities, development-related raw materials and the cost of subcontractors. Research and development expenses increased 29.3% to $20.0 million in 2004, from $15.5 million in 2003 and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 24.2% in 2004 from 35.0% in 2003. The increase in net research and development expenses was primarily due to additions to our research and development personnel resulting from the acquisition of the UAS product group from Nortel Networks during the second quarter of 2003 and the acquisition of Ai-Logix during the second quarter of 2004. We expect that research and development expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollar terms as a result of our continued development of new products.
Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation for selling and marketing personnel, as well as exhibition, travel and related expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased 36.8% in 2004 to $19.9 million from $14.5 million in 2003. As a percentage of revenues, selling and marketing expenses decreased to 24.0% in 2004 from 32.9% in 2003. The increase in selling and marketing expenses was primarily due to an increase in selling and marketing personnel and associated expenses, as well as additional personnel as a result of the acquisition of Ai-Logix. We expect that selling and marketing expenses will continue to increase in absolute dollar terms as a result of an expected increase in our sales force and marketing activities.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation for finance, human resources, general management, rent, network and information systems and bad debt reserve, as well as insurance and professional services expenses. General and administrative expenses increased 19.3% to $4.9 million in 2004 from $4.1 million in 2003. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 5.9% in 2004 from 9.2% in 2003. The increase in general and administrative expenses in 2004 was primarily the result of consolidating the expenses of our Ai-Logix subsidiary, which was acquired in May 2004. During 2003, we recorded $924,000 of expenses in connection with our moving into our new premises in Israel. We did not have similar expenses in 2004. We expect that general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollar terms to support our expected growth.
Equity in Losses of Affiliated Company. Equity in losses of an affiliated company were $516,000 in 2004 compared to $429,000 in 2003. We believe that the products being developed by the affiliated company may enable us to enter new markets and to offer new products.
Financial Income, Net. Financial income consists primarily of interest derived on cash and cash equivalents and long term bank deposits and structured notes, net of interest accrued in connection with our senior convertible notes and bank charges. Financial income, net, in 2004 was $2.2 million compared with financial income of $1.9 million in 2003. The increase in financial income during 2004 was primarily due to higher interest rates and interest income, net, on the $120.2 million of net proceeds from our sale of senior convertible notes in November 2004.
- 52 -
Revenues. Revenues increased 62.7% to $44.2 million in 2003 from $27.2 million in 2002. This increase was primarily due to a growing momentum in the shift from traditional circuit-switched networks to next generation packet-switched networks, as well as an increase of $6.3 million in sales to Nortel Networks, primarily as a result of our acquisition of the UAS product group from Nortel.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased 70.6% to $24.2 million in 2003 from $14.2 million in 2002. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues increased to 54.7% in 2003 from 52.2% in 2002. The increase in gross profit percentage resulted primarily from a reduction in inventory write-offs and write-downs which are included in the cost of revenues. These write-offs and write-downs were $835,000 in 2003 compared to $1.7 million in 2002. Inventory write-offs were higher in 2002 because of the effects of the slowdown in the telecommunications market. In addition, gross profit percentage benefited from manufacturing overhead being spread over a larger sales base.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased 18.8% to $15.5 million in 2003, from $13.0 million in 2002 and decreased as a percentage of total revenues to 35.0% in 2003 from 47.9% in 2002. The increase in research and development expenses in 2003 was primarily due to additions to our research and development personnel resulting from the acquisition of the UAS product group from Nortel Networks.
Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased 1.7% in 2003 to $14.5 million from $14.3 million in 2002. As a percentage of total revenues, selling and marketing expenses decreased to 32.9% in 2003 from 52.6% in 2002. The increase in selling and marketing expenses was primarily due to an increase in selling and marketing personnel and associated expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased 21.3% to $4.1 million in 2003 from $3.4 million in 2002. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 9.2% in 2003 from 12.3% in 2002. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to expenses related to our moving into our new premises in Israel.
Equity in losses of Affiliated Company. Equity in losses of an affiliated company were $429,000 in 2003 compared to $300,000 in 2002. We believe that the products being developed by the affiliated company may enable us to enter new markets and to offer new products. As a result, during 2003, we increased our ownership in this company to 40%. We also adopted the equity method of accounting in 2003. Prior year results have been adjusted to reflect this investment at equity.
Financial Income, Net. Financial income consists primarily of interest derived on cash and cash equivalents and long term bank deposits and structured notes, net of bank charges. Financial income in 2003 was $1.9 million compared with financial income of $2.6 million in 2002. The decrease in financial income was primarily due to lower interest rates on cash and cash equivalents, and long term bank deposits and, to a lesser extent, a reduction in cash reserves.
- 53 -
Since the majority of our revenues are paid in or linked to the dollar, we believe that inflation and fluctuations in the NIS/dollar exchange rate have no material effect on our revenues. However, a portion of the cost of our Israeli operations, mainly personnel and facility-related, is incurred in NIS. Inflation in Israel and dollar exchange rate fluctuations, however, have some influence on our expenses and, as a result, on our net income. Our NIS costs, as expressed in dollars, are influenced by the extent to which any increase in the rate of inflation in Israel is not offset (or is offset on a lagging basis) by a devaluation of the NIS in relation to the dollar.
To protect against the changes in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows resulting from payments in NIS, we maintain a foreign currency cash flow hedging program. We hedge portions of our forecasted expenses denominated in foreign currencies with forward contracts. These measures may not adequately protect us from material adverse effects due to the impact of inflation in Israel.
The following table presents information about the rate of inflation in Israel, the rate of devaluation of the NIS against the dollar, and the rate of inflation in Israel adjusted for the devaluation:
Year ended December 31, |
Israeli inflation rate % |
NIS Devaluation Rate % |
Israeli inflation adjusted for devaluation % | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | 6.5 | 7.3 | (0.8 | ) | |||||||
2003 | (1.9 | ) | (7.6 | ) | 5.7 | ||||||
2004 | 1.2 | (1.6 | ) | 2.8 |
Israeli companies are generally subject to corporate tax on their taxable income at a rate of 35% (in the 2004 tax year), 34% (in the 2005 tax year), 32% (in the 2006 tax year) and 30% (in 2007 and thereafter). However, the rate applicable to us is currently effectively reduced as detailed below. Our production facilities have been granted approved enterprise status in accordance with the Law for Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 under four separate investment programs, and consequently the income derived from these facilities is exempt from corporate tax in Israel for two or four years commencing in the year in which the specific approved enterprise first generates taxable income, and to corporate tax at a reduced rate of 10% to 25% for the following six or eight years (depending on the percentage of foreign shareholdings). Income from sources other than the approved enterprise during the benefit period will be subject to tax at the regular tax rate prevailing at that time. Our effective tax rate will be a weighted combination of the various applicable tax rates. See note 12 of the consolidated financial statements.
B. | LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES |
We have financed our operations for the last three years from the remaining proceeds from prior public offerings of our Ordinary shares. In November 2004, we raised net proceeds of approximately $120.2 million in a private placement of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024. As of December 31, 2004, we had $166.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $50.2 million in long-term bank deposits and structured notes.
- 54 -
In connection with our acquisition of Ai-Logix, we paid an additional $10 million in March 2005 based on the achievement of revenue milestones by the Ai-Logix business during 2004 and 2005. This payment was recorded as part of the acquisition cost as additional goodwill during 2005.
Our operating activities provided cash in the amount of $3.5 million in 2004, primarily due to our net income, depreciation and amortization expenses and an increase in trade payables and other payables and accrued expenses, which were partially offset by an increase in trade receivables and inventories and other receivables and prepaid expenses. Our operating activities used cash in the amount of $6.5 million in 2003, primarily due to our net loss and an increase in trade receivables, which were partially offset by depreciation and amortization expenses and an increase in trade payables and other payables and accrued expenses. Our operating activities used cash in the amount of $11.7 million in 2002, primarily due to our net loss and a decrease in other payables and accrued expenses, which were partially offset by depreciation and amortization expenses and a decrease in inventories.
In 2004, our investing activities used cash in the amount of $15.9 million, primarily due to the acquisition of Ai-Logix and UAS and the purchase of property and equipment. In 2003, our investing activities provided cash in the amount of $6.1 million primarily due to proceeds from short-term bank deposits, which were partially offset by investment in long-term bank deposits and structured notes, payments of $4.4 million in connection with the acquisition of UAS and the purchase of property and equipment. In 2002, our investing activities provided cash in the amount of $13.3 million primarily due to proceeds from short-term bank deposits which was offset in part by the purchase of property and equipment. Our capital expenditures were $4.3 million in 2004, $2.0 million in 2003 and $2.1 million in 2002. The majority of our capital investment has been for testing equipment, an enterprise resources planning system, computers, peripheral equipment, software, office furniture and leasehold improvements. We used working capital to finance these expenditures.
In 2004, financing activities provided $130.4 million, due to the net proceeds of $120.2 million from our private placement of $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024 and $10.2 million from the issuance of shares upon exercise of options and from purchases under our Employee Stock Purchase Plans. In 2003, financing activities provided $1.4 million due to issuance of shares upon exercise of options and from shares purchased under our Employee Stock Purchase Plans, partially offset by $215,000 used to repurchase our ordinary shares. In 2002, financing activities used $3.9 million to repurchase our ordinary shares, partially offset by $757,000 from issuance of shares upon exercise of options and from shares purchased under our Employee Stock Purchase Plans.
We anticipate that our operating expenses will be a material use of our cash resources for the foreseeable future. We believe that our current working capital is sufficient to meet our present cash requirements. Part of our strategy is to pursue acquisition opportunities. If we do not have available sufficient cash to finance our operations and the completion of one or more acquisitions, we may be required to obtain additional debt or equity financing. We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain, if required, additional financing on acceptable terms or at all.
- 55 -
In January 2001, our board of directors authorized us to repurchase up to 2,000,000 of our ordinary shares, and in April 2002, our board authorized the repurchase of an additional 2,000,000 of our ordinary shares, all subject to the discretion of our management. In 2001, we purchased 1,774,800 of our ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6,401,000. In 2002, we purchased 2,079,139 of our ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of $4,703,486. In 2003, we purchased 88,200 of our ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of $215,321.
C. | RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC. |
In order to accommodate the rapidly changing needs of our markets, we place considerable emphasis on research and development projects designed to improve our existing products and to develop new ones. We are developing more advanced communications boards and analog and digital media gateways for carrier and enterprise applications. Our platforms will feature increased trunk capacity, new functionalities, enhanced signaling software and compliance with new control protocols. As of December 31, 2004, 213 of our employees were engaged primarily in research and development on a full-time basis. We also employed 9 persons on a part-time basis.
Our research and development expenses were $20.0 million in 2004 compared to $15.5 million in 2003 and $13.0 million in 2002. From time to time we have received royalty-bearing grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, or the OCS. As a recipient of grants from the OCS, we are obligated to perform all manufacturing activities for projects subject to the grants in Israel unless we receive an exemption. Know-how from the research and development which is used to produce products may not be transferred to third parties without the approval of the OCS. This approval is not required for the export of any products resulting from such research or development. Through December 31, 2004, we had obtained grants from the OCS aggregating $1.2 million for certain of our research and development projects. We are obligated to pay royalties to the OCS, amounting to 3%-4% of the sales of the products and other related revenues generated from such projects, up to 100% of the grants received, linked to the U.S. dollar and bearing interest at the rate of LIBOR at the time of grant. The obligation to pay these royalties is contingent on actual sales of the products and in the absence of such sales no payment is required.
- 56 -
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123. However, SFAS No. 123 permitted, but not required, share-based payments to employees to be recognized based on their fair values while SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees to be recognized based on their fair values. SFAS No. 123(R) also revises, clarifies and expands guidance in several areas, including measuring fair value, classifying an award as equity or as a liability and attributing compensation cost to reporting periods. Based on an amendment in April 2005, the new standard is effective at the beginning of the first annual period commencing after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, it will become effective for us on January 1, 2006. The adoption of SFAS 123(R) may have a significant effect on the Companys results of operations.
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4". SFAS No. 151 amends Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 43, Restatement and Revision of Accounting Research Bulletins, Chapter 4, to clarify that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight handling costs and wasted materials (spoilage) should be recognized as current-period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We do not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 151 will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.
TREND INFORMATION
The accelerated demand for VoIP technology has impacted our business during the last two years. Over the past two years, the shift from traditional circuit-switched networks to next generation packet-switched networks continued to gain momentum. As data traffic becomes the dominant factor in communications, service providers are building and maintaining converged networks for integrated voice and data services. In addition, underdeveloped markets without basic wireline service in countries such as China and India are beginning to use VoP technology to deliver voice and data services that were previously unavailable. These trends are helping to overcome the downturn in the telecommunications industry that affected us during the previous years.
In 2004, we continued to experience pressure to shorten our lead times in supplying products to customers. Some of our customers are implementing demand pull programs by which they only purchase our product very close to the time, if not simultaneously with the time, they plan to sell their product. We are increasing our sales efforts in new markets, such as Latin America, Eastern Europe and Far East. We have introduced system level products, and new applications in our product lines. . We are still experiencing low visibility into customer demand for our products and our ability to predict our level of sales.
Unfavorable economic conditions affected the communications sector during the period from 2000 to 2003. This caused a decrease in our revenues from 2000 to 2001 and from 2001 to 2002. It also resulted in our net losses in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Sales of products, particularly for applications in converged networks, to OEMs for use by large service providers declined significantly during these periods. In response to our revenue decreases, we implemented expense control programs to reduce operating expenses, while at the same time we continued to invest in developing products that we believe our customers will need as the market for telecommunications equipment improves. Many companies that had reduced their capital expenditures during the recent economic downturn have begun to invest again in their communications networks. The acceptance of next generation packet-switched networks is contributing to these infrastructure investments as enterprises and service providers begin to increase their use of IP networks for data traffic, such as fax transmissions, and VoIP. These improving market conditions helped our revenues to increase in 2003 and in 2004, and we expect our revenues in 2005 to exceed our revenues in 2004.
