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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 June 30, 2004

or

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

For the Transition Period From            to          


Commission File Number 333-82540

IPC ACQUISITION CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   74-3022102

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
88 Pine Street, Wall Street Plaza, New York, NY   10005

 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 825-9060

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 whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

             
  Yes o   No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

         
Class
  Outstanding at July 31, 2004
Common Stock, par value $0.01   14,718,592 shares




IPC ACQUISITION CORP.

INDEX

         
    Page
       
       
    1  
    2  
    3  
    4  
    21  
    35  
    35  
       
    36  
    36  
    36  
    36  
    36  
    36  
    38  
 EX 10.18: AMENDED & RESTATED LABOR POOLING AGREEMENT
 EX 10.19: AMENDED & RESTATED LABOR POOLING AGREEMENT
 EX 10.20: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 EX 31.1: CERTIFICATE
 EX 31.2: CERTIFICATE
 EX 32.1: CERTIFICATE
 EX 32.2: CERTIFICATE


Table of Contents

Part I — Financial Information:

Item 1. Financial Statements

IPC ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands Except Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
                 
    June 30,   September 30,
    2004
  2003
Assets
               
Assets:
               
Cash
  $ 17,403     $ 25,800  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,400 and $732, respectively
    42,180       40,409  
Inventories, net
    25,054       22,728  
Prepaid and other current assets
    4,029       5,427  
Current assets of discontinued operations
    9,918       27,556  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    98,584       121,920  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    24,142       23,851  
Goodwill
    89,746       82,108  
Intangible assets, net
    196,394       197,930  
Deferred financing costs, net
    12,909       14,146  
Other assets
    1,095       1,221  
Non-current assets of discontinued operations
    287       3,734  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 423,157     $ 444,910  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
Current portion of long term debt
  $ 550     $ 550  
Accounts payable
    6,169       2,753  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    25,286       27,023  
Income taxes payable
    2,538       4,208  
Customer advances on installation contracts
    18,453       16,754  
Deferred revenue on maintenance contracts
    14,248       13,095  
Current portion of guarantees on former parent obligations
    1,353       1,353  
Deferred purchase consideration
          6,722  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
    1,794       3,820  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    70,391       76,278  
Term loan
    54,175       54,450  
Senior subordinated notes
    150,000       150,000  
Deferred taxes, net
    13,324       12,182  
Deferred compensation
    2,874       2,936  
Guarantees on former parent obligations and other long-term liabilities
    208       1,885  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    290,972       297,731  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $0.01 par value, (25,000,000 shares authorized; 14,718,592 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2004; 14,724,380 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003)
    147       147  
Paid in capital
    145,796       145,846  
Notes receivable for purchases of common stock
    (275 )     (393 )
Accumulated deficit
    (23,358 )     (5,161 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    9,875       6,740  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    132,185       147,179  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 423,157     $ 444,910  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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

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Table of Contents

IPC ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Revenue:
                               
Product sales and installations
  $ 21,527     $ 18,157     $ 75,228     $ 63,068  
Service
    38,786       26,349       107,603       69,056  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    60,313       44,506       182,831       132,124  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cost of goods sold (depreciation shown separately):
                               
Product sales and installations
    10,423       10,123       35,595       30,937  
Service
    19,101       12,577       53,082       32,060  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,029       556       2,739       1,152  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    30,553       23,256       91,416       64,149  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
    29,760       21,250       91,415       67,975  
Research and development
    3,809       2,784       10,817       8,447  
Selling, general and administrative
    13,556       10,883       41,229       29,225  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,535       4,678       15,970       14,087  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income from operations
    6,860       2,905       23,399       16,216  
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense, net
    (5,391 )     (6,008 )     (16,727 )     (18,690 )
Other income, net
    223       2,012       530       3,339  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    1,692       (1,091 )     7,202       865  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (368 )     303       3,821       2,655  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    2,060       (1,394 )     3,381       (1,790 )
Discontinued operations (Note 3):
                               
Income (loss) from operations of I.T.S. division (including loss on disposal of $4,110 for the 2004 periods)
    (6,095 )     763       (6,375 )     17  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (2,761 )     336       (2,761 )     7  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) on discontinued operations
    (3,334 )     427       (3,614 )     10  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net loss
  $ (1,274 )   $ (967 )   $ (233 )   $ (1,780 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
                 
    Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
    2004
  2003
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net loss
  $ (233 )   $ (1,780 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    (3,614 )     10  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    3,381       (1,790 )
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    6,859       4,521  
Amortization of intangibles
    11,850       10,718  
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    1,462       2,016  
Provision for (reversal of) doubtful accounts
    (231 )     118  
Deferred income taxes
    (530 )     (2,533 )
Amortization of guarantees on former parent obligations
    (1,015 )     (338 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    2,878       6,331  
Inventories
    (2,042 )     (10,525 )
Prepaids and other current assets
    1,830       (1,598 )
Other assets
    145       36  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (556 )     (9,719 )
Income taxes payable
    (2,513 )     1,305  
Customer advances and deferred revenue
    2,302       20,362  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by continuing operations
    23,820       18,904  
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
    15,445       (7,791 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    39,265       11,113  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (5,955 )     (3,832 )
Global Crossing Settlement:
               
Proceeds from restricted cash account and other amounts
          9,419  
Cash payments
          (5,200 )
Payment of Gains US and UK earn-out consideration and deferred purchase price
    (6,756 )      
Cash acquired as a result of the acquisition of Gains US and UK
          4,087  
Acquisition of Purple Voice
    (517 )      
Acquisition of Gains Asia, net of cash acquired
    (15,197 )      
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations
    (28,425 )     4,474  
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
          (19 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (28,425 )     4,455  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Principal payments on term loan
    (275 )     (18,616 )
Issuance costs for term loan amendment
    (225 )     (310 )
Deferred compensation payments
    (62 )     (70 )
Payment of special cash dividend
    (17,964 )      
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (18,526 )     (18,996 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (711 )     (850 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net decrease in cash
    (8,397 )     (4,278 )
Cash, beginning of period
    25,800       25,294  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash, end of period
  $ 17,403     $ 21,016  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the periods for:
               
Income taxes
  $ 3,077     $ 4,320  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Interest
  $ 20,094     $ 21,403  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:
               
Value of common stock issued for the acquisition of Gains US and UK:
          $ 5,693  
 
           
 
 

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

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

1.   Basis of Presentation

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IPC Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) and its wholly and partially owned subsidiaries. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include certain information and footnote disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for annual financial reporting and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods presented. Interim period operating results may not be indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year or any other interim period.

     The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company’s operations primarily consist of the December 20, 2001 acquisition of IPC Information Systems, Inc. and Asia Global Crossing IPC Trading Systems Australia Pty. Ltd. (the “IPC Information Systems Acquisition”), the April 30, 2003 purchase of Gains International (US) Inc. and Gains International (Europe) Limited and the January 6, 2004 purchase of Gains International Asia Holdings Limited. The results of operations of the acquired businesses have been included in the Company’s financial statements from their respective acquisition dates through June 30, 2004. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

     Revenue from product sales and installation is recognized upon completion of the installation or, for contracts that are completed in stages and include contract specified milestones, upon achieving such contract milestones, and the delivery and customer acceptance of a fully functional system. Revenue from sales to distributors is recognized upon shipment. Customers are generally progress-billed prior to the completion of the installations. The revenue related to these advance payments is deferred until the system installations are completed or specified milestones are attained. Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts and stages are accumulated and recorded as inventory awaiting installation. In addition, contracts for annual recurring turret services are generally billed in advance, and are recorded as revenue ratably (on a monthly basis) over the contractual periods. Revenue from moves, additions and changes, commonly known as MACs, to turret systems is recognized upon completion, which generally occurs in the same month or the month following the order for services. Revenue from the Company’s Network Services division, which provides voice and data services to the financial community, is generally billed at the beginning of the month and recognized in the same month.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

     Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the net of the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and the fair value of liabilities assumed in acquisitions. The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”) in December 2001 and, in accordance with SFAS 142, there is no amortization of goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives. However, goodwill is tested for impairment annually using the two-step process specifically provided in SFAS 142. Other intangible assets are carried at cost. Technology is amortized over its estimated useful life of between 3 to 7 years, customer relationships are amortized over their estimated useful lives of 8 to 20 years, and proprietary software is amortized over its estimated useful life of 7 years. Trade name has been deemed to have an indefinite life and is not subject to amortization expense, but instead is subject to an annual fair value test in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. In determining that the trade name has an indefinite life, the Company considered the following factors: the ongoing active use of its trade name, which is directly associated with a leading position in turret solutions, the lack of any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that may limit the useful life of the trade name, the lack of any substantial costs to maintain the asset, the positive impact on its trade name generated by its other ongoing business activities (including marketing and development of new technology and new products) and its commitment to products branded with its trade name over its 30 year history. The Company’s acquired trade name has significant market recognition and the Company expects to derive benefits from the use of such asset beyond the foreseeable future.

     The Company most recently completed the required annual impairment and fair value tests as of July 1, 2003 (the first day of the fourth quarter of the 2003 fiscal year), and concluded that there was no impairment to its recorded goodwill or trade name. There have been no indicators of impairment during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 that would require the Company to

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

perform an impairment test for this period. The Company believes the recorded values of goodwill and trade name in the amounts of $89.7 million and $16.3 million, respectively, at June 30, 2004 are fully recoverable.

Special Cash Dividend

     On December 31, 2003, the Company declared a special cash dividend of approximately $18.0 million, or $1.22 per share, to stockholders of record on December 31, 2003, of which approximately $17.9 million was paid on December 31, 2003. The remaining $0.1 million was paid in January 2004.

Stock-Based Compensation

     As permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”
(“SFAS 123”), the Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations in accounting for its employee option plans. Under APB 25, no compensation expense is recognized at the time of an option grant if the exercise price of the employee stock option is fixed and equals or exceeds the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant and the number of shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of such options are fixed on the date of the grant.

     Pro forma information regarding net income (loss) is required by SFAS 123, and has been determined as if the Company had been accounting for its employee stock options under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions for the periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003: weighted-average risk-free interest rate of 3.5% and 2.1%, respectively; weighted-average volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company’s common stock of 90% for both periods; dividend yield of 14.2% for 2004 only and a weighted-average expected life of the options of 4 years for both periods.

     The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

     For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of options granted is amortized to expense over their vesting periods. The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended June 30, 2004 was $2.44. The Company’s pro forma net loss for all periods is shown below. These amounts may not necessarily be indicative of the pro forma effect of SFAS 123 for future periods in which options may be granted.

     The Company recorded no compensation expense under APB 25 for the periods presented. If the Company elected to recognize compensation expense based on the fair value of the options granted at grant date, as prescribed by SFAS 123, net loss would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated in the table below:

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Reported net loss
  $ (1,274 )   $ (967 )   $ (233 )   $ (1,780 )
Add back total stock-based employee compensation reported, net of tax
                       
Deduct total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under SFAS 123 fair value based method for all awards, net of tax
    (364 )     (165 )     (1,115 )     (536 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net loss, pro forma
  $ (1,638 )   $ (1,132 )   $ (1,348 )   $ (2,316 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

     The special cash dividend that was declared by the Company on December 31, 2003 reduced the market value per share of the Company’s common stock. As a result, in order to provide equitable treatment to holders of stock options to purchase the Company’s common stock, the Company repriced the exercise price of all of its outstanding stock options from $10.00 per share to $8.78 per share on December 31, 2003. This repricing does not require variable accounting treatment for such options (recording future compensation expense based upon changes in the fair value of the options). The reduction in the exercise price of $1.22 per share is equivalent to the per share amount of the special cash dividend to stockholders at that date and to the reduction in market value per share of the Company’s common stock.

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     The balance sheets and statements of operations of the Company’s foreign operations are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these foreign operations are translated at the period-end exchange rate and revenue and expense amounts are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are accumulated as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Reported net loss
  $ (1,274 )   $ (967 )   $ (233 )   $ (1,780 )
Translation adjustment, net of tax
    (353 )     1,916       3,135       2,077  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (1,627 )   $ 949     $ 2,902     $ 297  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

2.   Acquisitions

IPC Information Systems Acquisition

     The Company was formed in November 2001 by a group led by GS Capital Partners 2000, L.P. (“GSCP 2000”), and other private equity funds affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co., to acquire IPC Information Systems, Inc. and Asia Global Crossing IPC Trading Systems Australia Pty. Ltd (collectively, “IPC Information Systems”). The Company did not have any assets or operations prior to the IPC Information Systems Acquisition. On December 20, 2001, the Company purchased IPC Information Systems from Global Crossing and Asia Global Crossing, Ltd. and various of their affiliates. Under the purchase agreement, the total purchase price for the shares and assets was $360.0 million, subject to various adjustments for working capital and customer advances. As a result of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition, the Company owns a leader in turret solutions, based on its base of approximately 110,000 turrets and related equipment installed in trading positions worldwide.

     On January 28, 2002, Global Crossing and 54 of its subsidiaries filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. On March 13, 2003, the Company entered into a settlement and rejection agreement with Global Crossing. Pursuant to the settlement and rejection agreement, all of the remaining obligations under the purchase agreement relating to the IPC Information Systems Acquisition were terminated, including Global Crossing’s obligation to pay any portion of the deferred purchase price and Global Crossing’s obligation to indemnify the Company for specific tax liabilities. In addition, the Company and Global Crossing mutually released each other for all prior claims. The bankruptcy court entered an order on March 14, 2003 approving the settlement and rejection agreement.

