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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2002
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
.
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-30203
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE |
|
94-3208477 |
(STATE OF INCORPORATION) |
|
(IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER) |
1005 HAMILTON AVENUE
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
(650) 847-0000
(ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
Indicate by check mark whether 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 ¨
33,838,813 shares of the registrants common stock, $0.001 par value, were
outstanding as of July 31, 2002.
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q, JUNE 30, 2002
CONTENTS
Item Number
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Page
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PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. |
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Financial Statements |
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1 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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Item 2. |
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15 |
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Item 3. |
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34 |
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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION |
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Item 1. |
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35 |
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Item 2-3. |
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Not Applicable |
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Item 4. |
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35 |
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Item 5. |
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Not Applicable |
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Item 6. |
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36 |
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37 |
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Exhibit 99.1 |
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|
i
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
|
|
June 30, 2002
|
|
|
December 31, 2001
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
98,837 |
|
|
$ |
132,618 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
|
46,995 |
|
|
|
16,230 |
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $739 and $1,312, respectively |
|
|
9,772 |
|
|
|
6,399 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
5,837 |
|
|
|
4,920 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
161,441 |
|
|
|
160,167 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
8,082 |
|
|
|
8,502 |
|
Intangible assets |
|
|
1,252 |
|
|
|
1,393 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
12,207 |
|
|
|
11,983 |
|
Long-term investments |
|
|
4,160 |
|
|
|
25,747 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
234 |
|
|
|
439 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
187,376 |
|
|
$ |
208,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
3,559 |
|
|
$ |
1,385 |
|
Accrued compensation |
|
|
2,267 |
|
|
|
2,051 |
|
Accrued employee benefits |
|
|
2,958 |
|
|
|
2,752 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
4,749 |
|
|
|
5,497 |
|
Current restructuring accrual |
|
|
9,061 |
|
|
|
8,974 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
9,365 |
|
|
|
10,836 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
31,959 |
|
|
|
31,495 |
|
Long-term restructuring accrual |
|
|
15,985 |
|
|
|
20,169 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,742 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
47,944 |
|
|
|
53,406 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments (Note 9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.001 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 33,838,813 shares and 33,198,051 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
327,937 |
|
|
|
324,371 |
|
Deferred stock compensation |
|
|
(612 |
) |
|
|
(1,532 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
(335 |
) |
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(187,963 |
) |
|
|
(167,712 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity |
|
|
139,432 |
|
|
|
154,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
|
$ |
187,376 |
|
|
$ |
208,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
1
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
DATA)
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License |
|
$ |
7,631 |
|
|
$ |
5,030 |
|
|
$ |
13,492 |
|
|
$ |
10,692 |
|
Service |
|
|
1,601 |
|
|
|
3,266 |
|
|
|
2,846 |
|
|
|
6,730 |
|
Maintenance |
|
|
2,138 |
|
|
|
1,749 |
|
|
|
4,105 |
|
|
|
3,640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
|
11,370 |
|
|
|
10,045 |
|
|
|
20,443 |
|
|
|
21,062 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License |
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
295 |
|
|
|
|
|
Service (1) |
|
|
1,391 |
|
|
|
3,222 |
|
|
|
3,409 |
|
|
|
7,021 |
|
Maintenance (1) |
|
|
882 |
|
|
|
1,037 |
|
|
|
1,767 |
|
|
|
2,138 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenue |
|
|
2,482 |
|
|
|
4,259 |
|
|
|
5,471 |
|
|
|
9,159 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
8,888 |
|
|
|
5,786 |
|
|
|
14,972 |
|
|
|
11,903 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and marketing (1) |
|
|
12,192 |
|
|
|
10,328 |
|
|
|
20,975 |
|
|
|
22,112 |
|
Research and development (1) |
|
|
3,463 |
|
|
|
5,088 |
|
|
|
7,148 |
|
|
|
10,327 |
|
General and administrative (1) |
|
|
4,142 |
|
|
|
3,657 |
|
|
|
7,143 |
|
|
|
7,167 |
|
Amortization of goodwill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
477 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
955 |
|
Non-cash stock-based compensation |
|
|
318 |
|
|
|
1,475 |
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
3,066 |
|
Restructuring charges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,028 |
|
|
|
1,319 |
|
|
|
55,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
20,115 |
|
|
|
76,053 |
|
|
|
37,542 |
|
|
|
98,655 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(11,227 |
) |
|
|
(70,267 |
) |
|
|
(22,570 |
) |
|
|
(86,752 |
) |
Interest and other income, net |
|
|
654 |
|
|
|
2,317 |
|
|
|
1,521 |
|
|
|
5,363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(10,573 |
) |
|
|
(67,950 |
) |
|
|
(21,049 |
) |
|
|
(81,389 |
) |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
|
|
(903 |
) |
|
|
187 |
|
|
|
(798 |
) |
|
|
385 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(9,670 |
) |
|
$ |
(68,137 |
) |
|
$ |
(20,251 |
) |
|
$ |
(81,774 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
