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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2003

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File No. 000-30901

 


 

SUPPORTSOFT, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

94-3282005

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

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

 

575 Broadway

Redwood City, CA 94063

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (650) 556-9440

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

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

 

On May 15, 2003, 33,896,880 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, were outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

 

SUPPORTSOFT, INC.

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2003

 

INDEX

 

             

Page


Part I: Financial Information

    
   

    Item 1:

  

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

    
        

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

  

3

        

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

4

        

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

  

5

        

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  

6

   

    Item 2:

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  

10

   

    Item 3:

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  

21

   

    Item 4:

  

Controls and Procedures

  

21

Part II: Other Information

  

22

   

    Item 6:

  

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

  

22

Signature

  

23

Certifications

  

24

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SUPPORTSOFT, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

    

March 31,
2003


    

December 31,
2002


 
    

(unaudited)

        

Assets

                 

Current assets:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  

$

9,124

 

  

$

17,067

 

Short-term investments

  

 

22,850

 

  

 

13,548

 

Accounts receivable, net

  

 

12,466

 

  

 

7,695

 

Prepaids and other current assets

  

 

2,082

 

  

 

2,452

 

    


  


Total current assets

  

 

46,522

 

  

 

40,762

 

Property and equipment, net

  

 

1,053

 

  

 

1,251

 

Other assets

  

 

192

 

  

 

147

 

    


  


    

$

47,767

 

  

$

42,160

 

    


  


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                 

Current liabilities:

                 

Accounts payable

  

$

1,192

 

  

$

163

 

Accrued compensation

  

 

1,881

 

  

 

1,818

 

Other accrued liabilities

  

 

2,580

 

  

 

2,199

 

Capital lease obligations, current portion

  

 

481

 

  

 

511

 

Deferred revenue

  

 

14,865

 

  

 

12,153

 

    


  


Total current liabilities

  

 

20,999

 

  

 

16,844

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current portion

  

 

41

 

  

 

67

 

Deferred revenue—long-term portion

  

 

1,816

 

  

 

2,102

 

Commitments and contingencies

                 

Stockholders’ equity:

                 

Common stock

  

 

3

 

  

 

3

 

Additional paid-in capital

  

 

108,497

 

  

 

108,253

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  

 

(109

)

  

 

(155

)

Accumulated deficit

  

 

(83,480

)

  

 

(84,954

)

    


  


Total stockholders’ equity

  

 

24,911

 

  

 

23,147

 

    


  


    

$

47,767

 

  

$

42,160

 

    


  


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SUPPORTSOFT, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts; unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Revenue:

                 

License fees

  

$

9,593

 

  

$

6,587

 

Services

  

 

2,401

 

  

 

2,178

 

    


  


Net revenue

  

 

11,994

 

  

 

8,765

 

    


  


Costs and expenses:

                 

Cost of license fees

  

 

90

 

  

 

65

 

Cost of services

  

 

1,690

 

  

 

1,372

 

Amortization of purchased technology

  

 

—  

 

  

 

598

 

Research and development

  

 

2,334

 

  

 

2,275

 

Sales and marketing

  

 

5,048

 

  

 

5,592

 

General and administrative

  

 

1,425

 

  

 

1,339

 

Amortization of deferred stock compensation

  

 

—  

 

  

 

470

 

    


  


Total costs and expenses

  

 

10,587

 

  

 

11,711

 

    


  


Income (loss) from operations

  

 

1,407

 

  

 

(2,946

)

Interest and other income, net

  

 

140

 

  

 

125

 

    


  


Income (loss) before income taxes

  

 

1,547

 

  

 

(2,821

)

Income tax expense

  

 

(73

)

  

 

—  

 

    


  


Net income (loss)

  

 

1,474

 

  

 

(2,821

)

    


  


Basic net income (loss) per share

  

$

0.04

 

  

$

(0.09

)

    


  


Shares used in computing per share amounts

  

 

33,306

 

  

 

32,003

 

    


  


Diluted net income (loss) per share

  

$

0.04

 

  

$

(0.09

)

    


  


Shares used in computing per share amounts

  

 

34,532

 

  

 

32,003

 

    


  


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SUPPORTSOFT, INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands; unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Operating Activities:

                 

Net income (loss)

  

$

1,474

 

  

$

(2,821

)

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

                 

Depreciation and amortization

  

 

409

 

  

 

583

 

Amortization of deferred stock compensation

  

 

—  

 

  

 

470

 

Amortization of purchased technology

  

 

—  

 

  

 

598

 

Other

  

 

67

 

  

 

(85

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                 

Accounts receivable, net

  

 

(4,771

)

  

 

412

 

Prepaid and other current assets

  

 

370

 

  

 

137

 

Accounts payable

  

 

1,029

 

  

 

252

 

Accrued compensation

  

 

63

 

  

 

(572

)

Other accrued liabilities

  

 

381

 

  

 

(3

)

Deferred revenue

  

 

2,426

 

  

 

2,354

 

    


  


Net cash provided by operating activities

  

 

1,448

 

  

 

1,325

 

    


  


Investing Activities:

                 

Purchases of property and equipment

  

 

(211

)

  

 

(820

)

Other assets

  

 

(45

)

  

 

(10

)

Purchases of technology

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(309

)

Purchases of short-term investments

  

 

(12,433

)

  

 

(3,000

)

Sales and maturities of short-term investments

  

 

3,110

 

  

 

3,000

 

    


  


Net cash used in investing activities

  

 

(9,579

)

  

 

(1,139

)

    


  


Financing Activities:

                 

Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net of repurchases

  

 

244

 

  

 

227

 

Principal payments under capital lease obligations

  

 

(56

)

  

 

(224

)

    


  


Net cash provided by financing activities

  

 

188

 

  

 

3

 

    


  


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  

 

(7,943

)

  

 

189

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  

 

17,067

 

  

 

17,757

 

    


  


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  

$

9,124

 

  

$

17,946

 

    


  


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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SUPPORTSOFT, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

(1) Significant Accounting Policies:

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SupportSoft, Inc. (the “Company” or “SupportSoft”) (formerly known as Support.com, Inc.) and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The balance sheet at March 31, 2003 and the statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal reoccurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for and as of the periods shown. The results of operations for such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any future period. The condensed consolidated financial statement information as of December 31, 2002 is derived from audited financial statements as of that date. These financial statements should be read with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2003. Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