     Prior to the completion of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition, a subsidiary of IPC Information Systems leased six floors at 67-73 Worship Street, London, England at an annual rate of approximately £565,000, or $1.0 million, assuming an exchange rate of £1 to $1.8195. Of these six floors, the Company uses one floor for office space and an affiliate of Global Crossing uses five floors for telecommunications and networking equipment. Under the lease, which expires in 2010, the Company remains liable to the landlord for all six floors. Pursuant to the purchase agreement with Global Crossing, the Company entered into a sublease for a portion of these premises with an affiliate of Global Crossing and the landlord has consented to that sublease. Through June 30, 2004, Global Crossing’s affiliate has made all of its required sublease payments.

     Under the terms of the settlement and rejection agreement, the Company deposited $5.2 million in an escrow account. Global Crossing received $3.2 million from the escrow account upon the filing of certain tax returns. Global Crossing will receive the remaining $2.0 million from the escrow account after a $2.0 million irrevocable letter of credit is issued on behalf of the Company. The Company will have the right to draw on that letter of credit in the event Global Crossing’s affiliate fails to make any payments due to the Company pursuant to the sublease for office space at 67-73 Worship Street in London, England.

     The Company believes that all tax returns required to be filed in respect of IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries for periods prior to and including the date of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition have now been filed. These returns consist of consolidated tax returns with Global Crossing, and, where required by law, separate tax returns for IPC Information Systems, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

     As a result of the termination of the purchase agreement, Global Crossing has been relieved of all of its obligations under the purchase agreement, including, among other things, indemnifying the Company for tax liabilities that may be imposed upon IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries for periods prior to and including the date of the IPC Information Systems

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

Acquisition. Therefore, in the event that any tax liabilities are imposed, as a result of an audit or otherwise, on IPC Information Systems, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries for periods prior to and including the date of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition, the Company may be required to pay those taxes and is no longer able to seek indemnification from Global Crossing. As of the date of this filing, the aggregate amount of taxes for which the Company has received notices of taxes due from various jurisdictions and recognized as tax liabilities under purchase accounting is approximately $6.5 million and, as of June 30, 2004, the Company has made settlement payments aggregating $1.9 million, including a $1.1 million payment made to one jurisdiction in May 2004. The Company estimates that the range of its exposure for additional tax liabilities is from $0.0 to $18.0 million, which has been reduced from $36.0 million as a result of the Company’s settlement negotiations. In computing its estimated range of potential tax liabilities, the Company took into account tax returns in certain jurisdictions where the statutes of limitations have not yet expired. Under those tax returns as filed, the remaining liability is zero. Although the Company believes that all those tax returns have been filed correctly, such returns may be audited and additional taxes may be assessed (or refunds may be granted). Payment by the Company of a significant amount of these potential tax liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, requiring the Company to seek additional financing. In that event, the Company cannot make assurances that it will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

     Pursuant to the settlement and rejection agreement, Global Crossing has also paid over to the Company approximately $2.2 million for payroll and federal tax refunds received for periods prior to and including the date of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition. Global Crossing is also required to pay the Company any future tax refunds or credits it receives that are applicable to IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries for these periods.

     As part of the settlement and rejection agreement, the Company also entered into an amendment to the network services, channel sales and transition services agreement. Under the amendment, the Company no longer has any obligation to market or resell Global Crossing’s channel network services to its customers. Additionally, pursuant to the amendment, the Company is permitted to use any other provider of network services for its own internal purposes so long as the Company’s aggregate annual payments to Global Crossing and its subsidiaries are at least $48,000.

Gains US and UK Acquisition

     On April 30, 2003, the Company exercised its option to purchase Gains International (US) Inc. and Gains International (Europe) Limited (collectively “Gains US and UK”) from GSCP 2000 and other private equity funds affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co., who own substantially all of the Company’s common stock, for 664,380 shares of common stock valued at approximately $5.7 million, deferred purchase consideration of $3.1 million and earn-out consideration of approximately $3.6 million. There is no further contingent consideration in connection with this acquisition. With the acquisition of Gains US and UK, the Company now offers voice and data services primarily to the financial services community under the name Network Services. This transaction followed the completion of a transaction involving the sale of Gains International (US) Inc., Gains International (Europe) Limited and Gains International Asia Holdings Limited to entities formed by GSCP 2000 and other private equity funds affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co.

     The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition. The purchase price on the date of the acquisition exceeded the fair market value of the net assets acquired by approximately $11.3 million and was recorded as goodwill on the consolidated balance sheet. The primary factor that contributed to a purchase price that resulted in the recognition of goodwill is the potential ability of the Network Services division to generate income from operations and cash flows from operating activities in the future. The goodwill and intangible assets are not amortizable for income tax purposes.

         
Condensed Balance Sheet (dollars in thousands)        
Current assets
  $ 6,115  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    2,645  
Goodwill
    11,324  
Intangible assets
    1,664  
Other long-term assets
    12  
 
   
 
 
Total assets acquired
    21,760  
 
   
 
 
Current liabilities
    9,345  
Deferred purchase consideration
    3,128  
Earn-out consideration
    3,594  
 
   
 
 
Total liabilities assumed
    16,067  
 
   
 
 
Acquisition consideration at closing
  $ 5,693  
 
   
 
 

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

     The acquisition of Gains US and UK was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with FASB Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141”) and accordingly, the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 include the operating results of Gains US and UK from the date of purchase. The following table represents the allocation of the excess of the purchase price over the historical cost of the net tangible assets acquired:

                 
(dollars in thousands)                
Common stock issued at closing
          $ 5,693  
Deferred purchase price payment
            3,128  
Earn-out consideration
            3,594  
Transaction costs
            1,703  
 
           
 
 
Total consideration
            14,118  
Historical cost of net tangible assets acquired
            (1,130 )
 
           
 
 
Excess of purchase price over net tangible assets acquired
          $ 12,988  
 
           
 
 
Allocation of excess purchase price:
               
Residual goodwill (indefinite life)
          $ 11,324  
Identified intangibles:
               
Customer relationships (8 year life)
    $ 1,200        
Proprietary software (7 year life)
      464        
 
     
 
       
Total identified intangibles
            1,664  
 
           
 
 
Total allocation of excess purchase price
          $ 12,988  
 
           
 
 

Gains Asia Acquisition

     On January 6, 2004, the Company purchased Gains International Asia Holdings Limited (“Gains Asia”) from GSCP 2000 and other private equity funds affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co. for approximately $17.4 million in cash consideration, including an advance payment of $5.5 million made in October 2003, a $11.7 payment million at closing, and a $0.2 million payment in April 2004. This transaction followed the acquisition of Gains US and UK in April 2003 and completes the purchase of all the Gains related entities. With the acquisition of Gains Asia, the Company expanded its private global voice and data network, which it operates under the name Network Services, into the Asia Pacific region.

     The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition. The purchase price on the date of the acquisition exceeded the fair market value of the net assets acquired by approximately $5.3 million and was recorded as goodwill on the consolidated balance sheet. The primary factor that contributed to a purchase price that resulted in the recognition of goodwill is the ability of Gains Asia, along with Gains US and UK, to generate income from operations and cash flows from operating activities in the future. The goodwill and intangible assets are not amortizable for income tax purposes.

         
Condensed Balance Sheet (dollars in thousands)
Current assets
  $ 5,010  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    991  
Goodwill
    5,316  
Intangible assets
    8,700  
 
   
 
 
Total assets acquired
    20,017  
 
   
 
 
Current liabilities
    2,252  
Advance payment and other liabilities
    5,848  
 
   
 
 
Total liabilities assumed
    8,100  
 
   
 
 
Acquisition consideration at closing
  $ 11,917  
 
   
 
 

     The acquisition of Gains Asia was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with SFAS 141 and accordingly, the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 include the operating results of Gains Asia from the date of purchase. The following table represents the allocation of the excess of the purchase price over the historical cost of the net tangible assets acquired:

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

         
(dollars in thousands)        
Cash paid at closing
  $ 11,917  
Advance payment
    5,528  
Transaction costs
    425  
 
   
 
 
Total consideration
    17,870  
Historical cost of net tangible assets acquired
    (3,854 )
 
   
 
 
Excess of purchase price over net tangible assets acquired
  $ 14,016  
 
   
 
 
Allocation of excess purchase price:
       
Residual goodwill (indefinite life)
  $ 5,316  
Identified intangibles:
       
Customer relationships (9 year life)
    8,700  
 
   
 
 
Total allocation of excess purchase price
  $ 14,016  
 
   
 
 

Proforma Financial Information for Gains US and UK and Gains Asia Acquisitions

     Set forth below is the unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations of the Company for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, assuming the Gains US and UK and Gains Asia acquisitions occurred as of the beginning of the period.

     The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information is presented for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent the results of operations of the Company for the periods described above had the Gains Asia acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the period, or to project the results for any future period.

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30 ,   June 30,
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Revenue
  $ 60,313     $ 49,579     $ 186,358     $ 153,480  
Net income (loss)
  $ (1,274 )   $ (985 )   $ 386     $ (2,669 )

Investment in Purple Voice

     IPC UK Holdings Limited (“IPC UK”), a subsidiary of the Company, entered into a series of transactions with Purple Voice, a business-to-business Internet Protocol (“IP”) software company that provides Voice over IP (“VoIP”) solutions to the financial community. VoIP is the method by which voice communication is delivered over an electronic network. As a result of these transactions, which closed on August 1, 2003:

  IPC UK acquired approximately 40% of the outstanding common shares (calculated on a non-diluted basis) of Purple Voice together with a warrant for additional shares from certain minority shareholders of Purple Voice for approximately $120,000;

  IPC UK invested $1.0 million in a 7% secured convertible note, due September 2007, issued by Purple Voice, which is convertible into 49% of Purple Voice’s share capital on a fully diluted basis;

  The remaining shareholders of Purple Voice granted a call option to IPC UK, which permits IPC UK to acquire the remaining issued share capital of Purple Voice for an aggregate amount of $0.8 million; and

  IPC Information Systems, Inc. and Purple Voice entered into an agreement under which IPC Information Systems, Inc. has been appointed Purple Voice’s exclusive reseller worldwide.

     On a pro forma basis, this acquisition did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.

     During the three months ended June 30, 2004, IPC UK acquired additional shares and share warrants in Purple Voice from Scipher PLC and certain individual shareholders for a total consideration of approximately $517,000. Following those acquisitions, IPC UK holds approximately 99% of the currently outstanding common shares (calculated on a non-diluted basis) of Purple Voice.

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

3.   Discontinued Operations

     In May 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a formal plan to sell certain assets related to its Information Transport Systems (“I.T.S.”) division to a group of private investors. The I.T.S. division was a low margin business that no longer fit into the Company’s long-term growth plans. The sale closed in July 2004. For the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company recorded a $3.6 million loss from discontinued operations, net of tax which included a cash requirement of $0.8 million, primarily for existing equipment and property leases and other expenses, operating losses of $2.3 million, and non-cash charges of $3.3 million for the write down of goodwill, other intangibles and owned equipment, partially offset by a tax benefit of $2.8 million.

     In accordance with FASB Statement No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the Company has reported the results of operations of this business as income (loss) from discontinued operations. All prior periods have been restated to conform to this presentation. As a result, the assets and liabilities of this discontinued operation have been reclassified on the balance sheet from the historical classifications and presented under the captions “assets of discontinued operations” and “liabilities of discontinued operations,” respectively.

The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003 are as follows:

                 
    June 30,   September 30,
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2003
Assets of discontinued operations:
               
Accounts receivable, net
  $ 9,563     $ 19,792  
Inventories, net
          7,668  
Intangibles and other assets
    642       3,830  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 10,205     $ 31,290  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations:
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
  $ 1,787     $ 1,552  
Customer advances
          2,235  
Other liabilities
    7       33  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 1,794     $ 3,820  
 
   
 
     
 
 

     The results of operations related to discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:

                                                         
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Revenue
  $ 4,794     $ 16,486     $ 21,482     $ 33,556  
Costs of goods sold
    6,317       15,162       22,412       31,728  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
    (1,523 )     1,324       (930 )     1,828  
Operating expenses
    462       561       1,335       1,811  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Operating income (loss) before loss on disposal and income taxes
    (1,985 )     763       (2,265 )     17  
Loss on disposal of operations
    (4,110 )           (4,110 )      
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (2,761 )     336       (2,761 )     7  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
  $ (3,334 )   $ 427     $ (3,614 )   $ 10  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

4.   Inventories

                 
    June 30,   September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
Components and manufacturing work in process
  $ 8,046     $ 5,980  
Inventory on customer sites awaiting installation
    9,050       10,196  
Parts and maintenance supplies
    7,958       6,552  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 25,054     $ 22,728  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

5.   Goodwill and Intangible Assets

     The Company adopted SFAS 142 in December 2001. Under SFAS 142, goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are no longer amortized. Rather, they are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain indicators arise. The following table reflects the changes in goodwill for the nine months ended June 30, 2004:

         
(dollars in thousands)        
Balance at September 30, 2003
  $ 82,108  
Gains Asia acquisition
    5,316  
Write-offs
     
Effects of currency translation adjustments
    2,322  
 
   
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2004
  $ 89,746  
 
   
 
 

     The following table reflects the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets included in the consolidated balance sheets as of the dates indicated:

                 
    June 30,   September 30,
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2003
Intangible assets:
               
Amortized intangible assets:
               
Technology
  $ 46,044     $ 46,346  
Customer relationships
    163,430       154,730  
Effect of currency translation adjustments
    7,946       6,081  
Accumulated amortization-technology
    (16,667 )     (11,517 )
Accumulated amortization-customer relationships
    (20,659 )     (14,010 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net carrying amount
    180,094       181,630  
Non-amortized intangible assets:
               
Trade name
    16,300       16,300  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net carrying amount
  $ 196,394     $ 197,930  
 
   
 
     
 
 

     Amortization expense for those intangible assets required to be amortized under SFAS 142 was $4.1 million and $11.9 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and $3.6 million and $10.7 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.

     Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal year 2004 and each of the four succeeding fiscal years for identifiable intangible assets required to be amortized under SFAS 142 are as follows:

                                         
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2005
  2006
  2007
  2008
Estimated annual amortization expense
  $ 15,842     $ 15,842     $ 15,842     $ 15,495     $ 15,495  

6.   Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

                 
    June 30,   September 30,
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2003
Accrued compensation and benefits
  $ 8,703     $ 7,469  
Warranty reserves
    2,118       1,889  
Sales taxes payable
    542       137  
Accrued job costs
    1,009       1,758  
Accrued transaction costs
    2,163       2,124  
Accrued carrier costs
    5,317       3,650  
Current portion of deferred compensation
    692       692  
Accrued interest
    835       5,299  
Other accruals
    3,907       4,005  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 25,286     $ 27,023  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

7.   Long Term Debt

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

     On December 20, 2001, the Company entered into the senior secured credit facilities comprised of a $105.0 million term loan and a $15.0 million revolving credit facility. On September 2, 2003, the Company amended and restated its senior secured credit facilities. The amended and restated senior secured credit facilities consisted of a $25.0 million revolving credit facility and a $55.0 million term loan. The term loan was borrowed in full at closing. On April 20, 2004, the Company completed an agreement to increase the availability under the revolving credit facility by $10.0 million. As of June 30, 2004 the total amount available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility is $30.7 million ($35.0 million reduced by outstanding letters of credit of $4.3 million) provided, however, that the Company can increase the committed amount under these facilities by up to $15.0 million so long as one or more lenders agrees to provide this incremental commitment and other customary conditions are satisfied. For the three months ended June 30, 2004, the weighted average interest rate for borrowings outstanding under the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities was 4.94%.

     Mandatory prepayments of the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities are required upon the occurrence of certain events, including certain asset sales, equity issuances and debt issuances, as well as from 50% of the Company’s excess cash flow in the 2004 fiscal year and thereafter. Excess cash flow is defined in the Company’s amended and restated credit agreement as: (1) the sum of net income, interest expense, provisions for taxes, depreciation expense, amortization expense, other non-cash items affecting net income and to the extent included in calculating net income, expenses incurred by the Company in connection with an amendment of the then existing credit agreement, certain restructuring expenses and prepayment premiums in connection with prepayment of loans under the then existing credit agreement, plus (2) a working capital adjustment less (3) scheduled repayments of debt, capital expenditures, cash interest expense and provisions for taxes based on income.

     As required under the terms of the Company’s senior secured credit facilities, the Company made mandatory excess cash flow repayments of $30.0 million and $0.8 million on September 30, 2002 and December 29, 2002, respectively, based upon 75% of its excess cash flow for the period ended September 30, 2002. On March 3, 2003, the Company also voluntarily prepaid $14.0 million in debt on its then existing senior secured credit facilities. For the year ended September 30, 2003, the Company was not required to make a mandatory excess cash flow repayment under the terms of the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities.

     Obligations under the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets and the assets of its domestic subsidiaries and by a pledge of 100% of the shares of its domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the shares of direct foreign subsidiaries. The Company’s domestic subsidiaries have unconditionally guaranteed its obligations under the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities.

     The amended and restated senior secured credit facilities contain customary affirmative covenants as well as negative covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional indebtedness (including guarantees of certain obligations); create liens; engage in mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; sell assets; enter into capital leases; pay dividends or make other payments in respect of capital stock; make acquisitions; make investments, loans and advances; enter into transactions with affiliates; make payments with respect to or modify subordinated debt instruments; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; change the fiscal year or lines of business; and enter into agreements with negative pledge clauses or clauses restricting subsidiary distributions.

     The amended and restated senior secured credit facilities also contain minimum interest coverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and maximum senior secured and total leverage ratios as well as a restriction on the amount of capital expenditures the Company can incur in a fiscal year.

     As of June 30, 2004, remaining annual principal repayments required under the $55.0 million term loan, (excluding any future excess free cash flow amounts), by fiscal year, are as follows (in thousands):

                         
  2004
  2005
  2006
  2007
  2008
  Total
 
 
$275
  $550   $550   $550 $52,800 $54,725  

Senior Subordinated Notes

     The Company issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 11.50% senior subordinated notes on December 20, 2001 to fund a portion of the consideration for the acquisition of IPC Information Systems. Under the terms of the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes, the Company may, subject to certain restrictions, issue additional notes up to a

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

maximum aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million. The senior subordinated notes mature on December 15, 2009 and are callable, at the Company’s option, beginning in December 2005. The senior subordinated notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt, including the senior secured credit facilities, are pari passu in right of payment with any future senior subordinated indebtedness of the Company, and are unconditionally guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic restricted subsidiaries.

     Interest on the senior subordinated notes accrues at the rate of 11.50% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, commencing on June 15, 2002. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into at the time the senior subordinated notes were issued, on June 21, 2002 the Company completed an exchange offer registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in which 100% of the outstanding senior subordinated notes were exchanged for a different series of senior subordinated notes having substantially identical terms.

     The indenture governing the senior subordinated notes contains covenants that impose significant restrictions on the Company. These restrictions include limitations on the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to: incur indebtness or issue preferred shares; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock or to make other restricted payments; create liens; agree to payment restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; and designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

8.   Commitments and Contingencies

Warranties

     The Company records a reserve for future warranty costs based on current unit sales, historical experience and management’s judgment regarding anticipated rates of warranty claims and cost per claim. The adequacy of the recorded warranty liabilities is assessed each quarter and adjustments are made as necessary. The specific terms and conditions of the warranties vary depending on the products sold and the countries in which the Company does business. Changes in the warranty liability during the periods presented are as follows:

                 
    Nine Months Ended
    June 30,
(dollars in thousands)   2004
  2003
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 1,889     $ 2,159  
Warranty accrual
    1,300       1,186  
Material and labor usage
    (1,071 )     (1,945 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 2,118     $ 1,400  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Guarantees

     The Company, through its subsidiaries, guaranteed certain equipment lease, real estate and other obligations of its former affiliate, Global Crossing. The Company remains a guarantor of certain real estate lease obligations on behalf of Global Crossing including a sublease for office space at 67-73 Worship Street in London, England. The terms of these guarantees will expire in November 2004 and December 2005. These obligations were entered as a result of Global Crossing’s ownership of the Company and the Company is responsible for any payments if Global Crossing fails to make the required payments under the lease agreements. However, under the settlement and rejection agreement (as discussed in Note 2), $2.0 million has been placed in an escrow account pending the issuance of an irrevocable letter of credit from Global Crossing to the Company as beneficiary in the event that Global Crossing fails to make the required payments under the Worship Street sublease. The carrying value of these guarantees as of June 30, 2004 is $1.6 million, and such amount has been recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”). Such amount has been reduced by the $2.0 million escrow account. The maximum potential future payments the Company could be required to make under these obligations is $3.0 million. Through June 30, 2004, Global Crossing’s affiliate has made all of the required Worship Street sublease payments.

Litigation

     Except for the two lawsuits described below which involve the Company’s former I.T.S. division, the Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. Under the terms of the sale agreement, the Company remains liable for pre-closing liabilities relating to the I.T.S. division, including the two lawsuits described below. Management believes the proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

     On June 27, 2000, an action was brought against several defendants, including the Company’s subsidiary, IPC Communications, Inc., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by two telecommunications cabling contractors alleging that IPC Communications, Inc. violated federal antitrust and New York state law by conspiring with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union Number 3, AFL-CIO, and five electrical contractors to exclude plaintiffs from telecommunications wiring and systems installation jobs in the New York City metropolitan area. Subsequently, the complaint was amended to add an additional plaintiff and an additional defendant contractor. The Company believes the suit is without merit. However, there can be no assurance that the resolution of this lawsuit will ultimately be favorable. Plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief and damages from the defendants, jointly and severally, in excess of an aggregate of $75.0 million.

     On September 8, 2003, an action was brought against several defendants, including the Company’s subsidiary, IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its President, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York by Advance Relocation & Storage Co., Inc., a moving company. The complaint alleges that IPC Information Systems, Inc. and 23 other defendants violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and engaged in tortious interference with prospective business advantage by preventing the plaintiff from obtaining work as a mover in jobs performed in large commercial buildings in New York City. The Company believes the suit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against all claims alleged against it in the complaint. Plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief and damages from the defendants, jointly and severally, in an aggregate amount of approximately $7.0 million.

9.   Income Taxes

     The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was 53.1% and 307.0% for the nine months ended June 30, 2003. The Company’s effective tax rates reflect the Company’s foreign, federal and state taxes, the non-deductibility of foreign losses for federal tax purposes, the non-deductibility of certain expenses and taxable income at several of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, which, as compared to the absolute amount of pre-tax earnings (or loss), has a significant impact on the Company’s effective tax rates.

     As of September 30, 2003, the Company has recognized deferred tax assets related to its US federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $8.5 million. In determining whether it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of the net deferred tax assets from US operations, the Company considered all available evidence, both positive and negative. The principal factors that led the Company to recognize these benefits were: (1) US results of operations for the period ended September 30, 2002 reported a loss before income taxes of $22.1 million, after reflecting charges of $34.3 million resulting from the fair-value inventory adjustments under the purchase price allocation of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition (which, as a result of the Internal Revenue Code Section 338(h)(10) tax election, jointly made by the Company and Global Crossing, also generate deductions for income tax purposes); (2) US results of operations for subsequent fiscal years are expected to generate sufficient taxable income to fully utilize these tax loss carryforwards; and (3) the Company’s conclusion that the net US deferred tax assets were generated by an event (the Company’s purchase of the business), rather than a continuing condition. As of June 30, 2004, no circumstances have arisen that would require the Company to change such conclusion.

     As a result of the termination of the purchase agreement, Global Crossing has been relieved of all of its obligations under the purchase agreement, including, among other things, indemnifying the Company for tax liabilities that may be imposed upon IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries for periods prior to and including the date of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition. Therefore, in the event that any tax liabilities are imposed, as a result of an audit or otherwise, on IPC Information Systems, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries for periods prior to and including the date of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition, the Company may be required to pay those taxes and is no longer able to seek indemnification from Global Crossing. As of the date of this filing, the aggregate amount of taxes for which the Company has received notices of taxes due from various jurisdictions and recognized as tax liabilities under purchase accounting is approximately $6.5 million and, as of June 30, 2004, the Company has made settlement payments aggregating $1.9 million, including a $1.1 million payment made to one jurisdiction in May 2004. The Company estimates that the range of its exposure for additional tax liabilities is from $0.0 to $18.0 million, which has been reduced from $36.0 million as a result of the Company’s settlement negotiations. In computing its estimated range of potential tax liabilities, the Company took into account tax returns in certain jurisdictions where the statutes of limitations have not yet expired. Under those tax returns as filed, the remaining liability is zero. Although the Company believes that all those tax returns have been filed correctly, such returns may be audited and additional taxes may be assessed (or refunds may be granted). Payment by the Company of a significant amount of these potential tax liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, requiring the Company to seek additional financing. In that event, the Company cannot make assurances that it will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

10.   Business Segment Information

     The Company’s operations include the Trading Systems and Network Services divisions. Trading Systems reports sales of turret systems to distributors and direct sales and installations of turret systems as “Product sales and installations.” It reports revenue from turret system maintenance, including annual and multi-year service contracts, and from MACs to existing turret system installations as “Service.” Revenue from the Company’s Network Services division, which provides voice and data services to the financial community, is generally billed at the beginning of the month and recognized in the same month, is reported as “Service”. The Company’s primary measures to evaluate performance are direct margin (revenue less cost of goods sold, excluding indirect costs and depreciation and amortization) and income from operations.