- 57 -
E. | OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS |
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as this term is defined in Item 5E of Form 20-F.
F. | TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS |
As of December 31, 2004, our contractual obligations were as follows (in thousands):
PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TOTAL |
LESS THAN 1 YEAR |
1-3 YEARS |
4-5 YEARS |
AFTER 5 YEARS | |||||||||||||
Rental and lease commitments | 21,003 | 2,705 | 5,095 | 4,758 | 8,445 | ||||||||||||
Total cash obligations | 21,003 | 2,705 | 5,095 | 4,758 | 8,445 |
Our obligation for accrued severance pay under Israels Severance Pay Law as of December 31, 2004 was $5.0 million, of which $4.5 million was funded through deposits into severance pay funds, leaving a net obligation of approximately $440,000.
ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES |
A. | DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT |
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our directors, senior executive officers and key employees at April 30, 2005:
- 58 -
Name |
Age |
Position |
---|---|---|
Shabtai Adlersberg | 52 | Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Nachum Falek | 34 | Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer |
Eyal Frishberg | 46 | Vice President, Operations |
Eli Nir | 38 | Vice President, Research and Development |
Lior Aldema | 39 | Vice President, Marketing and Product Management |
Ben Rabinowitz | 38 | Vice President, Marketing and Sales, North America |
Yehuda Hershkowitz | 38 | Vice President, Systems |
Tal Dor | 36 | Vice President, Human Resources |
Gary Drutin | Vice President, Channel Operations and Marketing | |
Moshe Tal | 51 | President and Chief Executive Officer, Ai-Logix Inc. |
Joseph Tenne | 49 | Director |
Dana Gross | 38 | Director |
Dr. Eyal Kishon | 45 | Director |
Doron Nevo | 49 | Director |
Shabtai Adlersberg co-founded AudioCodes in 1993, and has served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since inception. Mr. Adlersberg co-founded DSP Group, a semiconductor company, in 1987. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Adlersberg served as the Vice President of Engineering of DSP Group, and from 1990 to 1992, he served as Vice President of Advanced Technology. As Vice President of Engineering, Mr. Adlersberg established a research and development team for digital cellular communication which was spun-off in 1992 as DSP Communications. Mr. Adlersberg also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Natural Speech Communication Ltd. Mr. Adlersberg holds an M.Sc. in Electronics and Computer Engineering from Tel Aviv University and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, or the Technion.
Nachum Falek joined AudioCodes in April 2000 and became our Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer in November 2003. From 2000 to 2003, he served as Director of Finance. Prior to joining AudioCodes, Mr. Falek served as Controller at ScanVec-Amiable Ltd. From 1998 to 1999, he was a Manager at Ernst & Young in Israel. Mr. Falek holds a B.A. in Accounting and Economics from Haifa University, an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University, and is a licensed CPA in Israel.
Eyal Frishberg has served as our Vice President, Operations since October 2000. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Frishberg served as Associate Vice President, SDH Operations in ECI Telecom Ltd., a major telecommunication company. From 1987 to 1997, Mr. Frishberg worked in various operational positions in ECI Telecom including as manager of ECI production facility and production control. Mr. Frishberg worked from 1994 until 1997 for ELTA company, part of Israeli Aircraft Industries in the planning and control department. Mr. Frishberg holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Tel Aviv University and an M.B.A. from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
Eli Nir has served as our Vice President, Research and Development since April 2001. He has been employed by us since 1996, when he founded and headed our System Software Group in our research and development department. Prior to 1996, Mr. Nir served as an officer in the Technical Unit of the Intelligence Corps of the Israeli Defense Forces (Major), heading both operational units and large development groups mostly related to digital processing. Mr. Nir holds an M.B.A. and an M.Sc. from Tel Aviv University in Digital Speech Processing and a B.Sc. from the Technion.
- 59 -
Lior Aldema has served as our Vice President, Product Management since January 2002. Mr. Aldema has also served as our Vice President Marketing since February 2003. He has been employed by us since 1998, when he was team leader and later headed our System Software Group in our research and development department. Prior to 1998, Mr. Aldema served as an officer in the Technical Unit of the Intelligence Corps of the Israeli Defense Forces (Major), heading both operational units and large development groups related to various technologies and headed one of the largest projects conducted in the IDF and executed by the Israeli Defense industry corporations. Mr. Aldema holds an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University and a B.Sc. from the Technion.
Ben Rabinowitz joined us in December, 1999 and became our Vice President of Marketing and Sales for North America in October 2004. Previously, Mr. Rabinowitz served as Vice President of our Systems Group. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. Rabinowitz served as Director for Product Marketing at Westell Inc., a broadband access company. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Rabinowitz served as Senior Director within the strategy practice of Technology Solutions Company, a technology consulting firm. Mr. Rabinowitz also previously served in Ernst & Youngs consulting practice from 1994 to 1997, and provided consulting services to telecommunications companies. Mr. Rabinowitz holds an M.B.A. from Georgetown University.
Yehuda Hershkovits has served as our Vice President, Systems Group since 2003. From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Hershkovits served as our Vice President, Advanced Products. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Hershkovits served as our Director of Advanced Technologies. From 1994 to 1998 and during 1999, Mr. Hershkovits held a variety of research and development positions at Advanced Recognition Technologies, Ltd., a voice and handwriting recognition company, heading its research and development from 1999 to 2000 as Vice President, Research and Development. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. Hershkovits developed various wireless communication algorithms at Comsys, a telecommunications company. Mr. Hershkovits holds an M.Sc. and a B.Sc., from the Technion both in the area of telecommunications.
Tal Dor has served as our Vice President of Human Resources since March 2000. For more than three years prior to March 2000, Ms. Dor acted as a consultant in Israel to, among others, telephone and cable businesses, as well as health and social service organizations. Ms. Dor holds a B.A. in psychology, from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and an M.A. in psychology from Tel Aviv University.
Moshe Tal joined us in May 2004 in connection with the acquisition of Ai-Logix, Inc. and serves as the President and CEO of our Ai-Logix subsidiary. Mr. Tal co-founded Ai-Logix, Inc. in 1991, and has served as its President and CEO since 1998. Mr. Tal has more than twenty-five years of product design and engineering experience, principally associated with analog and digital signal processing technologies. Mr. Tal holds a B.Sc. in Electronic Engineering from Tel Aviv University. He also served in the Israeli Navy as a Submarine Communication System Technician.
- 60 -
Gary Drutin joined us in 2004 as Vice President of Channel Operations and Marketing. From 2001 until 2004 Mr. Drutin was Country Manager and General Manager for Cisco Israel, Cyprus and Malta and from 1997 until 2001 served as regional sales manager for service providers and enterprises for Cisco Israel. From 1990 until 1997, he served in sales management roles at Digital Equipment Corporation Israel. Mr. Drutin holds an M.B.A degree from Tel-Aviv University in Information Systems and Marketing and a B.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering from the Technion.
Joseph Tenne has served as one of our directors since June 2003. Mr. Tenne is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Ormat Technologies, Inc., a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which is engaged in the geothermal and recovered energy business. From 2003 to 2004 Mr. Tenne was the Chief Financial Officer of Treofan Germany GmbH & Co. KG, a German company, which is engaged in the development, production and marketing of oriented polypropylene films, which are mainly used in the food packaging industry. From 1997 until 2003, Mr. Tenne was a partner in Kesselman & Kesselman, Certified Public Accountants in Israel and a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited. Mr. Tenne holds a B.A. in Accounting and Economics and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University. Mr. Tenne is also a Certified Public Accountant in Israel.
Dana Gross has served as one of our directors since June 2000. Ms. Gross has served as Chief Marketing Officer of M-Systems Flash Disk Ltd. since April 2000, and as a director of M-Systems since September 2000. Prior to that, Ms. Gross served as Executive Vice President of the DiskOnChip business unit of M-Systems from 2000 and as Vice President of Worldwide Sales of M-Systems from 1998 until April 2000. Ms. Gross joined M-Systems in July 1992 as Vice President of Operations and became Chief Financial Officer in 1994, President of M-Systems Inc. in 1995 and Executive Vice President of Business Development in 1997. Ms. Gross also serves as a director of PowerDsine Ltd., a Power over Ethernet technology company that is traded on Nasdaq. . Ms. Gross holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Management Engineering from Tel Aviv University and an M.B.A. from San Jose State University.
Dr. Eyal Kishon has served as one of our directors since 1997. Since 1996, Dr. Kishon has been Managing Partner of Genesis Partners, an Israel based venture capital fund. From 1993 to 1996, Dr. Kishon served as Associate Director of Dovrat-Shrem/Yozma-Polaris Fund Limited Partnership. In his capacity as Managing Partner of Genesis, Dr. Kishon serves as a director of VCON Telecommunications Ltd., a video conferencing technology company. From 1991 to 1992, Dr. Kishon was a Research Fellow in the Multimedia Department of IBM Science & Technology. From 1989 to 1991, Dr. Kishon worked in the Robotics Research Department of AT&T Bell Laboratories. Dr. Kishon holds a B.A. in Computer Science from the Technion and an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from New York University.
Doron Nevo has served as one of our directors since 2000. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Nevo served as President and CEO of NKO, Inc. Mr. Nevo established NKO in early 1995 as a startup subsidiary of Clalcom, Ltd. NKO designed and developed a full scale carrier grade IP Telephony system platform and established its own IP network. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Nevo was President and CEO of Clalcom Ltd. Mr. Nevo established Clalcom in 1992 as a fax service provider in Israel. Mr. Nevo is President and CEO of KiloLambda Technologies Ltd. an optical subsystems company. He also serves on the board of a number of companies such as: Utility Wireless Corp. (a manufacturer of radio frequency sub-systems), Elcom Technologies (manufacturer of Satcom and Digital Radio synthesizers), Notox, Ltd. (a biotech company) and Cellaris, Ltd. (a new materials company). Mr. Nevo holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion and an M.Sc. in Telecommunications Management from Brooklyn Polytechnic.
- 61 -
B. | COMPENSATION |
The aggregate direct remuneration paid to all 14 persons who served in the capacity of director or senior executive officer during the year ended December 31, 2004 was approximately $1.3 million, including $168,000 which was set aside for pension and retirement benefits. This does not include amounts expended by us for automobiles made available to our officers, expenses (including business, travel, professional and business association dues and expenses) reimbursed to officers and other fringe benefits commonly reimbursed or paid by companies in Israel.
Stock options to purchase our ordinary shares granted to persons who served in the capacity of director or executive officer under our 1997 and 1999 Stock Option Plans are generally exercisable at the fair market value at the date of grant, and expire ten years (under the 1997 Plan) and seven years (under the 1999 Plan), respectively, from the date of grant. The options are generally exercisable in four or five equal annual payments, commencing one year from the date of grant.
A summary of our stock option activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 for all 14 persons who served in the capacity of director or senior executive officer during the year ended December 31, 2004 is as follows:
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Options |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Number of Options |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Number of Options |
Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||||||||||
Outstanding at the beginning of | ||||||||||||||||||||
the year | 1,078,634 | $ | 8.13 | 1,235,686 | $ | 7.58 | 1,526,702 | $ | 7.48 | |||||||||||
Adjustments to opening balance | (39,600 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Granted | 230,052 | $ | 2.85 | 325,500 | $ | 6.64 | 531,250 | 11.77 | ||||||||||||
Cancelled | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Exercised | (73,000 | ) | $ | 0.86 | (34,484 | ) | $ | 3.09 | (108,917 | ) | 5.16 | |||||||||
Outstanding at the end of the year | 1,235,686 | $ | 7.58 | 1,526,702 | $ | 7.48 | 1,909,435 | 9.11 | ||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2004, options to purchase 902,644 ordinary shares were exercisable at an average exercise price of $9.67 per share.
C. | BOARD PRACTICES |
Under the Israeli Companies Law, Israeli companies that have offered securities to the public in or outside of Israel are required to appoint at least two outside directors. Doron Nevo and Dr. Eyal Kishon are our outside directors. Under the requirements for listing on The Nasdaq National Market, we will be required by July 31, 2005 to have a majority of our directors be independent as defined by Nasdaq rules. Doron Nevo, Dr. Eyal Kishon, Dana Gross and Joeseph Tenne are independent directors for purposes of the Nasdaq rules.
- 62 -
To qualify as an outside director under Israeli law, an individual or his affiliates may not have, and may not have had at any time during the previous two years, any affiliation with the company or its affiliates, as such terms are defined in the Companies Law. In addition, no individual may serve as an outside director if the individuals position or other activities create or may create a conflict of interest with his or her role as an outside director or are likely to interfere with his or her ability to serve as a director. For a period of two years from termination from office, a former outside director may not serve as a director or employee of the company or provide professional services to the company for consideration.
The outside directors must be elected by the shareholders, including at least one-third of the shares of non-controlling shareholders voted on the matter. However, the outside directors can be elected by shareholders without this one-third approval if the total shares of non-controlling shareholders voted against the election do not represent more than one percent of the voting rights in the company. The term of an outside director is three years and may be extended for one additional three-year term. An outside director can be removed from office only under very limited circumstances. Each committee of a companys board of directors is required to include at least one outside director. If, at the time outside directors are elected, all current members of the board of directors are of the same gender, then at least one outside director must be of the other gender.
Under the Companies Law and the requirements for listing on The Nasdaq National Market, our board of directors is required to appoint an audit committee. The audit committee must be comprised of at least three directors, including all of the outside directors. The audit committee consists of three members: Dr. Eyal Kishon, Doron Nevo and Joseph Tenne. The audit committee may not include the chairman of the board, a controlling shareholder and the members of his immediate family, or any director who is employed by the company or provides services to the company on a regular basis. Under Israeli law, the role of the audit committee is to examine flaws in our business management, in consultation with the internal auditor and the independent accountants, and to propose remedial measures to the board. The audit committee also reviews for approval transactions between the company and office holders or interested parties, as described below.