 

Use of Estimates and Reclassifications

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

 

Financial Instruments

 

Estimated fair values of financial instruments are based on quoted market prices. The following is a summary of cash and available-for-sale securities (in thousands) at March 31, 2003:

 

    

Amortized Cost


    

Gross Unrealized Gains


    

Gross Unrealized Losses


    

Fair Value


Cash

  

$

5,782

    

$

    

$

 

  

$

5,782

Money market funds

  

 

3,342

    

 

    

 

 

  

 

3,342

Commercial paper

  

 

1,799

    

 

    

 

(1

)

  

 

1,798

Federal agencies

  

 

15,253

    

 

12

    

 

 

  

 

15,265

Corporate bonds

  

 

1,027

    

 

10

    

 

 

  

 

1,037

Auction backed securities

  

 

4,750

    

 

    

 

 

  

 

4,750

    

    

    


  

    

$

31,953

    

$

22

    

$

(1

)

  

$

31,974

    

    

    


  

Classified as:

                                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  

$

9,124

    

 

    

 

 

  

$

9,124

Short-Term Investments

  

 

22,829

    

 

22

    

 

(1

)

  

 

22,850

    

    

    


  

    

$

31,953

    

$

22

    

$

(1

)

  

$

31,974

    

    

    


  

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We recognize revenue in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, as amended by SOP 98-4 and SOP 98-9. License revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria are met:

 

  Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

 

  Delivery has occurred;

 

  No uncertainties surrounding product acceptance exist;

 

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  Collection is considered probable; and

 

  The fees are fixed or determinable.

 

SupportSoft considers all arrangements with payment terms extending beyond twelve months and other arrangements with payment terms longer than normal not to be fixed or determinable. If the fee is determined not to be fixed or determinable, revenue is recognized as payments become due from the customer.

 

License revenue is comprised of fees for term and perpetual licenses of our software. Perpetual license revenue is recognized using the residual method described in SOP 98-9 for arrangements in which licenses are sold with multiple elements. We allocate revenues on these licenses based upon the fair value of each undelivered element (for example, undelivered maintenance and support, training and consulting). The determination of fair value is based upon vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE). VSOE for maintenance and support is determined by the customer’s annual renewal rate for these services. VSOE for training or consulting is based upon separate sales of these services to other customers. Assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met, the difference between the total arrangement fee and the amount deferred for each undelivered element is recognized as license revenue. Our perpetual arrangements may include initial maintenance extending over a period of time with no renewal rate, which requires license revenue to be taken ratably (monthly) over the contract period.

 

Term licenses are sold with maintenance for which SupportSoft does not have VSOE to determine fair value. As a result, license revenue for term licenses is recognized ratably over the service period of the agreement and license revenue includes maintenance for term licenses. We do not allocate maintenance revenue from term licenses to services revenue, as we do not believe there is an allocation methodology that provides a meaningful and supportable allocation between license and maintenance revenues.

 

The following is an example of our revenue recognition for a term license. If we receive an order from a customer for a 36-month term license in December of a year, we would recognize only one month of license fees for that year even if that customer prepaid 12 months of the 36-month term. Pursuant to this arrangement, we would record one year of fees in accounts receivable upon signing a new term license agreement, while recognizing only one month of revenue. As a result, our accounts receivable balance could represent a significant portion of our total revenue and increase our days sales outstanding (DSO) calculation.

 

License revenue from arrangements with resellers is recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement commencing when payments are made or become due limited by guaranteed minimum amounts due under the arrangement or sell through activity.

 

Services revenue is primarily comprised of revenue from professional services, such as consulting services, training, maintenance and support. Arrangements that include software services are evaluated to determine whether those services are essential to the functionality of other elements of the arrangement. Non-essential consulting and training revenues are generally recognized as the services are performed. When non-essential software services are bundled in a term licensing arrangement, revenue from the software services is recognized ratably over the period associated with the initial payment. Post-contract customer maintenance and support revenues are recognized over the term of the support period (generally one year). When the software services are considered essential to the functionality of other elements of the arrangement, revenue under the arrangement is recognized using contract accounting, typically using the percentage of completion method.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers

 

SupportSoft performs ongoing evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. SupportSoft maintains reserves for credit losses, and such losses have been within management’s expectations. If the financial condition of SupportSoft’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional reserves may be required. The Company had reserves for credit losses at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 of $1.1 million and $924,000, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, three of our customers accounted for 10% or more of our total revenue. One customer accounted for 14% of our total revenue and the other two customers each accounted for 13% of our total revenue. No other customer individually accounted for 10% or more of our total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2003.

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

 

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share are presented in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“FAS 128”), for all periods presented.

 

SupportSoft computes basic income or loss per share using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, less shares subject to repurchase. SupportSoft computes diluted income or loss per share using the weighted-average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. In loss periods, basic and dilutive loss per share is identical since the impact of common equivalent shares is anti-dilutive.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

    

Three months ended March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Net income (loss)

  

$

1,474

 

  

$

(2,821

)

    


  


Basic:

                 

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

  

 

33,785

 

  

 

33,450

 

Less: Weighted-average shares subject to repurchase

  

 

(479

)

  

 

(1,447

)

    


  


Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share

  

 

33,306

 

  

 

32,003

 

    


  


Basic net income (loss) per share

  

$

0.04

 

  

$

(0.09

)

    


  


Diluted:

                 

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

  

 

33,785

 

  

 

33,450

 

Add: Common equivalent shares outstanding

  

 

747

 

  

 

—  

 

Less: Weighted-average shares subject to repurchase

  

 

—  

 

  

 

(1,447

)

    


  


Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share

  

 

34,532

 

  

 

32,003

 

    


  


Diluted net income (loss) per share

  

$

0.04

 

  

$

(0.09

)

    


  


 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

SupportSoft accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), and has adopted the disclosure only alternative of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS 123”) as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 (“SFAS 148”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation— Transition and Disclosure.” Any deferred stock compensation calculated according to APB 25 is amortized over the vesting period of the individual options, generally four years, using the graded vesting method. The graded vesting method provides for vesting of portions of the overall awards at interim dates and results in greater vesting in earlier years than straight-line.

 

The fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 2.07% and 5.0%, dividend yields of 0%, volatility factors of the expected market price of our Common Stock of 75%; and a weighted-average expected life of the option of four years.