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2004

                         
            Network    
    Trading Systems
  Services
  Consolidated
            (dollars in thousands)        
Revenue:
                       
Product sales and installations
  $ 21,527     $     $ 21,527  
Service
    25,560       13,226       38,786  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total revenue
    47,087       13,226       60,313  
Direct margin
    29,586       6,912       36,498  
Depreciation and amortization
    5,342       1,222       6,564  
Income from operations
    5,476       1,384       6,860  
Interest income (expense), net
    (5,394 )     3       (5,391 )
Other income (expense), net
    266       (43 )     223  
Income before income taxes
    348       1,344       1,692  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    30       (398 )     (368 )
Goodwill as of June 30, 2004
  $ 72,377     $ 17,369     $ 89,746  
Total assets as of June 30, 2004 (1)
  $ 371,073     $ 41,879     $ 423,157  
Capital expenditures
  $ 883     $ 851     $ 1,734  

(1)   Total consolidated assets includes the assets of discontinued operations of the I.T.S. division of $10,205.

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

                         
            Network    
    Trading Systems
  Services
  Consolidated
            (dollars in thousands)        
Revenue:
                       
Product sales and installations
  $ 18,157     $     $ 18,157  
Service
    22,349       4,000       26,349  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total revenue
    40,506       4,000       44,506  
Direct margin
    24,287       1,760       26,047  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,980       254       5,234  
Income (loss) from operations
    3,246       (341 )     2,905  
Interest income (expense), net
    (6,013 )     5       (6,008 )
Other income, net
    2,004       8       2,012  
Loss before income taxes
    (763 )     (328 )     (1,091 )
Income tax expense
    245       58       303  
Goodwill as of June 30, 2003
  $ 70,362     $ 8,859     $ 79,221  
Total assets as of June 30, 2003 (1)
  $ 392,348     $ 18,844     $ 440,544  
Capital expenditures
  $ 1,199     $ 357     $ 1,556  

(1)   Total consolidated assets includes the assets of discontinued operations of the I.T.S. division of $29,352.

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004

                         
            Network    
    Trading Systems
  Services
  Consolidated
            (dollars in thousands)        
Revenue:
                       
Product sales and installations
  $ 75,228     $     $ 75,228  
Service
    75,224       32,379       107,603  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total revenue
    150,452       32,379       182,831  
Direct margin
    95,115       16,407       111,522  
Depreciation and amortization
    16,010       2,699       18,709  
Income from operations
    21,054       2,345       23,399  
Interest expense, net
    (16,701 )     (26 )     (16,727 )
Other income (expense), net
    585       (55 )     530  
Income before income taxes
    4,938       2,264       7,202  
Income tax expense
    3,529       292       3,821  
Capital expenditures
  $ 3,598     $ 2,357     $ 5,955  

For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2003

                         
            Network    
    Trading Systems
  Services
  Consolidated
            (dollars in thousands)        
Revenue:
                       
Product sales and installations
  $ 63,068     $     $ 63,068  
Service
    65,056       4,000       69,056  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total revenue
    128,124       4,000       132,124  
Direct margin
    80,096       1,760       81,856  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,985       254       15,239  
Income (loss) from operations
    16,557       (341 )     16,216  
Interest income (expense), net
    (18,695 )     5       (18,690 )
Other income net
    3,331       8       3,339  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    1,193       (328 )     865  
Income tax expense
    2,597       58       2,655  
Capital expenditures
  $ 3,475     $ 357     $ 3,832  

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

11.   Guarantor Subsidiaries’ Financial Information

     Certain of the Company’s domestic restricted subsidiaries guarantee the senior secured credit facilities and the senior subordinated notes. These subsidiary guarantees are both full and unconditional, as well as joint and several. Information regarding the guarantors is as follows (in thousands):

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at June 30, 2004

                                         
                    Non-        
    IPC   Guarantor   Guarantor        
    Acquisition
  Subsidiaries
  Subsidiaries
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
Assets:
                                       
Cash
  $ 8,008     $ 3,239     $ 6,156     $     $ 17,403  
Accounts receivable, net
          20,568       21,612             42,180  
Inventories, net
          20,374       8,794       (4,114 )     25,054  
Prepaid and other current assets
          1,848       2,303       (122 )     4,029  
Due from (to) affiliate
    185,073       (168,089 )     (16,984 )            
Current assets of discontinued operations
          9,918                   9,918  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    193,081       (112,142 )     21,881       (4,236 )     98,584  
Investment in subsidiaries
    139,945       10,524       19,517       (169,986 )      
Property, plant and equipment, net
          19,360       4,782             24,142  
Goodwill and intangibles, net
          189,541       96,599             286,140  
Deferred financing costs, net
    12,909                         12,909  
Other assets
          371       724             1,095  
Non-current assets of discontinued operations
          287                   287  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 345,935     $ 107,941     $ 143,503     $ (174,222 )   $ 423,157  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
                                       
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 550     $     $     $     $ 550  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    835       16,204       18,307             35,346  
Customer advances and deferred revenue
          16,707       15,994             32,701  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
          1,794                   1,794  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    1,385       34,705       34,301             70,391  
Long-term debt
    204,175                         204,175  
Other long-term liabilities
    8,190       3,082       6,134       (1,000 )     16,406  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    213,750       37,787       40,435       (1,000 )     290,972  
Total stockholders’ equity
    132,185       70,154       103,068       (173,222 )     132,185  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 345,935     $ 107,941     $ 143,503     $ (174,222 )   $ 423,157  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet at September 30, 2003

                                         
                    Non-        
    IPC   Guarantor   Guarantor        
    Acquisition
  Subsidiaries
  Subsidiaries
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
Assets:
                                       
Cash
  $ 9,088     $ 3,135     $ 13,577     $     $ 25,800  
Accounts receivable, net
          27,233       13,176             40,409  
Inventories, net
          20,916       4,666       (2,854 )     22,728  
Prepaid and other current assets
          2,014       3,413             5,427  
Due from (to) affiliate
    213,600       (190,517 )     (23,083 )            
Current assets of discontinued operations
          27,556                   27,556  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    222,688       (109,663 )     11,749       (2,854 )     121,920  
Investment in subsidiaries
    129,364       10,524       1,375       (141,263 )      
Property, plant and equipment, net
          19,865       3,986             23,851  
Goodwill and intangibles, net
          192,676       87,362             280,038  
Deferred financing costs, net
    14,146                         14,146  
Other assets
          815       406             1,221  
Non-current assets of discontinued operations
          3,734                   3,734  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 366,198     $ 117,951     $ 104,878     $ (144,117 )   $ 444,910  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
                                       
Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 550     $     $     $     $ 550  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    5,299       13,832       16,206             35,337  
Customer advances and deferred revenue
          23,775       6,074             29,849  
Deferred purchase price consideration
          6,722                   6,722  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
          3,820                   3,820  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    5,849       48,149       22,280             76,278  
Long-term debt
    204,450                         204,450  
Other long-term liabilities
    8,720       4,159       5,124       (1,000 )     17,003  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    219,019       52,308       27,404       (1,000 )     297,731  
Total stockholders’ equity
    147,179       65,643       77,474       (143,117 )     147,179  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 366,198     $ 117,951     $ 104,878     $ (144,117 )   $ 444,910  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2004

                                         
                    Non-        
    IPC   Guarantor   Guarantor        
    Acquisition
  Subsidiaries
  Subsidiaries
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
Revenue
  $     $ 37,895     $ 26,416     $ (3,998 )   $ 60,313  
Cost of goods sold
          19,538       14,860       (3,845 )     30,553  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
          18,357       11,556       (153 )     29,760  
Other operating expenses
          15,724       7,176             22,900  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
          2,633       4,380       (153 )     6,860  
Interest income (expense) and other, net
    (5,560 )     275       117             (5,168 )
Income tax provision
          (628 )     260             (368 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (5,560 )     3,536       4,237       (153 )     2,060  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
          (3,334 )                 (3,334 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (5,560 )   $ 202     $ 4,237     $ (153 )   $ (1,274 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

18


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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

                                         
                    Non-        
    IPC   Guarantor   Guarantor        
    Acquisition
  Subsidiaries
  Subsidiaries
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
Revenue
  $     $ 34,330     $ 14,783     $ (4,607 )   $ 44,506  
Cost of goods sold
          17,626       9,368       (3,738 )     23,256  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
          16,704       5,415       (869 )     21,250  
Other operating expenses
          13,670       4,675             18,345  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
          3,034       740       (869 )     2,905  
Interest income (expense) and other, net
    (5,982 )     265       1,721             (3,996 )
Income tax provision
          (1,038 )     1,341             303  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (5,982 )     4,337       1,120       (869 )     (1,394 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
          427                   427  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (5,982 )   $ 4,764     $ 1,120     $ (869 )   $ (967 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004
 
                    Non-        
    IPC   Guarantor   Guarantor        
    Acquisition
  Subsidiaries
  Subsidiaries
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
Revenue
  $     $ 127,044     $ 66,215     $ (10,428 )   $ 182,831  
Cost of goods sold
          63,892       36,570       (9,046 )     91,416  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
          63,152       29,645       (1,382 )     91,415  
Other operating expenses
          48,367       19,649             68,016  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
          14,785       9,996       (1,382 )     23,399  
Interest income (expense) and other, net
    (16,720 )     828       (305 )           (16,197 )
Income tax provision
          3,532       289             3,821  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (16,720 )     12,081       9,402       (1,382 )     3,381  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
          (3,614 )                 (3,614 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (16,720 )   $ 8,467     $ 9,402     $ (1,382 )   $ (233 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2003
 
                    Non-        
    IPC   Guarantor   Guarantor        
    Acquisition
  Subsidiaries
  Subsidiaries
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
Revenue
  $     $ 104,263     $ 39,253     $ (11,392 )   $ 132,124  
Cost of goods sold
          50,754       23,704       (10,309 )     64,149  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
          53,509       15,549       (1,083 )     67,975  
Other operating expenses
          39,662       12,097             51,759  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
          13,847       3,452       (1,083 )     16,216  
Interest income (expense) and other, net
    (18,750 )     123       3,276             (15,351 )
Income tax provision (benefit)
          (1,168 )     3,823             2,655  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (18,750 )     15,138       2,905       (1,083 )     (1,790 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
          10                   10  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (18,750 )   $ 15,148     $ 2,905     $ (1,083 )   $ (1,780 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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IPC ACQUISITION CORP.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2004

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2004

                                         
                    Non-        
    IPC   Guarantor   Guarantor        
    Acquisition
  Subsidiaries
  Subsidiaries
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations
  $ (20,379 )   $ 27,812     $ 16,387     $     $ 23,820  
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
          15,445                   15,445  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (20,379 )     43,257       16,387             39,265  
Capital expenditures
          (4,148 )     (1,807 )           (5,955 )
Payment of Gains US and UK earn-out and deferred purchase price
          (6,756 )                 (6,756 )
Intercompany borrowings
    49,485       (26,659 )     (22,826 )            
Acquisition of Gains Asia, net of cash acquired and Purple Voice
    (11,722 )     (5,528 )     1,536             (15,714 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    37,763       (43,091 )     (23,097 )           (28,425 )
Principal payments on term loan
    (275 )                       (275 )
Deferred compensation payments
          (62 )                 (62 )
Issuance costs for term loan amendment
    (225 )                       (225 )
Special cash dividend paid
    (17,964 )                       (17,964 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (18,464 )     (62 )                 (18,526 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                (711 )           (711 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    (1,080 )     104       (7,421 )           (8,397 )
Cash at beginning of period
    9,088       3,135       13,577             25,800  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash at end of period
  $ 8,008     $ 3,239     $ 6,156     $     $ 17,403  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2003

                                         
                    Non-        
    IPC   Guarantor   Guarantor        
    Acquisition
  Subsidiaries
  Subsidiaries
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
Net cash provided by continuing operations
  $ (23,649 )   $ 32,362     $ 10,191     $     $ 18,904  
Net cash used in discontinued operations
          (7,791 )                 (7,791 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (23,649 )     24,571       10,191             11,113  
Capital expenditures
          (3,032 )     (800 )           (3,832 )
Intercompany borrowings
    40,436       (22,447 )     (17,989 )            
Proceeds from restricted cash account and other amounts in connection with Global Crossing settlement
          9,419                   9,419  
Cash acquired as a result of the acquisition of Gains US and UK
          1,135       2,952             4,087  
Cash payments in connection with Global Crossing settlement
          (5,200 )                 (5,200 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations
    40,436       (20,125 )     (15,837 )           4,474  
Net cash used in discontinued operations
          (19 )                 (19 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    40,436       (20,144 )     (15,837 )           4,455  
Debt issue costs
    (310 )                       (310 )
Deferred compensation payments
          (70 )                 (70 )
Principal payments on term loan
    (18,616 )                       (18,616 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (18,926 )     (70 )                 (18,996 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
                (850 )           (850 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    (2,139 )     4,357       (6,496 )           (4,278 )
Cash at beginning of period
    6,123       (1,610 )     20,781             25,294  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash at end of period
  $ 3,984     $ 2,747     $ 14,285     $     $ 21,016  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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

     You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this filing.

     Some of the matters discussed in this filing include forward-looking statements. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, “thinks”, and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risk factors, including but not limited to:

  risks associated with substantial indebtedness, leverage and debt service;
 
  performance of our business and future operating results;
 
  risks of competition in our existing and future markets;
 
  loss or retirement of any key executives;
 
  general business and economic conditions;
 
  market acceptance issues, including the failure of products or services to generate anticipated sales levels; and
 
  other risks described in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-103264).

     Our actual results and performance may be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

     Although we believe that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our goals will be achieved. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this filing. We assume no obligation to update or revise them or provide reasons why actual results may differ.

