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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-K

(Mark one)

OR

For the transition period from ____ to ____.

Commission file number: 0-17972

DIGI INTERNATIONAL INC.

11001 Bren Road East
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343

(952) 912-3444

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common stock, $.01 par value
(Title of each class)

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes    (X)   No   (   )

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ( X )

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

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $68,710,200, based on a closing price of $3.25 per share as reported on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System National Market System.

Shares of common stock outstanding as of December 5, 2003: 20,590,601

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INDEX

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following table shows, except as otherwise noted, the location of information required in this Form 10-K, in the Registrant’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended September 30, 2003 and Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled for January 22, 2004, a definitive copy of which will be filed on or about December 12, 2003. All such information set forth below under the heading “Page/Reference” is incorporated herein by reference, or included in this Form 10-K on the pages indicated.

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Digi International, Inc. (Digi or the Company) was formed in 1985 as a Minnesota corporation and reorganized as a Delaware corporation in 1989 in conjunction with its initial public offering. Digi’s first products were box and board-level serial port adapters (sold under the DigiBoard brand) that were used to directly connect multiple peripherals, such as standalone computer terminals, to personal computer servers or a host computer system.

During the 1990’s, next generation technologies, most notably Ethernet, emerged to provide the connectivity infrastructure for businesses. This trend began in the head and branch offices of businesses and in the late 1990’s began to extend to the factory, retail stores, restaurants, and many other environments such as medical, traffic control, and building controls. Digi entered the local area network (LAN) market with its acquisition of MiLAN Technology Corporation (MiLAN) in November 1993. The acquisition allowed for the introduction of LAN connectivity products including physical layer products such as transceivers, converters, and hubs, as well as print server products. Personal computers and servers also began to employ universal serial bus (USB) ports, providing a more convenient way of connecting peripherals than serial port adapters. Also in the late 1990’s, commercial grade USB solutions started to gain acceptance, providing connectivity for devices in point-of-sale systems, kiosks, and ATM’s, replacing the serial port adapter in many applications. Digi added the EtherLite product line to its portfolio of products in fiscal 1998 with its acquisition of Central Data Corporation (CDC) in July 1998. The EtherLite family of products augmented Digi’s entry into the terminal server market and allowed for the connection of serial port devices to the network, thus replacing the installation of serial port adapters in servers for many applications. In July 1998 Digi also acquired ITK International (ITK), principally for the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology under development at ITK. The technology would allow users to send packetized voice signals through the Internet if successfully developed. Digi decided to discontinue its development of this technology in fiscal 2000 as the technical resources required to successfully develop a competitive product were not available and the company decided to reallocate research and development resources to focus on its strengths in peripheral connectivity products.

During this same time, the semiconductor industry was also advancing rapidly. Complete systems were being built on single integrated circuits (chips). These chips, as part of a box or board product, could be used to build a network interface for virtually any device for which network connectivity was required. Device connectivity has evolved significantly over the past several years and Digi has focused on providing commercial and industrial-grade solutions to customers in an array of markets including building automation and control, point-of-sale, medical, hospitality, network cameras, information displays and office networking.

Digi launched its Connectware strategy in early 2000 and with it addressed the technology changes and developing opportunities in device connectivity. The Company recognized the brand strength that it had established with the DigiBoard product line in many vertical markets, including point-of-sale, factory automation, and building controls. Digi chose to implement a strategy to leverage the strength of the brand into these and other vertical markets by organically developing or acquiring next-generation connectivity products and technologies that would extend the value of the brand. In October 2000, Digi acquired privately held Inside Out Networks Inc. (Inside Out Networks), a developer and marketer of “out of the box” external data connection technologies that utilize USB. The acquisition provided a comprehensive USB product line. In addition, Digi benefited from Inside Out Networks’ EPIC software, which provides for a seamless transition between legacy software and the latest USB-attached devices. Digi also extended its Ethernet technology strategy through its June 2001 acquisition of INXTECH, the parent company of Decision Europe, a French designer and manufacturer of Ethernet connectivity solutions sold under the Xcell technology brand. This acquisition provided technology and market knowledge to accelerate Digi’s introduction of the Digi-One device-server product line. Device servers are intelligent, easy-to-use network devices that convert serial data

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (CONTINUED)

COMPANY OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

into network data. Device servers have two connections, one to a device’s serial port, and the other to the network. The device server allows the device to be controlled by a computer located anywhere on the network.

In February 2002, Digi acquired NetSilicon, Inc. (NetSilicon), a developer and marketer of network attached processors and device connectivity software. NetSilicon uses advanced microprocessors and software to build intelligent, network enabled solutions for manufacturers, mostly original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The acquisition of NetSilicon complemented Digi’s Connectware strategy by allowing the Company to transition from external connectivity solutions to embedded networking solutions and to incorporate higher levels of functionality. NetSilicon began as a supplier of standalone print servers, enabling the sharing of printers by multiple personal computer users on a LAN. This was accomplished by providing the hardware and software necessary to connect the printer to the network. NetSilicon also recognized the value of providing complete networking solutions as common networking protocols such as Ethernet and the Internet Protocol (IP) emerged. In order to provide a common networking environment, manufacturers need to integrate multiple hardware and software sub-systems with networking functionality.

Adding network functionality with components from multiple sources requires the engineering integration of components, including a microprocessor, an Ethernet chip, a real-time operating system, software drivers, and other complex components, all of which must be integrated to enable full networking functionality. These proprietary solutions have historically not been cost effective and employed rudimentary connectivity that could not routinely be upgraded.

NetSilicon addressed these networking issues by developing integrated hardware and software solutions for manufacturers who want to build network-ready products. Their solutions fully integrate network-enabled microprocessors (specialized computer chips), an operating system, networking software, and development tools. The fully integrated chips (sold under the Net+Arm® brand) and software (sold under the Net+Works® brand) are “embedded” by customers into their intelligent electronic devices, allowing their products to connect to the network. Once connected, these products can be managed, serviced, and accessed from anywhere. The NetSilicon products are designed to provide customers with a fully integrated, easy-to-use, standards-based solution that lowers development risk, accelerates time-to-market, and reduces the total cost of ownership.

In March of 2002, Digi sold substantially all of the assets of the MiLAN division, which was not core to Digi’s Connectware strategy. The sale allowed Digi to free up capital to focus on execution of its Connectware strategy.

Digi continues to develop and provide innovative connectivity solutions that have a common core technology base to its customers. The objective is to allow customers the ability to seamlessly migrate from an external box to a board or module and eventually to a fully integrated chip without making major changes to their software applications, thus making device networking easy.

Prior to the acquisition of NetSilicon in February 2002, the Company operated in a single reportable business segment known as Connectivity Solutions. The Company sells its Connectivity Solutions products through a global channel of distributors, systems integrators, solution providers, direct marketers and direct to strategic OEMs, government and commercial partners.

With the acquisition of NetSilicon, the Company operates in a second reportable segment known as Device Networking Solutions. Revenues are derived primarily from the sale of products to OEM customers which integrate products into larger solutions or systems and to a lesser extent from the sale of software licenses, fees associated with technical support, training and engineering services and royalties.

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (CONTINUED)

COMPANY OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

The common stock of Digi is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol DGII. The Company has its worldwide headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with regional and sales offices throughout the U.S. and worldwide, including Waltham, Massachusetts; Austin, Texas; Long Beach, California; Germany; France; Denmark; the United Kingdom; Hong Kong; China; and Japan.

PRODUCTS

Digi is a worldwide leader in connecting devices to networks from multi-port serial control to USB connectivity to embedded networking. The Company entered the solution-on-chip (SOC) and integrated networking software market with its acquisition of NetSilicon, providing for a broad family of code compatible network microprocessors and integrated software for network enabling devices. The Company’s products are compatible with all PC platforms, including Compaq, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems, as well as popular operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows NT/95/2000/XP/2003, Linux and UNIX.