 

For purposes of pro forma disclosures pursuant to FAS 123 as amended by FAS 148, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the vesting period of the options using a graded vesting method. The effects of applying FAS 123 for pro forma disclosures are not likely to be representative of the effects on reported net income or loss for future years.

 

SupportSoft’s pro forma information follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

    

Three Months Ended March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders—as reported

  

$

1,474

 

  

$

(2,821

)

Add: Stock-based compensation included in reported net income (loss)

  

 

—  

 

  

 

470

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards

  

 

(1,424

)

  

 

(1,474

)

    


  


Pro forma net income (loss)

  

$

50

 

  

$

(3,825

)

    


  


Basic net income (loss) per share:

                 

As reported

  

$

0.04

 

  

$

(0.09

)

Pro forma

  

 

0.00

 

  

 

(0.12

)

Diluted net income (loss) per share:

                 

As reported

  

$

0.04

 

  

$

(0.09

)

Pro forma

  

 

0.00

 

  

 

(0.12

)

 

(2) Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

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In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” FIN 46 requires us to consolidate a variable interest entity if we are subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. A variable interest entity is a corporation, partnership, trust or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either does not have equity investors with voting rights or has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. A variable interest entity often holds financial assets, including loans or receivables, real estate or other property. SupportSoft does not currently have any interests in variable interest entities and, accordingly, we do not expect our June 2003 adoption of FIN 46 to have any impact on our historical financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In November 2002, the FASB issued Financial Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” FIN 45 elaborates on the existing disclosure requirements for most guarantees, including residual value guarantees issued in conjunction with operating lease agreements. It also clarifies that at the time a company issues a guarantee, the company must recognize an initial liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee and must disclose that information in its interim and annual financial statements. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this interpretation apply on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements of interim or annual periods ending after December 15, 2002.

 

In addition, FIN 45 requires on a prospective basis that certain guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002 be recorded at fair value. This differs from current practice, under which a liability is recorded when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Company does not believe that these provisions will result in a material impact to its financial statements or that the Company’s standard indemnification provisions will be required to be recorded at fair value in future periods.

 

The Company generally provides a warranty for its software products and services to its customers and accounts for its warranties under the FASB’s Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (“SFAS No. 5”). In the event there is a failure of such warranties, the Company generally is obligated to correct the product or service to conform to the warranty provision or, if the Company is unable to do so, the customer is entitled to seek a refund of the purchase price of the product or service. The Company did not provide for a warranty accrual as of March 31, 2003 or December 31, 2002. To date, the Company’s product warranty expense has not been significant.

 

The Company generally agrees to indemnify its customers against legal claims that the Company’s software products infringe certain third-party intellectual property rights and accounts for its indemnification obligations under SFAS No. 5. To date, the Company has not been required to make any payment resulting from infringement claims asserted against our customers and has not recorded any related accruals.

 

(3) Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Statement of Financial Accounting No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (“SFAS 130”) establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive net income and its components in stockholders’ equity. However, it has no impact on our net income as presented in our financial statements. SFAS 130 requires foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities to be included in comprehensive income.

 

The following are the components of comprehensive income (loss): (in thousands)

 

    

Three months ended

March 31,


 
    

2003


  

2002


 

Net income (loss)

  

$

1,474

  

$

(2,821

)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

  

 

6

  

 

(35

)

Translation adjustment gain (loss)

  

 

40

  

 

(102

)

    

  


Comprehensive income (loss)

  

$

1,520

  

$

(2,958

)

    

  


 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss relate entirely to translation adjustment gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and are $(109,000) at March 31, 2003 and $(42,000) at March 31, 2002.

 

(4) Income Taxes

 

We recorded a provision for income taxes of approximately $73,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and no provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2002. The effective rate used to record the provision for income taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2003 differed from the expected US federal statutory rate primarily due to the utilization of previously unbenefited net operating losses. No provision for income taxes was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2002 due to a loss in the period and a history of operating losses in all prior periods.

 

As of March 31, 2003 our deferred tax assets are fully offset by a valuation allowance due to our history of operating losses.

 

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(5) Contingencies

 

On or about November 30, 2001, Dana [sic] Risley, on behalf of herself [sic] and other similarly situated, filed a lawsuit, styled as a class action, against us and two of our officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint alleged, inter alia, that our registration statement and prospectus dated July 18, 2000 for the issuance and initial public offering of 4,250,000 shares of our common stock contained material misrepresentations and/or omissions, related to alleged inflated commissions received by the underwriters of the offering. The defendants named in the lawsuit are SupportSoft, Radha Basu, Brian Beattie, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., and FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc. An amended Class Action Complaint in the matter against the Company was filed on April 19, 2002. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages as well as interest, fees and costs. Similar complaints have been filed against 55 underwriters and more than 300 other companies and other individual officers and directors of those companies. All of the complaints against the underwriters, issuers and individuals have been consolidated for pre-trail purposes before U.S. District Court Judge Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York. Pretrial motions and discovery were stayed pending a ruling on a motion to dismiss the claims by defendants. On February 19, 2003, the court issued an opinion granting defendants’ motion in part, and denying the motions in part. In summary, the court ruled that the case may proceed against the underwriters on the theories alleging violations of section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the case may proceed against SupportSoft, Radha Basu and Brian Beattie with respect to a claim for violation of section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, and, subject to a pending motion for reconsideration against Mr. Beattie with respect to a claim for violation of section 10(b). We have retained Pillsbury Winthrop LLP as our lead counsel, and tendered notice to our insurance carrier pursuant to the terms of our insurance policy. While we cannot predict with certainty the outcome of the litigation, we believe that the claims against us and our officers are without merit and we intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

 

SupportSoft is subject to other routine legal proceedings, as well as demands, claims and threatened litigation, that arise in the normal course of our business, including a notice of alleged material breach from a customer. SupportSoft believes the alleged breach has not and will not result in material adverse effects to revenue recognized from the contract through March 31, 2003. SupportSoft began recognizing license revenue on a ratable basis only after receiving a letter from the customer indicating that the acceptance testing of the software was successfully completed. This revenue accounted for 1% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 3% of total revenue in 2002. We currently believe that the ultimate amount of liability, if any, for any pending claims of any type (either alone or combined) will not materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. However, the ultimate outcome of any litigation is uncertain, including any potential litigation arising from this alleged breach of contract, and either unfavorable or favorable outcomes could have a material negative impact. Regardless of outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on SupportSoft because of defense costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