Under the Companies Law, our board of directors is also required to appoint an internal auditor proposed by the audit committee. The internal auditor may be our employee, but may not be an interested party or office holder, or a relative of any interested party or office holder, and may not be a member of our independent accounting firm. The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among other things, whether our activities comply with the law and orderly business procedure. Eitan Hashachar CPA has been our internal auditor since January 2001.
Our board of directors appointed Dr. Eyal Kishon and Dana Gross to serve on the compensation committee of the board of directors.
- 63 -
Pursuant to our articles of association, our directors were classified into three classes (classes I, II and III). The members of each class of directors and the expiration of the term of office is as follows:
Dana Gross | Class I | 2007 |
Joseph Tenne | Class II | 2005 |
Shabtai Adlersberg | Class III | 2006 |
Our outside directors under the Companies Law, Doron Nevo and Dr. Eyal Kishon, are not members of any class and serve in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law. Mr. Nevos term ends in 2006 and Dr. Kishons term ends in 2005.
D. | EMPLOYEES |
As of December 31, 2004, we employed a total of 445 persons worldwide, including 213 in research and development, 144 in selling and marketing, technical service and support, 25 in management and administration and 63 in operations. 105 of our employees are based in the United States, primarily in Somerset, New Jersey, 2 in Latin America, 3 in Europe, 13 in China one in India and one in Japan. In addition, as of December 31, 2004, we employed an additional 24 part-time employees. The growth in the number of employees during 2004 was attributable mainly to additions to our personnel resulting from the acquisition of Ai-Logix and to growth in our research and development and sales personnel.
As of December 31, 2003, we employed a total of 328 persons worldwide, including 145 in research and development, 119 in sales and marketing, technical service and support, 19 in management and administration and 45 in operations. Fifty of our employees are based in the United States, primarily in Raleigh, North Carolina, one in Japan, one in the United Kingdom, one in France and 10 in Beijing, China. In addition, as of December 31, 2003, we employed an additional 24 part-time employees. The growth in the number of employees during 2003 was attributable mainly to growth in our research and development team, and sales personnel.
As of December 31, 2002, we employed a total of 278 persons worldwide, including 137 in research and development, 84 in sales and marketing, technical service and support, 18 in management and administration and 39 in operations. 32 of our employees are based in the United States, primarily in San Jose, California, one in Japan and 8 in Beijing, China. In addition, as of December 31, 2002, we employed an additional 22 part-time employees. The growth in the number of employees during 2002 was attributable mainly to growth in our research and development teams, sales and sales support personnel.
Israeli labor laws and regulations are applicable to our employees in Israel. These laws principally concern matters such as paid annual vacation, paid sick days, length of the workday, pay for overtime, insurance for work-related accidents, severance pay and other conditions of employment. Israeli law generally requires severance pay, which may be funded by Managers Insurance, described below, upon the retirement or death of an employee or termination of employment without cause (as defined under Israeli law). Furthermore, Israeli employees and employers are required to pay predetermined sums to the National Insurance Institute. Since January 1, 1995, such amounts also include payments for national health insurance. The payments to the National Insurance Institute are approximately 16.3% of wages, of which the employee contributes approximately 64% and the employer contributes approximately 36%.
- 64 -
Although not legally required, we regularly contribute to a Managers Insurance fund or to a privately managed pension fund on behalf of our employees located in Israel. These funds provide employees with a lump sum payment upon retirement (or a pension, in case of a pension fund) and severance pay, if legally entitled thereto, upon termination of employment. We provide for payments to a Managers Insurance Fund and pension fund contributions in the amount of 13.3% of an employees salary on account of severance pay and provident payment or pension, with the employee contributing 5.0% of his salary. We also pay an additional amount of up to 2.5% of certain of our employees salaries in connection with disability payments. In addition, we administer an Education Fund for our Israeli employees and pay 7.5% of these employees salaries thereto, with the employees contributing 2.5% of their salary.
Furthermore, our employees are subject to certain provisions of the collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) and the Coordination Bureau of Economic Organizations (including the Industrialists Associations) by order of the Israeli Ministry of Labor and Welfare. These provisions principally concern cost of living increases, recreation pay and other conditions of employment. We generally provide our employees with benefits and working conditions above the required minimums. Our employees, as a group, are not currently represented by a labor union. To date, we have not experienced any work stoppages.
E. | SHARE OWNERSHIP |
The following table sets forth the share ownership and outstanding number of options of our directors and officers as of March 31, 2005:
Name | Total Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Ordinary Shares | Number of Options |
---|---|---|---|
Shabtai Adlersberg | 5,033,102 | 12.6 | 633,718 |
Nachum Falek | * | * | |
Eyal Frishberg | * | * | |
Eli Nir | * | * | |
Lior Aldema | * | * | |
Ben Rabinowitz | * | * | |
Yehuda Hershkowitz | * | * | |
Tal Dor | * | * | |
Gary Drutin | * | * | |
Moshe Tal | * | * | |
Joseph Tenne | * | * | |
Dana Gross | * | * | |
Dr. Eyal Kishon | * | * | |
Doron Nevo | * | * |
*Less than one percent.
- 65 -
The officers and directors have the same voting rights as the other shareholders.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the options to purchase our ordinary shares held by Mr. Adlersberg as of March 31, 2005.
Shabtai Adlersberg
Number of Options |
Grant Date | Exercise Price |
Exercised | Cancelled | Vesting | Expiration Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
96,000 | July 1, 1996 | $ 0.61 | (96,000) | - | 4 years | July 1, 2006 |
96,000 | July 1, 1998 | $ 1.10 | (72,000) | - | 4 years | July 1, 2008 |
100,000 | May 23, 2000 | $29.16 | - | - | 4 years | May 23, 2007 |
225,000 | December 19, 2001 | $ 4.18 | - | - | 4 years | December 19, 2008 |
9,718 | August 9, 2002 | $ 2.04 | - | - | 2 years | August 9, 2009 |
275,000 | September 23, 2004 | $12.84 | - | - | 4 years | September 23, 2011 |
Employee Share Plans
We have an Employee Share Purchase Plan and Employee Share Option Plans for the granting of options to our employees, officers, directors and consultants and adopted the 2001 U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plans during 2001. Most of these plans are pursuant to the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, entitling the beneficiaries who are our employees to tax benefits under Israeli law. There are various conditions that must be met in order to qualify for these benefits, including registration of the options in the name of a trustee for each of the beneficiaries who is granted options. Each option, and any ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of the option, must be held by the trustee for a period commencing on the date of grant and ending no earlier than 24 months after the end of the tax year in which the option was granted and deposited in trust with the trustee. . There are similar plans for our U.S. employees, which are designed to comply with the corresponding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Employee Share Purchase Plans
We implemented two Employee Share Purchase Plans in May 2001. One plan is for our U.S. and Mexico employees and the other for all our Israeli and other employees. Under these Plans an aggregate of 2,000,000 of our ordinary shares were reserved for sale to our employees at a price equal to 85% of the lesser of fair market value on the first day or last day of each offering period under the Plans. As of December 31, 2004, we had issued 708,964 of our ordinary shares pursuant to purchases under these plans.
Employee Share Option Plans
In 1999, our board restated three 1997 Employee Share Option Plans for our Israeli employees, officers, directors and consultants and two 1997 Share Option Plans for our U.S. employees, officers, directors and consultants. Additionally, in 1999 our board adopted an Employee Share Option Plan for our Israeli employees, officers, directors and consultants, and an Employee Share Option Plan for our U.S. employees, officers, directors and consultants. The terms of the 1999 Plans are substantially the same as those of the 1997 Plans, but have reduced the exercise period from 10 to 7 years. The board has the ability to grant options with longer or shorter terms. The terms of the 1999 Plans have been modified slightly since they were adopted and in 2003, the Israeli Plan was changed to conform to amendments to the Israeli income tax law.
- 66 -
As of December 31, 2004, options to purchase a total of 6,534,669 shares are outstanding under the 1997 and 1999 Israeli Plans and options to purchase a total of 1,359,631 shares are outstanding under the 1997 U.S. Plan. In addition, a reserve of 561,000 shares has been made available for grant under the 1999 Israeli Plan and a reserve of 627,500 shares has been made available for grant under the 1999 U.S. Plan. However, subject to our board deciding otherwise, each year on July 1, starting with July 1999, the number of shares that will be made available for grant under both of the 1999 Plans, will be automatically increased to that number of shares that is equal to 5% of our outstanding share capital on such a date.
The holders of options under all of the plans are responsible for all personal tax consequences relating to the options. The exercise prices of the options are based on the fair value of the ordinary shares at the time of grant as determined by our board of directors. The board considers many factors in establishing such prices, including our financial condition and operating results, investors valuations and the market for the securities of comparable industry group companies.
ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
A. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS |
To our knowledge, (A) we are not directly or indirectly owned or controlled (i) by another corporation or (ii) by any foreign government and (B) there are no arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of AudioCodes. The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2004, the number of our ordinary shares, which constitute our only voting securities, beneficially owned by (i) all shareholders known to us to own more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares, and (ii) all of our directors and senior executive officers as a group.
Identity of Person or Group | Amount Owned | Percent of Class |
---|---|---|
Shabtai Adlersberg (1) | 5,334,328 | 13.4% |
Leon Bialik (2) | 3,928,222 | 9.9% |
FMR Corp. (3) | 3,275,764 | 8.2% |
Kern Capital (4) | 2,674,100 | 6.7% |
All directors and senior executive officers as a group (14 persons)(5) | 831,775 | 2.1% |
(1) | Includes options to purchase 302,468 shares, which may be purchased pursuant to options exercisable within sixty days following December 31, 2004. |
(2) | The information is derived from a statement on Schedule 13G/A, dated February 14, 2005of Leon Bialik filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
- 67 -
(3) | The information is derived from the joint statement on Schedule 13G/A, dated February 14, 2005, of FMR Corp., Edward C. Johnson 3d, Abigail P. Johnson, and Fidelity Management & Research Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The address of FMR Corp. is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. |
(4) | The information is derived from a statement on Schedule 13G, dated February 14, 2005of Kern Capital Management, Robert E. Kern Jr. and David G. Kern filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
(5) | Includes 621,209 ordinary shares, which may be purchased pursuant to options exercisable within sixty days following December 31, 2004. |
During 2004, Mr. Adlersberg acquired 93,421 of our ordinary shares and Mr. Bialik sold 421,500 of our ordinary shares. During 2003, Mr. Adlersberg acquired 285,130 of our ordinary shares and Mr. Bialik sold 208,000 of our ordinary shares. During 2002, Mr. Adlersberg acquired 10,265 of our ordinary shares and Mr. Bialik did not sell or acquire any of our ordinary shares.
FMR Corp. held 8.2% of our ordinary shares as of December 31, 2004, as compared to 7.3% of our ordinary shares as of December 31, 2003 and 10.2% of our ordinary shares as of December 31, 2002. Kern Capital held 6.7% of our ordinary shares as of December 31, 2004, as compared to less than 5% of our ordinary shares as of December 31, 2003.
As of March 31, 2005, there were approximately 25 holders of record of our ordinary shares in the United States, although we believe that the number of beneficial owners of the ordinary shares is significantly greater. The number of record holders in the United States is not representative of the number of beneficial holders nor is it representative of where such beneficial holders are resident since many of these ordinary shares were held of record by brokers or other nominees.
The major shareholders have the same voting rights as the other shareholders.
B. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
In October 1999, we entered into a development agreement with DSP Group Ltd., a company affiliated with DSP Group, Inc., and a third party. According to the agreement, DSP Group Ltd. will pay royalties for every chip actually sold by DSP Group Ltd. to third parties. During 2004, DSP Group, Inc. sold all its holdings in our shares.
We recorded revenues related to this agreement in a total amount of $209,000 in 2002, $261,000 in 2003 and $47,000 in 2004. In addition, we purchased from DSP Group Ltd. raw material in a total amount of $19,000 in 2002 and $15,000 in 2003.
C. | INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
See Item 18. |
- 68 -
ITEM 9. | THE OFFER AND LISTING |
A. | OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS |
Our ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq National Market and The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol AUDC.
In accordance with Rule 4350(a)(1) of the Rules of Corporate Governance of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., we have received an exemption from the requirement to distribute an annual report to our shareholders prior to our annual meeting of shareholders. The basis for the exemption is that the generally accepted business practice in Israel, where we are incorporated, is not to distribute an annual report to shareholders. We post our Annual Report on Form 20-F on our web site (www.audiocodes.com) as soon as practical following the filing of the Annual Report on Form 20-F with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of our ordinary shares as reported by the Nasdaq National Market. All per share prices for periods prior to or including October 6, 2000 have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected on that date.
- 69 -
Calendar Year |
Price Per Share |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High |
Low | ||||||||||
2004 | $ | 16.88 | $ | 8.48 | |||||||
2003 | $ | 11.74 | $ | 2.10 | |||||||
2002 | $ | 5.91 | $ | 1.61 | |||||||
2001 | $ | 25.75 | $ | 1.60 | |||||||
2000 | $ | 76.00 | $ | 9.25 | |||||||
Calendar Period |
Price Per Share |
||||||||||
High |
Low | ||||||||||
2005 | |||||||||||
Second quarter (through May 31, 2005) | $ | 12.15 | $ | 8.67 | |||||||
First quarter | $ | 17.00 | $ | 10.66 | |||||||
2004 | |||||||||||
Fourth quarter | $ | 16.88 | $ | 11.85 | |||||||
Third quarter | $ | 13.97 | $ | 9.51 | |||||||
Second quarter | $ | 12.98 | $ | 8.48 | |||||||
First quarter | $ | 16.10 | $ | 10.35 | |||||||
2003 | |||||||||||
Fourth quarter | $ | 11.74 | $ | 7.59 | |||||||
Third quarter | $ | 8.85 | $ | 4.40 | |||||||
Second quarter | $ | 5.80 | $ | 2.65 | |||||||
First quarter | $ | 2.71 | $ | 2.10 | |||||||
Calendar Month |
Price Per Share |
||||||||||
High |
Low | ||||||||||
2005 | |||||||||||
May | $ | 12.15 | $ | 9.78 | |||||||
April | $ | 11.46 | $ | 8.67 | |||||||
March | $ | 13.69 | $ | 10.66 | |||||||
February | $ | 15.49 | $ | 12.10 | |||||||
January | $ | 17.00 | $ | 14.12 | |||||||
2004 | |||||||||||
December | $ | 16.88 | $ | 14.60 |
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of our ordinary shares as reported by The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Our shares commenced trading on The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on October 21, 2001. All share prices shown in the following table are in NIS. As of December 31, 2004, the exchange rate was equal to approximately 4.308 NIS per U.S. $1.00.