$ |
(0.29 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.10 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.61 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.54 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
|
33,621 |
|
|
|
32,400 |
|
|
|
33,408 |
|
|
|
32,178 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Excludes non-cash stock-based
compensation as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service and cost of revenue |
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
$ |
117 |
|
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
$ |
245 |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
384 |
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
797 |
|
Research and development |
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
359 |
|
|
|
1,012 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
130 |
|
|
|
1,012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
318 |
|
|
$ |
1,475 |
|
|
$ |
957 |
|
|
$ |
3,066 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
2
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(20,251 |
) |
|
$ |
(81,774 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tenant improvement asset impairment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,898 |
|
Depreciation |
|
|
1,678 |
|
|
|
2,137 |
|
Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets |
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
1,480 |
|
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
3,066 |
|
Provision for doubtful accounts |
|
|
(573 |
) |
|
|
593 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
(2,781 |
) |
|
|
10,337 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
(916 |
) |
|
|
(718 |
) |
Accounts payable |
|
|
2,174 |
|
|
|
310 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
(326 |
) |
|
|
(1,489 |
) |
Restructuring accrual |
|
|
(4,097 |
) |
|
|
32,913 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
(1,471 |
) |
|
|
2,050 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(25,466 |
) |
|
|
(10,197 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in restricted cash |
|
|
(224 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Purchase of investments |
|
|
(35,933 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Maturities of investments |
|
|
26,921 |
|
|
|
8,728 |
|
Purchase of property and equipment |
|
|
(1,258 |
) |
|
|
(24,318 |
) |
Purchase of technology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(10,494 |
) |
|
|
(22,590 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of common stock |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(365 |
) |
Issuance of common stock |
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
2,825 |
|
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan |
|
|
1,485 |
|
|
|
2,349 |
|
Repayment of borrowings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
1,974 |
|
|
|
4,765 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
205 |
|
|
|
(114 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(33,781 |
) |
|
|
(28,136 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
|
|
132,618 |
|
|
|
219,047 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
|
$ |
98,837 |
|
|
$ |
190,911 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplementary disclosures of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
28 |
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
Supplementary disclosures of non-cash transactions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrant issued to OnStar |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
526 |
|
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities |
|
$ |
166 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Issuance of escrow shares |
|
$ |
1,743 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
3
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Nuance Communications, Inc. (the
Company) in accordance with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared using accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to these instructions and regulations. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated
financial position as of June 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001, the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001. The results for the periods presented
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any future periods. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements
contained in the Companys Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2002.
Use of Estimates
in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly
liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of money market accounts, certificate of deposits and deposits with banks. Cash and cash equivalents are
recorded at cost which approximates fair value.
Investments
The Companys investments are comprised of U.S. Treasury notes, U.S. Government agency bonds, corporate bonds and commercial paper. Investments with maturities
remaining of less than one year are considered to be short-term. Investments are held in the Companys name primarily at major financial institutions. At June 30, 2002, all of the Companys investments were classified as available-for-sale
and carried at fair value, which is determined based on quoted market price, with net unrealized gain or loss included in the Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Restricted Cash
The Company had $12.2 million and $12.0 million of restricted cash at June 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001, respectively. The restricted cash secures letters of credit required by landlords to meet rent deposit requirements
for certain leased facilities. The restricted cash represents investments in certificates of deposit.
4
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
Revenue Recognition
We apply the provisions of Statement of Position 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, as amended by Statement of Position 98-9 Modification of SOP 97-2,
Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions to all transactions involving the sale of software products.
Our license revenue consists of license fees for our software products. The license fees for our software are calculated using two variables, one of which is the maximum number of simultaneous end-user connections to an
application running on the software, and the other of which is the value attributed to the functional use of the software.
All revenues generated from our worldwide operations are approved at our corporate headquarters, located in the United States. We recognize revenue from the sale of software licenses when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
the software has been delivered, the fee is fixed and determinable and collection of the resulting receivable is probable.