Overview

     Our primary business is the design, manufacture, installation and service of turret systems for the trading operations of the financial community, which includes investment and commercial banks, foreign exchange and commodity brokers and dealers, market exchanges, mutual and hedge fund companies, asset managers and insurance companies. Turrets are specialized telephone systems that are designed for high reliability and provide users instant access to hundreds of dedicated telephone lines that are directly connected to other trading partners and customers. Traders, brokers and salespersons occupy desks known as trading positions from which they trade various financial instruments including stocks, bonds, currencies and futures using turrets. We are a leader in turret solutions, based on our base of approximately 110,000 turrets and related equipment installed in trading positions worldwide. We also sell network voice and data services to customers primarily in the financial community.

     Our major operating divisions are Trading Systems and Network Services. Trading Systems reports (1) sales of turret systems to distributors and direct sales and installations of turret systems as “Product sales and installations,” and (2) revenue from turret system maintenance, including annual and multi-year service contracts, and from MACs to existing turret system installations as “Service.” Network Services records the sale of voice and data services such as ring down connection, T1 high speed digital connections and hoot and holler broadcasts, which is a dedicated line used to link different locations together, as “Service.”

     In May 2004, our Board of Directors approved a formal plan to sell assets related to our I.T.S. division to a group of private investors. The sale was completed in July 2004. The I.T.S. division provided cabling infrastructure within buildings among both voice and data communications devices. The I.T.S. division was a low margin business that no longer fit into our long-term growth plans.

     Revenue from product sales and installations is recognized upon completion of the installation or, for contracts that are completed in stages and include contract specified milestones, upon achieving such contract milestones, and delivery and customer acceptance of a fully functional system. Revenue from sales to distributors is recognized upon shipment. Customers are generally progress-billed prior to the completion of the installations. The revenue related to these advance payments is deferred until the system installations are completed or specified milestones are attained. Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts and stages are accumulated and recorded as inventory awaiting installation. In addition, contracts for annual recurring turret services are generally billed in advance, and are recorded as revenue ratably (on a monthly basis) over the contractual periods. Revenue from MACs to turret systems is recognized upon completion, which generally occurs in the same month or the month following the order for services. Revenue from our Network Services division, which provides voice and data services to the financial community, is generally billed at the beginning of the month and recognized in the same month.

     Cost of goods sold for our Trading Systems division includes the costs of equipment sold, the costs of parts used for service of the equipment, labor to install the equipment sold, labor to provide service, warehouse and project management costs and the

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depreciation of the equipment in our manufacturing and assembly facility. Cost of goods sold for our Network Services division includes the costs to lease local and long distance circuits, the cost of our network provisioning and operations organizations and depreciation of equipment.

     Our revenues and operating results fluctuate significantly from period to period for our Trading Systems division. Given the relatively large sales price of our trading systems and our recognition of revenue only upon completion of installations or specified contract milestones, a limited number of system installations may account for a substantial portion of revenues in any particular period. As a result of these and other factors, we could experience significant fluctuations in revenues and operating results in future periods. In addition, our customers are concentrated in the global financial, trading and exchange trading industries and our revenues will likely decline during periods of economic downturn that impact those sectors.

Our Strategy

The key elements of our strategy are to:

  Generate revenue growth through replacement sales, technology upgrades and trading floor expansions. Regular turnover of our installed base is driven primarily by customers’ facility moves, mergers or consolidations and the development of new trading markets and products. Additionally, other factors, such as customer business initiatives, including global trading platform standardization, regulatory developments, and customer expansion affect turnover, as customers require more flexible, efficient and technologically advanced turret systems. By developing new systems, such as our IQMXÔ turret system, that address these factors in a timely, proactive fashion, we believe we can increase overall turnover rates, as customers are motivated to replace older, less-advanced equipment with our latest most-advanced product offerings.

  Expand by developing new products and services and capitalizing on new trends. We believe there is an opportunity to increase our revenues by strategically broadening our product portfolio, enhancing our technology architecture and addressing new developments in the marketplace. Examples of our efforts include:

  Providing voice, data and video communications. The introduction of our IQMX product with expansion modules provides the ability to communicate by exchanging text (such as Chat and Instant Messaging programs) and video (such as popular desktop video conferencing systems) as quickly and easily as the communications systems currently allow traders to do so with voice. By creating a communications system that utilizes IP to deliver communications, and by combining this delivery methodology with the expansion modules that support exchanging text and video in addition to voice, we eliminate the need for our customers to purchase stand-alone equipment to deliver these solutions and leverage opportunities to sell additional solutions to our established customers.
 
  Developing applications. Application integration and development is driven by the need to create a seamless and efficient work environment in much the same way that increasingly sophisticated call centers were developed in the mid-1990s. We have demonstrated our capability in this market through sales of our Computer Telephony Integration, or CTI, products which allow telephony devices to communicate with computers.
 
  Increasing our penetration of disaster recovery and contingency planning sales. We intend to further penetrate the growing demand for disaster recovery and business continuity solutions. We believe we can effectively capitalize on our strong track record and customer relationships to drive future business in this area from both existing customers and emerging third-party providers.
 
  Penetrating middle office support positions. In June 2002, we released the ICMX, a VoIP intercom module, and a member of our IQMX family of turret products. The ICMX extends intercom functionality by providing hands-free communication between sites, a unified numbering plan, group calls and all calls and support for hoot and holler applications, an open broadcast system that allows a trader to communicate with a large group of traders located around the world. Compact in size and with features designed specifically for support functions of a trading floor, we believe the ICMX positions us to penetrate a large number of trading support positions.
 
  Increase our product offerings. With the acquisition of Gains US and UK, and Gains Asia, we created a new business division called Network Services. Our Network Services division provides network voice and data services that connect traders across six continents. In addition, in June 2003, we launched a suite of services under the name Managed Services. Managed Services are a set of premium, specialized services that deliver fully managed connectivity to trading floors worldwide. We believe we can provide these services to customers in combination with sales of our turrets. In February 2004, we launched Advanced Fault Management, or AFM, which is a proactive, real-time monitoring service designed to optimize trader voice system availability from the trading desk to the carrier network and Total Circuit Management, or TCM, which is for customers that seek a partner to manage

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  their entire circuit provisioning and maintenance process. With several different service products being offered, we believe we can be successful in marketing these services to customers of our turrets. Also, with our purchase of Purple Voice in August 2003, we can provide users such as researchers, analysts, and retail brokers who are based off the main trading floor with seamless access to audio broadcasts, intercom calls, group calls and hoot and holler broadcasts regardless of the user’s location.

  Increase our sales through organic growth and opportunistic acquisitions. We intend to continue to enhance our competitive position by (1) converting customers from competitors’ systems to our own, (2) further expanding into currently under-penetrated business opportunities, (3) winning competitive bids for new installation opportunities, and (4) expanding geographically. We plan to achieve these objectives through a combination of expanding our direct presence, continuing our new product development efforts and making strategic acquisitions and/or alliances.

  Continue our track record of customer service excellence. We believe our high level of customer service differentiates us from our competition, positions us to capture more revenue from our existing client base by providing value-added services, and allows us to maintain our pricing and profitability.

Comparison of the Three Months (“Q3 2004”) and Nine Months (“YTD 2004”) Ended June 30, 2004 to the Three Months (“Q3 2003”) and Nine Months (“YTD 2003”) Ended June 30, 2003.

     The following tables set forth, as a percentage of consolidated revenue, our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated. The following table also presents, as a percentage of division revenue, our statements of operations for our two major operating divisions for the periods indicated.

                                                                                                   
    Q3  2004
  Q3  2003
            Trading   Network           Trading   Network
    Consolidated
  Systems
  Services
  Consolidated
  Systems
  Services
Revenue:
                                               
Product sales and installations
    36 %     46 %     0 %     41 %     45 %     0 %
Service
    64 %     54 %     100 %     59 %     55 %     100 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cost of goods sold (depreciation shown separately):
                                               
Product sales and installations
    17 %     22 %     0 %     23 %     25 %     0 %
Service
    32 %     24 %     58 %     28 %     25 %     56 %
Depreciation and amortization
    2 %     1 %     5 %     1 %     1 %     6 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    51 %     47 %     63 %     52 %     51 %     62 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
    49 %     53 %     37 %     48 %     49 %     38 %
Research and development
    6 %     8 %     0 %     6 %     7 %     0 %
Selling, general and administrative expense
    23 %     22 %     23 %     24 %     22 %     46 %
Depreciation and amortization
    9 %     11 %     4 %     11 %     12 %     0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
    11 %     12 %     10 %     7 %     8 %     (8 %)
Other income (expense):
                                               
Interest expense, net
    (9 %)     (11 %)     0 %     (14 %)     (15 %)     0 %
Other income (expense), net
    0 %     0 %     0 %     5 %     5 %     0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    2 %     1 %     10 %     (2 %)     (2 %)     (8 %)
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (1 %)     0 %     (3 %)     1 %     1 %     1 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    3 %     1 %     13 %     (3 %)     (3 %)     (9 %)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    (5 %)     0 %     0 %     1 %     0 %     0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income (loss)
    (2 %)     1 %     13 %     (2 %)     (3 %)     (9 %)
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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    YTD 2004
  YTD 2003
            Trading   Network           Trading   Network
    Consolidated
  Systems
  Services
  Consolidated
  Systems
  Services
Revenue:
                                               
Product sales and installations
    41 %     50 %     0 %     48 %     49 %     0 %
Service
    59 %     50 %     100 %     52 %     51 %     100 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cost of goods sold (depreciation shown separately):
                                               
Product sales and installations
    20 %     24 %     0 %     24 %     24 %     0 %
Service
    29 %     22 %     60 %     24 %     23 %     56 %
Depreciation and amortization
    1 %     1 %     6 %     1 %     1 %     6 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    50 %     47 %     66 %     49 %     48 %     62 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
    50 %     53 %     34 %     51 %     52 %     38 %
Research and development
    6 %     7 %     0 %     6 %     7 %     0 %
Selling, general and administrative expense
    22 %     22 %     25 %     22 %     21 %     46 %
Depreciation and amortization
    9 %     10 %     2 %     11 %     11 %     0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
    13 %     14 %     7 %     12 %     13 %     (8 %)
Other income (expense):
                                               
Interest expense, net
    (9 %)     (11 %)     0 %     (14 %)     (15 %)     0 %
Other income (expense), net
    0 %     0 %     0 %     3 %     3 %     0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    4 %     3 %     7 %     1 %     1 %     (8 %)
Income tax expense
    2 %     2 %     1 %     2 %     2 %     1 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    2 %     1 %     6 %     (1 %)     (1 %)     (9 %)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    (2 %)     0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income (loss)
    0 %     1 %     6 %     (1 %)     (1 %)     (9 %)
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Revenue

     The following table sets forth our consolidated revenue and revenue as reported for our two major operating divisions.

                                                                 
    Consolidated
    Q3   Q3   $   %   YTD   YTD   $   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
Product sales and installations
  $ 21,527     $ 18,157     $ 3,370       19 %   $ 75,228     $ 63,068     $ 12,160       19 %
Service
    38,786       26,349       12,437       47 %     107,603       69,056       38,547       56 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
     
 
         
Total
  $ 60,313     $ 44,506     $ 15,807       36 %   $ 182,831     $ 132,124     $ 50,707       38 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
     
 
         
                                                                 
    Trading Systems
    Q3   Q3   $   %   YTD   YTD   $   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
Product sales and installations
  $ 21,527     $ 18,157     $ 3,370       19 %   $ 75,228     $ 63,068     $ 12,160       19 %
Service
    25,560       22,349       3,211       14 %     75,224       65,056       10,168       16 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
     
 
         
Total
  $ 47,087     $ 40,506     $ 6,581       16 %   $ 150,452     $ 128,124     $ 22,328       17 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
     
 
         
                                                                 
    Network Services
    Q3   Q3   $   %   YTD   YTD   $   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
Product sales and installations
  $     $     $       %   $     $     $       %
Service
    13,226       4,000       9,226       231 %     32,379       4,000       28,379       709 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
     
 
         
Total
  $ 13,226     $ 4,000     $ 9,226       231 %   $ 32,379     $ 4,000     $ 28,379       709 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
     
 
         

Comparison of Q3 2004 to Q3 2003

     Consolidated

     We believe our customers are beginning to plan and implement changes, expansions, and re-configurations to their current trading floors. We expect this activity to continue for the remainder of the fiscal year 2004 and into our fiscal year 2005; however, there can be no certainty as to the degree or duration that this will continue. We expect our fiscal year 2004 total consolidated revenues to be approximately $255 million to $260 million, which has been revised since the three months ended

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March 31, 2004 (“Q2 2004”) due to the sale of the I.T.S. division in Q3 2004; however, the actual total consolidated revenues could be lower.

     Product Sales and Installations. The increase in product sales and installation revenue of $3.4 million in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to a higher volume of small (less than $1.0 million) installation projects offset by a lower volume of medium (between $1.0 million and $2.0 million) installation projects in Q3 2004 compared to Q3 2003. There were no large (greater than $2.0 million) installation projects in either Q3 2004 or Q3 2003.