Calendar Year |
Price Per Share |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High |
Low | |||||||
2004 | NIS 74.90 | NIS 39.10 | ||||||
2003 | NIS 53.50 | NIS 10.42 | ||||||
2002 | NIS 26.94 | NIS 7.41 | ||||||
2001 (commencing October 21, 2001) | NIS 26.90 | NIS 10.25 |
- 70 -
Calendar Period |
Price Per Share |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High |
Low | ||||||||||
2005 | |||||||||||
Second quarter (through May 31, 2005) | NIS 53.97 | NIS 40.20 | |||||||||
First quarter | NIS 73.80 | NIS 46.91 | |||||||||
2004 | |||||||||||
Fourth quarter | NIS 70.00 | NIS 52.12 | |||||||||
Third quarter | NIS 57.93 | NIS 43.00 | |||||||||
Second quarter | NIS 57.10 | NIS 39.10 | |||||||||
First quarter | NIS 74.90 | NIS 46.01 | |||||||||
2003 | |||||||||||
Fourth quarter | NIS 53.50 | NIS 33.30 | |||||||||
Third quarter | NIS 38.45 | NIS 19.80 | |||||||||
Second quarter | NIS 24.00 | NIS 12.50 | |||||||||
First quarter | NIS 12.59 | NIS 10.42 | |||||||||
Calendar Month |
Price Per Share |
||||||||||
High |
Low | ||||||||||
2005 | |||||||||||
May | NIS 53.97 | NIS 43.00 | |||||||||
April | NIS 50.38 | NIS 40.20 | |||||||||
March | NIS 59.68 | NIS 46.91 | |||||||||
February | NIS 66.54 | NIS 56.24 | |||||||||
January | NIS 73.80 | NIS 62.40 | |||||||||
2004 | |||||||||||
December | NIS 70.00 | NIS 63.09 | |||||||||
B. | PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
Not applicable. |
C. | MARKETS |
Our ordinary shares are listed for trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol AUDC. Our ordinary shares are also listed for trading on The Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol AUDC. In addition, we are aware of our ordinary shares being traded on the following markets: Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Berlin Stock Exchange, Munich Stock Exchange and XETRA.
D. | SELLING SHAREHOLDERS |
Not applicable. |
E. | DILUTION |
Not applicable. |
- 71 -
F. | EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
A. | SHARE CAPITAL |
Not applicable. |
B. | MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION |
Our registration number with the Israeli Registrar of Companies is 520044132. Our objects and purposes, set forth in Section 2 of our memorandum of association, are:
| to plan, develop and market voice signal systems; |
| to purchase, import, market and wholesale and retail distribute, in Israel and abroad, consumption goods and accompanying products; |
| to serve as representatives of bodies, entrepreneurs and companies from Israel and abroad with respect to their activities in Israel and abroad; and |
| to carry out any activity as determined by the lawful management. |
The board of directors has the power to cause us to borrow money and to secure the payment of borrowed money. The board of directors specifically has the power to issue bonds or debentures, and to impose mortgages or other security interests on all or any part of our property.
Shareholders may amend our articles of association by a resolution adopted at a shareholders meeting by the holders of 50% of voting power represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and voting thereon.
We may pay dividends only out of our profits. The amount of any dividend to be distributed among shareholders is based on the nominal value of their shares. Our board of directors has determined that any tax-exempt income attributable to the approved enterprise will not be distributed as dividends.
- 72 -
Unless any shares have special rights as to voting, every shareholder has one vote for each share held of record. A shareholder is not entitled to vote at any shareholders meeting unless all calls then payable by him in respect of his shares have been paid (this does not apply to separate meetings of the holders of a particular class of shares with respect to the modification or abrogation of their rights).
Under our articles of association, we may issue preferred shares from time to time, in one or more series. However, in connection with our listing on The Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange in 2001, we agreed that for such time as our ordinary shares are traded on The Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange, we will not issue any of the 2,500,000 preferred shares, nominal value NIS 0.01, authorized in our articles of association. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may issue preferred shares if the preference of those shares is limited to a preference in the distribution of dividends and such preferred shares have no voting rights.
Our articles of association impose restrictions on our ability to engage in any merger, asset or share sale or other similar transaction with a shareholder holding 15% or more of our voting shares.
Upon our liquidation, our assets available for distribution to shareholders will be distributed to them in proportion to the nominal value of their shares.
We may issue and redeem redeemable shares.
Subject to the provisions of our memorandum of association, and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred upon the holders of our existing shares, we may, from time to time, by a resolution approved by the holders of 50% voting power represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and voting thereon, provide for shares with such preferred or deferred rights or rights of redemption, or other special rights and/or such restrictions, whether in regard to dividends, voting repayment of share capital or otherwise, as may be stipulated in such resolution.
If at any time our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, we may modify or abrogate the rights attached to any class, unless otherwise provided by the articles of association, by a resolution approved by the holders of 50% voting power represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and voting thereon, subject to the consent in writing of the holders of 75% of the issued shares of that class.
- 73 -
The provisions of our articles of association relating to general meetings also apply to any separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of a particular class, except that two or more members holding not less than 75% of the issued shares of that class must be present in person or by proxy at that separate general meeting for a quorum to exist.
Unless otherwise provided by our articles of association, the increase of an authorized class of shares, or the issuance of additional shares thereof out of the authorized and unissued share capital, shall not be deemed to modify or abrogate the rights attached to previously issued shares of that class or of any other class.
An annual meeting of shareholders is to be held once a year, within 15 months after the previous annual meeting. The annual meeting may be held in Israel or outside of Israel, as determined by the board of directors.
The board of directors may, whenever it thinks fit, convene a special shareholders meeting. The board must convene a special shareholders meeting at the request of:
| at least two directors; |
| at least one-quarter of the directors in office; or |
| shareholders who hold at least 5% of the outstanding equity and at least 1% of the voting rights, or at least 5% of the outstanding voting rights. |
A special shareholders meeting may be held in Israel or outside of Israel, as determined by the board of directors.
The provisions of the Companies Law and the related regulations override the provisions of our articles of association, and provide for notice of a meeting of shareholders to be sent to each registered shareholder at least 21 days in advance of the meeting. Notice of a meeting of shareholders must also be published in two Israeli newspapers prior to the record date for the meeting.
Notice of a meeting of shareholders must specify the type of meeting, the place and time of the meeting, the agenda, a summary of the proposed resolutions, the majority required to adopt the proposed resolutions, and the record date for the meeting. The notice must also include the address and telephone number of our registered office, and a list of times at which the full text of the proposed resolutions may be examined at the registered office.
The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to any shareholder, or the non-receipt of notice sent to such shareholder, does not invalidate the proceedings at the meeting.
- 74 -
There are no limitations on foreign shareholders in our articles of association. Israeli law restricts the ability of citizens of countries that are in a state of war with Israel to hold shares of Israeli companies.
The Companies Law imposes fiduciary duties that office holders, including directors and executive officers, owe to their company. An office holders fiduciary duties consist of a duty of care and a duty of loyalty. The duty of care generally requires an office holder to act with the level of care which a reasonable office holder in the same position would have acted under the same circumstances. The duty of loyalty generally requires an office holder to act in good faith and for the good of the company. Specifically, an office holder must avoid any conflict of interest between the office holders position in the company and his or her other positions or personal affairs. In addition, an office holder must avoid competing against the company or exploiting any business opportunity of the company for his or her own benefit or the benefit of others. An office holder must also disclose to the company any information or documents relating to the companys affairs that the office holder has received due to his or her position in the company. The term office holder includes any person who, either formally or in substance, serves as a director, general manager or chief executive officer, or who reports directly to the general manager or chief executive officer. Each person listed in the table under Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesA. Directors and Senior Management above is an office holder of AudioCodes.
Under the Companies Law, all arrangements as to compensation of office holders who are not directors require approval of the board of directors and, in certain cases, the prior approval of the audit committee. Arrangements as to compensation of directors also require audit committee and shareholder approval.
The Companies Law requires that an office holder promptly disclose any personal interest that he or she may have, and all related material information known to him or her, in connection with any existing or proposed transaction by the company. A personal interest of an office holder includes a personal interest of the office holders relative or a corporation in which the office holder or the office holders relative is a 5% or greater shareholder, director or general manager or has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager. The office holders duty to disclose shall not apply in the event that the personal interest only results from a personal interest of the office holders relative in a transaction that is not an extraordinary transaction. An extraordinary transaction is a transaction not in the ordinary course of business, not on market terms, or likely to have a material impact on the companys profitability, assets or liabilities.
For a transaction that is not an extraordinary transaction, under the Companies Law, once the office holder complies with the above disclosure requirement, the board of directors is authorized to approve the transaction, unless the articles of association provide otherwise. A transaction that is adverse to the companys interest may not be approved. If the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, then it also must be approved by the companys audit committee and board of directors, and, under certain circumstances, by the shareholders of the company. Generally, when an extraordinary transaction is considered by the audit committee and board of directors, the interested directors may not be present or vote.
- 75 -
Under the Companies Law, the disclosure requirements that apply to an office holder also apply to a controlling shareholder of a public company. A controlling shareholder is a shareholder who has the ability to direct the activities of a company, including a shareholder that owns 25% or more of the voting rights if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting rights, but excluding a shareholder whose power derives solely from his or her position on the board of directors or any other position with the company. Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and the engagement of a controlling shareholder as an office holder or employee, generally require the approval of the audit committee, the board of directors and the shareholders. The shareholder approval must include at least one-third of the shares of non-interested shareholders voted on the matter. However, the transaction can be approved by shareholders without this one-third approval if the total shares of non-interested shareholders voted against the transaction do not represent more than one percent of the voting rights in the company.
In addition, under the Companies Law, each shareholder has a duty to act in good faith toward the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing his or her power in the company, such as in shareholder votes. In addition, specified shareholders have a duty of fairness toward the company. These shareholders include any controlling shareholder, any shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and any shareholder who, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of association, has the power to appoint an office holder or any other power with respect to the company. A recent amendment to the Companies Law provides that a breach of the duty of fairness will be governed by the laws governing breach of contract. However, the Companies Law does not define the substance of this duty of fairness.
Israeli law permits a company to insure an office holder in respect of liabilities incurred by the office holder as a result of:
| the breach of his or her duty of care to the company or to another person, or |
| as a result of the breach of his or her fiduciary duty to the company, |
to the extent that the office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable cause to believe that the act would not prejudice the company. A company can also insure an office holder against monetary liabilities as a result of an act or omission that the office holder committed in connection with his or her serving as an office holder.
- 76 -
Moreover, a company can indemnify an office holder for any of the following obligations or expenses incurred in connection with his or her acts or omissions as an office holder:
| monetary liability imposed upon the office holder in favor of other persons pursuant to a court judgment, including a compromise judgment or an arbitrators decision approved by a court; |
| reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred by the office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding instituted against the office holder by a competent authority, provided that such investigation or proceeding concluded without the filing of an indictment against the office holder or the imposition of any financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings, or concluded without the filing of an indictment against the office holder and a financial liability was imposed on the office holder in lieu of criminal proceedings with respect to a criminal offense that does not require proof of criminal intent; and |
| reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys fees, actually incurred by the office holder or imposed upon the office holder by a court, in an action, suit or proceeding brought against the office holder by or on behalf of the company or other persons; in a criminal action in which the office holder was acquitted; or in a criminal action which does not require criminal intent in which the office holder was convicted. A company may also exculpate an office holder in advance, in whole or in part, from liability for damages sustained by a breach of duty of care to the company. |
Furthermore, a company can, with one limited exception, exculpate an office holder in advance, in whole or in part, from liability for damages sustained by a breach of duty of care to the company.
Our articles of association allow us to insure, indemnify and exculpate office holders to the fullest extent permitted by law, provided such insurance or indemnification is approved in accordance with law.
We have entered into an undertaking to indemnify our office holders in specified limited categories of events and in specified amounts, subject to certain limitations. This undertaking has been ratified by our audit committee, board of directors and shareholders. We have acquired directors and officers liability insurance covering our officers and directors and the officers and directors of our subsidiaries against certain claims.
C. | MATERIAL CONTRACTS |
On November 3, 2004, we entered into a purchase agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Lehman Brothers Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp., with respect to the issue and sale of $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024 and the grant of an option for the purchase of an additional $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of our notes, which was exercised in full on November 16, 2004.
- 77 -
On November 9, 2004, we entered into an indenture with U.S. Bank National Association in connection with the issuance of our 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024. The indenture provides that the notes are senior, unsecured obligations of AudioCodes Ltd. Pursuant to the indenture, the notes accrue interest at a rate of 2.00% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 9 and November 9 of each year, with a final maturity on November 9, 2024. The indenture provides that the notes may be redeemed by us, in whole or in part, at any time after November 9, 2009, and that the holders of the notes may require us to redeem the notes on November 9, 2009, November 9, 2014 or November 9, 2019, or upon certain fundamental changes. If any notes are redeemed prior to November 9, 2009 based on certain fundamental changes, we will also be required to make a make-whole premium payment to the redeeming note holders. Under the terms of the indenture and the notes, holders of the notes are entitled to convert the notes into our ordinary shares at a conversion rate of 53.4474 ordinary shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is the equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $18.71 per share. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, such as changes in our capital structure or upon the issuance by us of share dividends or certain cash distributions.
