PROGRAMMERS PARADISE INC - 10-Q Quarterly Report - 03/31/2004

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

[ ]

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

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File No. 000-26408

Programmer's Paradise, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

13-3136104

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

incorporation or organization)

 

1157 Shrewsbury Avenue, Shrewsbury, New Jersey 07702
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number (732) 389-8950

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 and Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

There were 3,822,785 outstanding shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, as of April 29, 2004, not including 1,461,715 shares classified as treasury stock.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

March 31,
2004
(Unaudited)

  December 31,
  2003
  (Audited)

ASSETS

Current assets

     Cash and cash equivalents

$ 2,823

$ 5,878

     Marketable Securities

7,583

5,033

     Accounts receivable, net

9,282

7,783

     Inventory - finished goods

1,257

1,119

     Prepaid expenses and other current assets

          547

            333

Total current assets

21,492

20,146

     

Equipment and leasehold improvements, net

274

292

Other assets

            51

             51

Total assets

$ 21,817

$ 20,489

 =======

========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities

     Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$ 10,098

$ 8,919

     Dividend payable

          382

          375

Total current liabilities

10,480

9,294


Commitments and contingencies

 

 


Stockholders' equity

 

 

     Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized, 10,000,000
        shares; issued 5,284,500 shares


53


53

     Additional paid-in capital

33,717

34,099

     Treasury stock, at cost, 1,465,715 shares and 1,533,970
        shares, respectively

 

(4,300)

 

(4,490)

     Retained earnings (deficit)

(18,183)

(18,545)

     Accumulated other comprehensive loss

            50

            78

Total stockholders' equity

     11,337

     11,195

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 21,817

$ 20,489

 =======

=======

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Page 2

PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 
 

               Three months ended

 

                March 31,

2004

2003

     

Net sales

$    20,679

$   15,198

Cost of sales

       18,078

     13,210

Gross profit

2,601

1,988

Selling, general and administrative expenses

        2,222

       1,978

Income from operations

379

10

Interest income, net

39

31

Unrealized foreign exchange gain/(loss)

           (21)

            22

Income before income tax provision

397

63

Provision for income taxes

             35

            22

Net income

$        362

$          41

 

=======

=======

Net income per common share-Basic

$       0.10

$       0.01

Net income per common share-Diluted

$       0.09

$       0.01

Weighted average common shares outstanding-
Basic


       3,797


      3,745

Weighted average common shares outstanding-
Diluted


       4,084


      3,754

     

Reconciliation to comprehensive income:

Net Income

$        362

$         41

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

     Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

10

(5)

     Foreign currency translation adjustments

         (38)

         124

Total comprehensive income

$ 334

$ 160

=======

=======

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 3

PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except share amounts)



Common Stock
Shares Amount


Additional
Paid-In
Capital



Treasury
Stock


Retained
Earnings /
(Deficit)

Accumulated other comprehensive
 Income (loss)



Total

Balance at January 1, 2004

5,284,500

$53

$34,099

$(4,490)

$(18,545)

$78

$11,195

   Net income

362

  362

   Other comprehensive income:

   

   Exercise of stock options

190

  190

   Dividend declared payable

(382)

  (382)

   Unrealized gain on

   

       marketable securities

10

10

   Translation adjustment

(38)

(38)
  Comprehensive Income             (28)

Balance at March 31, 2004

5,284,500

$53

$33,717

$(4,300)

$(18,183)

$50

$11,337

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 4

PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

                 Three Months Ended

 

                March 31,

 

Cash flows from operating activities

2004

2003

Net income

$         362

$         41

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided

by operating activities:

    Depreciation and amortization

52

89

    Allowance for doubtful accounts

15

77

    Accretion of marketable securities

10

(5)

         Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    Accounts receivable

(1,515)

40

    Inventory

(138)

149

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(214)

68

    Accounts payable and accrued expenses

1,179

(738)

    Net change in other assets and liabilities

            (3)

           (1)

Net cash used for operating activities

        (252)

       (280)

   
Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

    Purchases of available-for-sale securities

(3,550)

(1,364)

    Redemptions of available-for-sale securities

1,000

1,000

    Increase in cash held in escrow

-

-

    Capital expenditures

         (30)

        (55)

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities

    (2,580)

      (419)


Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

Dividend paid

(375)

-

Purchase of treasury stock

-

(190)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

         190

             - -

    Net cash used for financing activities

       (185)

      (190)

     

Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash

(38)

124

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(3,055)

(765)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

      5,878

      6,072

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 2,823

$ 5,307

=======

=======

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Page 5

PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2004

1.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Programmer's Paradise, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.