The Company has sales offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Digi products are available through approximately 180 distributors in more than 60 countries.

The application markets where these products are most prominently used are point-of-sales systems (POS), industrial automation, medical, hospitality, building automation, network cameras, information displays, and office networking. The Company’s product lines are its multi-port serial adapters, network connected products (device servers and terminal servers), USB connected products and network microprocessors and printer controller products.

Multi-Port Serial Adapters

The Company is a market leader in this product category and offers one of the most comprehensive multi-port serial adapter product families. The Company’s products support a wide range of operating systems, port-densities, bus types, expansion options, and applications.

As Ethernet connections extend beyond current applications, the internal multi-port serial adapter products are expected to gradually transition to network-attached and/or USB attached devices. The Company has strengthened its product offering to meet customer needs and believes that although this market is maturing, multi-port serial adapters will continue to be an important product category.

Network Connected Products

The Company’s terminal server and device server product families offer flexible, powerful and easy solutions for providing access to serial devices over Ethernet networks. With a comprehensive offering of one- through 48-port products, this product family quickly and easily turns a previously isolated device with a serial port into a fully collaborative component of the network. As Ethernet-based serial connections extend beyond their current applications and into new market uses such as building automation, health care, process control and secure console port management on servers, routers, switches, and other network equipment, the Company believes that terminal servers and device servers will continue to be an important product category. In 2002, the Company introduced the industry’s first USB over IP concentrator called AnywhereUSB Remote I/O Concentrator. The AnywhereUSB Remote I/O Concentrator is the first remote networking solution to utilize USB-Over-IP™ technology, breaking the traditional five meter distance limitation of USB to connect USB devices anywhere on an existing wired or wireless LAN – without a locally attached host PC.

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (CONTINUED)

PRODUCTS (CONTINUED)

Universal Serial Bus Connected Products

The Company expanded its product lines with its acquisition of Inside Out Networks in October 2000. The acquisition gave the Company one of the most comprehensive and sophisticated USB product line in the industry. Furthermore, Inside Out Networks’ pioneering EPIC software provides seamless transition between legacy software/systems and next-generation USB-attached devices, supporting feature-rich hardware and software flow control signaling. This software provides ease of use and integration while protecting technology investments. In 2003, the Company expanded its offering further to include USB based sensor products and support for powered peripherals.

Network Microprocessors and Printer Controller Boards

With the acquisition of NetSilicon in February 2002, the Company entered the embedded system market. NetSilicon designs and manufactures integrated network centric silicon based solutions for manufacturers who want to build intelligence and network connectivity into their products. The platforms integrate high performance microprocessors and advanced networking software to provide fully integrated networking solutions. In 2003, the Company extended its line of embedded networking products to include the Digi Connect™ ME a small, embedded network module.

LAN Connectivity

On March 25, 2002, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of its former MiLAN division, to Communications Systems, Inc. (CSI) for $8,059,000, as this division was not core to the Company’s Connectware strategy. The MiLAN product line included wireless access points and clients, managed and unmanaged switches, media converters, print servers and fault tolerant transceivers.

DISTRIBUTION AND PARTNERSHIPS

Significant U.S. distributors include: Ingram Micro, Tech Data Corporation, Arrow Distributing, Avnet/Hallmark and Nu Horizons Electronics Corporation.

Significant Canadian distributors include: EMJ Data Systems, Ingram Micro Canada and Tech Data Canada.

Significant European distributors include: Miel, Westbase Technology, Sphinx Computer, Mitrol, Euroline, Comstor, Stemmer, ESA Opensoft, Dupaco, Atlantik Elektronik, Solid State Supplies, Axess Technology, Reselec AG, Pelcon, Alcom, C-88 AS, and Matrix.

Significant Asia Pacific distributors include: Tech Pacific, SC ComTex, Inc., T-Data, DI Systems, Sigma Infocom, Modern Tech, LDL, Alpha Electronics, and Paltek Corporation.

Significant Latin American distributors include: Ingram Micro Miami, Tech Data Miami, Integral, Integrade, and Solutions Box.

Digi maintains strategic alliances with other industry leaders to develop and market technology solutions. These include most major communications software vendors, operating system suppliers, and computer hardware manufacturers. Key partners include: Microsoft, Citrix Systems, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Motorola, CDW, Insight, Santa Cruz Operation, Sun Microsystems, Toshiba, Atmel, and Green Hills Software. Furthermore, NetSilicon maintains a worldwide network of authorized developers and manufacturing representatives that extends the Company’s marketing and selling reach into certain technology applications or geographical regions.

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (CONTINUED)

CUSTOMERS

The Company’s customer base includes many of the world’s largest companies. Long-time customer IBM made the Company’s adapter boards the first integrated communications offering for the iSeries (previously named AS400) in 2000, in addition to the products currently being sold into the pSeries (previously named RS6000). The Company has strategic sales relationships with leading vendors, allowing them to ship the Company’s board and network products as component parts of their overall networking solutions. These vendors include NCR, Sun Microsystems and Hewlett Packard, among others. Many of the world’s leading telecommunications companies and internet service providers also rely on the Company’s products, including Lucent, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and Siemens. Through the NetSilicon acquisition, the Company has many of the world’s largest office networking companies on its customer list, including KonicaMinolta, Ricoh, Sharp, Hitachi, Toshiba, and Xerox.

During the year ended September 30, 2003, two customers, that are distributors, comprised more than 10% of net sales each: Tech Data at 15.2% and Ingram Micro at 11.3%. During the year ended September 30, 2002, these two customers comprised more than 10% of net sales each: Tech Data at 13.8% and Ingram Micro at 14.0%. During the year ended September 30, 2001, these two customers comprised more than 10% of net sales each: Tech Data at 13.9% and Ingram Micro at 11.3%.

COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS

The communications technology sector is characterized by rapid technological advances and evolving industry standards. The market can be significantly affected by new product introductions and marketing activities of industry participants. The Company competes for customers on the basis of product performance in relation to compatibility, support, quality and reliability, product development capabilities, price and availability.

The Company believes that it is a global market leader in multi-port serial adapters. As this market continues to mature, the Company will focus on key applications, customers, and markets to manage applications as they transition to other technologies such as Ethernet, USB, and wireless connectivity products. The Company also believes it is a leader in connecting peripheral devices to Ethernet LANs with its terminal server and device server product lines. The Company is an early entrant to the embedded system market, and believes that the complementary nature of the NetSilicon device connectivity products, along with a line of embeddable modules and controllers, will provide an expanded range of products and technology.

Some of the Company’s competitors and potential competitors may have greater financial, technological, manufacturing, marketing and personnel resources than the Company. Present and future competitors may be able to identify new markets and develop products which are superior to those developed by the Company and bring such products to market sooner than the Company. They may also adapt new technologies faster, devote greater resources to research and development, promote products more aggressively and price products more competitively than the Company. There are no assurances that competition will not intensify or that the Company will be able to compete effectively in the markets in which the Company competes.

OPERATIONS

The Company’s manufacturing operation procures all parts and performs certain services involved in production. Most of the Company’s product manufacturing is subcontracted to outside firms that specialize in such services. NetSilicon relies on third party foundries for its semiconductor devices. Currently, Atmel Corporation and Toshiba Corporation manufacture the NET + ARM semiconductor devices. Furthermore,

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (CONTINUED)

OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

NetSilicon contracts with a subcontractor to assemble printed circuit boards. The Company believes that this approach is beneficial because the Company can reduce its fixed costs, maintain production flexibility and maximize its profit margins.

The Company’s products are manufactured to their designs with standard and semi-custom components. Most of these components are available from multiple vendors. The Company has several single-sourced supplier relationships, either because alternative sources are not available or because the relationship is advantageous to the Company. If these suppliers are unable to provide a timely and reliable supply of components, the Company could experience manufacturing delays that adversely affect its consolidated results of operations.

During fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company’s research and development expenditures were $16.0, $19.5 and $18.3 million, respectively. Due to rapidly changing technology in the communications technology sector, the Company believes that its success depends primarily upon the engineering, marketing, manufacturing and support skills of its personnel, rather than upon patent protection. Although the Company may seek patents where appropriate and has certain patent applications pending for proprietary technology, the Company’s proprietary technology or products are generally not patented. The Company relies primarily on the copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to protect its proprietary rights in its products. The Company has established common law and registered trademark rights on a family of marks for a number of its products.

As of September 30, 2003, the Company had backlog orders which management believed to be firm in the amount of $5.8 million. All of these orders are expected to be shipped in fiscal 2004. Backlog as of September 30, 2002 was $7.2 million, a $5.8 million increase from backlog of $1.4 million as of September 30, 2001 due to backlog associated with NetSilicon which was acquired in February 2002. Backlog as of any particular date is not necessarily indicative of the Company’s future sales trends.

The Company had 358 employees on September 30, 2003 compared to 407 on September 30, 2002. The decrease in the number of employees is due to normal attrition and employee departures associated with the September 2002 restructuring.

DIGI INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE

The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available through the Company’s website (www.digi.com) under the “About Digi – Investor Relations” caption or by writing to Digi International, Inc. This information is available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not including the information on its website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, its Form 10-K.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The following table contains a listing of the Company’s current property locations:

Management believes that the Company’s facilities are suitable and adequate for current administration, sales and marketing, research and development, manufacturing, and warehouse requirements. The Company is attempting to sell the Dortmund, Germany facility.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On April 19, 2002, a consolidated amended class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint, which supersedes three virtually identical complaints that had been filed from August 7, 2001 to August 31, 2001, is captioned “In re NETsilicon, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation” (21 MC 92, 01 Civ. 7281 (SAS)). The complaint names as defendants NetSilicon, certain of its officers, certain underwriters involved in NetSilicon’s initial public offering (“IPO”), and the Company, and asserts, among other things, that NetSilicon’s IPO prospectus and registration statement violated federal securities laws because they contained material misrepresentations and/or omissions regarding the conduct of NetSilicon’s IPO underwriters in allocating shares in NetSilicon’s IPO to the underwriters’ customers, and that NetSilicon and the two named officers engaged in fraudulent practices with respect to this underwriters’ conduct. The action seeks damages, fees and costs associated with the litigation, and interest. The

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (CONTINUED)

Company believes that the claims against the Company are without merit and has defended the litigation vigorously. Pursuant to a stipulation between the parties, the two named officers were dismissed from the lawsuit, without prejudice, on October 9, 2002. On July 15, 2002, the Company, along with 300-plus other publicly traded companies that have been named in substantially similar lawsuits, filed a collective motion to dismiss the complaint on various legal grounds common to all or most of the issuer defendants. On February 19, 2003, the Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss.

In June 2003, the Company, implementing the determination made by a special independent committee of the Board of Directors, elected to participate in a proposed settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in this litigation. If ultimately approved by the Court, this proposed settlement would result in a dismissal, with prejudice, of all claims in the litigation against the Company and against any of the other issuer defendants who elect to participate in the proposed settlement, together with the current or former officers and directors of participating issuers who were named as individual defendants. The proposed settlement does not provide for the resolution of any claims against the underwriter defendants, and the litigation as against those defendants is continuing. The proposed settlement provides that the class members in the class action cases brought against the participating issuer defendants will be guaranteed a recovery of $1 billion by insurers of the participating issuer defendants. If recoveries totaling $1 billion or more are obtained by the class members from the underwriter defendants, however, the monetary obligations to the class members under the proposed settlement will be satisfied. In addition, the Company and any other participating issuer defendants will be required to assign to the class members certain claims that they may have against the underwriters of their IPOs.

The proposed settlement contemplates that any amounts necessary to fund the settlement or settlement-related expenses would come from participating issuers’ directors and officers liability insurance policy proceeds as opposed to funds of the participating issuer defendants themselves. A participating issuer defendant could be required to contribute to the costs of the settlement if that issuer’s insurance coverage were insufficient to pay that issuer’s allocable share of the settlement costs. The Company expects that its insurance proceeds will be sufficient for these purposes and that it will not otherwise be required to contribute to the proposed settlement. Consummation of the proposed settlement is conditioned upon, among other things, negotiating, executing, and filing with the Court final settlement documents, and final approval by the Court. If the proposed settlement described above is not consummated, the Company intends to continue to defend the litigation vigorously. The litigation process is inherently uncertain and unpredictable, however, and there can be no guarantee as to the ultimate outcome of this pending lawsuit. The Company maintains liability insurance for such matters that provides for coverage of up to a maximum of $10 million per occurrence. The Company expects that the liability insurance will be adequate to cover any potential unfavorable outcome, less the applicable deductible amount of $250,000 per claim. As of September 30, 2003, the Company has accrued a liability for the deductible amount of $250,000 which the Company believes reflects the amount of loss that is probable. The Company believes the insurance claim will be approved based on discussion with representatives of the insurance company and legal counsel who represents the Company in this matter. The Company also considers the realization of recovery under the insurance policy to be probable based on the insurance contract in place with a reputable and financially sound insurance company. In the event the Company has losses that exceed the limits of the liability insurance, such losses could have a material effect on the business, results of operations, or financial condition of the Company. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various claims and litigation, including patent and intellectual property claims. Management of the Company expects that these various litigation items will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to the vote of security holders during the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS’ MATTERS

Stock Listing

The Company’s Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market™ under the symbol “DGII.” On December 5, 2003, the number of holders of the Company’s Common Stock was approximately 8,951, consisting of 259 record holders and approximately 8,692 stockholders whose stock is held by a bank, broker or other nominee.

High and low sale prices for each quarter during the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market, were as follows:

Stock Prices

Dividend Policy

The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock. The Board of Directors presently intends to retain all earnings for use in the Company’s business and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

The Company does not have a Dividend Reinvestment Plan or a Direct Stock Purchase Plan.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES)

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This Annual Report contains certain statements that are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other expressions, which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on information available to management as of the time of such statements and relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which the Company operates, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the market and statements regarding the Company’s mission and vision. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The future operating results and performance trends of the Company may be affected by a number of factors, including, without limitation, those described under “Risk Factors” below. Those risk factors, and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions identified from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its registration statements, could cause the Company’s actual future results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth in the Company’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and of changes in general economic conditions, changes in interest rates and/or exchange rates and changes in the assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements.

RISK FACTORS

The Company’s dependence on new product development and the rapid technological change that characterizes the Company’s industry make it susceptible to loss of market share resulting from competitors’ product introductions and similar risks.

The communications technology sector is characterized by rapidly changing technologies, evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions, short product life cycles and rapidly changing customer requirements. The introduction of products embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards can render existing products obsolete and unmarketable. The Company’s future success will depend on its ability to enhance its existing products, to introduce new products to meet changing customer requirements and emerging technologies, and to demonstrate the performance advantages and cost-effectiveness of its products over competing products. Any failure by the Company to modify its products to support new alternative technologies or any failure to achieve widespread customer acceptance of such modified products could cause the Company to lose market share and cause its revenues to decline.

The Company may experience delays in developing and marketing product enhancements or new products that respond to technological change, evolving industry standards and changing customer requirements. There can be no assurance that the Company will not experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful

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ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)

development, introduction, and marketing of these products or product enhancements, or that its new products and product enhancements will adequately meet the requirements of the marketplace and achieve any significant or sustainable degree of market acceptance in existing or additional markets. Failure by the Company, for technological or other reasons, to develop and introduce new products and product enhancements in a timely and cost-effective manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, the future introductions or announcements of products by the Company or one of its competitors embodying new technologies or changes in industry standards or customer requirements could render the Company’s then-existing products obsolete or unmarketable. There can be no assurance that the introduction or announcement of new product offerings by the Company or one or more of its competitors will not cause customers to defer the purchase of the Company’s existing products, which could cause its revenues to decline.