On November 9, 2004, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Lehman Brothers Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp., pursuant to which we agreed to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 150 days of November 9, 2004, a shelf registration statement covering our 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024 and shares issuable upon conversion of the notes, and to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement until the earlier of the date on which all the shares have been resold under the registration statement, the date of expiration of the holding period under applicable law that would enable the resale of the shares without restriction or registration under applicable law, or November 16, 2006. Under the terms of the registration rights agreement, if either (i) on the day following the filing deadline, the shelf registration statement has not been filed with the SEC; (ii) on the 211th day following the earliest date of original issuance of any of the notes, the shelf registration statement is not declared effective, (iii) the registration statement ceases to be effective or fails to be usable without being succeeded within five business days by a post-effective amendment or a report filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act that cures the failure of the registration statement to be effective or usable or (iv) the prospectus has been suspended for more than 60 days (or more than 90 days in any twelve month period), then additional interest will accrue on our notes beginning on the day following such triggering event through the day on which the triggering event has been cured. The additional interest will accrue at a rate of 0.25% for the first ninety days of the triggering event, and 0.5% thereafter.
On May 12, 2004, we acquired the outstanding shares of capital stock of Ai-Logix, Inc. See Item 4A for a summary of material terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement between us, AudioCodes Inc., Ai-Logix and AI Technologies N.V.
On April 7, 2003, we purchased selected assets of Nortel Networks Universal Audio Server business. See Item 4A for a summary of material terms of our Asset Purchase Agreement with Nortel Networks.
In connection with our acquisition of Nortel Networks Universal Audio Server business, we also entered into an OEM Purchase and Sale Agreement with Nortel Networks on April 28, 2003, under which we agreed to supply Nortel Networks with certain Universal Audio Server products at specified prices for a duration of at least three years.
- 78 -
D. | EXCHANGE CONTROLS |
Since January 1, 2003, all exchange control restrictions imposed by the State of Israel have been removed, although there are still reporting requirements for foreign currency transactions. However, legislation remains in effect pursuant to which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time. Nonresidents of Israel who purchase our ordinary shares are able to receive any dividends thereon (and any amounts payable upon the dissolution, liquidation and winding up of our affairs) freely repatriable in non-Israeli currency, provided that Israeli income tax has been paid or withheld on such amounts (see Item 10. Additional InformationE. TaxationIsraeli Tax ConsiderationsTax on Dividends).
Non-residents of Israel may freely hold and trade our ordinary shares, and the proceeds of sale thereof are not subject to Israeli currency control restrictions. Our memorandum of association and articles of association do not restrict in any way the ownership of ordinary shares by non-residents of Israel and neither our memorandum of association and articles of association nor Israeli law restricts the voting rights of non-residents, except with respect to citizens of countries that are in a state of war with Israel.
E. | TAXATION |
The following is a summary of the material Israeli and United States tax consequences, Israeli foreign exchange regulations and certain Israeli government programs affecting us. To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax or other legislation that has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, there can be no assurance that the views expressed in the discussion will be accepted by the tax or other authorities in question. The discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice, is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations and should not be relied upon for tax planning purposes.
Israeli Tax Considerations
On January 1, 2003, the Law for Amendment of the Income Tax Ordinance (Amendment No.132), 2002, or the Tax Reform, came into effect, following its enactment by the Israeli Parliament on July 24, 2002. On December 17, 2002, the Israeli Parliament approved a number of amendments to the Tax Reform, which came into effect on January 1, 2003. Other regulations and decrees relating to the Tax Reform were executed as well.
The Tax Reform, aimed at broadening the categories of taxable income and reducing the tax rates imposed on employment income, introduced the following, among other things:
| Reduction of the tax rate levied on capital gains (other than gains deriving from the sale of listed securities) derived after January 1, 2003, to a general rate of 25% for both individuals and corporations. Regarding assets acquired prior to January 1, 2003, the reduced tax rate will apply to a proportionate part of the gain, in accordance with the holding periods of the asset, before or after January 1, 2003, on a linear basis; |
- 79 -
| Imposition of Israeli tax on all income of Israeli residents, individuals and corporations, regardless of the territorial source of income, including income derived from passive sources such as interest, dividends and royalties; |
| Introduction of controlled foreign corporation (CFC) rules into the Israeli tax structure. Generally under such rules, an Israeli resident who holds, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the rights in a foreign corporation whose shares are not publicly traded, in which more than 50% of rights are held directly or indirectly by Israeli residents, which has undistributed profits and a majority of whose income in a tax year is considered passive income, will be liable for tax on the portion of such income attributed to his holdings in such corporation, as if such income were distributed to him as a dividend; |
| Imposition of capital gains tax on capital gains realized by individuals as of January 1, 2003, from the sale of shares of publicly traded companies (which was previously exempt from capital gains tax in Israel). For information with respect to the applicability of Israeli capital gains taxes on the sale of ordinary shares, see Capital Gains Tax Applicable to Resident and Non-Resident Shareholders below; |
| Introduction of a new regime for the taxation of shares and options issued to employees and officers (including directors). |
Israeli companies are generally subject to corporate tax on their taxable income at a rate of 35% (in the 2004 tax year), 34% (in the 2005 tax year), 32% (in the 2006 tax year) and 30% (in and after the 2007 tax year). However in our case, the rate is currently effectively reduced, as described below.
Our facilities have been granted approved enterprise status pursuant to the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 or the Investment Law, which provides certain tax and financial benefits to investment programs that have been granted such status.
The Investment Law provides that a proposed capital investment in eligible facilities may be designated as an approved enterprise. Each certificate of approval for an approved enterprise relates to a specific investment program delineated both by its financial scope, including its capital sources, and by its physical characteristics, such as the equipment to be purchased and utilized pursuant to the program. The tax benefits under the Investment Law are not available for income derived from products manufactured outside of Israel.
- 80 -
A company owning an approved enterprise may elect to receive either governmental grants or an alternative package of tax benefits. Under the alternative package, a companys undistributed income derived from an approved enterprise will be exempt from corporate tax for a period of two to ten years (depending on the geographic location of the approved enterprise within Israel). The exemption commences in the first year of taxable income, and the company is taxed at a reduced corporate rate of 10% to 25% for the following five to eight years, depending on the extent of foreign shareholders ownership of the companys ordinary shares. The benefits period is limited to twelve years from completion of the investment under the approved plan or fourteen years from the date of approval, whichever is earlier. A Foreign Investors Company, or FIC, defined in the Investment Law as a company of which more than 25% of its shareholders are non-Israeli residents, may enjoy benefits for a period of up to ten years, or twelve years if it complies with certain export criteria stipulated in the Investment Law (the actual length of the benefits period is graduated based on the percentage of foreign ownership).
The tax benefits derived from any certificate of approval relate only to taxable income attributable to the specific approved enterprise. If a company has more than one approval or only a portion of its capital investments are approved, its effective tax rate is the result of a weighted combination of the applicable rates.
Our production facilities have been granted the status of approved enterprise. Income arising from our approved enterprise facilities is tax-free under the alternative package of benefits described above and entitled to reduced tax rates based on the level of foreign ownership for specified periods. We have derived, and expect to continue to derive, a substantial portion of our operating income from our approved enterprise facilities. The tax benefits attributable to our current approved enterprises are scheduled to expire gradually from 2007 to 2014.
Distribution of earnings derived from approved enterprise which were previously taxed at reduced tax rates, would not result in additional tax consequences to us. However, if retained tax-exempt income is distributed in a manner, we would be taxed at the reduced corporate tax rate applicable to such profits (between 10%-25%). We are not obliged to distribute exempt retained earnings under the alternative package of benefits, and may generally decide from which source of income to declare dividends. We currently intend to reinvest the amount of our tax-exempt income and not to distribute such income as a dividend. Dividends from approved enterprises are generally taxed at a rate of 15% (which is withheld and paid by the company paying the dividend) if such dividend is distributed during the benefits period or within twelve years thereafter. The twelve-year limitation does not apply to an FIC.
Future approved enterprises will be reviewed separately, and the decisions whether to approve or reject a designation as an approved enterprise will be based, among other things, on the criteria set forth in the Investment Law and related regulations, the then prevailing policy of the Investment Center, and the specific objectives and financial criteria of the company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any new investment programs will be approved as approved enterprises. In addition, the benefits available to an approved enterprise are conditional upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in the Investment Law and related regulations and the criteria set forth in the specific certificate of approval. In the event that a company does not meet these conditions, it will be subject to corporate tax at the rate then in effect under Israeli law for such tax year. As of December 31, 2004, management believes that we meet all of the aforementioned conditions. A comprehensive amendment of the Investment Law has recently been approved by the Knesset. The amendment imposes additional eligibility criteria for approved enterprise benefits. The amendment also offers additional forms of alternative benefits. We do not believe that the amendment would have a material effect on us.
- 81 -
Under the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development, 1984 and the related regulations, or the Research Law, research, development and pre-manufacturing programs that meet specified criteria and are approved by a governmental committee (the Research Committee) of the Office of Chief Scientist (OCS) are eligible for grants of up to 50% of the expenditures on the program. Each application to the OCS is reviewed separately, and grants are based on the program approved by the Research Committee. Expenditures supported under other incentive programs of the State of Israel are not eligible for OCS grants. As a result, we cannot be sure that applications to the OCS will be approved or, if approved, that we will receive the amounts for which we apply.
Recipients of these grants are required to pay royalties on the revenues derived from the sale of product developed in accordance with the program. The royalties are payable at the rate of 3% of revenues during the first three years, 4% of revenues during the following three years, and 5% of revenues in the seventh year and thereafter, with the total royalties not to exceed 100% of the dollar value of the OCS grant.
The terms of the Israeli government participation require that products developed with OCS grants must generally be manufactured in Israel. If we receive OCS approval for any portion of this manufacturing to be performed outside of Israel, the royalty rate would be increased and the repayment schedule would be accelerated, based on the extent of the manufacturing conducted outside of Israel. Depending upon the extent of the manufacturing volume that is performed outside of Israel, the ceiling on royalties would increase to 120%, 150% or 300% of the grant. Under an amendment to the Research Law effective June 7, 2005, the authority of the Research Committee to approve the transfer of manufacture outside of Israel was expanded.
The technology developed pursuant to the terms of these grants may not be transferred to third parties without the prior approval of the Research Committee. This approval is required only for the export of the technology, and not for the export of any products that incorporate the sponsored technology. Approval of the transfer of technology may be granted only if the recipient agrees to abide by all the provisions of the Research Law, including the restrictions on the transfer of know-how and the obligation to pay royalties in an amount that may be increased. The amendment to the Research Law effective June 7, 2005 granted authority to the Research Committee to approve the transfer of sponsored technology outside of Israel, subject to various conditions.
We have received grants from the OCS, and therefore we are subject to various restrictions under the Research Law on the transfer of technology or manufacturing. These restrictions do not terminate upon the full payment of royalties.
In order to meet specified conditions in connection with the grants and programs of the OCS, we have made representations to the Government of Israel about our Israeli operations. From time to time the conduct of our Israeli operations has deviated from our representations. If we fail to meet the conditions to grants, including the maintenance of a material presence in Israel, or if there is any material deviation from the representations made by us to the Israeli government, we could be required to refund the grants previously received (together with an adjustment based on the Israeli consumer price index and an interest factor) and would likely be ineligible to receive OCS grants in the future.
- 82 -
According to the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxation), 1969, or the Industry Encouragement Law, an industrial company is a company resident in Israel, that at least 90% of its income, in any tax year (determined in Israeli currency, exclusive of income from certain government loans, capital gains, interest and dividends) is derived from an industrial enterprise owned by it. An industrial enterprise is defined as an enterprise whose major activity in a given tax year is industrial production activity. We currently believe that we qualify as an industrial company within the definition of the Industry Encouragement Law. Under the Industry Encouragement Law, industrial companies are entitled to the following preferred corporate tax benefits:
| deduction of purchases of know-how and patents over an eight-year period for tax purposes; |
| the right to elect, under specified conditions, to file a consolidated tax return with related Israeli industrial companies; and |
| accelerated depreciation rates on equipment and buildings. |
Eligibility for the benefits under the Industry Encouragement Law is not subject to receipt of prior approval from any governmental authority. The Israeli tax authorities may determine that we do not qualify as an industrial company, which would entail our loss of the benefits that relate to this status. In addition, no assurance can be given that we will continue to qualify as an industrial company, in which case the benefits described above will not be available in the future.
Under Israels Stamp Tax on Documents Law, certain documents are subject to stamp tax. Recently promulgated regulations provide for a gradual phase-out of the stamp tax by 2008. In 2004, however, the tax authorities began an enforcement campaign involving extensive audits of companies compliance with the stamp tax obligation with respect to all agreements that had been signed since June 2003. We have recently received from the tax authorities a request for a list of all agreements signed since June 2003.
We have received legal advice that there are a variety of defenses relating to the obligation to pay stamp tax or to the amount to be paid. In addition, the Israeli Forum of CFOs has filed a petition with the Israeli Supreme Court against enforcement of the law, and this petition is currently pending. If the Forum of CFOs petition is rejected and the tax authorities do not accept our defenses, we may be liable to pay stamp tax with respect to the period beginning June 1, 2003. Our management believes that applicable provision in the financial statements as of December 31, 2004, is adequate to cover probable costs arising from this matter.