   
  The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product returns, bad debts, inventories, investments, intangible assets, income taxes, restructuring and contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. In the opinion of the Company's management all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for fair presentation, have been included. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. T he unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2003.
   

2.

Assets and liabilities of the Company's Canadian subsidiary have been translated at current exchange rates, and related revenues and expenses have been translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the year. The revenue for our Canadian operations in the first three months of 2004 increased by $0.3 million to $3.0 million as compared to the first three months of 2003. Cumulative translation adjustments and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities have been classified within other comprehensive income, which is a separate component of stockholders equity in accordance with FASB Statement No. 115, "Reporting Comprehensive Income".
 

3.

The Company records revenues from sales transactions when title to products sold passes to the customer. The Company's shipping terms dictate that the passage of title occurs upon receipt of products by the customer. The majority of the Company's revenues relates to physical products and is recognized on a gross basis with the selling price to the customer recorded as net sales with the acquisition cost of the product to the Company recorded as cost of sales. At the time of sale, the Company also records an estimate for sales returns based on historical experience. Software maintenance products, third party services and extended warranties sold by the Company (for which the Company is not the primary obligor) are recognized on a net basis in accordance

Page 6

with SAB 101, "Revenue Recognition" and EITF 99-19, "Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent".  Accordingly, such revenues are recognized in net sales either at the time of sale or over the contract period, based on the nature of the contract, at the net amount retained by the Company, with no cost of goods sold. In accordance with EITF 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs", the Company records freight billed to its customers as net sales and the related freight costs as a cost of sales. In accordance with EITF 02-16, "Accounting for Consideration Received from a Vendor by a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)," consideration from vendors, such as advertising support funds, are accounted for as a reduction to cost of sales unless certain requirements are met showing that the vendor receives an identifiable fair value in exchange for the consideration. If these specific requirements related to individual vendors are met, the consideration is accounted for as revenue.

4.       Investments in available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2004 were (in thousands):

 

 

Cost

Market value

Unrealized Gain (loss)

 

U.S. Government Securities

$ 5,572

 

$ 5,578

 

$   6

 

Corporate Bonds

$ 2,001

 

$ 2,005

 

$   4

 

Total Marketable Securities

$ 7,573

 

$ 7,583

 

$ 10

   

======

======

====

          The cost and market value of the Company's investments at March 31, 2004 by contractual maturity were
          (in thousands):

   

Estimated

 

Cost

Fair Value

     

           

Due in one year or less

$5,572

$5,578

           

Due in greater than one year

     2,001

    2,005

          

Total investments

$7,573

$7,583

 

 ======

 ======

5.

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed considering the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding stock options. A reconciliation of the numerator and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations follows (in thousands, except per share data):

Three months ended
March 31,

2004

   2003

                Numerator:

                  Net Income

$      362

$        41

                Denominator:

                  Weighted average shares (Basic)

3,797

3,745

                  Dilutive effect of outstanding options

         287

            9

     

                  Weighted average shares including assumed conversions (Diluted)

4,084

3,754

     

                Basic net income per share

$    0.10

$    0.01

                Diluted net income per share

$    0.09

$    0.01

Page 7

6.

On March 18, 2004 our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $.10 per share on our common stock payable April 23, 2004 to shareholders of record on April 5, 2004. Our Board intends to periodically review the amount and frequency of future payments in light of the Company's operations and need for capital. The dividend is reflected as a reduction of Additional Paid in Capital.
 

7.

The Company had one major customer that accounted for 13.9% of total net sales during the quarter ending March 31, 2004, and 5.8% of total net accounts receivable as of March 31, 2004. The Company had two major vendors that accounted for 24.0% and 14.2% of total purchases, respectively, during the quarter ending March 31, 2004. In the first quarter of 2003, no customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated net sales. The Company had one major vendor that accounted for 26.9% of total purchases during the quarter ending March 31, 2003.
 

8.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company recorded a provision of $35,000, which consists of a provision for Canadian income taxes. For the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the Company recorded a provision of $22,000, also for Canadian income taxes. The loss carry forwards offset the provision for income taxes for our U.S. operations.