                                         
    Number of   Total amount
    installations
  (in millions)
Product installation size:
  Q3  2004
  Q3  2003
  Q3  2004
  Q3  2003
  $ Change
Large (greater than $2.0 million)
              $     $     $  
Medium (between $1.0 million and $2.0 million)
    1       3     $ 1.5     $ 5.0     $ (3.5 )
Small (less than $1.0 million)
    *       *     $ 20.1     $ 13.2     $ 6.9  

      * due to the high volume and wide range of sales values of small installations, this number is not meaningful.

     We expect our fiscal year 2004 product sales and installation revenue to be approximately $115 million to $118 million, which has been revised since Q2 2004 due to the sale of the I.T.S. division in Q3 2004. However, customer commitments could be delayed due to budgetary constraints, changes to real estate planning, merger and acquisitions activity in our customer base, a decrease in our customers’ headcount or changes in our customers’ technology needs. As a result, actual product sales and installation revenue in the 2004 fiscal year could be lower.

     Service. The increase in service revenue of $12.4 million in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to a $9.2 million increase by our Network Services division, which was created following the acquisition of the Gains US and UK entities in April 2003 and expanded by the acquisition of Gains Asia in January 2004, as well as an increase in our Network Services customer base. In addition, there was a higher volume of contract maintenance revenue totaling $1.6 million and non-contract MAC revenue totaling $1.6 million in our Trading systems division for Q3 2004 compared to Q3 2003.

     We expect our fiscal year 2004 consolidated service revenue to be approximately $140 million to $142 million which has been revised since Q2 2004. However, customer commitments could be delayed due to budgetary constraints, changes to real estate planning, merger and acquisition activity in our customer base, a decrease in our customers’ headcount or technology needs. As a result, the actual service revenue in the 2004 fiscal year could be lower.

Trading Systems

     Product Sales and Installations. The increase in product sales and installation revenue of $3.4 million in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to a higher volume of small installation projects offset by a lower volume of medium installation projects in Q3 2004 compared to Q3 2003. There were no large installation projects in either Q3 2004 or Q3 2003.

                                         
    Number of   Total amount
    installations
  (in millions)
Product installation size:
  Q3  2004
  Q3  2003
  Q3  2004
  Q3  2003
  $ Change
Large (greater than $2.0 million)
              $     $     $  
Medium (between $1.0 million and $2.0 million)
    1       3     $ 1.5     $ 5.0     $ (3.5 )
Small (less than $1.0 million)
    *       *     $ 20.1     $ 13.2     $ 6.9  

      * due to the high volume and wide range in sales values of small installations, this number is not meaningful.

     Service. The increase in service revenue of $3.2 million in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to a higher volume of contract maintenance revenue totaling $1.6 million and non-contract MAC revenue totaling $1.6 million in Q3 2004. The increase in contract maintenance revenue in Q3 2004 was primarily due to the expiration of warranties for installation contracts. The increase in non-contract MAC revenue was primarily due to increased demand for trading floor re-configurations and additional trading positions globally.

    Network Services

     Service. The increase in service revenue of $9.2 million in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to our Network Services North America and Europe regions, which increased by $5.3 million in Q3 2004 compared to Q3 2003 reflecting an increase in our customer base and a full quarter of operations in Q3 2004 compared to Q3 2003, which had only 2 months of operations due to the acquisition of Gains US and UK on April 30, 2003. Also, revenue from the acquisition of Gains Asia in January 2004 contributed $3.9 million of service revenue in Q3 2004.

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Table of Contents

Comparison of YTD 2004 to YTD 2003

     Consolidated

     Product Sales and Installations. The increase in product sales and installation revenue of $12.2 million in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to a higher volume of small installation projects completed in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003. Also, there was an increase in large installation projects in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003 offset by a decrease in medium installation projects in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003.

                                                                                   
                    Total amount
    Number of installations
  (in millions)
Product installation size:
  YTD 2004
  YTD 2003
  YTD 2004
  YTD 2003
  $ Change
Large (greater than $2.0 million)
    4       3     $ 18.1     $ 9.1     $ 9.0  
Medium (between $1.0 million and $2.0 million)
    3       7     $ 4.3     $ 9.7     $ (5.4 )
Small (less than $1.0 million)
    *       *     $ 52.9     $ 44.3     $ 8.6  

      * due to the high volume and wide range in sales values of small installations, this number is not meaningful.

     Service. The increase in service revenue of $38.5 million in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to a $28.4 million increase generated by the addition of our Network Services division created following the acquisition of the Gains US and UK entities in April 2003 and expanded by the acquisition of Gains Asia in January 2004, as well as, an increase in the customer base. In addition, there was a higher volume of contract maintenance revenue totaling $7.1 million and non-contract MAC revenue totaling $3.0 million in our Trading systems division.

     Trading Systems

     Product Sales and Installations. The increase in product sales and installation revenue of $12.2 million in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to a higher volume of small installation projects completed in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003. Also, there was an increase in large installation projects in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003 offset by a decrease in medium installation projects in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003.

                                                                                   
                    Total amount
    Number of installations
  (in millions)
Product installation size:
  YTD 2004
  YTD 2003
  YTD 2004
  YTD 2003
  $ Change
Large (greater than $2.0 million)
    4       3     $ 18.1     $ 9.1     $ 9.0  
Medium (between $1.0 million and $2.0 million)
    3       7     $ 4.3     $ 9.7     $ (5.4 )
Small (less than $1.0 million)
    *       *     $ 52.9     $ 44.3     $ 8.6  

      * due to the high volume and wide range in sales values of small installations, this number is not meaningful.

     Service. The increase in service revenue of $10.2 million in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to a higher volume of contract maintenance revenue totaling $7.1 million and non-contract MAC revenue totaling $3.0 million in YTD 2004. The increase in contract maintenance revenue in YTD 2004 was primarily due to the expiration of warranties for installation contracts. The increase in non-contract MAC revenue was primarily due to increased requests for trading floor re-configurations and additional trading positions globally.

         Network Services

     Service. The increase in service revenue of $28.4 million in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to our Network Services North America and Europe regions, which increased by $20.7 million in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003, reflecting an increase in our customer base and a full nine months of operations in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003, which had only 2 months of operations due to the acquisition of Gains US and UK on April 30, 2003. Also, revenue from the acquisition of Gains Asia in January 2004 contributed $7.7 million of service revenue in YTD 2004.

Cost of Goods Sold

     The following table sets forth our consolidated cost of goods sold and our cost of goods sold as reported for our two major operating divisions. Cost of goods sold for our Trading Systems division includes the costs of equipment sold, the costs of parts used for service of the equipment, labor to install the equipment sold, labor to provide service, warehouse and project management costs and the depreciation of the equipment in our manufacturing and assembly facility. Cost of goods sold for our Network Services division includes the costs to lease local and long distance circuits, the cost of our network provisioning and operations organizations and depreciation of equipment.

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Table of Contents

                                                                               
    Consolidated
    Q3   % of   Q3   % of   %   YTD   % of   YTD   % of   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  Rev.
  2003
  Rev.
  Change
  2004
  Rev.
  2003
  Rev.
  Change
Product sales and installations
  $ 10,423       48 %   $ 10,123       56 %     (8 %)   $ 35,595       47 %   $ 30,937       49 %     (2 %)
Service
    19,101       49 %     12,577       48 %     1 %     53,082       49 %     32,060       46 %     3 %
Depreciation and amortization
    1,029       2 %     556       1 %     1 %     2,739       1 %     1,152       1 %     0 %
 
   
 
             
 
                     
 
             
 
                 
Total
  $ 30,553       50 %   $ 23,256       52 %     (2 %)   $ 91,416       50 %   $ 64,149       49 %     1 %
 
   
 
             
 
                     
 
             
 
                 
                                                                               
    Trading Systems
    Q3   % of   Q3   % of   %   YTD   % of   YTD   % of   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  Rev.
  2003
  Rev.
  Change
  2004
  Rev.
  2003
  Rev.
  Change
Product sales and installations
  $ 10,423       48 %   $ 10,123       56 %     (8 %)   $ 35,595       47 %   $ 30,937       49 %     (2 %)
Service
    11,483       45 %     10,337       46 %     (1 %)     33,702       45 %     29,820       46 %     (1 %)
Depreciation and amortization
    288       1 %     302       1 %     0 %     860       1 %     898       1 %     0 %
 
   
 
             
 
                     
 
             
 
                 
Total
  $ 22,194       47 %   $ 20,762       51 %     (3 %)   $ 70,157       47 %   $ 61,655       48 %     (1 %)
 
   
 
             
 
                     
 
             
 
                 
                                                                               
    Network Services
    Q3   % of   Q3   % of   %   YTD   % of   YTD   % of   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  Rev.
  2003
  Rev.
  Change
  2004
  Rev.
  2003
  Rev.
  Change
Product sales and installations
  $       %   $       %     %   $       %   $       %     %
Service
    7,618       58 %     2,240       56 %     2 %     19,380       60 %     2,240       56 %     4 %
Depreciation and amortization
    741       5 %     254       6 %     (1 %)     1,879       6 %     254       6 %     %
 
   
 
             
 
                     
 
             
 
                 
Total
  $ 8,359       63 %   $ 2,494       62 %     1 %   $ 21,259       66 %   $ 2,494       62 %     4 %
 
   
 
             
 
                     
 
             
 
                 

Comparison of Q3 2004 to Q3 2003

     Consolidated

     We expect our fiscal year 2004 total consolidated cost of goods sold to be approximately $127 million to $130 million, which has been revised since Q2 2004 due to the sale of the I.T.S. division in Q3 2004; however, pricing changes and more competitive bidding for our customers could cause the actual total consolidated cost of goods sold to be higher.

        Product Sales and Installations. The decrease in product sales and installations cost of goods sold of 8% as a percentage of product sales and installation revenue in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to a higher volume of Trading Systems manufactured products sold in Q3 2004 when compared to Q3 2003. Trading Systems manufactured products generally have a lower cost of goods sold than products manufactured by third parties. In addition, we realized higher profit margins on small installation projects completed in Q3 2004 as compared to Q3 2003.

        Service. The increase in service cost of goods sold of 1% as a percentage of service revenue in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to the expansion and allocation of indirect costs of revenue in our Network Services division offset by a consistent fixed cost of goods sold in our Trading Systems division in Q3 2004 when compared to Q3 2003.

     Trading Systems

        Product Sales and Installations. The decrease in product sales and installations cost of goods sold of 8% as a percentage of product sales and installation revenue in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to a higher volume of Trading Systems manufactured products sold in Q3 2004 when compared to Q3 2003. Trading Systems manufactured products generally have a lower cost of goods sold than products manufactured by third parties. In addition, we realized higher profit margins on small installation projects completed in Q3 2004 as compared to Q3 2003.

        Service. The decrease in service cost of goods sold of 1% as a percentage of service revenue in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to a higher percentage increase in contract maintenance services in Q3 2004, which generally have a lower cost of goods sold than non-contract MAC services.

     Network Services

     Service. The increase in service cost of goods sold of 2% as a percentage of service revenue in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 was primarily due to the expansion and allocation of indirect costs (labor, network provisioning and engineering) of revenue in Q3 2004 when compared to Q3 2003.

Comparison of YTD 2004 to YTD 2003

     Consolidated

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        Product Sales and Installations. The decrease in product sales and installations cost of goods sold of 2% as a percentage of product sales and installation revenue in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to higher margin realization from component cost reductions in our manufactured product sales.

        Service. The increase in service cost of goods sold of 3% as a percentage of service revenue in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to the expansion and allocation of indirect costs of revenue in our Network Services division offset by a higher percentage increase in contract maintenance services in our Trading Systems Division in YTD 2004 when compared to YTD 2003.

     Trading Systems

        Product Sales and Installations. The decrease in product sales and installations cost of goods sold of 2% as a percentage of product sales and installation revenue in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to higher margin realization from component cost reductions in our manufactured product sales.

        Service. The decrease in service cost of goods sold of 1% as a percentage of service revenue in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to a higher percentage increase in contract maintenance services in YTD 2004, which have a lower cost of goods sold than non-contract MAC services.

     Network Services

        Service. The increase in service cost of goods sold of 4% as a percentage of service revenue in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003 was primarily due to the expansion and allocation of indirect costs (labor, network provisioning and engineering) in YTD 2004 when compared to YTD 2003.

Research and Development Expense

                                                                 
    Consolidated
    Q3   Q3   $   %   YTD   YTD   $   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
Research and development
  $ 3,809     $ 2,784     $ 1,025       37 %   $ 10,817     $ 8,447     $ 2,370       28 %

     Research and development efforts are principally focused on the next generation of the Trading Systems products, applications, and enhancements of our current product lines. We expect our research and development expenses in fiscal year 2004 to be approximately $14 million to $15 million; however, the actual research and development expenses could be higher.

Comparison of Q3 2004 to Q3 2003 and YTD 2004 to YTD 2003

     Research and development expenses increased by $1.0 million in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 and increased by $2.4 million in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003, reflecting additional resources added to our product development group and development and integration of the Purple Voice product line.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

                                                                 
    Consolidated
    Q3   Q3   $   %   YTD   YTD   $   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
Selling, general and administrative
  $ 13,556     $ 10,883     $ 2,673       25 %   $ 41,229     $ 29,225     $ 12,004       41 %

     We expect our selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal year 2004 to be approximately $50 million to $60 million, which has been revised since Q2 2004 due to the sale of the I.T.S. division in Q3 2004; however the actual selling, general and administrative expenses could be higher. We believe the anticipated increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2004 fiscal year will primarily result from the inclusion of our Network Services division for the full fiscal year.