- 83 -
Until December 31, 2002, we measured our taxable income in accordance with the Income Tax Law (Inflationary Adjustments), 1985 or the Inflationary Adjustments Law, which represents an attempt to overcome the problems presented to a traditional tax system by an economy undergoing rapid inflation. The Inflationary Adjustments Law is highly complex. Since January 1, 2003, we elected to measure our taxable income based on the changes in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar rather than on the basis of inflation, based on our status as an FIC.
Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of capital assets located in Israel, including shares in Israeli resident companies, by both residents and non-residents of Israel, unless a specific exemption is available or unless a treaty between Israel and the country of the non-resident provides otherwise. Regulations promulgated under the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance provided for an exemption from Israeli capital gains tax for gains accrued before January 1, 2003 and derived from the sale of shares of an industrial company, as defined by the Industry Encouragement Law, that are traded on specified non-Israeli markets, including The Nasdaq National Market, provided that the sellers purchased their shares either in the companys initial public offering or in public market transactions thereafter. This exemption does not apply to shareholders who are in the business of trading securities, or to shareholders that are Israeli resident companies subject to the Inflationary Adjustments Law. We believe that we are currently an industrial company, as defined by the Industry Encouragement Law. The status of a company as an industrial company may be reviewed by the tax authorities from time to time. There can be no assurance that the Israeli tax authorities will not deny our status as an industrial company, possibly with retroactive effect.
On January 1, 2003, the Tax Reform came into effect thus imposing capital gains tax at a rate of 15% on gains derived on or after January 1, 2003 from the sale of shares in Israeli companies:
| publicly traded on The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, or the TASE; |
| publicly traded on Nasdaq or a recognized stock exchange or regulated market in a country that has a treaty for the prevention of double taxation with Israel; or |
| companies dually traded on both the TASE and on Nasdaq or a recognized stock exchange or a regulated market outside of Israel. |
This tax rate does not apply to the sale of shares:
| to a relative (as defined in the tax reform); |
| by dealers in securities; |
| by shareholders that report in accordance with the Inflationary Adjustments Law; or |
| by shareholders who acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering (that are subject to a different tax arrangement). |
This tax rate is contingent upon the shareholder not claiming a deduction for financing expenses in connection with such shares.
- 84 -
Regulations adopted in connection with the Tax Reform deal with the taxation of the gain on securities acquired prior to the effectiveness of the Tax Reform and sold subsequent to the effectiveness of the Tax Reform (allocation of the gain as between the exempt period and the taxable period).
Non-Israeli residents are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares publicly traded on the TASE, provided such gains do not derive from a permanent establishment of such shareholders in Israel. Non-Israeli residents are also exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares of Israeli companies publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange or regulated market outside of Israel, provided that such capital gains are not derived from a permanent establishment in Israel and that such shareholders did not acquire their shares prior to the issuers initial public offering. However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to the exemption with respect to gains derived from the sale of shares of Israeli companies publicly traded on the TASE, if an Israeli resident (i) has a controlling interest of 25% or more in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) is the beneficiary or is entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.
In some instances where our shareholders may be subject to Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of Israeli tax at the source.
Pursuant to the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Israel with respect to Taxes on Income, as amended, or the United States-Israel Tax Treaty, the sale, exchange or disposition of ordinary shares by a person who holds the ordinary shares as a capital asset and who qualifies as a resident of the United States within the meaning of the United States- Israel Tax Treaty and who is entitled to claim the benefits afforded to such person by the United States-Israel Tax Treaty, or a Treaty United States Resident, generally will not be subject to the Israeli capital gains tax unless such Treaty United States Resident holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of the voting power of our company during any part of the twelve-month period preceding such sale, exchange or disposition, subject to certain conditions. A sale, exchange or disposition of shares by a Treaty United States Resident who holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of the voting power of our company at any time during such preceding twelve-month period would be subject to such Israeli tax, to the extent applicable; however, under the United States-Israel Tax Treaty, such Treaty United States Resident would be permitted to claim a credit for such taxes against the United States federal income tax imposed with respect to such sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitations in United States laws applicable to foreign tax credits. The United States-Israel Tax Treaty does not relate to state or local taxes.
- 85 -
Non-residents of Israel are subject to Israeli income tax on income accrued or derived from sources in Israel or received in Israel. These sources of income include passive income such as dividends, royalties and interest, as well as non-passive income from services rendered in Israel. On distributions of dividends, other than bonus shares and stock dividends, income tax at the rate of 25% is withheld at the source, unless a different rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholders country of residence. If the dividends are distributed out of approved enterprise earnings, the applicable tax rate would be 15%. Under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, the maximum tax on dividends paid to a holder of ordinary shares who is a Treaty United States Resident will be 25%, however that tax rate is reduced to 12.5% for dividends not generated by an approved enterprise to a corporation which holds 10% or more of the voting power of our company during a certain period preceding distribution of the dividend. Dividends derived from an approved enterprise will still be subject to 15% tax withholding.
Dividends, if any, paid to the holders of the ordinary shares, and any amounts payable upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, as well as the proceeds of any sale in Israel of the ordinary shares to an Israeli resident, may be paid in non-Israeli currency or, if paid in Israeli currency, may be converted into freely repatriable dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing at the time of conversion, provided that Israeli income tax has been paid or withheld on such amounts.
United States Tax Considerations
The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders (as defined below) arising from the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. This summary is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, the final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. For purposes of this summary, a U.S. holder will be deemed to refer only to any of the following holders of our ordinary shares:
| an individual who is either a U.S. citizen or a resident of the U.S. for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| a corporation (or an entity taxable as a corporation) created or organized under the laws of the U.S. or any political subdivision thereof; |
| an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source of its income; and |
| a trust, if either (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all the substantial decisions of the trust, or (b) the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
This summary does not consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular U.S. holders by reason of their particular circumstances, including potential application of the alternative minimum tax, or any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. federal tax laws. In addition, this summary is directed only to U.S. holders that hold our ordinary shares as capital assets and does not address the considerations that may be applicable to particular classes of U.S. holders, including financial institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, tax-exempt organizations, holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, holders of our ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedge or conversion transaction, holders, directly, indirectly or through attribution, of 10% or more of our outstanding ordinary shares and persons who own our ordinary shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity.
- 86 -
Each U.S. holder should consult with its own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to it of the purchase, ownership and sale of our ordinary shares, including the effects of applicable state, local, foreign or other tax laws and possible changes in the tax laws.
The amount of a distribution with respect to our ordinary shares will equal the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property distributed and will also include the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld, as described below under Israeli Tax Considerations Tax on Dividends. Other than distributors in liquidation and distributions in redemption of stock that are treated as exchanges, a distribution paid by us with respect to our ordinary shares to a U.S. holder generally will be treated as a dividend to the extent that the distribution does not exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of any distribution that exceeds these earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital, reducing the U.S. holders tax basis in its ordinary shares, and then generally as capital gain. Currently, an individual U.S. holders qualified dividend income is subject to tax at a reduced rate of 15%. For this purpose, qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by a foreign corporation if either (a) the stock of such corporation with respect to which the dividends are paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S., including the Nasdaq National Market, or (b) such corporation is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. which includes an information exchange program and is determined to be satisfactory by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury has indicated that the income tax treaty between the U.S. and Israel is satisfactory for this purpose. Dividends paid by a foreign corporation will not qualify for the 15% U.S. federal income tax rate, however, if such corporation is treated, for the tax year in which the dividends are paid or the preceding tax year, as a foreign investment company, a foreign personal holding company or a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Based on the nature of our operations and the ownership of our ordinary shares, we do not believe that we would be treated as either a foreign investment company or a foreign personal holding company, and as discussed in more detail below under Passive Foreign Investment Company Status, we do not currently believe that we would be classified as a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, dividend distributions with respect to our ordinary shares should be treated as qualified dividend income and, subject to U.S. holders satisfaction of certain holding period requirements, should be eligible for the reduced 15% U.S. federal income tax rate. Corporate holders of our ordinary shares generally will not be allowed a deduction for dividends received on our ordinary shares.
- 87 -
A dividend paid by us in NIS will be included in the income of U.S. holders at the dollar amount of the dividend, based on the spot rate of exchange in effect on the date the distribution is includable in the U.S. holders income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into dollars. The spot rate generally refers to a rate that reflects a fair market rate of exchange available to the public for currency under a spot contract in a free market and involving representative amounts. A spot contract is a contract to buy or sell a currency no more than two business days following the date of the execution of the contract. If a spot rate cannot be demonstrated, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has the authority to determine the spot rate. U.S. holders will have a tax basis in the NIS for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to that dollar value. Any subsequent gain or loss on NIS arising from exchange rate fluctuations during the period from the date a U.S. holder includes the dividend payment in income to the date such U.S. holder converts the payment to dollars will be taxable as ordinary income or loss and will be U.S.-source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
Dividend income derived with respect to our ordinary shares will constitute portfolio income for purposes of the limitation on the use of passive activity losses and, therefore, generally may not be offset by passive activity losses, and generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on the deduction of investment interest expense. Dividends paid by us generally will be foreign-source passive income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes or, in the case of a U.S. holder that is a financial services entity, financial services income. Subject to certain limitations, U.S. holders may elect to claim as a foreign tax credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability any Israeli income tax withheld from dividends received on our ordinary shares. U.S. holders that do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit may instead claim a deduction for Israeli income tax withheld. In addition, special rules may apply to the computation of foreign tax credits relating to qualified dividend income. The calculation of foreign tax credits and, in the case of a U.S. holder that elects to deduct foreign income taxes, the availability of deductions is complex and involves the application of rules that depend on a U.S. holders particular circumstances. U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability to them of foreign tax credits or deductions in respect of any Israeli tax withheld or paid.
Subject to the discussion below under Passive Foreign Investment Company Status, a U.S. holders sale or exchange of our ordinary shares generally will result in the recognition by such U.S. holder of capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the United States dollar value of the amount realized and the U.S. holders tax basis in the ordinary shares sold. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the ordinary shares sold have been held for more than one year at the time of the sale or exchange. If the U.S. holders holding period on the date of the sale or exchange is one year or less, such gain or loss will be a short-term capital gain or loss. Individual U.S. holders currently are subject to a maximum tax rate of 15% on long-term capital gains for tax years beginning on or before December 31, 2008. Short-term capital gains generally are taxed at the same rates applicable to ordinary income. See Israeli Tax Considerations Capital Gains Tax Applicable to Resident and Non-Resident Shareholders for a discussion of taxation by Israel of capital gains realized on sales of capital assets. Any capital loss realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares generally will be deductible only against capital gains and not against ordinary income, except that in the case of non-corporate U.S. holders, a capital loss is deductible in any year to the extent of capital gains plus ordinary income up to $3,000. In general, any capital gain recognized by a U.S. holder upon the sale or exchange of our ordinary shares will be treated as U.S.-source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Under the tax treaty between the United States and Israel, gain derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of ordinary shares by a holder who is a resident of the United States for purposes of the treaty and who sells the ordinary shares within Israel may be treated as foreign-source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
- 88 -
A U.S. holders tax basis in its ordinary shares generally will be equal to the purchase price paid therefor by such U.S. holder. The holding period of each ordinary share owned by a U.S. holder will begin on the day following the date of the U.S. holders purchase of such ordinary share and will include the day on which the ordinary share is sold by such U.S. holder.
In the case of a U.S. holder who uses the cash basis method of accounting and who receives NIS in connection with the sale or taxable disposition of ordinary shares, the amount realized will be based on the spot rate as determined on the settlement date of such exchange. If such U.S. holder subsequently converts NIS into dollars at a conversion rate other than the spot rate in effect on the settlement date, he, she or it may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss. A U.S. holder who uses the accrual method of accounting may elect the same treatment required of cash basis taxpayers with respect to a sale or taxable disposition of ordinary shares, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election may not be changed without the consent of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. If an accrual basis U.S. holder does not elect to be treated as a cash basis taxpayer (pursuant to the Treasury regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions), such U.S. holder may be deemed to have realized an immediate foreign currency gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of differences between the dollar value of the NIS on the date of sale or other taxable disposition and on the settlement date. Any such currency gain or loss would be treated as ordinary income or loss and would be in addition to gain or loss, if any, recognized by such U.S. holder on the sale or taxable disposition of ordinary shares.
Generally, a foreign corporation is treated as a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any tax year if, in such tax year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any company in which it is considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value, is passive in nature (the Income Test), or (ii) the average percentage of its assets during such tax year, including its pro rata share of the assets of any company in which it is considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value, which produce, or are held for the production of, passive income (determined by averaging the percentage of the fair market value of its total assets which are passive assets as of the end of each quarter of such year) is 50% or more (the Asset Test).
- 89 -
Based on the composition of our gross income and the composition and value of our gross assets during 2004, we do not believe that we were a PFIC in 2004, although it is possible that we would have been classified as a PFIC under the Asset Test in 2001, 2002 and 2003 principally because a significant portion of our assets continued to consist of the cash raised in connection with the two public offerings of our ordinary shares in 1999, and the public market value of our ordinary shares declined significantly during 2001, 2002 and the first half of 2003. The tests for determining whether we are a PFIC for any tax year are applied annually, and it is difficult to make accurate predictions regarding the composition of our future income and assets, the factors which are relevant to this determination. In addition, there is no definitive method prescribed in the Code, United States Treasury Regulations or administrative or judicial interpretations thereof for determining the value of a foreign corporations assets for purposes of the Asset Test. While the legislative history of the United States Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 indicates that the total value of a publicly-traded foreign corporations assets generally will be treated as equal to the sum of the aggregate value of its outstanding stock plus its liabilities, there remains substantial uncertainty regarding the valuation of a publicly-traded foreign corporations assets for purposes of the Asset Test. Moreover, certain factors relevant to the PFIC determination, such as declines in the market value of our stock, are not within our control and can cause us to become a PFIC if, for example, we do not apply the net proceeds realized from our sale of notes in November 2004 to the acquisition of assets which generate active income. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be deemed a PFIC for 2004 or any future tax year.