   
 

As of March 31, 2004, the Company had a U.S. deferred tax asset of approximately $6.1 million reflecting, in part, a benefit of $3.0 million in federal and state tax loss carry forwards, which will expire in varying amounts between 2004 and 2023. As a result of the current uncertainty of realizing the benefits of the tax loss carry forward, valuation allowances equal to the tax benefits for the U.S. deferred taxes have been established. The full realization of the tax benefit associated with the carry forward depends predominantly upon the Company's ability to generate taxable income during the carry forward period. The valuation allowance will be evaluated at the end of each reporting period, considering positive and negative evidence about whether the deferred tax asset will be realized. At that time, the allowance will either be increased or reduced; reduction could result in the complete elimination of the allowance if positive evidence indicates that the value of the deferred tax assets is no longer impaired and the allowance is no longer required. The Company's ability to utilize certain net operating loss carry forwards is restricted to approximately $1.5 million per year cumulatively, as a result of an ownership change pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

   

9.

The Company accounts for stock option plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principle Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. In accordance with SFAS No. 148, the effect on net income and net income per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation is as follows:

Page 8

Three months ended

March 31,

2004

2003


Net income - as reported

362

41

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

(18)

(13)

Pro forma net income

  344

  28

Net income per share:

Basic earnings per share - as reported

$ 0.10

$ 0.01

Basic earnings per share - pro forma

$ 0.09

$ 0.01

Net income per share:

Diluted earnings per share - as reported

$ 0.09

$ 0.01

Diluted earnings per share - pro forma

$ 0.08

$ 0.01

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the heading "Certain Factors Affecting Operating Results" and elsewhere in this report. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Overview

Programmer's Paradise, Inc. operates in one primary business segment: the marketing of technical software and hardware for microcomputers, servers and networks in the United States and Canada.

We offer a wide variety of technical and general business application software and PC hardware and components from a broad range of publishers and manufacturers. We market our products through our catalogs, direct mail programs and advertisements in trade magazines as well as through Internet and e-mail promotions.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Lifeboat Distribution Inc., we distribute marketed products to dealers and resellers in the United States and Canada.

The Company's sales and results of operations have fluctuated and are expected to continue to fluctuate on a quarterly basis as a result of a number of factors, including: the condition of the software industry in general; shifts in demand for software products; industry shipments of new software products or upgrades; the timing of new merchandise and catalog offerings; fluctuations in response rates; fluctuations in postage, paper, shipping and printing costs and in merchandise returns; adverse weather conditions that affect response, distribution or shipping; shifts in the timing of holidays; and changes in the Company's product offerings. The Company's operating expenditures are based on sales forecasts. If revenues do not meet expectations in any given quarter, operating results may be materially adversely affected.

Page 9

 

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain financial information derived from the Company's consolidated statement of operations expressed as a percentage of net sales. This comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

      2004

     2003


Net sales


     100.0%


    100.0%

Cost of sales

       87.4

      86.9

Gross profit

       12.6

     13.1

Selling, general and administrative expenses

       10.8

     13.0

Income from operations

         1.8

       0.1

Interest income, net

         0.2

       0.2

Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

       (0.1)

       0.1

Income before income taxes

        1.9

       0.4

Provision for income taxes

        0.1

       0.1

Net income

        1.8%

       0.3%

Net Sales

Net sales in the first quarter of 2004 increased 36% or $5.5 million to $20.7 million compared to $15.2 million for the same period in 2003. We attribute this growth in net sales to a more favorable IT spending environment, improved productivity and expansion of our account executive team in the first quarter of 2004, consistent with the third and fourth quarter of 2003.

On a forward-looking basis, the overall market demand for the software we sell continues to be volatile with the extent of the market's recovery remaining uncertain.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 12.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, compared to 13.1% for the same period in 2003. Gross profit in absolute dollars for the three-month period ended March 31, 2004 was $2.6 million as compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2003. This was primarily due to the increase in revenue discussed above. The increase in gross profit dollars and the decrease in gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales reflect a shift in the product mix of sales.

Page 10

On a forward-looking basis, gross profit margin in future periods may be less than the 12.6% achieved in the first quarter of 2004. We foresee possible pressure on gross profit margins as a result of various factors, including the continued participation by vendors in inventory price protection and rebate programs, product mix, including software maintenance and third party services, pricing strategies, market conditions and other factors, any of which could result in a reduction of gross profit margins below those realized in the first quarter of 2004.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 were $2.2 million as compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2003, an increase of $0.2 million or 10%. The primary drivers in selling and administrative expenses were consultant fees and employee-related costs. Consultant fees decreased $0.1 million and were mainly information technology-related fees that will no longer be required due to the upgrade of our staff in the IT department. Employee-related costs (which includes items such as bonuses, profit sharing, incentive awards and insurance) increased $0.2 million.

We will continue to invest in our sales force while reviewing our organization and cost structure in an effort to further reduce operating expenses and improve efficiencies. These factors, combined with increased legal requirements, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may cause higher SG&A expenses in 2004.