 

ITEM 2:   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read together with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in Item 1 of this report on Form 10-Q and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in SupportSoft’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

This report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our, and in some cases our customers’, or alliance partners’, future plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and financial performance, as well as statements as to the anticipated percentage of total revenue that term licensing arrangements may constitute in future periods, expected net income or losses, expected cash flows, the adequacy of capital resources, growth in operations, the ability to compete and respond to technological change and the acceptance and performance of our products and services. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they use terms such as anticipates, believes, continue, could, estimates, expects, intends, may, plans, potential, predicts, should or will or the negative of those terms or other comparable words. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, activities or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include those listed under Factors that May Affect Future Results and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

SupportSoft expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this report to conform these statements to actual results or changes in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date hereof.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading provider of service and support automation software. Our enterprise-class software solutions are designed to help corporations automate, manage and personalize the service and support they provide to their employees, customers and partners. Our software helps streamline the service and support process by solving and managing problems associated with the use of various types of computing endpoints and related technologies such as personal computers, network servers, operating systems, software applications, handheld devices, and wired or wireless networks. Our software helps reduce manual steps in the service and support process. We believe that as a result, our software helps corporations resolve problems faster and more cost efficiently while improving user satisfaction associated with the use of operating systems,

 

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networks, software applications, business processes and other technologies.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table sets forth the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 expressed as a percentage of total revenue.

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Revenue:

             

License fees

  

80

%

  

75

%

Services

  

20

 

  

25

 

    

  

Net revenue

  

100

 

  

100

 

    

  

Costs and expenses:

             

Cost of license fees

  

1

 

  

1

 

Cost of services

  

14

 

  

16

 

Amortization of purchased technology

  

—  

 

  

7

 

Research and development

  

19

 

  

26

 

Sales and marketing

  

42

 

  

64

 

General and administrative

  

12

 

  

15

 

Amortization of deferred stock compensation

  

—  

 

  

5

 

    

  

Total costs and expenses

  

88

 

  

134

 

    

  

Income (loss) from operations

  

12

 

  

(34

)

Interest and other income, net

  

1

 

  

2

 

    

  

Income (loss) before income taxes

  

13

 

  

(32

)

Income tax expense

  

(1

)

  

—  

 

    

  

Net income (loss)

  

12

%

  

(32

)%

    

  

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002

 

Revenue

 

We generate revenue primarily from software licenses and related professional services. We market our products through a combination of direct sales, resellers and service providers. For the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, ratable license revenue primarily from term licenses represented approximately 33% and 46% of total revenue, respectively. Although the percentage of revenue we recognize from ratable licensing arrangements will vary from period to period, we currently anticipate that this revenue will represent approximately 25% to 30% of total revenue in future periods. We anticipate that revenue we recognize on an immediate basis from perpetual licensing arrangements will be approximately 45% to 55% of total revenue and professional services will be approximately 20% to 25% of total revenue.

 

Revenue from customers outside the United States accounted for approximately 19% of our total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2003, compared with 12% for the three months ended March 31, 2002.

 

License revenue

 

License revenue increased to $9.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2003 from $6.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2002. The increase in license revenue was due primarily to greater demand for our software products, expansion of our product line, an increase in our licensing mix to more perpetual arrangements, and increased focus on international markets.

 

Services revenue

 

Service revenue increased to $2.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2003 from $2.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2002. This increase was due primarily to increased maintenance revenue associated with the growth in our customer base from the prior year and the overall number of maintenance contracts offset by a slight decrease in services revenue from consulting and training. The decrease in services revenue from consulting and training was due primarily to the Company’s greater investment in non-billable pre-sales activities during

 

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the three months ended March 31, 2003.

 

Cost of license fees

 

Cost of license revenue consists primarily of costs related to license fees paid to third parties under technology license arrangements. Cost of license revenue increased to $90,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2003 from $65,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2002.

 

Cost of services revenue

 

Cost of services consists primarily of salaries, travel costs, related overhead expenses and payments made to third parties for consulting services. Cost of services revenue increased to $1.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2003 from $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2002. This increase was due primarily to an increase in salary and travel expenses as a result of an increase in headcount.

 

Amortization of Purchased Technology

 

Amortization of purchased technology was zero for the three months ended March 31, 2003 compared to $598,000 for three months ended March 31, 2002. As of September 30, 2002, the purchased intangibles balance was fully amortized and therefore we do not anticipate future amortization expense as a result of prior arrangements.

 

Research and Development Expense

 

Research and development expense consists primarily of payroll and consulting expenses and related costs for research and development personnel. During both the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002, research and development expense was $2.3 million. Research and development expense remained constant as a result of an increase in salary expenses offset by a similar reduction in third party consulting services.

 

Sales and Marketing Expense

 

Sales and marketing expense consists primarily of salary and commission costs as well as promotional expenses, including public relations, advertising and trade shows. Sales and marketing expense decreased to $5.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2003 from $5.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2002. The decrease was due primarily to a reduction in salary and related expenses.

 

General and Administrative Expense

 

General and administrative expense consists primarily of salary expense and related costs of administrative personnel and professional fees for legal, accounting and other professional services. General and administrative expense increased to $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2003 from $1.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2002. The increase was due primarily to an increase in professional fees for legal and accounting services made necessary by emerging corporate governance requirements.

 

Amortization of Deferred Stock Compensation

 

We amortized deferred compensation expense of zero during the three months ended March 31, 2003 as compared to $470,000 during the same period in 2002. This compensation expense relates to options awarded to individuals in all operating expense categories. As of June 30, 2002, all existing deferred stock compensation balances have been fully amortized.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Income tax expense was $73,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and zero for the three months ended March 31, 2002. This increase is due to income generated from operations. No provision for income taxes was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2002 due to a loss in the period and a history of operating losses in all prior periods.

 

Interest income and Other, Net

 

Interest income and other, net was $140,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003, as compared to interest income and other, net of $125,000 in the same period in 2002. This increase was attributable primarily to a foreign currency transaction gain offset by a slight decrease in interest income.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Since our incorporation in December 1997, we have financed our operations primarily through our initial public offering, cash flows from operations and, to a lesser extent, from the private placement of our preferred and common stock, bank borrowings and capital equipment lease financing.