In view of the uncertainty regarding our use of the net proceeds realized from our sale of notes in November 2004, the valuation of our assets for purposes of the Asset Test and the complexity of the issues regarding our treatment as a PFIC, U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors for guidance as to our status as a PFIC. For those U.S. holders who determine that we were a PFIC in 2004 or are a PFIC in any subsequent tax year and notify us in writing of their request for the information required in order to effectuate the QEF Election described below, we will promptly make such information available to them.
If we are treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any year during a U.S. holders holding period of our ordinary shares and the U.S. holder does not make a QEF Election or a mark-to-market election (both as described below):
| "Excess distributions" by us to a U.S. holder would be taxed in a special way. "Excess distributions" with respect to any U.S. holder are amounts received by such U.S. holder with respect to our ordinary shares in any tax year that exceed 125% of the average distributions received by such U.S. holder from us during the shorter of (i) the three previous years, or (ii) such U.S. holder's holding period of our ordinary shares before the then-current tax year. Excess distributions must be allocated ratably to each day that a U.S. holder has held our ordinary shares. A U.S. holder must include amounts allocated to the current tax year in its gross income as ordinary income for that year. A U.S. holder must pay tax on amounts allocated to each prior tax year in which we were a PFIC at the highest rate in effect for such prior year on ordinary income and the tax is subject to an interest charge at the rate applicable to deficiencies for income tax. |
| The entire amount of any gain realized by a U.S. holder upon the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares also would be treated as an excess distribution subject to tax as described above. |
- 90 -
| The tax basis in ordinary shares acquired from a decedent who was a U.S. holder would not receive a step-up to fair market value as of the date of the decedents death but would instead be equal to the decedents basis, if lower. |
Although we generally will be treated as a PFIC as to any U.S. holder if we are a PFIC for any year during the U.S. holders holding period, if we cease to satisfy the requirements for PFIC classification, the U.S. holder may avoid the consequences of PFIC classification for subsequent years by electing to recognize gain based on the unrealized appreciation in the notes or ordinary shares through the close of the tax year in which we cease to be a PFIC. Additionally, if we are treated as a PFIC, a U.S. holder who acquires ordinary shares from a decedent would be denied the normally available step-up in tax basis for these ordinary shares to fair market value at the date of death and instead would have a tax basis equal to the decedents tax basis.
A U.S. holder who beneficially owns shares of a PFIC must file Form 8621 (Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund) with the IRS for each tax year in which the U.S. holder holds shares in a PFIC. This form describes any distributions received with respect to these shares and any gain realized upon the disposition of these shares.
For any tax year in which we are treated as a PFIC, a U.S. holder may elect to treat its ordinary shares as an interest in a qualified electing fund (a QEF Election), in which case, the U.S. holder would be required to include in income currently such U.S. holders proportionate share of our earnings and profits in years in which we are a PFIC regardless of whether distributions of our earnings and profits are actually distributed to the U.S. holder. Any gain subsequently recognized upon the sale or other disposition by the U.S. holder of the ordinary shares, however, generally would be taxed as capital gain and the denial of the basis step-up at death described above would not apply.
A U.S. holder may make a QEF Election with respect to a PFIC for any tax year of the U.S. holder. A QEF Election is effective for the year in which the election is made and all subsequent tax years of the U.S. holder. Procedures exist for both retroactive elections and the filing of protective statements. An additional election is available to defer the payment of taxes that may result from a QEF Election, although interest must be paid on any deferred taxes. A U.S. holder making the QEF Election must make the election on or before the due date, as extended, for the filing of the U.S. holders income tax return for the first tax year to which the election will apply. A U.S. holder must make a QEF Election by completing Form 8621 and attaching it to its U.S. federal income tax return, and must satisfy additional filing requirements each year the election remains in effect.
As an alternative to a QEF Election, a U.S. holder generally may elect to mark its ordinary shares to market annually, recognizing ordinary income or loss (subject to certain limitations) equal to the difference, as of the close of the taxable year, between the fair market value of the ordinary shares and their adjusted tax basis. Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain accrued under the election. If a mark-to-market election with respect to ordinary shares is in effect on the date of a U.S. holders death, the normally available step-up in tax basis to fair market value will not be available. Rather, the tax basis of the ordinary shares in the hands of a U.S. holder who acquired them from a decedent will be the lesser of the decedents tax basis or the fair market value of the ordinary shares. Once made, a mark-to-market election generally continues, unless revoked with the consent of the IRS.
- 91 -
The implementation of many aspects of the Codes PFIC rules requires the issuance of regulations which in many instances have yet to be promulgated and which may have retroactive effect. We cannot be sure that any of these regulations will be promulgated or, if so, what form they will take or what effect they will have on the foregoing discussion. Accordingly, and due to the complexity of the PFIC rules, U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding our status as a PFIC and the eligibility, manner and advisability of making a QEF Election or a mark-to-market election.
Any dividends paid on our ordinary shares to U.S. holders may be subject to U.S. federal tax information reporting requirements and the U.S. backup withholding tax (the backup withholding rate currently is 28%). In addition, the proceeds of a U.S. holders sale of ordinary shares may be subject to tax information reporting and the U.S. backup withholding tax. Backup withholding will not apply if the U.S. holder (i) is a corporation or other exempt recipient, and demonstrates the fact when so required, or (ii) the U.S. holder provides a U.S. taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and complies with any other applicable backup withholding requirements. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
The foregoing discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations is for general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly, each U.S. holder should consult with his, her or its own tax adviser regarding U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares.
F. | DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS |
Not applicable. |
G. | STATEMENT BY EXPERTS |
Not applicable. |
H. | DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY |
You may request a copy of our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, at no cost, by writing or calling us at AudioCodes Ltd., 1 Hayarden Street, Airport City, Lod, 701514, Israel, Attention: Itamar Rosen, General Counsel, telephone: 972-3-539-4000. A copy of each report submitted in accordance with applicable United States law is available for public review at our principal executive offices.
- 92 -
A copy of each document (or a translation thereof to the extent not in English) concerning AudioCodes that is referred to in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, is available for public view at our principal executive offices at AudioCodes Ltd., 1 Hayarden Street, Airport City, Lod, 701514, Israel.
I. | SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
At December 31, 2004, we did not own any market risk sensitive instruments. We have contracted several long-term structured note deals that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Due to the nature of our long-term investment, we do not believe that there is any material market risk exposure. Therefore, no quantitative tabular disclosures are required. However, we may in the future undertake hedging or other similar transactions or invest in market risk sensitive instruments if management determines that it is necessary to offset these risks. See Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Operations in Israel.
To protect against the changes in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows resulting from salary payments, we have instituted a foreign currency cash flow hedging program. We hedge portions of our forecasted expenses denominated in foreign currencies with forward contracts.
During 2002, we entered into forward contracts to hedge a portion of the anticipated NIS payroll payments for periods of one to six months. These forward contracts are designated as cash flows hedges, as defined by SFAS No. 133, as amended, and are all highly effective as hedges of these expenses when the salary is recorded. The effective portion of the hedged instruments is included in payroll expenses in the statement of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2002, we recognized a net loss of $18,000 related to the forward contracts hedging salary payments. At December 31, 2002, we expected to reclassify $72,000 of net profit on derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next twelve months.
During the year ended December 31, 2003, we recognized net income of $426,000 related to the forward contracts hedging salary payments. At December 31, 2003, we expected to reclassify $145,000 of net profit on derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next twelve months.
During the year ended December 31, 2004, we recognized net income of $87,000 related to the forward contracts hedging salary payments. At December 31, 2004, we expected to reclassify $353,000 of net profit on derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next twelve months.
- 93 -
ITEM 12. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 13. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 14. | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Not applicable |
ITEM 15. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, we performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The evaluation was performed with the participation of our key corporate senior management and under the supervision of our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Shabtai Adlersberg, and our Chief Financial Officer, Nachum Falek. Our management, including Messrs. Adlersberg and Falek, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them to material information, on a timely basis, required to be included in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No change in our internal control over financial reporting has occurred during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16. | [RESERVED] |
ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
Our Board of Directors has determined that Joseph Tenne is an audit committee financial expert as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F.
ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS |
In 2004, we adopted a Code of Conduct and Business Ethics that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other senior financial officers. This Code has been posted on our website, www.audiocodes.com.
- 94 -
ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global, has served as our independent public accountants for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional audit services and other services rendered by Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer in 2003 and 2004.
Year ended December 31, (Amounts in thousands) |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 |
2004 | |||||||
Audit Fees | 52.5 | 80 | ||||||
Audit Related Fees | 7.6 | 230 | ||||||
Tax Fees | 82.3 | 53 | ||||||
All Other Fees | - | - | ||||||
Total | 142.4 | 363 | ||||||
Audit Fees consist of fees billed for the annual audit of the companys consolidated financial statements and the statutory financial statements of the company. They also include fees billed for other audit services, which are those services that only the external auditor reasonably can provide, and include the provision of consents and the review of documents filed with the SEC.
Audit Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the companys financial statements and include operational effectiveness of systems. They also include fees billed for other services in connection with merger and acquisition due diligence, as well as our offering of convertible notes and our filing of a registration statement on Form F-3 with respect to the convertible notes.
Tax Fees include fees billed for tax compliance services, including the preparation of tax returns and claims for refund; tax consultations, such as assistance and representation in connection with tax audits and appeals, transfer pricing, and requests for rulings or technical advice from taxing authorities; tax planning services; and expatriate tax compliance, consultation and planning services.
The Audit Committee of AudioCodes Board of Directors is responsible, among other matters, for the oversight of the external auditor subject to the requirements of Israeli law. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding pre-approval of audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent auditors (the Policy).
Under the Policy, proposed services either (i) may be pre-approved by the Audit Committee without consideration of specific case-by-case services as general pre-approval; or (ii) require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee as specific pre-approval. The Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The appendices to the Policy set out the audit, audit-related, tax and other services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee, including those described in the footnotes to the table, above; these services are subject to annual review by the Audit Committee. All other audit, audit-related, tax and other services must receive a specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee.
- 95 -
The Audit Committee establishes budgeted fee levels annually for each of the four categories of audit and non-audit services that are pre-approved under the Policy, namely, audit, audit-related, tax and other services. Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee are submitted to the Audit Committee by both the external auditor and the chief financial officer. At each regular meeting of the Audit Committee, the external auditor provides a report in order for the Audit Committee to review the services that the external auditor is providing, as well as the status and cost of those services.
During 2004, no services provided to AudioCodes by Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception to the pre-approval requirement provided by paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
ITEM 16D. | EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 16E. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 17. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Not applicable. |
ITEM 18. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The following consolidated financial statements and related auditors reports are filed as part of this Annual Report.
Report of Independent Auditors | F - 2 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets | F - 3 |
Consolidated Statements of Operations | F - 4 |
Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity | F - 5 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | F - 6 - F - 7 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | F - 8 - F - 33 |
- 96 -
Schedule II
SCHEDULE OF VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AT DECEMBER 31, 2004
(in thousands)
Description | Balance at Beginning of Period |
Provision for doubtful accounts |
Write-off of previously provided accounts |
Ai-Logix acquisition |
Balance at end of period |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year ended December 31, 2002: | |||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | 1,233 | 71 | (173) | - | 1,131 |
Year ended December 31, 2003: | |||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | 1,131 | 293 | (975) | - | 449 |
Year ended December 31, 2004: | |||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | 449 | 187 | (7) | 56 | 685 |
Other schedules are omitted because they are not required or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
- 97 -
ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS |
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report:
Exhibit No. |
Exhibit |
1.1 | Memorandum of Association of Registrant.* |
1.2 | Articles of Association of Registrant, as amended.** |
2.1 | Indenture, dated November 9, 2004, between AudioCodes Ltd. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, with respect to the 2.))% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024.**** |
4.1 | AudioCodes Ltd. 1997 Key Employee Option Plan (C).* |
4.2 | AudioCodes Ltd. 1997 Key Employee Option Plan, Qualified Stock Option Plan--U.S. Employees (D).* |
4.3 | Founder's Agreement between Shabtai Adlersberg and Leon Bialik, dated January 1, 1993.* |
4.4 | Share Purchase Agreement by and among AudioCodes Ltd., The Israel Private Equity Fund L.P., DS Polaris Ltd., Chase Capital Partners L.P. and Additional Investors, dated as of June 22, 1997.* |
4.5 | Investment Agreement between AudioCodes Ltd. and DSP Semiconductor, Inc., dated April 5, 1993.* |
4.6 | Investment Agreement between AudioCodes Ltd. and DSP Group, Inc., dated June 16, 1994.* |
4.7 | License Agreement between AudioCodes Ltd. and DSP Group, Inc., dated as of May 6, 1999.* |
4.8 | Lease Agreement between AudioCodes Inc. and Spieker Properties, L.P., dated January 26, 2000.** |
4.9 | Agreement between AudioCodes Ltd. and DSP Group, Inc. dated as of May 6, 1999.* |
4.10 | OEM Purchase Agreement between AudioCodes Ltd. and Clarent Corporation, dated as of December 1, 1998.* |
- 98 -
Exhibit No. |
Exhibit |
4.11 | Shareholders Agreement by and among DSP Group, Inc., Shabtai Adlersberg, Leon Bialik, Genesis Partners I, L.P., Genesis Partners I (Cayman) L.P., Polaris Fund II (Tax Exempt Investors) L.L.C., Polaris Fund II L.L.C., Polaris Fund II L.P., DS Polaris Trust Company (Foreign Residents) (1997) Ltd., DS Polaris Ltd., Dovrat, Shrem Trust Company (Foreign Funds) Ltd., Dovrat Shrem-Skies 92 Fund L.P. and Chase Equity Securities CEA, dated as of May 6, 1999.* |
4.12 | Agreement between AudioCodes Ltd. and DSP Group, Inc. and France Telecom and Universite de Sherbrooke, dated March 3, 1995.* |
4.13 | AudioCodes Ltd. 1997 Key Employee Option Plan (D).* |
4.14 | AudioCodes Ltd. 1997 Key Employee Option Plan (E).* |
4.15 | AudioCodes Ltd. 1999 Key Employee Option Plan (F), as amended.*** |
4.16 | AudioCodes Ltd. 1997 Key Employee Option Plan, Qualified Stock Option Plan U.S. Employees (E).* |
4.17 | AudioCodes Ltd. 1999 Key Employee Option Plan, Qualified Stock Option Plan U.S. Employees (F).*** |
4.18 | AudioCodes Ltd. 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan--Global Non U.S.§ |
4.19 | AudioCodes Ltd. 2001 U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.§ |
4.20 | Lease Agreement between AudioCodes Ltd. And Gev-Yam Maman Nechasim BeLod Ltd., effective as of December 1, 2000.** |
4.21 | Lease Agreement between AudioCodes Ltd. and Nortel Networks (Marketing and Sales) Israel Ltd., effective as of December 31, 2002.** |
4.22 | Sublease Agreement between Ai-Logix, Inc. and Continental Resources, Inc., dated December 30, 2003.§§ |
4.23 | Stock Purchase Agreement by and among AudioCodes Ltd., AudioCodes Inc., Ai-Logix, Inc.and AI Technologies N.V, dated as of May 12, 2004. §§. |
4.24 | OEM Purchase and Sale Agreement No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of April 28, 2003 *****§§ |
4.25 | Amendment No. 1 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of May 1, 2003 ***** §§. |
- 99 -
Exhibit No. |
Exhibit |
4.26 | Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among Nortel Networks, Ltd., AudioCodes Inc. and AudioCodes Ltd., dated as of April 7, 2003. §§ |
4.27 | Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2004, between AudioCodes Ltd. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Lehman Brothers Inc., as representatives of the initial purchasers of AudioCodes' 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024.**** |
4.28 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2004, between AudioCodes Ltd. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Lehman Brothers Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp.**** |
4.29 | Amendment No. 2 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of January 1, 2005 §§§ |
4.30 | Amendment No. 3 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of February 15, 2005 |
4.31 | Amendment No. 5 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of January 1, 2005 §§§ |
4.32 | Amendment No. 6 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of April 1, 2005 |
4.33 | Lease Agreement between AudioCodes Inc. and CA-Gateway Office Limited Partnership, effective as of December , 2004. |
8.1 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant. |
12.1 | Certification of Shabtai Adlersberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
12.2 | Certification of Nachum Falek, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
13.1 | Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
13.2 | Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
14.1 | Consent of Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global. |
* | Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-10352) . |
| Hebrew original and English summary of Hebrew original. |
| English summary of Hebrew original. |
| Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-13268) . |
§ | Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-13378) . |
** | Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. |
*** | Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. |
**** | Incorporated by reference herein to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-123859). |
***** | Confidential treatment has been granted for certain portions of the indicated document. The confidential portions have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 24b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
§§ | Incorporated herein by reference to Registrant's Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. |
§§§ | A request for confidentiality has been filed for certain portions of the indicated document. Confidential portions have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 24b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
- 101 -
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on Form 20-F on its behalf.