The Company intends to continue to devote significant resources to its research and development, which, if not successful, could cause a decline in its revenues and harm its business.

The Company intends to continue to devote significant resources to research and development in the coming years to enhance and develop additional products. For the fiscal years ended 2003, 2002, and 2001, the Company’s research and development expenses comprised 15.5%, 19.2%, and 14.1%, respectively, of total net sales. If the Company is unable to develop new products as a result of its research and development efforts, or if the products the Company develops are not successful, its business could be harmed. Even if the Company develops new products that are accepted by its target markets, the net revenues from these products may not be sufficient to justify its investment in research and development.

A substantial portion of the company’s recent development efforts have been directed toward the development of new products targeted to manufacturers of intelligent, network-enabled devices and other embedded systems in various markets, including markets in which networking solutions for embedded systems have not historically been sold, such as markets for industrial automation equipment and security equipment. The Company’s financial performance is dependent upon the development of the intelligent device markets that the Company is targeting, and the Company’s ability to successfully compete and sell its products to manufacturers of these intelligent devices.

Certain of the Company’s products that generate a substantial amount of its revenue are sold into mature markets, which could limit the Company’s ability to generate revenue from these products.

Certain of the Company’s products provide asynchronous and synchronous data transmissions via add-on cards. The market for add-on asynchronous and synchronous data communications cards is mature. Furthermore, certain applications of the Company’s embedded network interface cards are also considered mature. Asynchronous, synchronous, and network interface cards currently generate approximately 40% of the Company’s revenues. As the overall market for these products decreases due to the adoption of new technologies, the Company expects that its revenues from these products will continue to decline. As a result, the Company’s future prospects depend in large part on its ability to acquire or develop and successfully market additional products that address growth markets.

The Company’s failure to effectively manage product transitions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and profitability.

From time to time, the Company or its competitors may announce new products, capabilities, or technologies that may replace or shorten the life cycles of the Company’s existing products. Announcements of currently

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ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

RISK FACTORS (CONTINUED)

planned or other new products may cause customers to defer or stop purchasing the Company’s products until new products become available. Furthermore, the introduction of new or enhanced products requires the Company to manage the transition from older product inventories and ensure that adequate supplies of new products can be delivered to meet customer demand. The Company’s failure to effectively manage transitions from older products could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and profitability.

The Company’s failure to compete successfully in its highly competitive market could result in reduced prices and loss of market share.

The market in which the Company operates is characterized by rapid technological advances and evolving industry standards. The market can be significantly affected by new product introductions and marketing activities of industry participants. The Company competes for customers on the basis of product performance in relation to compatibility, support, quality and reliability, product development capabilities, price, and availability. Certain of the Company’s competitors and potential competitors may have greater financial, technological, manufacturing, marketing, and personnel resources than the Company. Present and future competitors may be able to identify new markets and develop products more quickly, which are superior to those developed by the Company. They may also adapt new technologies faster, devote greater resources to research and development, promote products more aggressively, and price products more competitively than the Company. There are no assurances that competition will not intensify or that the Company will be able to compete effectively in the markets in which the Company competes.

The cyclicality of the semiconductor industry may result in substantial period-to-period fluctuations in operating results.

The Company’s semiconductor products provide networking capabilities for intelligent, network-enabled devices and other embedded systems. The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and subject to rapid technological change and has been subject to significant economic downturns at various times, characterized by diminished product demand, accelerated erosion of average selling prices and production overcapacity. The semiconductor industry also periodically experiences increased demand and production capacity constraints. As a result, the Company may experience substantial period-to-period fluctuations in operating results due to general semiconductor industry conditions, overall economic conditions or other factors.

The Company’s concentrated customer base increases the potential adverse effect on the Company from the loss of one or more customers.

The Company’s products have historically been sold into highly concentrated customer markets. Two customers, who are distributors of the Companies products, comprised more than 10% of net sales each during the fiscal years ended 2003, 2002, and 2001: Tech Data at 15.2%, 13.8%, and 13.9%, respectively, and Ingram Micro at 11.3%, 14.0%, and 11.3%, respectively. The Company’s sales are primarily made on the basis of purchase orders rather than under long-term agreements, and therefore, any customer could cease purchasing the Company’s products at any time without penalty. The decision of any key customer to cease using the Company’s products or a material decline in the number of units purchased by a significant customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues.

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The long and variable sales cycle for certain of the Company’s products makes it more difficult for the Company to predict its operating results and manage its business.

The sale of the Company’s products typically involves a significant technical evaluation and commitment of capital and other resources by potential customers and end users, as well as delays frequently associated with end users’ internal procedures to deploy new technologies within their products and to test and accept new technologies. For these and other reasons, the sales cycle associated with certain of the Company’s products is typically lengthy and is subject to a number of significant risks, including end users’ internal purchasing reviews, that are beyond the Company’s control. Because of the lengthy sales cycle and the large size of customer orders, if orders forecasted for a specific customer for a particular quarter are not realized in that quarter, the Company’s operating results for that quarter could be materially adversely affected.

The Company depends on manufacturing relationships and on limited-source suppliers, and any disruptions in these relationships may cause damage to the Company’s customer relationships.

The Company procures all parts and certain services involved in the production of its products and subcontracts most of its product manufacturing to outside firms that specialize in such services. Although most of the components of the Company’s products are available from multiple vendors, the Company has several single-source supplier relationships, either because alternative sources are not available or because the relationship is advantageous to the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company’s suppliers will be able to meet the Company’s future requirements for products and components in a timely fashion. In addition, the availability of many of these components to the Company is dependent in part on the Company’s ability to provide its suppliers with accurate forecasts of its future requirements. Delays or lost sales could be caused by other factors beyond the Company’s control, including late deliveries by vendors of components. If the Company is required to identify alternative suppliers for any of its required components, qualification and pre-production periods could be lengthy and may cause an increase in component costs and delays in providing products to customers. Any extended interruption in the supply of any of the key components currently obtained from limited sources could disrupt the Company’s operations and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s customer relationships and profitability.

The Company’s use of suppliers in Southeast Asia involves risks that could negatively impact the Company.

The Company uses suppliers in Southeast Asia. Product delivery times may be extended due to the distances involved, requiring more lead-time in ordering. In addition, ocean freight delays may occur as a result of labor problems, weather delays or expediting and customs issues. Any extended delay in receipt of the component parts could eliminate anticipated cost savings and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s customer relationships and profitability.

The Company’s ability to compete could be jeopardized if the Company is unable to protect its intellectual property rights.

The Company’s ability to compete depends in part on its proprietary rights and technology. Although the Company has certain patents and patent applications and may seek additional patents where appropriate for proprietary technology, the Company’s proprietary technology and products are generally not patented. The Company relies primarily on the copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws to protect its proprietary rights in its products.

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The Company enters into confidentiality agreements with all employees, and sometimes with its customers and potential customers, and limits access to the distribution of its proprietary information. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by the Company in this regard will be adequate to prevent the misappropriation of its technology. The Company’s pending patent applications may be denied and any patents, once issued, may be circumvented by the Company’s competitors. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others will not develop technologies that are superior to the Company’s technologies. Despite the Company’s efforts to protect its proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of its products or to obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company’s proprietary rights as fully as do the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the Company’s means of protecting its proprietary rights in the United States or abroad will be adequate or that competing companies will not independently develop similar technology. The Company’s failure to adequately protect its proprietary rights could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s competitive position and result in loss of revenue.

From time to time, the Company is subject to claims and litigation regarding intellectual property rights, which could seriously harm the Company and require the Company to incur significant costs.