 

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Operating Activities

 

Net cash generated by operating activities was $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2003, an increase of $123,000 over the $1.3 million generated by operating activities during the three month period ended March 31, 2002. Depreciation of fixed assets which is included in net loss but does not require the use of cash amounted to $409,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Net cash generated by operating activities in the three month period was primarily the result of net income of $1.5 million, an increase of $2.4 million in deferred revenue, $1.0 million in accounts payable and $381,000 of other accrued liabilities and a decrease in prepaid and other current assets of $370,000, offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $4.8 million.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $9.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2003, a decrease of $8.4 million over the $1.1 million used in investing activities in the comparable period ended March 31, 2002. Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, was due primarily to the purchase of $12.4 million in short-term investments offset by the sale and maturity of $3.1 million in short-term investments.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $188,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and $3,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2002. For the period ended March 31, 2003, cash provided by financing activities was attributable to net proceeds from the purchase of common stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the exercise of employee stock options offset by the repayment of principal payments under capital lease obligations.

 

Commitments

 

As of March 31, 2003, our principal commitments consisted of obligations outstanding under a technology acquisition agreement and capital and operating leases. We anticipate requiring minimal additional space in the next 12 months. The following summarizes our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2003 and the effect these contractual obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in thousands).

 

    

Payments Due By Period


    

Total


  

1 Year or Less


  

1–3 Years


  

After 3 Years


Operating leases

  

$

1,244

  

$

617

  

$

596

  

$

31

Purchased technology

  

 

309

  

 

309

  

 

  

 

Capital lease obligations

  

 

522

  

 

481

  

 

41

  

 

    

  

  

  

Total

  

$

2,075

  

$

1,407

  

$

637

  

$

31

    

  

  

  

 

Working Capital and Capital Expenditure Requirements

 

We believe that our existing cash balances will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. We evaluate potential acquisitions of other businesses, products and technologies and may in the future require additional equity or debt financings to accomplish any potential acquisitions.

 

If we require additional capital resources to grow our business internally or to acquire complementary technologies and businesses at any time in the future, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities. The sale of additional equity or debt securities could result in more dilution to our stockholders. Financing arrangements may not be available to us, or may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in preparing our consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

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We recognize revenue in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) Statement of Position (“SOP”) 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, as amended by SOP 98-4 and SOP 98-9. License revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria are met:

 

  Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

 

  Delivery has occurred;

 

  No uncertainties surrounding product acceptance exist;

 

  Collection is considered probable; and

 

  The fees are fixed or determinable.

 

We consider all arrangements with payment terms extending beyond twelve months and other arrangements with payment terms longer than normal not to be fixed or determinable. If the fee is determined not to be fixed or determinable, revenue is recognized as payments become due from the customer.

 

License revenue is comprised of fees for term and perpetual licenses of our software. Perpetual license revenue is recognized using the residual method described in SOP 98-9 for arrangements in which licenses are sold with multiple elements. We allocate revenues on these licenses based upon the fair value of each undelivered element (for example, undelivered maintenance and support, training and consulting). The determination of fair value is based upon vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE). VSOE for maintenance and support is determined by the customer’s annual renewal rate for these services. VSOE for training or consulting is based upon separate sales of these services to other customers. Assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met, the difference between the total arrangement fee and the amount deferred for each undelivered element is recognized as license revenue. Our perpetual arrangements may include initial maintenance extending over a period of time with no renewal rate, which requires license revenue to be taken ratably (monthly) over the contract period.

 

Term licenses are sold with maintenance for which we do not have VSOE to determine fair value. As a result, license revenue for term licenses is recognized ratably over the service period of the agreement and license revenue includes maintenance for term licenses. We do not allocate maintenance revenue from term licenses to services revenue, as we do not believe there is an allocation methodology that provides a meaningful and supportable allocation between license and maintenance revenues.

 

The following is an example of our revenue recognition for a term license. If we receive an order from a customer for a 36-month term license in December of a year, we would recognize only one month of license fees for that year even if that customer prepaid 12 months of the 36-month term. Pursuant to this arrangement, we would record one year of fees in accounts receivable upon signing a new term license agreement, while recognizing only one month of revenue. As a result, our accounts receivable balance could represent a significant portion of our total revenue and increase our days sales outstanding (DSO) calculation.

 

License revenue from arrangements with resellers is recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement commencing when payments are made or become due limited by guaranteed minimum amounts due under the arrangement or sell through activity.

 

Services revenue is primarily comprised of revenue from professional services, such as consulting services, training, maintenance and support. Arrangements that include software services are evaluated to determine whether those services are essential to the functionality of other elements of the arrangement. Non-essential consulting and training revenues are generally recognized as the services are performed. When non-essential software services are bundled in a term licensing arrangement, revenue from the software services is recognized ratably over the period associated with the initial payment. Post-contract customer maintenance and support revenues are recognized over the term of the support period (generally one year). When the software services are considered essential to the functionality of other elements of the arrangement, revenue under the arrangement is recognized using contract accounting, typically using the percentage of completion method.

 

Allowance for Bad Debt

 

We maintain reserves for estimated credit losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. A considerable amount of judgment is required when we assess the realization of receivables, including assessing the probability of collection and the current credit-worthiness of each customer. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional reserves may be required.

 

Factors that May Affect Future Results

 

We have a history of losses and only recently became profitable. If we do not continue to be profitable, we may not be able to continue to operate.

 

We incurred net losses of approximately $83.5 million for the period from December 3, 1997 through March 31, 2003 and only recently become profitable. If we do not continue to be profitable, we may not be able to increase our number of employees in sales, marketing and

 

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research and development programs or increase our investment capital equipment or otherwise execute our business plan. If we fail to sustain or increase profitability in the future, our business will suffer and we may not be able to continue to operate.

 

Our quarterly results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate. If we do not meet quarterly financial expectations, our stock price would likely decline.

 

Because of our limited operating history, our quarterly revenue and operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Our operating results in some quarters may fall below our predictions or the expectations of securities analysts or investors, which would likely cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

 

Several factors are likely to cause fluctuations in our operating results, including:

 

  demand for our service and support automation software;

 

  the mix of perpetual license revenue versus term license revenue;

 

  the price and mix of products and services we or our competitors offer;

 

  our ability to gain and retain customers;

 

  the amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures relating to expansion of our business, infrastructure and marketing activities;

 

  size and timing of customer orders and the timing of customer license payments;

 

  our ability to recognize revenue in a given quarter;

 

  general economic conditions and their affect on our operations; and

 

  the effect of the war on terrorism and any related conflicts or similar events worldwide.