Comparison of Q3 2004 to Q3 2003 and YTD 2004 to YTD 2003

     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $2.7 million for Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 and increased by $12.0 million for YTD 2004 from YTD 2003, primarily due to increased employee related costs (compensation, commissions, severance, bonuses and benefits), new business ventures and new foreign office locations as well as the inclusion of expenses for our Network Services division, which increased by $1.2 million in Q3 2004 and $6.1 million in YTD 2004.

Depreciation and Amortization

                                                                 
    Consolidated
    Q3   Q3   $   %   YTD   YTD   $   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 5,535     $ 4,678     $ 857       18 %   $ 15,970     $ 14,087     $ 1,883       13 %

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Comparison of Q3 2004 to Q3 2003 and YTD 2004 to YTD 2003

     Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $0.9 million in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 and increased by $1.9 million in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003, primarily due to increased capital expenditures in our Network Services division as well as the addition of depreciable fixed assets and amortizable assets from our Network Services division in Q3 2004 and YTD 2004 due to the acquisition of Gains Asia in January 2004.

Interest Expense, net

                                                                 
    Consolidated
    Q3   Q3   $   %   YTD   YTD   $   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
Interest expense, net.
  $ 5,391     $ 6,008     $ (617 )     (10 %)   $ 16,727     $ 18,690     $ (1,963 )     (11 %)

Comparison of Q3 2004 to Q3 2003 and YTD 2004 to YTD 2003

     Interest expense, net decreased by $0.6 million in Q3 2004 from Q3 2003 and decreased by $2.0 million in YTD 2004 from YTD 2003, primarily due to the reduction of principal and a reduction of the interest rate on our outstanding senior secured credit facilities. A voluntary prepayment of $14.0 million was made in March 2003 on our senior secured credit facilities and the interest rate was reduced by approximately 2.4% (from 7.5% to 5.1%) when the senior secured credit facilities were amended and restated in September 2003.

Provision for Income Taxes

     Our effective tax rate for YTD 2004 was 53.1% compared to 307.0% for YTD 2003. Our effective tax rates reflect our foreign, federal and state taxes, the non-deductibility of foreign losses for federal tax purposes, the non-deductibility of certain expenses and taxable income at several of our foreign subsidiaries, which, combined with lower absolute amounts of pre-tax earnings (or loss) for the three and nine months of each fiscal year, generates a more significant impact on our effective tax rates.

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

                                                                 
    Consolidated
    Q3   Q3   $   %   YTD   YTD   $   %
(dollars in thousands)
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
  2004
  2003
  Change
  Change
Income (loss) from continuing operations.
  $ 2,060     $ (1,394 )   $ 3,454       248 %   $ 3,381     $ (1,790 )   $ 5,171       289 %

     We expect to have net income for the entire 2004 fiscal year of approximately $2.0 million to $4.0 million. However, the actual amount may be lower.

Comparison of Q3 2004 to Q3 2003

     For Q3 2004, we had income from continuing operations of $2.1 million compared to a loss from continuing operations in Q3 2003 of $1.4 million. This was due to the increase in gross profit of $8.5 million offset by the increase in research and development expense of $1.0 million, the increase in selling, general and administrative expense of $2.7 million, the increase in depreciation and amortization of $0.9 million, the increase in interest and other expense of $1.1 million and the decrease in income taxes of $0.7 million. Of the $3.5 million increase in income from continuing operations in Q3 2004 compared to Q3 2003, our Trading Systems division accounted for $1.3 million of the increase and our Network Services division accounted for $2.2 million of the increase.

Comparison of YTD 2004 to YTD 2003

     For YTD 2004, we had income from continuing operations of $3.4 million compared to a loss from continuing operations in YTD 2003 of $1.8 million. This was due to the increase in gross profit of $23.4 million offset by the increase in research and development expense of $2.4 million, the increase in selling, general and administrative expense of $12.0 million, the increase in depreciation and amortization of $1.9 million, the increase in interest and other expense of $0.7 million, and the increase in income taxes of $1.2 million. Of the $5.2 million increase in income from continuing operations in YTD 2004 compared to YTD 2003, our Trading Systems division accounted for $2.8 million of the increase and our Network Services division accounted for $2.4 million of the increase.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Historically, we have satisfied our operating cash requirements through cash provided by operations, capital loans, financing and bank lines of credit. Our principal uses of cash were to fund working capital requirements, operating losses, capital expenditures and repayment of borrowings.

     During YTD 2004, we made three large non-recurring cash payments: (1) a settlement payment totaling $12.3 million in October 2003 which was comprised of the deferred purchase price and earn-out consideration totaling $6.8 million related to the

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April 2003 acquisition of Gains International (US) and Gains International (Europe) and a $5.5 million advance payment for the acquisition of Gains Asia; (2) a dividend payment of $1.22 per share, or approximately $18.0 million in December 2003; and (3) payments totaling $11.9 million for the acquisition of Gains Asia. The acquisition of Gains Asia was partially funded by a $7.0 million draw on our revolving credit facility, which was fully repaid in February 2004.

     The YTD 2004 cash uses for the non-recurring Gains related payments and the payment of the special cash dividend, combined with our mandatory interest payments due under our senior subordinated notes of $8.6 million paid on December 15, 2003 and June 15, 2004, which were partially funded by our cash provided by operating activities, reduced the amount of cash on our balance sheet from $25.8 million at September 30, 2003 to $17.4 million at June 30, 2004. With the exception of mergers and acquisitions activity, we do not currently anticipate any other non-recurring uses of cash in the near future.

     The Senior Secured Credit Facilities

     On December 20, 2001, we entered into the senior secured credit facilities comprised of a $105.0 million term loan and a $15.0 million revolving credit facility. On September 2, 2003, we amended and restated our senior secured credit facilities. The amended and restated senior secured credit facilities consisted of a $25.0 million revolving credit facility and a $55.0 million term loan. The term loan was borrowed in full at closing. On April 20, 2004, we completed an agreement to increase the availability under our revolving credit facility by $10.0 million under the provisions mentioned above. As of June 30, 2004 the total amount available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility is $30.7 million ($35.0 million reduced by outstanding letters of credit of $4.3 million) provided, however, that we can increase the committed amount under these facilities by up to $15.0 million so long as one or more lenders agrees to provide this incremental commitment and other customary conditions are satisfied. For the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the weighted average interest rate for borrowings outstanding under the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities was 4.94%.

     Mandatory prepayments of the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities are required upon the occurrence of certain events, including certain asset sales, equity issuances and debt issuances, as well as 50% of excess cash flow in FY 2004 and thereafter. Excess cash flow is defined in our amended and restated credit agreement, as: (1) the sum of net income, interest expense, provisions for taxes, depreciation expense, amortization expense, other non-cash items affecting net income and to the extent included in calculating net income, expenses incurred by us in connection with an amendment of the then existing credit agreement, certain restructuring expenses and prepayment premiums in connection with prepayment of loans under the then existing credit agreement, plus (2) a working capital adjustment less (3) scheduled repayments of debt, capital expenditures, cash interest expense and provisions for taxes based on income.

     As required under the terms of our senior secured credit facilities, we made mandatory excess cash flow repayments of $30.0 million and $0.8 million on September 30, 2002 and December 29, 2002, respectively, based upon 75% of our excess cash flow for the period ended September 30, 2002. On March 3, 2003, we also voluntarily prepaid $14.0 million in debt on our then existing senior secured credit facilities. For the year ended September 30, 2003, we were not required to make a mandatory excess cash flow repayment under the terms of the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities.

     Obligations under the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of our assets and the assets of our domestic subsidiaries and by a pledge of 100% of the shares of domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the shares of direct foreign subsidiaries. Our domestic subsidiaries have unconditionally guaranteed our obligations under the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities.

     The amended and restated senior secured credit facilities contain customary affirmative covenants as well as negative covenants that, among other things, restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional indebtedness (including guarantees of certain obligations); create liens; engage in mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; sell assets; enter into capital leases; pay dividends or make other payments in respect of capital stock; make acquisitions; make investments, loans and advances; enter into transactions with affiliates; make payments with respect to or modify subordinated debt instruments; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; change the fiscal year or lines of business; and enter into agreements with negative pledge clauses or clauses restricting subsidiary distributions.

     The amended and restated senior secured credit facilities also contain minimum interest coverage and fixed charge coverage ratios and maximum senior secured and total leverage ratios as well as a restriction on the amount of capital expenditures we can incur in a fiscal year.

     The Senior Subordinated Notes

     On December 20, 2001, we issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 11.50% senior subordinated notes to fund a portion of the consideration for the acquisition of IPC Information Systems. Under the terms of the indenture governing the notes, we may, subject to certain restrictions, issue additional notes up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million. The notes mature on December 15, 2009 and are callable, at our option, beginning in December 2005. The notes are general unsecured obligations, are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt, including the amended

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and restated senior secured credit facilities, are pari passu in right of payment with any future senior subordinated indebtedness, and are unconditionally guaranteed by certain of our domestic restricted subsidiaries. Interest on the notes accrues at the rate of 11.50% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, the first of which occurred on June 15, 2002.

     The indenture governing the notes contains covenants that impose significant restrictions on us. These restrictions include limitations on our ability to: incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock or to make other restricted payments; create liens; agree to payment restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; and designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

     Settlement and Rejection Agreement

     On March 13, 2003, we entered into a settlement and rejection agreement with Global Crossing. Pursuant to the settlement and rejection agreement, all of the remaining obligations under the purchase agreement relating to the acquisition of IPC Information Systems were terminated. In addition, we and Global Crossing mutually released each other for all prior claims.

     The bankruptcy court entered an order on March 14, 2003 approving the settlement and rejection agreement. Under the terms of the settlement and rejection agreement, we have deposited $5.2 million in an escrow account. Global Crossing received $3.2 million from the escrow account upon the filing of certain tax returns for periods prior to and including the date of the acquisition of IPC Information Systems. Global Crossing will receive the remaining $2.0 million from the escrow account after a $2.0 million irrevocable letter of credit is issued on behalf of us. We will have the right to draw on that letter of credit in the event Global Crossing’s affiliate fails to make any payments due to us pursuant to a sublease for office space at 67-73 Worship Street in London, England.

     We believe that all tax returns required to be filed in respect of IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries for periods prior to and including the date of the acquisition of IPC Information Systems have now been filed. These returns consist of consolidated tax returns with Global Crossing, and, where required by law, separate tax returns for IPC Information Systems, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

     As a result of the termination of the purchase agreement, Global Crossing has been relieved of all of its obligations under the purchase agreement, including, among other things, indemnifying us for tax liabilities that may be imposed upon IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries for periods prior to and including the date of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition. Therefore, in the event that any tax liabilities are imposed, as a result of an audit or otherwise, on IPC Information Systems, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries for periods prior to and including the date of the IPC Information Systems Acquisition, we may be required to pay those taxes and are no longer able to seek indemnification from Global Crossing. As of the date of this filing, the aggregate amount of taxes for which we have received notices of taxes due from various jurisdictions and recognized as tax liabilities under purchase accounting is approximately $6.5 million and, as of June 30, 2004, we have made settlement payments aggregating $1.9 million, including a $1.1 million payment made to one jurisdiction in May 2004. We estimate that the range of our exposure for additional tax liabilities is from $0.0 to $18.0 million, which has been reduced from $36.0 million as a result of our settlement negotiations. In computing our estimated range of potential tax liabilities, we took into account tax returns in certain jurisdictions where the statutes of limitations have not yet expired. Under those tax returns as filed, the remaining liability is zero. Although we believe that all those tax returns have been filed correctly, such returns may be audited and additional taxes may be assessed (or refunds may be granted). Payment by us of a significant amount of these potential tax liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, requiring us to seek additional financing. In that event, we cannot make assurances that we will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

     Pursuant to the settlement and rejection agreement, Global Crossing has also paid to us approximately $2.2 million for payroll and federal tax refunds received by it for periods prior to and including the date of the acquisition of IPC Information Systems. Global Crossing is also required to pay us any future tax refunds or credits it receives applicable to IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries for these periods.

     Comparison of YTD 2004 to YTD 2003

     Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $23.8 million for YTD 2004 compared to $18.9 million for YTD 2003. The increase of $4.9 million is primarily comprised of (i) income from continuing operations of $3.4 million in YTD 2004 compared to a loss from continuing operations of $1.8 million in YTD 2003; (ii) additional net non-cash charges of $18.4 million in YTD 2004 as compared to $14.5 in YTD 2003 primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization charges; and (iii) changes in operating assets and liabilities providing net cash of $2.0 million in YTD 2004 compared to $6.2 million in YTD 2003. Cash flows provided by operating activities related to discontinued operations was $15.4 million for YTD 2004 as compared to a use of cash of $7.8 million for YTD 2003. This difference principally reflects the completion of a large project in progress at September 30, 2003 and collection of accounts receivable on such project in the YTD 2004 period as compared to the cash funding required as the same project was in progress during the YTD 2003 period.