The communications technology sector is characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. From time to time, the Company receives notification of a third-party claim that its products infringe other intellectual property rights. Any litigation to determine the validity of third-party infringement claims, whether or not determined in the Company’s favor or settled by the Company, may be costly and divert the efforts and attention of the Company’s management and technical personnel from productive tasks, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to operate its business and service the needs of its customers. There can be no assurance that any infringement claims by third parties, if proven to have merit, will not materially adversely affect the Company’s business or financial condition. In the event of an adverse ruling in any such matter, the Company may be required to pay substantial damages, cease the manufacture, use and sale of infringing products, discontinue the use of certain processes or be required to obtain a license under the intellectual property rights of the third party claiming infringement. There can be no assurance that a license would be available on reasonable terms or at all. Any limitations on the Company’s ability to market its products, or delays and costs associated with redesigning its products or payments of license fees to third parties, or any failure by the Company to develop or license a substitute technology on commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on its business and financial condition.

The Company faces risks associated with its international operations and expansion that could impair its ability to grow its revenues abroad.

In the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, 2002, and 2001, net sales to customers outside the United States were approximately 35.5%, 31.5%, and 33.0%, respectively, of total net sales.

The Company believes that its future growth is dependent in part upon its ability to increase sales in international markets. These sales are subject to a variety of risks, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, tariffs, import restrictions and other trade barriers, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, longer accounts receivable payment cycles and potentially adverse tax consequences, and export license requirements.

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In addition, the Company is subject to the risks inherent in conducting business internationally, including political and economic instability and unexpected changes in diplomatic and trade relationships. There can be no assurance that one or more of these factors will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business strategy and financial condition.

If the Company loses key personnel it could prevent the Company from executing its business strategy.

The Company’s business and prospects depend to a significant degree upon the continuing contributions of its executive officers and its key technical personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Failure to attract and retain key personnel could result in the Company’s failure to execute its business strategy.

Any acquisitions the Company has made or will make could disrupt its business and seriously harm its financial condition.

The Company will continue to consider acquisitions of complementary businesses, products or technologies. In the event of any future purchases, the Company could:

•		issue stock that would dilute the Company’s current stockholders’ percentage ownership;
•		incur debt;
•		assume liabilities; or
•		incur large and immediate write-offs.

The Company’s operation of any acquired business will also involve numerous risks, including:

•		problems combining the purchased operations, technologies, or products;
•		unanticipated costs;
•		diversion of management’s attention from the Company’s core business;
•		difficulties integrating businesses in different countries and cultures;
•		adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;
•		risks associated with entering markets in which the Company has no or limited prior experience; and
•		potential loss of key employees, particularly those of the purchased organization.

The Company cannot assure that it will be able to successfully integrate any businesses, products, technologies, or personnel that the Company has acquired or that the Company might acquire in the future and any failure to do so could disrupt its business and have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, from time to time the Company may enter into negotiations for a proposed acquisition, but be unable or unwilling to consummate the acquisition under consideration. This could cause significant diversion of management’s attention and out-of-pocket expenses to the Company. The Company could also be exposed to litigation as a result of an unconsummated acquisition, including claims that it failed to negotiate in good faith or misappropriated confidential information.

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The following table sets forth selected information from the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, expressed as a percentage of net sales and as a percentage of change from year-to-year for the years indicated.

NET SALES

Net sales were $102.9 million in fiscal 2003 compared to $101.5 million in fiscal 2002. The $1.4 million or 1.4% increase in net sales from 2002 to 2003 and the $28.9 million or 22.2% decrease in net sales from 2001 to 2002 occurred within the Company’s principal product groups as displayed below. The Company competes for customers on the basis of product performance in relation to compatibility, support, quality and reliability, product development capabilities, price and availability. As the product mix has changed, the Company has experienced a slight reduction in the average selling price of its mature products. Volume fluctuations, in addition to customer and product mix changes, are the primary reason for changes in net sales.

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The following table sets forth revenue by segment:

(1)		The Company sold its MiLAN Technology division on March 25, 2002. MiLAN net sales included in connectivity solutions were $5.9 million and $22.6 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
(2)		The Company acquired NetSilicon on February 13, 2002. Fiscal 2002 includes net sales for 7 1/2 months in comparison to a full year in fiscal 2003.

A decline in demand in the communications technology sector, as a result of the slower economy, impacted the Company’s net sales in 2003. Connectivity solution net sales were $11.5 million lower in fiscal 2003 compared to 2002. Net sales of the Company’s Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Remote Access Server (RAS), and synchronous products declined $2.6 million in 2003 relative to 2002. This continued decline is due to the Company’s phase out of certain products within these product lines and market maturity. Continued erosion of the asynchronous product market accounted for $3.0 million of the decline in fiscal 2003 net sales relative to 2002. This decline in the asynchronous market was not as great as originally expected by management due to enhancements to the channel strategy, which included employing additional channel partners, and added features to the product line which resulted in market share gains. Net sales of the Company’s terminal server products declined $1.9 million in 2003 relative to 2002 due to general economic conditions. Net sales of the Company’s USB products increased $1.9 million in 2003 relative to 2002. This increase was generally due to the release of new product line enhancements in 2003. Net sales by the MiLAN business, which the Company sold on March 25, 2002, were $5.9 million for the first two quarters of fiscal 2002. Net sales of the Company’s device networking solutions products increased $12.9 million in 2003 relative to 2002. This increase was primarily due to NetSilicon product sales being included in the Company’s operating results for all of fiscal 2003 compared to 7 1/2 months of fiscal 2002.

The industry-wide decline in demand, as a result of the continued economic downturn, also impacted the Company’s net sales in 2002. Connectivity solution net sales for fiscal 2002 were $83.6 million compared to $129.9 million in fiscal 2001. Net sales by the MiLAN business, which the Company sold on March 25, 2002, were $16.8 million lower in 2002 relative to 2001. Net sales of the Company’s ISDN, RAS, and synchronous products declined $11.5 million in 2002 relative to 2001 as the Company phased out certain products within these product lines. Continued erosion of the asynchronous product market accounted for $16.8 million of the decline in 2002 net sales relative to 2001. Net sales of the Company’s terminal server and USB products decreased $1.2 million in 2002 relative to 2001. Net sales of the Company’s device networking solutions products increased $17.4 million in 2002 relative to 2001 primarily due to the acquisition of NetSilicon in February 2002.

The Company’s revenue is generated from these distribution channels: OEMs, distributors, and direct. The following tables present the Company’s revenue by reporting segments, by channel and by geographic location of the customers:

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The increase in the OEM channel net revenue is primarily due to the Company’s entrance into the device networking market through the acquisition of NetSilicon. The majority of NetSilicon’s customers are OEMs. The increase in Device Networking Solutions net revenue was due to increased device server sales and the fact that the operating results of NetSilicon were included for all of fiscal 2003. The decline in Connectivity Solutions net revenue was related to continued decline in demand in the communications technology sector associated with the continued slower economy and the decline in certain mature markets.

The decline in distribution channel net revenue was related to continued decline in demand in the communications technology sector associated with the continued slower economy and the decline in certain mature markets.

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The Company generally recognizes product revenue at the date that products are shipped to distributors or OEMs. Upon adoption of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements (SAB 101) in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company changed its revenue recognition policy with regard to certain product sales. Essentially, the new policy recognizes that the risks and rewards of ownership in certain transactions do not substantively transfer to customers upon shipment of the products. These new policies are consistent with the guidance contained in SAB 101. The effect of this change in revenue recognition policy, as of October 1, 2000, was reported as the cumulative effect of an accounting change in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 of $1.9 million, net of taxes, which includes revenue of approximately $6.3 million, less cost of sales and certain direct selling expenses. (See Note 18 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.)

GROSS MARGIN

Gross margin for 2003 was 59.6%, compared to 54.7% in 2002. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to the introduction of new device networking connectivity products and continuing strength in higher margin legacy products. Software licenses, royalties, fees associated with technical support, training, professional and engineering services contributed $2.2 million to gross margin or 0.9% as a percent of sales in 2003 compared to a contribution of $1.3 million to gross margin or 0.6% as a percent of sales in 2002. The acquisition of NetSilicon and sale of the MiLAN business also contributed to the increase in gross margin because device networking solution products generally have higher gross margins than LAN connectivity products. Fiscal year 2002 gross margin included inventory write-downs related to restructuring of $0.4 million and acquisition related expenses of $0.7 million which reduced the Company’s gross margin by 1.1% as a percent of sales.