 

Our quarterly results depend on the size of a small number of orders, so the delay or loss of any single large order during a quarterly period, and especially an order for a perpetual license rather than a term license, could harm that quarter’s results and cause our stock price to decline.

 

Our operating results could suffer if any large orders are delayed or cancelled in any future period. Each quarter, we derive a significant portion of our license revenue from a small number of relatively large orders for the licensing of our service and support automation software. We license our service and support automation software under perpetual and term licenses. Perpetual licenses typically result in our recognition of a larger amount of revenue in the quarter in which the license is granted as compared with term licenses. Revenue from a perpetual license is generally recognized upon delivery of a product. Revenue from a term license is recognized on a monthly basis over the agreement term, which is typically three years. We expect that we will continue to depend upon a small number of large orders for a significant portion of our license revenue.

 

Because a small number of customers have historically accounted for and may in future periods account for substantial portions of our revenue, our revenue could decline because of delays of customer orders or the failure of existing customers to pay for their licenses or renew licenses.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2003, three of our customers accounted for 10% or more of our total revenue. One customer accounted for 14% of our total revenue and the other two customers each accounted for 13% of our total revenue. Because we have a small number of customers and a few customers are likely to continue to account for a significant portion of our revenue, our revenue could decline because of the loss or delay of a single customer order or the failure of an existing customer to renew its term license. We may not obtain additional customers. The failure to obtain additional customers, the loss or delay of customer orders and the failure of existing customers to renew licenses or pay fees due will harm our operating results.

 

Our sales cycle can be lengthy and if revenue forecasted for a particular quarter is not realized in that quarter, significant expenses incurred may not be offset by corresponding sales.

 

Our sales cycle for our service and support automation software can range from three months to nine months or more and may vary substantially from customer to customer. While our customers are evaluating our products and services, we may incur substantial sales and marketing expenses and spend significant management effort. Any delay in completing sales in a particular quarter could cause our operating results to be below expectations.

 

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We must achieve broad adoption and acceptance of our service and support automation products and services or we will not increase our market share or grow our business.

 

We must achieve broad market acceptance and adoption of our products and services or our business and operating results will suffer. Specifically, we must encourage our customers to transition from using traditional support methods. To accomplish this, we must:

 

  continually improve the performance, features and reliability of our products and services to address changing industry standards and customer needs; and

 

  develop integration with other support-related technologies.

 

Our product innovations may not achieve the market penetration or price stability necessary for us to maintain profitability.

 

If we fail to develop, in a timely manner, new or enhanced versions of our service and support automation software or to provide new products and services that achieve rapid and broad market acceptance or price stability, we may not maintain our profitability. We may fail to identify new product and service opportunities successfully. Our existing products will become obsolete if we fail to introduce new products or product enhancements that meet new customer demands, support new standards or integrate with new or upgraded versions of packaged applications. We may have little or no control over the factors that might influence market acceptance of our products and services. These factors include:

 

  the willingness of enterprises to transition to service and support automation solutions; and

 

  acceptance of competitors’ service and support automation solutions or other similar technologies.

 

Our software may not operate with the hardware and software platforms that are used by our customers now or in the future, and as a result our business and operating results may suffer.

 

We currently serve a customer base with a wide variety of constantly changing hardware, packaged software applications and networking platforms. If there is widespread adoption of other operating system environments, and if we fail to release versions of our service and support automation software that are compatible with these other operating systems, our business and operating results will suffer. Our future success also depends on:

 

  our ability to integrate our product with multiple platforms and to modify our product as new versions of packaged applications are introduced;

 

  the number of different operating systems and databases that our product can work with; and

 

  our management of software being developed by third parties for our customers or for use with our products.

 

We rely on third-party technologies and our inability to use or integrate third-party technologies could delay product or service development.

 

We intend to continue to license technologies from third parties, including applications used in our research and development activities and technologies, which are integrated into our products and services. Our inability to obtain or integrate any of these licenses could delay product and service development until equivalent technology can be identified, licensed and integrated. These technologies may not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all. We may fail to successfully integrate any licensed technology into our products or services. This would harm our business and operating results. Third-party licenses also expose us to increased risks that include:

 

  risks of product malfunction after new technology is integrated;

 

  the diversion of resources from the development of our own proprietary technology; and

 

  our inability to generate revenue from new technology sufficient to offset associated acquisition and maintenance costs.

 

We may engage in future acquisitions or investments that could dilute our existing stockholders, or cause us to incur significant expenses.

 

We may acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies or products. If we are unable to use or integrate any newly acquired entities or technologies effectively or profitably, our operating results could suffer. Acquisitions by us could also result in large and immediate

 

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write-offs, incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities or amortization of expenses related to goodwill and other intangibles, which could harm our operating results. Additional funds to finance any acquisitions may not be available on terms that are favorable to us, and, in the case of equity financings, may dilute our stockholders.

 

We may lose the services of our key personnel, which in turn would harm the market’s perception of our business and our ability to achieve our business goals.

 

Our success will depend on the skills, experience and performance of our senior management, engineering, sales, marketing and other key personnel. The loss of the services of any of our senior management or other key personnel, including our president, chief executive officer and chairman, Radha R. Basu, our executive vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer, Brian Beattie, our vice president of engineering and chief technical officer, Scott W. Dale, and our chief software officer, Cadir B. Lee, could harm the market’s perception of our business and our ability to achieve our business goals.

 

Our failure to establish and expand strategic alliances would harm our ability to achieve market acceptance of our service and support automation software.

 

If we fail to maintain, establish or successfully implement strategic alliances, our ability to achieve market acceptance of our automation software will suffer and our business and operating results will be harmed. Specifically, we must establish and extend existing distribution alliances with specialized technology and services firms such as support outsourcers.

 

Our products depend on and work with products containing complex software and if our products fail to perform properly due to errors or similar problems in the software, we may need to spend resources to correct the errors or compensate for losses from these errors and our reputation could be harmed.