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     Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $28.4 million for YTD 2004 compared to cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations of $4.5 million for YTD 2003. Cash usage in YTD 2004 related primarily to the acquisitions of Gains Asia for $15.2 million and Purple Voice for $0.5 million, and the settlement of amounts owed relating to Gains US and UK of $6.8 million. The cash provided by investing activities for YTD 2003 related primarily to the cash acquired in the acquisition of Gains US and UK of $4.1 million combined with $4.2 million relating to the settlement with Global Crossing. Capital expenditures for YTD 2004 and YTD 2003 were $6.0 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

     Cash used in financing activities was $18.5 million for YTD 2004 compared to $19.0 million for YTD 2003. The primary use of cash in YTD 2004 was the payment of a special cash dividend of $18.0 million. The primary use of cash in YTD 2003 was the repayment of principal on our amended and restated senior secured credit facilities of $18.6 million.

     The effect of exchange rate changes on cash represents increases and decreases in various currencies when translated into US dollars. As an international company, we are subjected to currency fluctuation risk, which resulted in a decrease of $0.7 million in YTD 2004 compared to $0.9 million in YTD 2003. Currently our largest currency exposures are to the British Pound and the Canadian Dollar, although we have additional exposures, to a lesser extent, to the Euro, Australian Dollar, Japanese Yen, Hong Kong Dollar and Singapore Dollar.

Capital Resources and Expenditures

     We expect that our capital expenditures for fiscal year 2004 will be approximately $10.0 million; however, actual capital expenditures for the 2004 fiscal year may be greater. We are limited in our capital expenditures in any fiscal year by the capital expenditure covenant in our amended and restated senior secured credit facilities. This limits us to capital expenditures in any fiscal year to $12.0 million plus 50% of the unused amount from the immediately preceding fiscal year. For fiscal year 2004, the amount of capital expenditures permitted by this covenant is approximately $12.2 million. We have no off-balance sheet financing arrangements or other relationships with unconsolidated affiliates.

     Our primary future uses of cash will be to fund interest expense and principal repayments on our debt, capital expenditures, research and development efforts, working capital and as needed for potential strategic acquisitions and/or alliances. Our primary future sources of cash will be cash flows from operations, primarily the design, manufacture, installation and service of turret systems for the trading operations of investment and commercial banks, foreign exchange and commodity brokers and dealers, market exchanges, mutual and hedge fund companies, asset managers and insurance companies, as well as voice and data services to the financial community and, if necessary, borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

     During the course of the year, our short-term liquidity is impacted by our mandatory payment obligations of principal and interest under both our amended and restated senior secured credit facilities and our senior subordinated notes. The mandatory interest and principal payments under the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities are due at the end of each quarter. The interest payments required by the senior subordinated notes of $8.6 million due in June and December of each year negatively impact our liquidity during those particular months. Additionally, in any such year that we generate excess cash flow, the mandatory prepayment required under our amended and restated senior secured credit facilities must be made within 90 days of our fiscal year end. For the year ended September 30, 2003, we were not required to make a mandatory excess cash flow repayment under the terms of the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities.

     On April 20, 2004, we completed an agreement to increase our availability under the revolving credit facility by $10.0 million, from $25 million to $35 million under the increase provisions mentioned in Note 7. As of June 30, 2004, the amount available under the revolving credit facility was $30.7 million as availability of $35.0 million was reduced by outstanding letters of credit of $4.3 million.

     Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness, including the senior subordinated notes, and to fund planned capital expenditures, research and development efforts and payment of dividends to our shareholders will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, which is subject, in part, to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

     Since the acquisition of IPC Information Systems, our cash generated from the operations of the business and borrowings under our revolving credit facility have been sufficient to meet substantially all of our cash needs. Based on our forecasts, we believe that this trend will continue and our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our current and long-term liquidity needs for at least the next few years. We cannot assure you, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be

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available to us under the revolving credit facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including the notes, on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including the notes, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In addition, to the extent we make further acquisitions, we may require additional funds to finance such acquisitions.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments

     The following summarizes our contractual obligations at June 30, 2004, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.

(dollars in thousands)

                                         
    Payments Due by Period
            Less than   1-3   4-5   After 5
Contractual Obligations:
  Total
  1 year
  years
  years
  years
Deferred Compensation Agreements
  $ 4,964     $ 788     $ 1,005     $ 899     $ 2,272  
Network Carrier Commitments
    9,825       7,125       2,700              
Long-Term Debt
    204,725       550       1,100       53,075       150,000  
Operating Leases
    34,049       6,365       11,428       9,100       7,156  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
  $ 253,563     $ 14,828     $ 16,233     $ 63,074     $ 159,428  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
                                         
    Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period
    Total                
    Amounts   Less than   1-3   4-5   Over 5
Other Commercial Commitments:
  Committed
  1 year
  years
  years
  years
Line of Credit
  $     $     $     $     $  
Standby Letters of Credit
    4,250       4,250                    
Guaranties for Global Crossing Affiliates
    2,973       1,687       1,286              
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Commercial Commitments
  $ 7,223     $ 5,937     $ 1,286     $     $  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies

     The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we continually evaluate our estimates. We base our 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.

     We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

     Revenue from product sales and installation is recognized upon completion of the installation or, for contracts that are completed in stages and include contract specified milestones, upon achieving such contract milestones, and the delivery and customer acceptance of a fully functional system. Revenue from sales to distributors is recognized upon shipment. Customers are generally progress-billed prior to the completion of the installations. The revenue related to these advance payments is deferred until the system installations are completed or specified milestones are attained. Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts and stages are accumulated and recorded as inventory awaiting installation. In addition, contracts for annual recurring turret services are generally billed in advance, and are recorded as revenue ratably (on a monthly basis) over the contractual periods. Revenue from moves, additions and changes, commonly known as MACs, to turret systems is recognized upon completion, which generally occurs in the same month or the month following the order for services. Revenue from our Network Services division, which provides voice and data services to the financial community, is generally billed at the beginning of the month and recognized in the same month.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

     We evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific allowance against amounts due to us and thereby reduce the net receivable to the amount we reasonably believe is likely to be collected. For all other customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are outstanding, industry and geographic concentrations, the current business environment and our historical experience. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates or if economic conditions worsen, additional allowances may be required.

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Inventories

     Inventories are stated at the lower of FIFO (first in, first out) cost or market but not in excess of net realizable value. Inventory costs include all direct manufacturing costs and applied overhead. Allowances are established based on management’s estimate of inventory on hand that is potentially obsolete or for which its market value is below cost.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     We review long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and definite lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. Impairment, if any, is assessed using discounted cash flows. No impairments have occurred to date.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

     Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the net of the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and the fair value of liabilities assumed in acquisitions. We adopted SFAS 142 in December 2001 and, in accordance with SFAS 142, there is no amortization of goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives. However, goodwill is tested for impairment annually using the two-step process specifically provided in SFAS 142. Other intangible assets are carried at cost. Technology is amortized over its estimated useful life of between 3 to 7 years, customer relationships are amortized over their estimated useful lives of 8 to 20 years, and proprietary software is amortized over its estimated useful life of 7 years. Trade name has been deemed to have an indefinite life and is not subject to amortization expense, but instead is subject to an annual fair value test in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. In determining that the trade name has an indefinite life, we considered the following factors: the ongoing active use of our trade name, which is directly associated with a leading position in turret solutions, the lack of any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that may limit the useful life of the trade name, the lack of any substantial costs to maintain the asset, the positive impact on our trade name generated by our other ongoing business activities (including marketing and development of new technology and new products) and our commitment to products branded with our trade name over its 30 year history. Our acquired trade name has significant market recognition and we expect to derive benefits from the use of such asset beyond the foreseeable future.

     We most recently completed the required annual impairment and fair value tests as of July 1, 2003 (the first day of the fourth quarter of the 2003 fiscal year), and concluded that there was no impairment to our recorded goodwill or trade name. There have been no indicators of impairment during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 that would require us to perform an impairment test for this period. We believe the recorded values of goodwill and trade name in the amounts of $89.7 million and $16.3 million, respectively, at June 30, 2004 are fully recoverable.

Stock – Based Compensation

     As permitted by SFAS 123, we have elected to follow APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in accounting for our employee option plans. Under APB 25, no compensation expense is recognized at the time of an option grant if the exercise price of the employee stock option is fixed and equals or exceeds the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant and the number of shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of such options are fixed on the date of the grant.

Income Taxes

     In accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, or SFAS 109, we recognize deferred income taxes for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year end, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is “more likely than not” to be realized. The provision for income taxes is the tax payable for the period and the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the recorded deferred tax assets will be realized. Additionally, deferred tax liabilities are regularly reviewed to confirm that the amounts recorded are appropriately stated. All such evaluations require significant management judgments.

Business Combinations

     During the 2004 and 2003 fiscal years, the acquisition of Gains Asia, Gains US and UK and our investment and subsequent acquisition of Purple Voice required certain estimates and judgments related to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Certain of the liabilities are subjective in nature. These liabilities have been reflected in the purchase accounting based upon the most recent information available, and principally include Federal and state payroll taxes, state sales taxes, state income taxes, value added tax, or VAT, and income taxes in several foreign countries. The ultimate settlement of such liabilities may be for amounts which are different from the amounts presently recorded.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

     We do not have any off balance sheet financial arrangements.

     Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign exchange rates. We monitor our interest rate and foreign exchange rate exposures on an ongoing basis. We have not entered into any interest rate or foreign currency hedging contracts.

     The following table provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates.

                                                                 
            Future Principal Payments
    Fair Value on                            
(Dollars in millions)
  June 30, 2004
  2004
  2005
  2006
  2007
  2008
  Thereafter
  Total
Long-Term Debt:
                                                               
Fixed Rate
                                                               
Senior Subordinated Notes, interest payable at 11.5%, maturing 2009
  $ 162.0     $     $     $     $     $     $ 150.0     $ 150.0  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Variable Rate
                                                               
Senior Secured Credit Facilities - Term Loan (interest payable at 4.6% at June 30, 2004)
  $ 55.2     $ 0.3     $ 0.5     $ 0.5     $ 0.6     $ 52.8     $     $ 54.7  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

     As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). The evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) was made known to them by others within the Company’s consolidated group during the period in which this report was being prepared and that the information required to be included in the report has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis.

     During the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

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Part II — Other Information:

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     Except for the two lawsuits described below which involve the Company’s former I.T.S. division, the Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. Under the terms of the sale agreement, the Company remains liable for pre-closing liabilities relating to the I.T.S. division, including the two lawsuits described below. Management believes the proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

     On June 27, 2000, an action was brought against several defendants, including the Company’s subsidiary, IPC Communications, Inc., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York by two telecommunications cabling contractors alleging that IPC Communications, Inc. violated federal antitrust and New York state law by conspiring with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union Number 3, AFL-CIO, and five electrical contractors to exclude plaintiffs from telecommunications wiring and systems installation jobs in the New York City metropolitan area. Subsequently, the complaint was amended to add an additional plaintiff and an additional defendant contractor. The Company believes the suit is without merit. However, there can be no assurance that the resolution of this lawsuit will ultimately be favorable. Plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief and damages from the defendants, jointly and severally, in excess of an aggregate of $75.0 million.

     On September 8, 2003, an action was brought against several defendants, including the Company’s subsidiary, IPC Information Systems, Inc. and its President, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York by Advance Relocation & Storage Co., Inc., a moving company. The complaint alleges that IPC Information Systems, Inc. and 23 other defendants violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and engaged in tortious interference with prospective business advantage by preventing the plaintiff from obtaining work as a mover in jobs performed in large commercial buildings in New York City. The Company believes the suit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against all claims alleged against it in the complaint. Plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief and damages from the defendants, jointly and severally, in an aggregate amount of approximately $7.0 million.

Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

     None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     None

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

     None

Item 5. Other Information

     None

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(A)   EXHIBITS

     
10.18
  Amendment to the Amended and Restated Labor Pooling Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2004, by and between Kleinknecht Electric Company, Inc. (NY) and IPC Information Systems, LLC.
 
   
10.19
  Amendment to the Amended and Restated Labor Pooling Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2004, by and between Kleinknecht Electric Company, Inc. (NJ) and IPC Information Systems, LLC.
 
   
10.20
  Employment agreement between IPC Information Systems, LLC and Timothy Whelan, dated as of July 15, 2004.
 
   
31.1
  Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
31.2
  Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
32.1
  Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
32.2
  Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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(B)   REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

    The Company filed a report on Form 8-K on June 23, 2004. The Form 8-K was for the purpose of announcing that on June 18, 2004, IPC Acquisition Corp., through its subsidiary IPC Information Systems, LLC, announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell assets related to its Information Transport Systems (“I.T.S.”) division to a group of private investors.
 
    On May 10, 2004, the Company furnished a report regarding our second quarter 2004 earnings release.
 
    On August 5, 2004, the Company furnished a report regarding our third quarter 2004 earnings release.

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SIGNATURE

     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.

         
    IPC Acquisition Corp.
 
       
Dated: August 13, 2004
  By:   /s/ TIMOTHY WHELAN
     
 
      Timothy Whelan
      Chief Financial Officer
      (Principal Financial and Accounting
      Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

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