Gross margin in 2002 was 54.7%, compared to 49.2% in 2001. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to increased sales of higher margin products and improved operating efficiencies in the Company’s manufacturing operations. The acquisition of NetSilicon and sale of the MiLAN business also contributed to the increase in gross margin because device networking solution products generally have higher gross margins than LAN connectivity products.

OPERATING EXPENSES

2003 Compared to 2002

Operating expenses were $55.6 million in 2003, a decrease of $21.7 million, or 28.0%, compared to operating expenses of $77.3 million in 2002. Included in 2002 operating expenses was a loss on sale of the MiLAN Technology division of $3.6 million, a charge for in-process research and development costs of $3.1 million in connection with the acquisition of NetSilicon, Inc., and a $2.7 million restructuring charge that was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2002. Operating expenses in 2003 were reduced by a $0.6 million change in estimate related to the restructuring charge recorded during 2002 primarily due to the renegotiation and settlement of certain previously established severance obligations including related legal fees. NetSilicon, acquired in February 2002, added incremental operating expenses of $5.1 million that were offset by decreased operating expenses of $5.1 million as a result of the sale of MiLAN in March 2002. Total operating expenses decreased

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by $6.7 million due to compensation related savings realized from the restructuring plan executed in the fourth quarter of 2002. As a result of the adoption of FAS 142 on October 1, 2002, the Company ceased the amortization of goodwill, resulting in a decrease in amortization expense of $2.3 million relative to 2002, partially offset by additional amortization of identifiable intangible assets of $0.9 million in 2003 primarily due to the acquisition of NetSilicon. Additionally, operating expenses declined by $3.6 million in 2003 relative to 2002 due to continuing general cost containment measures, largely related to tighter spending guidelines implemented by the Company related to discretionary spending.

Sales and marketing expenses were $24.7 million in 2003, a decrease of $4.1 million compared to sales and marketing expenses of $28.8 million in 2002. The decrease was primarily due to $2.2 million of compensation related savings realized from the restructuring plan executed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. Incremental sales and marketing expenses of $3.3 million in 2003 that were associated with the operations of NetSilicon were partially offset by a $2.5 million decrease in expense in 2003 as a result of the sale of MiLAN. Sales and marketing expenses declined $0.7 million in 2003 relative to 2002 as a result of reduced advertising and promotion spending and an additional $2.0 million in savings were realized primarily as a result of continuing general cost containment measures.

Research and development expenses were $16.0 million in 2003, a decrease of $3.5 million compared to research and development expenses of $19.5 million in 2002. The decrease was primarily due to $3.7 million of compensation related savings realized from the restructuring plan executed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. Incremental research and development expenses of $2.7 million in 2003 associated with the operations of NetSilicon were partially offset by a $1.8 million decrease in expense as a result of the sale of MiLAN. Additional research and development cost reductions of $0.7 million were realized primarily as a result of continuing general cost containment measures.

General and administrative expenses decreased $4.1 million from $19.6 million in 2002 to $15.5 million in 2003. Contributing to this decrease was $0.8 million of compensation related savings realized from the restructuring plan executed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. Excluding amortization, general and administrative expenses at NetSilicon declined $0.9 million primarily due to lower facility costs as a result of a reduction in the square footage of leased space. General and administrative expenses declined $0.8 million as a result of the sale of MiLAN. As a result of the adoption of FAS 142 on October 1, 2002, the Company ceased the amortization of goodwill, resulting in a decrease in amortization expense of $2.3 million in 2003 relative to 2002, partially offset by additional amortization of identifiable intangible assets of $0.9 million in 2003 primarily due to the acquisition of NetSilicon. Additional general and administrative cost reductions of $0.2 million were realized primarily as a result of continuing general cost containment measures.

2002 Compared to 2001

Operating expenses were $77.3 million in 2002, an increase of $10.9 million, or 16.4%, compared to operating expenses of $66.4 million in 2001. Included in 2002 operating expenses was a loss on sale of substantially all of the assets of MiLAN of $3.6 million and a charge for in-process research and development costs of $3.1 million recorded in connection with the acquisition of NetSilicon. NetSilicon, acquired in February 2002, added incremental operating expenses of $16.5 million, of which $1.7 million resulted from amortization of identifiable intangible assets. Operating expenses decreased by $5.2 million as a result of the sale of MiLAN in March 2002, excluding the loss on sale described above. Incremental expenses for INXTECH, were $2.2 million, of which $0.7 million was amortization of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. INXTECH is the parent company of Decision Europe, a French designer and manufacturer of data communications systems sold under the Xcell Technology brand (INXTECH), and was acquired in June 2001 and subsequently closed in

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connection with the September 2002 restructuring activities (see Note 6 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements). The impact of the restructuring and related workforce reduction at the end of fiscal 2001, along with expense control measures, reduced expenses by $11.1 million, primarily in sales and marketing and research and development expenses. Additional expenses of $1.8 million were incurred primarily due to increased investment in research and development in the USB product line during fiscal 2002

Sales and marketing expenses decreased $1.9 million in 2002 relative to 2001 due to a decrease in MiLAN related expenses of $2.3 million as a result of the sale of MiLAN along with $2.1 million of cost reductions realized as a result of decreases in marketing related activities including cooperative advertising, ad placements, tradeshows, and promotional items. Also, there was a $2.3 million decrease in 2002 relative to 2001 as a result of the workforce reductions made by the Company in September 2001, along with a decrease in selling commissions commensurate with the decrease in revenues. These decreases were partially offset by the incremental expenses from NetSilicon and INXTECH, which were acquired in 2002 and 2001, respectively, of $4.8 million.

Research and development expenses increased $1.2 million in 2002 relative to 2001 due to an increase of $8.3 million resulting from research and development activities associated with the operations of NetSilicon, INXTECH and Inside Out Networks, which were acquired in 2002 and 2001, and were partially offset by decreases in MiLAN related expenses of $2.0 million resulting from the sale of MiLAN in 2002, and headcount reductions that resulted in a decrease in research and development expenses of $5.1 million.

General and administrative expenses increased $3.3 million in 2002 compared to 2001, primarily due to the incremental expenses of $4.6 million relating to the operations of NetSilicon and INXTECH which were acquired in 2002 and 2001, respectively, of which $2.4 million was incremental amortization expense. General and administrative expenses related to MiLAN, which was sold in 2002, decreased $0.6 million. Additional expense reductions of $0.3 million were generated in general and administrative expenses in 2002 relative to 2001 due to the closing of the Singapore and Australian offices in fiscal 2001.

RESTRUCTURING

In fiscal 2003, the Company recorded a $0.6 million decrease in operating expenses due to a change in estimated severance payments accrued in connection with fiscal 2002 restructuring activities. The change in estimate resulted primarily from favorable settlements in 2003 of previously agreed upon severance amounts including related legal fees.

The $2.7 million restructuring charge recorded in fiscal 2002 was the result of a workforce reduction of 20% or 88 employees. The restructuring charge consisted of severance and termination costs, lease cancellation fees, and office closing expenses. The Company anticipated annual cost savings of approximately $7.2 million to result from this restructuring. During fiscal 2003, the Company realized compensation related savings of $6.7 million as a result of this restructuring plan. The restructuring will be completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 as certain automobile and building lease payments are scheduled to be paid through that date (see Note 6 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

The $1.1 million restructuring charge recorded in fiscal 2001 was the result of a workforce reduction of approximately 13% or 61 employees. The restructuring charge consisted entirely of severance and termination costs for the 61 positions affected by the restructuring. Restructuring activities were completed at

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the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001. In 2002, the Company realized annual cost savings of approximately $5.6 million from this restructuring which corresponded to the savings anticipated by the Company.