Foreign Currency Transactions Gain (Loss)

The realized foreign exchange loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 was $21,000 compared to a profit of $22,000 for the same period in 2003. Foreign exchange gains and losses primarily result from our trade activity with our Canadian subsidiary. Although the Company does maintain bank accounts in Canadian currencies to reduce currency exchange fluctuations, the Company is, nevertheless, subject to risks associated with such fluctuations.

Income Taxes

For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company recorded a provision of $35,000, which consists of a provision for Canadian income taxes. For the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the Company recorded a provision of $22,000, also for Canadian income taxes. The loss carry forwards offset the provision for income taxes for our U.S. operations. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had a U.S. deferred tax asset of approximately $6.1 million reflecting, in part, a benefit of $3.0 million in federal and state tax loss carry forwards, which will expire in varying amounts between 2004 and 2023. As a result of the current uncertainty of realizing the benefits of the tax loss carry forward, valuation allowances equal to the tax benefits for the U.S. deferred taxes have been established. The full realization of the tax benefit associated with the carry forward depends predominantly upon the Company's ability to generate taxable income during the carry forward period. The valuation allowance will be evaluate d at the end of each reporting period, considering positive and negative evidence about whether the deferred tax asset will be realized. At that time, the allowance will either be increased or reduced; reduction could result in the complete elimination of the allowance if positive evidence indicates that the value of the deferred tax assets is no longer impaired and the allowance is no longer required. The Company's ability to utilize certain net operating loss carry forwards is restricted to approximately $1.5 million per year cumulatively, as a result of an ownership change pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Page 11

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the first three months of 2004, our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $3.1 million to $2.8 million at March 31, 2004, from $5.9 million at December 31, 2003. Net cash used for operating activities amounted to $0.3 million; net cash used for investing activities amounted to $2.6 million and cash used for financing activities amounted to $0.2 million.

Net cash used for operating activities in the first three months of 2004 was $0.3 million and primarily resulted from a $1.5 million increase in accounts receivable, a $0.1 million increase in inventory and a $0.2 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets. This was partly offset by our net income of $0.4 million and a $1.2 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The increase in accounts receivable relates primarily to our increased revenue. Days sales outstanding increased to 40 days as per March 31, 2004 as compared to 37 days as per March 31, 2003. The increase in accounts payable is primarily due to our increased revenue and our normal cycle of payments. For the three months ending March 31, 2004, the unrealized gain on our marketable securities amounted to $10,000.

Net cash used for investing activities in the first three months of 2004 amounted to $2.6 million. In light of the current low interest rates on our short-term savings accounts we decided to invest an additional $2.5 million in U.S. government securities. These securities are highly rated and highly liquid. These securities are classified as available-for-sale securities in accordance with SFAS 115, and as a result unrealized gains and losses are reported as part of other comprehensive income (loss).

Net cash used for financing activities in the first three months of 2004 of $0.2 million consisted of the $0.4 million payment of our declared dividends, which was partly offset by the proceeds from the exercise of options.

On September 16, 2002, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of 500,000 shares of our common stock. On October 9, 2002, our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase an additional 500,000 shares of our common stock. These two purchase approvals are in addition to authorizations for us to purchase 490,000 shares (granted in March 2002) and 521,013 shares (granted in October 1999) in both open market and private transactions, as conditions warrant.

The repurchase program is expected to remain effective for the remainder of 2004. We intend to hold the repurchased shares in treasury for general corporate purposes, including issuances under various stock option plans. As of March 31, 2004, we owned 1,465,715 shares purchased at an average cost of $2.93 per share. In the first three months of 2004, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock.

The Company's current and anticipated use of its cash and cash equivalents is, and will continue to be, to fund working capital, operational expenditures, the stock buyback program and dividends if declared by the board of directors. Our business plan furthermore contemplates to continue to use our cash to pay vendors promptly in order to obtain more favorable conditions.

We believe that the funds held in cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our working capital and cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. We currently do not have any credit facility and, in the foreseeable future, we do not plan to enter into an agreement providing for a line of credit.

Page 12

Contractual Obligations
(Dollars in thousands)

   

Payment due by Period

 

Total

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

4-5 years

After 5 years

Long-term debt

-

-

-

-

-

Capital Lease Obligations

-

-

-

-

-

Operating Leases

$1,507

$480

$1,027

-

-

Unconditional Purchase Obligations

-

-

-

-

-

Other Long term Obligations

-

-

-

-

-

Total Contractual Obligations

$1,507

$480

$1,027

-

-

Operating leases primarily relates to the lease of the space used for our operations in Shrewsbury, NJ.