 

Our products depend on complex software, both internally developed and licensed from third parties. Also, our customers may use our products with other companies’ products which also contain complex software. Complex software often contains errors and may not perform properly. These errors could result in:

 

  delays in product shipments;

 

  unexpected expenses and diversion of resources to identify the source of errors or to correct errors;

 

  damage to our reputation;

 

  lost sales;

 

  demands, claims and litigation and related defense costs;

 

  product liability claims; and

 

  product returns, refunds or other damages claims.

 

Our system security is important to our customers and we may need to spend significant resources to protect against or correct problems caused by security breaches.

 

A fundamental requirement for online communications, transactions and support is the secure transmission of confidential information. Third parties may attempt to breach our security or that of our customers. We may be liable to our customers for any breach in security and any breach could harm our business and reputation. Also, computers are vulnerable to computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions, which could lead to interruptions, delays or loss of data. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to further protect against security breaches or to correct problems caused by any breach.

 

We may face claims of invasion of privacy or inappropriate disclosure, use or loss of our customers’ information and any liability imposed could harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers.

 

Our software contains features which may allow us or our customers to control, monitor or collect information from computers running the software without notice to the computing users. Therefore we may face claims about invasion of privacy or inappropriate disclosure, use or loss of this information. Any imposition of liability could harm our operating results.

 

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We have limited experience in international operations and if our revenue from international operations does not exceed the expense of establishing and maintaining our international operations, our business could suffer.

 

We intend to expand further into international markets. We have limited experience in international operations and may not be able to compete effectively in international markets. If we do not generate enough revenue from international operations to offset the expense of these operations, our business could suffer. Risks we face in conducting business internationally include:

 

  difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international operations;

 

  differing technology standards and legal considerations;

 

  longer sales cycles and collection periods;

 

  changes in currency exchange rates and controls;

 

  dependence on local vendors; and

 

  the effects of the terrorist attacks in the United States and the effects of the war on terrorism and any related conflicts or similar events worldwide.

 

Any system failure that causes an interruption in our customers’ ability to use our products or services or a decrease in their performance could harm our relationships with our customers and result in reduced revenue.

 

Our software may depend on the uninterrupted operation of our internal and outsourced communications and computer systems. These systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses, human error, natural disasters and intentional acts of vandalism and similar events. Our disaster recovery plan may not be adequate and business interruption insurance may not be enough to compensate us for losses that occur. These problems could interrupt our customers’ ability to use our service and support automation products or services, which could harm our reputation and cause us to lose customers and revenue.

 

We may not obtain sufficient patent protection, and this could harm our competitive position and increase our expenses which would harm our business.

 

Our success and ability to compete depend to a significant degree upon the protection of our software and other proprietary technology. It is possible that:

 

  our pending patent applications may not be issued;

 

  competitors may independently develop similar technologies or design around any of our patents;

 

  patents issued to us may not be broad enough to protect our proprietary rights; and

 

  our issued patents could be successfully challenged.

 

We rely upon trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets to protect our proprietary rights and if these rights are not sufficiently protected, it could harm our ability to compete and to generate revenue.

 

We also rely on a combination of laws, such as copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, and contractual restrictions, such as confidentiality agreements and licenses, to establish and protect our proprietary rights. Our ability to compete and grow our business could suffer if these rights are not adequately protected. Our proprietary rights may not be adequately protected because:

 

  laws and contractual restrictions may not prevent misappropriation of our technologies or deter others from developing similar technologies; and

 

  policing unauthorized use of our products and trademarks is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and we may be unable to determine the extent of this unauthorized use.

 

Also, the laws of other countries in which we market our products may offer little or no protection of our proprietary technologies. Reverse engineering, unauthorized copying or other misappropriation of our proprietary technologies could enable third parties to benefit from our technologies without paying us for them, which would harm our competitive position and market share.

 

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We may face intellectual property infringement claims that could be costly to defend and result in our loss of significant rights.

 

Other parties may assert intellectual property infringement claims against us and our products may infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. Intellectual property litigation is expensive and time-consuming and could divert management’s attention from our business. If there is a successful claim of infringement, we may be required to develop non-infringing technology or enter into royalty or license agreements which may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Our failure to develop non-infringing technologies or license the proprietary rights on a timely basis would harm our business. Our products may infringe issued patents that may relate to our products.

 

Also, patent applications may have been filed by third parties which relate to our software products. The adoption in March of 2002 of the new trademark and corporate name SupportSoft increases the risk that a prior user could view the mark or name to be confusingly similar to the prior user’s mark or name. Although the we have conducted limited trademark and trade name searches, and do not believe the SupportSoft trademark and corporate name will infringe any known party’s trademark rights, it is possible that a third party will claim our use of SupportSoft infringes its trademark.

 

We must compete successfully in the service and support automation market or we will lose market share and our business will fail.

 

The market for our products is intensely competitive, rapidly changing and significantly affected by new product introductions and other market activities of industry participants. Competitive pressures could reduce our market share or require us to reduce the price of products and services and therefore our gross margin, which could harm our business and operating results. Our integrated software solution competes against various vendors’ software products designed to accomplish specific elements of a complete service and support automation solution. For example, in the market for automated delivery of service and support solutions, we compete with Motive Communications, Inc.

 

We may encounter competition from companies such as:

 

  customer communications software companies;

 

  question and answer companies;

 

  customer relationship management solution providers;

 

  consolidated service desk solution vendors;

 

  Internet infrastructure companies; and

 

  operating systems providers.

 

Our potential competitors may have longer operating histories, significantly greater financial, technical, and other resources or greater name recognition than we do. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. In addition, our competitors may complete strategic transactions with our other competitors or companies with whom we have strategic alliances, making it difficult for us to compete for market share. If we fail to compete effectively, we may lose or be unable to expand our market share and our business and operating results would suffer.

 

Because our service and support automation software is designed to support businesses operating over the Internet, our success depends on the continued growth and levels of performance of Internet usage.

 

Because a majority of our products are designed to support businesses operating over or benefiting from the Internet, the success of our business will depend on the continued improvement of the Internet as a convenient means of consumer interaction and commerce, as well as an efficient medium for the delivery and distribution of information by enterprises to their employees and extended enterprise. Because global commerce on the Internet and the online exchange of information is evolving, we cannot predict whether the Internet will continue to be a viable commercial marketplace or whether access to the Internet via a broadband connection will continue to be adopted.