ACQUIRED IN-PROCESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

On February 13, 2002, the Company acquired NetSilicon, a provider of silicon-based embedded networking solutions, for a purchase price of $67.2 million. The transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Included in the purchase price allocation was a $3.1 million charge to acquired in-process research and development.

At the time of acquisition, NetSilicon had two development projects in process, the Net + 20 microprocessor (subsequently renamed the 7520 microprocessor) and the Net + OS v. 5.0 software suite. The 7520 project involved the design and development of a low cost, high performance networking microprocessor. The Net + OS v. 5.0 project included significant and innovative advancements to the NetSilicon software platform in the areas of security, management and ease of use. The design, verification and other processes involved in the 7520 project required tools and skills that were new to NetSilicon. Similarly, the advanced and innovative features being developed for inclusion in the Net + OS v 5.0 software platform differed from existing Net + OS features. Accordingly, the Company was uncertain whether the technology being developed could become commercially viable. If these products were not successfully developed, the sales and profitability of the Company would be adversely affected in future periods. Additionally, the value of other identifiable intangible assets and goodwill acquired could become impaired.

Management estimated that $3.1 million of the purchase price represented the fair value of purchased in-process research and development related to the 7520 chip and the Net + OS v. 5.0 software platform referred to above, that had not yet reached technological feasibility and had no alternative future uses. This amount was expensed as a nonrecurring, non-tax-deductible charge upon consummation of the acquisition.

The Company engaged a third-party appraiser to apply the income valuation approach to assist the Company in determining the estimated fair value of the purchased in-process research and development. These estimates were based on the following assumptions:

	•		The estimated revenues were based upon NetSilicon’s estimate of revenue growth over the next four fiscal years from the revenue growth of primarily the Net + OS v. 5.0 and the 7520 chips.
	•		The estimated gross margin of 57.5% was based upon historical gross margin for NetSilicon’s products, which include chips, boards, and development kits.
	•		The estimated selling, general and administrative expenses were based on consideration of historical operating expenses as a percentage of sales and NetSilicon’s projected operating expenses.
	•		Cost to complete each project was based on estimated remaining labor hours and a fully burdened labor cost, and other direct project expenses.
	•		The discount rate used in the alternative income valuation approach was based on the weighted average cost of capital (WACC.) The WACC calculation produces the average required rate of return of an investment in an operating enterprise, based on various required rates of return from investments in various areas of that enterprise. The discount rate used in the alternative valuation approach was 18.0%.

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Premiums were added to the WACC to account for the inherent risks in the development of the products, the risks of the products being completed on schedule, and the risk of the eventual sales of the product meeting the expectations of the Company. The following rates of return were used for the in-process research and development products:

The 7520 chip was released for production in January 2003. This chip is a derivative product capturing the price target and substantially all of the technology contemplated in the 7520 product family at the time of acquisition. The Company expects that revenue from the 7520 family may be less than originally projected at the time of the valuation, due primarily to a decline in economic conditions after the acquisition. However, the Company anticipates that revenue from the product family will represent approximately the same percentage of total Company revenue as that originally projected.

Net + OS v. 5.0 was released to production in November 2002. In September 2003, the Company released the next version of this product, the Net + OS v. 6.0. The Company anticipates that the projected revenue from the Net + OS v. 5.0 and its successor product, the Net + OS v. 6.0 will be in line with original projections. These estimates are subject to change, given the uncertainties of the development process, and no assurance can be given that deviations from these estimates will not occur.

LOSS ON SALE OF MiLAN ASSETS

On March 25, 2002, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of its former MiLAN Technology division (MiLAN) to Communications Systems, Inc. (CSI) for $8.1 million, resulting in a pre tax loss of $3.6 million ($3.1 million net of taxes). Included in the net loss on this transaction is $0.9 million of severance costs related to certain former employees of MiLAN.

GAIN FROM FORGIVENESS OF GRANT PAYABLE

In connection with the acquisition of ITK International, Inc. (ITK) in July 1998, the Company assumed a liability for an investment grant payable of $1,525,410 to the German government relating to construction of the ITK facility in Dortmund, Germany. The investment grant contained a provision that the grant would be forgiven if ITK retained a specified number of employees in the facility for a five-year period. Because ITK was not in compliance with the minimum employment requirements of the grant at the time of the acquisition or subsequent to the acquisition, the Company continued to reflect the grant payable as a liability and continued to accrue interest on the principal balance of the grant.

During 2000, the Company applied for a waiver of the employment provision in the investment grant based on unforeseeable developments in the European market that resulted in a smaller workforce. The waiver of the investment grant payable was approved in May 2002 by the German government. Accordingly, during fiscal 2002, the Company reversed the portion of the investment grant payable and the related accrued interest payable that related to the period of time from the initial waiver through September 30, 2002. The forgiven principal portion of the investment grant of $1,067,767 was recorded as a component of operating loss for fiscal 2002, and the reversal of the related accrued interest payable of $456,859 was recorded as a component of other

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

GAIN FROM FORGIVENESS OF GRANT PAYABLE (CONTINUED)

income. The Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2002 still reflected an investment grant payable and accrued interest payable of $457,643 and $6,103, respectively representing the remaining liability that would occur if the Company failed to remain in the building through August 30, 2003.

During 2003, the Company recognized a $553,387 gain from the forgiveness of the grant payable as a component of operating income. This amount was comprised of the $457,643 investment grant payable and the related accrued interest payable of $6,103 as well as $89,641 of foreign exchange translation impact due to the strengthening of the Euro compared to the U.S. dollar during fiscal 2003. As of September 30, 2003, there are no remaining amounts reflected in investment grant payable or accrued interest payable related to the investment grant as the Company fulfilled the terms of the waiver granted by the German government in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 by remaining in the building through August 2003.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Other income of $0.3 million in 2003 consisted primarily of interest income on short-term investments of $0.9 million, partially offset by $0.5 million of interest expense on the Company’s borrowings and $0.1 million of miscellaneous other expense. Other income of $1.3 million in 2002 consisted primarily of interest income on short-term investments of $1.4 million and $0.3 million of miscellaneous other income, partially offset by $0.4 million of interest expense on the Company’s borrowings. Other income of $2.4 million in 2001 consisted primarily of interest income on short-term investments of $2.7 million and $0.3 million of miscellaneous other income, partially offset by $0.6 million of interest expense on the Company’s borrowings.

INCOME TAXES

In March 2003, the Company reversed the valuation allowance associated with the deferred tax asset resulting from its German net operating loss carryforwards. The valuation allowance was reversed based upon current and anticipated future taxable income generated by the Company’s German operations. The portion of the valuation allowance related to the German net operating loss carryforwards that are expected to be utilized by the Company during the year ended September 30, 2003 has been accounted for by reducing the effective income tax rate for the current year. The portion of the valuation allowance related to the German net operating loss carryforwards that is expected to be utilized by the Company during periods subsequent to September 30, 2003 has been accounted for as a discrete event and resulted in an income tax benefit of $1.4 million being recorded during the three month period ended March 31, 2003.

Income taxes have been provided for at an effective rate of (0.3)% in fiscal 2003. The effective rate for fiscal 2003, adjusted for the $1.4 million income tax benefit related to the German net operating loss carryforwards that are expected to be utilized by the Company during periods subsequent to September 30, 2003, is 21.2%. The tax provision for 2003 is recorded at a rate less than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to an exclusion for extraterritorial income of $0.6 million, utilization of income tax credits of $0.2 million, and the effect of an increase in acquired deferred tax assets resulting from available NetSilicon net operating losses of $0.4 million.

The Company recorded a $6.7 million income tax benefit in 2002, on a loss before income tax benefit of $19.5 million. A $0.1 million tax provision was recorded in 2001, before cumulative effect of accounting change. The tax benefit for 2002 is recorded at a rate approximately equal to the U.S. statutory rate. This

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

rate was increased, as a result of non-deductible goodwill associated with the loss on sale of the MiLAN assets and non-deductible in-process research and development associated with the acquisition of NetSilicon. The rate was reduced by the exclusion of non-taxable foreign source income.