AUDIOCODES LTD. BY: /S/ NACHUM FALEK Nachum Falek Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: June 2, 2005
Exhibit No. |
Exhibit |
4.29 | Amendment No. 2 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of January 1, 2005 * |
4.30 | Amendment No. 3 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of February 15, 2005 |
4.31 | Amendment No. 5 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of January 1, 2005 * |
4.32 | Amendment No. 6 to OEM Purchase and Sale No. 011449 between AudioCodes Ltd and Nortel Networks Ltd., dated as of April 1, 2005 |
4.33 | Lease Agreement between AudioCodes Inc. and CA-Gateway Office Limited Partnership, effective as of December 29, 2004. |
8.1 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant. |
12.1 | Certification of Shabtai Adlersberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
12.2 | Certification of Nachum Falek, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
13.1 | Certification by Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
13.2 | Certification by Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
14.1 | Consent of Kost Forer and Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global. |
* A request for confidentiality has been filed for certain portions of the indicated document. Confidential portions have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 24b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004
IN U.S. DOLLARS
INDEX
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-6 - F-7 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-8 - F-33 |
- - - - - - - - - - -
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of
AUDIOCODES LTD.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AudioCodes Ltd. (the Company) and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 2. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and 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 consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, and the related consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
Tel-Aviv, Israel |
|
KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER |
January 24, 2005 |
|
A Member of Ernst & Young Global |
- F-2 -
AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and par value data |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
2003 |
|
2004 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
48,898 |
|
$ |
166,832 |
|
|||||
|
Trade
receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $449 and $685 as of |
|
|
7,717 |
|
|
14,470 |
|
|||||
|
Other receivables and prepaid expenses |
|
|
2,972 |
|
|
4,608 |
|
|||||
|
Inventories |
|
|
4,667 |
|
|
10,059 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total current assets |
|
|
64,254 |
|
|
195,969 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Long-term bank deposits and structured notes |
|
|
50,270 |
|
|
50,195 |
|
|||||
|
Investment in an affiliated company |
|
|
491 |
|
|
487 |
|
|||||
|
Severance pay funds |
|
|
3,618 |
|
|
4,538 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total long-term investments |
|
|
54,379 |
|
|
55,220 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
|
|
4,564 |
|
|
6,694 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES, NET |
|
|
1,013 |
|
|
5,127 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
GOODWILL |
|
|
4,320 |
|
|
9,135 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total assets |
|
$ |
128,530 |
|
$ |
272,145 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Trade payables |
|
$ |
4,197 |
|
$ |
6,541 |
|
|||||
|
Other payables and accrued expenses |
|
|
13,825 |
|
|
17,981 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total current liabilities |
|
|
18,022 |
|
|
24,522 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
ACCRUED SEVERANCE PAY |
|
|
3,990 |
|
|
4,978 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
SENIOR CONVERIBLE NOTES |
|
|
- |
|
|
120,660 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
Share capital - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Ordinary shares of NIS 0.01 par value: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Authorized - 100,000,000 as of December 31, 2003 and 2004; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Issued -
41,727,734 shares as of December 31, 2003 and 43,808,132 shares as of |
|
|
121 |
|
|
126 |
|
|||||
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
116,518 |
|
|
126,700 |
|
|||||
|
Treasury stock |
|
|
(11,320 |
) |
|
(11,320 |
) |
|||||
|
Deferred stock compensation |
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
(108 |
) |
|||||
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
145 |
|
|
353 |
|
|||||
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
1,228 |
|
|
6,234 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total shareholders equity |
|
|
106,518 |
|
|
121,985 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
|
$ |
128,530 |
|
$ |
272,145 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- F-3 -
AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data |
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
2004 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
27,189 |
|
$ |
44,228 |
|
$ |
82,756 |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
13,006 |
|
|
20,037 |
|
|
34,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
14,183 |
|
|
24,191 |
|
|
48,381 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development, net |
|
|
13,022 |
|
|
15,476 |
|
|
20,009 |
|
Selling and marketing |
|
|
14,288 |
|
|
14,537 |
|
|
19,891 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
3,353 |
|
|
4,066 |
|
|
4,851 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
30,663 |
|
|
34,079 |
|
|
44,751 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
(16,480 |
) |
|
(9,888 |
) |
|
3,630 |
|
Financial income, net |
|
|
2,623 |
|
|
1,883 |
|
|
2,165 |
|
Equity in losses of an affiliated company |
|
|
300 |
|
|
429 |
|
|
516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before taxes on income |
|
|
(14,157 |
) |
|
(8,434 |
) |
|
5,279 |
|
Taxes on income |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
273 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(14,157 |
) |
$ |
(8,434 |
) |
$ |
5,006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net earnings (loss) per share |
|
$ |
(0.37 |
) |
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
$ |
0.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share |
|
$ |
(0.37 |
) |
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- F-4 -
AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
|
|
Share |
|
Additional |
|
Treasury |
|
Deferred |
|
Accumulated |
|
Retained |
|
Total |
|
Total |
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2002 |
|
$ |
120 |
|
$ |
113,878 |
|
$ |
(6,401 |
) |
$ |
(161 |
) |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
23,819 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
131,255 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Purchase of treasury stock |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(4,704 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
(4,704 |
) |
|
|
Issuance of shares upon exercise of options, warrants and employee stock purchase plan |
|
|
*) - |
|
|
757 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
757 |
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred stock compensation |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
161 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss, net: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gain on forward contracts, net |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
72 |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
72 |
|
|
72 |
|
||
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(14,157 |
) |
|
(14,157 |
) |
|
(14,157 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Total comprehensive loss, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(14,085 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance as of December 31, 2002 |
|
|
120 |
|
|
114,635 |
|
|
(11,105 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
72 |
|
|
9,662 |
|
|
|
|
|
113,384 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Purchase of treasury stock |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(215 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
(215 |
) |
|
|
Issuance of shares upon exercise of options, warrants and employee stock purchase plan |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1,659 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
1,660 |
|
|
|
Deferred stock compensation |
|
|
- |
|
|
224 |
|
|
- |
|
|
(224 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred stock compensation |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
50 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss, net: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gain on forward contracts, net |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
73 |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
73 |
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(8,434 |
) |
|
(8,434 |
) |
|
(8,434 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Total comprehensive loss, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(8,361 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance as of December 31, 2003 |
|
|
121 |
|
|
116,518 |
|
|
(11,320 |
) |
|
(174 |
) |
|
145 |
|
|
1,228 |
|
|
|
|
|
106,518 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Issuance of shares upon exercise of options and
employee |
|
|
5 |
|
|
10,182 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
10,187 |
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred stock compensation |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
66 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
Comprehensive income, net: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gain on forward contracts, net |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
208 |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
208 |
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
5,006 |
|
|
5,006 |
|
|
5,006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Total comprehensive income, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance as of December 31, 2004 |
|
$ |
126 |
|
$ |
126,700 |
|
$ |
(11,320 |
) |
$ |
(108 |
) |
$ |
353 |
|
$ |
6,234 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
121,985 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*) Represents an amount lower than $1.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- F-5 -
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
2004 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(14,157 |
) |
$ |
(8,434 |
) |
$ |
5,006 |
|
|
|
Adjustments required to
reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
2,073 |
|
|
3,040 |
|
|
2,979 |
|
|
|
Equity in losses of an affiliated company |
|
|
300 |
|
|
429 |
|
|
516 |
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in accrued severance pay, net |
|
|
(89 |
) |
|
20 |
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred stock compensation |
|
|
161 |
|
|
50 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
Amortization of senior convertible notes discount and deferred charges |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
Decrease (increase) in
accrued interest on short-term and long-term bank |
|
|
1,305 |
|
|
(270 |
) |
|
75 |
|
|
|
Increase in trade receivables, net |
|
|
(1,006 |
) |
|
(3,274 |
) |
|
(4,907 |
) |
|
|
Increase in other receivables and prepaid expenses |
|
|
(740 |
) |
|
(940 |
) |
|
(1,248 |
) |
|
|
Decrease (increase) in inventories |
|
|
1,859 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
(3,712 |
) |
|
|
Increase in trade payables |
|
|
768 |
|
|
1,795 |
|
|
1,329 |
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in other payables and accrued expenses |
|
|
(2,134 |
) |
|
1,145 |
|
|
3,155 |
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
(11,660 |
) |
|
(6,429 |
) |
|
3,453 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Investment in an affiliated company |
|
|
(149 |
) |
|
(621 |
) |
|
(512 |
) |
|
|
Purchase of property and equipment |
|
|
(2,136 |
) |
|
(1,997 |
) |
|
(4,251 |
) |
|
|
Proceeds from sale of short-term bank deposits |
|
|
15,605 |
|
|
63,074 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
Investment in long-term bank deposits and structured notes |
|
|
- |
|
|
(50,000 |
) |
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
Proceeds from structured notes called by the banks |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
Payment for acquisition of Universal Audio Server (UAS) (1) |
|
|
- |
|
|
(4,373 |
) |
|
(2,500 |
) |
|
|
Payment for acquisition of Ai-Logix (2) |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(8,684 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
13,320 |
|
|
6,083 |
|
|
(15,947 |
) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Proceeds from issuance of senior convertible notes |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
Issuance costs for senior convertible notes |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(394 |
) |
|
|
Initial Purchasers discount in respect of senior convertible notes |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(4,365 |
) |
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of
shares upon exercise of options, warrants and |
|
|
757 |
|
|
1,660 |
|
|
10,187 |
|
|
|
Purchase of treasury stock |
|
|
(4,704 |
) |
|
(215 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
(3,947 |
) |
|
1,445 |
|
|
130,428 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(2,287 |
) |
|
(1,099 |
) |
|
117,934 |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
|
|
50,086 |
|
|
47,799 |
|
|
48,898 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
|
$ |
47,799 |
|
$ |
48,898 |
|
$ |
166,832 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cash paid during the year for income taxes |
|
$ |
207 |
|
$ |
120 |
|
$ |
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- F-6 -
AUDIOCODES LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES |
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
U.S. dollars in thousands |
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
2002 |
|
2003 |
|
2004 |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
(1) |
Payment for acquisition of UAS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Net fair value of assets
acquired of UAS at the date of acquisition (see |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
380 |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
Technology |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,173 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
- |
|
|
4,320 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
5,873 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
||
|
|
Paid (unpaid) accrued liability |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,500 |
) |
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
4,373 |
|
$ |
2,500 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
(2) |
Payment for acquisition of Ai-Logix |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Net fair value of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed of Ai-Logix at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working capital, net (excluding cash and cash equivalents) |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
1,440 |
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
329 |
|
|
|
|
Technology |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
3,100 |
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
3,815 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
8,684 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- F-7 -
|
||
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
||
|
||
U.S. dollars in thousands |
||