 

We may experience a decrease in market demand due to the slowing economy in the United States, which has been further stymied by the concerns of terrorism, war and social and political instability.

 

Economic growth has slowed significantly, and some analysts believe the United States economy is experiencing a recession. In addition, the terrorists attacks in the United States and turmoil in the Middle East have increased the uncertainty in the United States economy and may further add to the decline in the United States business environment. The war on terrorism, along with the effects of the terrorist attack and other similar events, or war in general, could contribute further to the slowdown of the already slumping market demand for goods and services, including service and support automation software. If the economy continues to decline as a result of the recent economic, political and social turmoil, or if there are further terrorist attacks in the United States or elsewhere, we may experience decreases in the demand for our products and services, which may harm our operating results.

 

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Governmental regulation and legal changes could impair the growth of the Internet and decrease demand for our products or increase our cost of doing business.

 

The laws and regulations that govern our business change rapidly. Any change in laws and regulations could impair the growth of the Internet and could reduce demand for our products, subject us to liability or increase our cost of doing business. The United States government and the governments of states and foreign countries have attempted to regulate activities on the Internet and the distribution of software. Also, in 1998, Congress passed the Internet Freedom Act, which imposed a three-year moratorium on state and local taxes on Internet-based transactions. In late 2001, this moratorium was extended for two years. In January 2003, several members of Congress proposed a bill that would make the moratorium on state and local taxes on Internet-based transactions permanent. Failure to renew this moratorium or to pass a bill that would permanently prohibit state and local taxes on Internet-based transactions would allow states to impose taxes on e-commerce. This might harm our business directly and indirectly by harming the businesses of our customers, potential customers and the parties to our business alliances. The applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing issues is uncertain and may take years to resolve. Evolving areas of law that are relevant to our business include privacy laws, intellectual property laws, proposed encryption laws, content regulation and sales and use tax laws and regulations.

 

Our directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders own a substantial portion of our common stock and this concentration of ownership may allow them to elect most of our directors and could delay or prevent a change in control of SupportSoft.

 

Our directors, executive officers, and stockholders who currently own over 5% of our common stock collectively beneficially own approximately 56% of our outstanding common stock as of May 14, 2003. These stockholders, if they vote together, will be able to significantly influence all matters requiring stockholder approval. For example, they may be able to elect most of our directors, delay or prevent a transaction in which stockholders might receive a premium over the market price for their shares or prevent changes in control or management.

 

Our stock price may be highly volatile and may decline significantly because of stock market fluctuations and other factors that affect the prices of technology stocks. A decline in our stock price could result in securities class action litigation against us. Securities class action litigation diverts management’s attention and may harm our business.

 

The stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have adversely affected the market prices of common stock of technology companies. These broad market fluctuations may reduce the market price of our common stock. Other factors that may lead to high volatility or have an adverse affect on the market price of our common stock include:

 

  actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

 

  changes in or our failure to meet securities analysts’ expectations; and

 

  sales of shares of our common stock by our affiliates or others.

 

In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company after periods of volatility in the market price of securities.

 

On or about November 30, 2001, Dana [sic] Risley, on behalf of herself [sic] and other similarly situated, filed a securities class action lawsuit against SupportSoft. We may again in the future be a target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources, which could harm our ability to execute our business plan.

 

We may need additional capital and if funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to hire and retain employees, fund our expansion or compete effectively.

 

We believe that our existing capital resources will enable us to maintain our operations for at least the next 12 months. However, if our capital requirements vary materially from those currently planned, we may require additional financing sooner than anticipated. This financing may not be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us and may be dilutive to existing stockholders. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, our ability to hire, train or retain employees, to fund our expansion, take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop or enhance services or products, or respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited.

 

We may be required to change our business practices if there are changes in accounting regulations and related interpretations and policies.

 

Policies, guidelines and interpretations related to revenue recognition, expensing options, income taxes, investments in equity securities,

 

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facilities consolidation, accounting for acquisitions, allowances for doubtful accounts and other financial reporting matters are often among topics under re-examination by accounting standards groups and regulators. These standard groups and regulators could promulgate interpretations and guidance that could result in material and potentially adverse, changes to our business practices and accounting policies.

 

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We develop products in the United States and market and sell in North America, South American, Asia and Europe. As a result, our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets. As most sales are currently made in U.S. dollars, a strengthening of the dollar could make our products less competitive in foreign markets.

 

Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. However, due to the nature of our cash equivalents and short-term investments, we have concluded that there is not material market risk exposure.

 

Our investment policy requires us to invest funds in excess of operating requirements in:

 

  obligations of the U.S. government and its agencies;

 

  securities of U.S. corporations rated A1 or the equivalent for short-term ratings and A2 or the equivalent for long-term ratings by Standard and Poors or the Moody’s equivalent; and

 

  money market funds or deposits issued or guaranteed by U.S. and non-U.S. commercial banks, meeting credit rating and net worth requirements with maturities of less than eighteen months.

 

At March 31, 2003, our cash and cash equivalents consisted primarily of money market funds held by large institutions in the U.S. and our short-term investments were primarily invested in government debt securities and auction backed securities maturing or resetting in less than eighteen months.

 

ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

Based on their evaluation as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, subject to the limitations noted above, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was being prepared.

 

Changes in internal controls

 

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or, to our knowledge, in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

 

Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS OF FORM 8-K.

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

99.1

  

Statement of the Chief Executive Officer under 18 U.S.C. § 1350.

99.2

  

Statement of the Chief Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. § 1350.

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

 

On March 21, 2003, the Company filed a Form 8-K announcing its annual meeting date, the appointment of new directors and the resignation of a director.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

May 15, 2003

 

SUPPORTSOFT, INC.

       

By

 

/s/    BRIAN M. BEATTIE         


           

Brian M. Beattie
Executive Vice President of Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer, Chief Accounting
Officer and Duly Authorized Signatory)

 

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Certifications

 

I, Radha R. Basu, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SupportSoft, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 15, 2003

 

/s/    RADHA R. BASU         


       

Radha R. Basu
Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

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I, Brian M. Beattie, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SupportSoft, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 15, 2003

 

/s/    BRIAN M. BEATTIE         


       

Brian M. Beattie
Executive Vice President of Finance
and Administration and Chief Financial Officer

 

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