The tax provision for 2001 is recorded at a rate slightly greater than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to non-deductible amortization of goodwill acquired in the purchase of CDC, Inside Out Networks and INXTECH, partially offset by the exclusion of non-taxable foreign source income.

As of September 30, 2003, the Company had domestic federal net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards of approximately $22.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, which expire at various dates through 2023. Federal domestic net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards were approximately $23.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2002 and domestic net operating loss carryforwards were $8.0 million as of September 30, 2001. The Company is required to assess the realizability of its deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance against those assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109. The Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that remaining deferred tax assets will be realized based on future projected taxable income and the anticipated future reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and therefore no valuation allowance has been established at September 30, 2003. The amount of the net deferred tax assets realized, however, could vary if there are differences in the timing or amount of future reversals of existing deferred tax liabilities or changes in the amounts of future taxable income. If the Company’s future taxable income projections are not realized, a valuation allowance would be required, and would be reflected as income tax expense at the time that any such change in future taxable income is determined.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS – CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” (FAS 141), and No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (FAS 142). FAS 141 eliminated the pooling-of-interests method of accounting for business combinations, requiring that all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 be accounted for using the purchase method. FAS 142 provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but rather are reviewed for impairment at least annually and more frequently in certain circumstances using a two-step process. The first step is to identify a potential impairment and, in transition, this step must be measured as of the beginning of the fiscal year. The second step of the goodwill impairment test measures the amount of the impairment loss (measured as of the beginning of the year of adoption), if any, and must be completed by the end of the Company’s fiscal year. In addition, FAS 142 expands the disclosure requirements about goodwill and other intangible assets in the years subsequent to their acquisition. The Company adopted the provisions of FAS 142 as of October 1, 2002. However, the transition provisions of FAS 142 applied to the Company’s accounting for the NetSilicon acquisition since this acquisition occurred after June 30, 2001.

In connection with the adoption of FAS 142, the Company engaged a third-party appraiser to assist management in determining the fair value of each of the Company’s three reporting units as of October 1, 2002 as part of the Company’s adoption of FAS 142 effective that date. Based on this valuation, which utilized a discounted cash flow valuation technique and considered fair values indicated by both the income approach and the market approach, the Company concluded that an impairment was indicated. Accordingly, the Company, with the assistance of the third party appraiser, measured the fair values of the

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS – CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE (CONTINUED)

individual assets and liabilities of each reporting unit and determined that there was a total goodwill impairment charge of $43,865,972, which the Company recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. The impairment was attributable primarily to an impairment of the carrying value of goodwill related to the acquisition of NetSilicon of $38,443,000 and goodwill related to the CDC and INXTECH acquisitions of $3,466,736 and $1,956,236, respectively. Management believes that the impairment resulted from significant changes in the Company’s expected future cash flows that resulted from a decline in anticipated future revenues due both to the general downturn in the worldwide economy and to a severe downturn in the networking and communications and semiconductor sectors of the technology industry. As a result of the downturn in expected future revenues and a substantial decline in the Company’s market capitalization during 2002, the indicated fair values of the Company’s reporting units had declined substantially since the acquisitions of NetSilicon, CDC and INXTECH. The charge is reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. There was no income tax effect associated with this impairment charge.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment for its NetSilicon and Inside Out Networks reporting units as of June 30, 2003. A discounted cash flow technique was utilized in determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Since the calculated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded book value, there was no impairment identified. Goodwill of $3,854,462, which is included in the assets of the NetSilicon and Inside Out Networks reporting units, remains on the Company’s balance sheet as of September 30, 2003.

INFLATION

Management believes inflation has not had a material effect on the Company’s operations or on its financial position.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company has financed its operations principally with funds generated from operations, and, in prior years, with proceeds from earlier public offerings.

At September 30, 2003, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $57.6 million compared to $58.2 million at September 30, 2002.

The Company’s working capital decreased $4.9 million to $57.8 million at September 30, 2003, compared to $62.7 million at September 30, 2002. Working capital decreased $11.5 million in the prior fiscal year from $74.2 million at September 30, 2001 to $62.7 million at September 30, 2002. The Company maintains a line of credit in Europe with Deutsche Bank. Available borrowing is determined by the amount the Company maintains as collateral in a New York Deutsche Bank account, and was $1.25 million at September 30, 2003. At September 30, 2003 and 2002, there were no outstanding balances on the line of credit. The Company has an outstanding short-term borrowing balance at Sparkasse Dortmund in the amount of $2.0 million at a fixed interest rate of 3.64% with payment due on January 15, 2004. The Company has the option to extend the payment date beyond the due date; however, the interest rate on the extended period is subject to change based upon market rates in effect at the time of extension. The borrowing is collateralized by land, building and

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

equipment with a carrying value of $5.7 million on September 30, 2003. The Company expects to fund payment of this borrowing with cash generated from the Company’s operations.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $15.8 million during fiscal 2003, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $10.3 million during fiscal 2002. Non-cash charges including a goodwill impairment charge of $43.9 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $10.3 million and a provision for inventory obsolescence of $1.2 million reduced the cash effect of the fiscal 2003 net loss of $37.3 million. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $10.3 million during fiscal 2002 compared to $10.5 million during fiscal 2001. Non-cash charges including depreciation and amortization expense of $11.6 million, loss on sale of MiLAN assets of $3.6 million, a charge for acquired in-process research and development of $3.1 million, a restructuring accrual of $2.5 million and a provision for inventory obsolescence of $1.6 million reduced the cash effect of the fiscal 2002 net loss of $12.8 million. Partially offsetting the impact of these non-cash charges is a one time, non-cash gain of $1.1 million resulting from forgiveness of the investment grant payable in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 (see Note 3 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

In 2003, investing activities were comprised of net purchases of marketable securities of $15.7 million and purchases of $1.7 million of equipment, capital improvements and other assets. The Company also used $2.0 million for contingent purchase price payments related to the Inside Out Networks and INXTECH acquisitions. Investing activities in fiscal 2002 consisted of net redemptions of $1.1 million in marketable securities and purchases of $1.3 million of equipment, capital improvements and other intangible assets. The Company also used $10.4 million of cash for the acquisition of NetSilicon (see Note 2 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements). Proceeds from the sale of MiLAN assets were $8.1 million in fiscal 2002 (see Note 4 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company also used $2.9 million for contingent purchase price payments related to the Inside Out Networks and INXTECH acquisitions. In 2001, investing activities included net investments of $5.7 million in marketable securities and purchases of $1.6 million of equipment, capital improvements and other intangible assets. The Company also used $10.1 million of cash for the acquisitions of Inside Out Networks and INXTECH (see Note 2 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements).

Financing activities consisted of payments on the line of credit and debt obligations totaling $6.8 million, $2.5 million and $2.9 million for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. During fiscal 2003, the Company elected to pay the remaining $5.8 million of long-term debt obligations originally scheduled to be paid in semi-annual principal installments through December 30, 2017. These payments in 2003 were partially offset by borrowing under a new short-term borrowing agreement with Sparkasse Dortmund in the amount of $2.0 million. Cash received from the exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan transactions was $0.9 million, $0.7 million and $1.3 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. During fiscal year 2003, the Company used $8.6 million to repurchase 2,324,683 shares of its common stock from Sorrento Networks Corporation (Sorrento).

The Company’s management believes that current financial resources, cash generated from operations and the Company’s potential capacity for debt and/or equity financing will be sufficient to fund current and future business operations.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES (CONTINUED)

The following summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at September 30, 2003, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future periods. However, this table excludes up to $6.0 million of additional purchase consideration that may be payable to the former shareholders of Inside Out Networks in the event that, in the future, these operations achieve certain development and operating milestones.