The Company is not committed by lines of credit, standby letters of credit, has no standby repurchase obligations or other commercial commitments. The Company is not engaged in any transactions with related parties.

As of March 31, 2004, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company's discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company's consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of software and hardware for microcomputers, servers and networks upon shipment or upon electronic delivery of the product. The Company expenses the advertising costs associated with producing its catalogs. The costs of these catalogs are expensed in the same month the catalogs are mailed.

On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product returns, bad debts, inventories, investments, intangible assets, income taxes, restructuring and contingencies and litigation.

The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Page 13

The Company records revenues from sales transactions when title to products sold passes to the customer. The Company's shipping terms dictate that the passage of title occurs upon receipt of products by the customer. The majority of the Company's revenues relates to physical products and is recognized on a gross basis with the selling price to the customer recorded as net sales with the acquisition cost of the product to the Company recorded as cost of sales. At the time of sale, the Company also records an estimate for sales returns based on historical experience. Software maintenance products, third party services and extended warranties sold by the Company (for which the Company is not the primary obligor) are recognized on a net basis in accordance with SAB 101, "Revenue Recognition" and EITF 99-19, "Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent". Accordingly, such revenues are recognized in net sales either at the time of sale or over the contract period, based on the nat ure of the contract, at the net amount retained by the Company, with no cost of goods sold. In accordance with EITF 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs", the Company records freight billed to its customers as net sales and the related freight costs as a cost of sales.

In accordance with EITF 02-16, "Accounting for Consideration Received from a Vendor by a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)," consideration from vendors, such as advertising support funds, are accounted for as a reduction to cost of sales unless certain requirements are met showing that the vendor receives an identifiable fair value in exchange for the consideration. If these specific requirements related to individual vendors are met, the consideration is accounted for as revenue.

The Company believes the following critical accounting policies used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements affect its more significant judgments and estimates. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-offs may be required.

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While the Company has considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made.

Certain Factors Affecting Operating Results

This report includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this report regarding future events or conditions, including statements regarding industry prospects and the Company's expected financial position, business and financing plans, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. We strongly urge current and prospective investors to carefully consider the cautionary statements and risks contained in this Report. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the continued acceptance of the Company's distribution channel by vendors and customers, the timely availability and acceptance of new products, contribution of key vendor relationships and support programs, as well as factors that affect the software industry in general.

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The Company operates in a rapidly changing business, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict every risk factor, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of all such risk factors on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements.

Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The statement concerning future sales and future Gross Profit Margin are forward looking statements involving certain risks and uncertainties such as availability of products, product mix, market conditions and other factors, which could result in a fluctuation of sales below recent experience.

Stock Volatility. The technology sector of the United States stock markets has experienced substantial volatility in recent periods. Numerous conditions, which impact the technology sector or the stock market in general or the Company in particular, whether or not such events relate to or reflect upon the Company's operating performance, could adversely affect the market price of the Company's Common Stock.

Furthermore, fluctuations in the Company's operating results, announcements regarding litigation, the loss of a significant vendor, increased competition, reduced vendor incentives and trade credit, higher postage and operating expenses, and other developments, could have a significant impact on the market price of the Company's Common Stock.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

In addition to its activities in the United States, the Company also conducts business in Canada. We are subject to general risks attendant to the conduct of business in Canada, including economic uncertainties and foreign government regulations. In addition, the Company's Canadian business is subject to changes in demand or pricing resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates or other factors.

The Company's $7.6 million investments in marketable securities are only in highly rated and highly liquid corporate bonds and U.S. government Securities. The remaining cash balance is invested in short-term savings accounts with our primary bank, The Bank of New York. As such, the risk of significant changes in the value of our cash invested is minimal.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, our management carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's "disclosure controls and procedures" as of March 31, 2004. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. As defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2004. It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. As required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any change occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2004, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation during the quarter ended March 31, 2004 there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)

Exhibits.

 

31.1

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of William H. Willett, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

     
 

31.2

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of Simon F. Nynens, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

     
 

32.1

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of William H. Willett, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

     
 

32.2

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Simon F. Nynens, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

   

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K

Current Report on Form 8-K (Items 9 and 12) filed on February 2, 2004, attaching a press release announcing the Company's financial results for the year ended December 31, 2003.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE, INC.

   
   
   

May 5, 2004

By:

  /s/ William H. Willett

Date

 

William H. Willett,
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer

   
   
   

May 5, 2004

By:

 /s/ Simon F. Nynens

Date

 

Simon F. Nynens,
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President

   

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