We use a signed contract and purchase order as evidence of an arrangement for licenses and maintenance renewals. For services, we use a signed contract or statement of work to evidence an arrangement. Software is delivered to
customers either electronically or on a CD-ROM. We assess whether the fee is fixed and determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction. We assess collectibility based on a number of factors, including the customers past
payment history and its current creditworthiness. If we determine that collection of a fee is not reasonably assured, we defer the revenue and recognize it at the time collection becomes reasonably assured.
We recognize license revenue either upon issuance of the permanent software license key or on system acceptance, if the customer has
established acceptance criteria (which currently occurs only in a minority of cases). Such criteria typically consist of a demonstration to the customer that, upon implementation, the software performs in accordance with specified system parameters,
such as recognition accuracy or task completion rates.
We use the residual method to recognize revenue when a
license agreement includes one or more elements to be delivered at a future date if evidence of the fair value of all undelivered elements exists. If evidence of the fair value of the undelivered elements does not exist, revenue is deferred and
recognized when delivery occurs. As a general rule, license revenue from value-added resellers and OEMs is recognized when product has been sold through to an end user and such sell-through has been reported to the Company. Certain OEM agreements
included time-based provisions by which the company recognizes revenue.
The timing of license revenue recognition
is affected by whether we perform consulting services in the arrangement and the nature of those services. In the many of cases, we either perform no consulting services or we perform standard implementation services that are not essential to the
functionality of the software. When we perform consulting services that are essential to the functionality of the software, we recognize both license and consulting revenue utilizing contract accounting based on the percentage of the consulting
services that have been completed.
Service revenue consists of revenue from providing consulting, training and
other revenue consisting primarily of reimbursements for consulting out-of-pocket expenses incurred, in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standard Boards (FASB) Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 01-14, Income Statement
Characterization of Reimbursements Received for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Incurred. Our consulting service contracts are bid either on a fixed-fee basis or on a time-and-materials basis. For a fixed-fee contract, we
5
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
recognize revenue using the percentage of completion method. For time-and-materials contracts, we recognize revenue as services are performed. Training service revenue is recognized as services
are performed. Losses on service contracts, if any, are recognized as soon as such losses become known.
Maintenance revenue consists of fees for providing technical support and software updates. We recognize all maintenance revenue ratably over the contract term. Most customers have the option to renew or decline maintenance agreements
annually during the contract term.
Cost of license revenue consists primarily of license fees payable on
third-party software products, amortization of software costs, documentation and media costs. Cost of service revenue consists of compensation and related overhead costs for employees engaged in consulting and training. Cost of maintenance revenue
consists of compensation and related overhead costs for employees engaged in technical support.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain
(Loss)
Comprehensive loss includes net loss and all non-owner charges to stockholders deficit, which
for the Company, is foreign currency translation and changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments. The Company had no items of comprehensive loss prior to January 1, 2000. As of June 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001, cumulative foreign
currency translation adjustments are $23,000 and $227,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2002, unrealized gain from investments is $59,000. As of December 31, 2001, unrealized loss from investments is $108,000. Comprehensive loss was $9,228,000 and
$19,880,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and $68,238,000 and $81,884,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001.
Reclassification
Certain prior period amounts have been classified to conform with current
period presentation. These reclassifications had no significant impact on the financial statements for the periods presented.
2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 2002, the FASB issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and
supercedes EITF Issue No. 94-3, Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring). This statement requires that a liability for a
cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under Issue 94-3, a liability for an exit cost, as defined in Issue 94-3, was recognized at the date of an entitys commitment to an exit plan.
Accordingly, this statement may affect the timing of recognizing future restructuring costs as well as the amounts recognized. This statement also establishes that the liability should initially be measured and recorded at fair value. The Company
will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 146 for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002 and the adoption will not have an impact on the historical results of operations, financial position or liquidity of the Company.
On June 29, 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, and SFAS No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Major provisions of these Statements are as follows: all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 must use the purchase method of accounting; intangible assets acquired in a business
combination must be recorded separately from goodwill if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or are separable from the acquired entity and can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, either individually or as part of a
related contract, asset or liability; goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually using a fair value approach, except
6
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
in certain circumstances, and whenever there is an impairment indicator; other intangible assets will continue to be valued and amortized over their estimated lives; in-process research and
development will continue to be written off immediately; all acquired goodwill must be assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing and segment reporting; effective January 1, 2002, existing goodwill will no longer be subject to
amortization. Goodwill acquired subsequent to June 30, 2001 will not be subject to amortization.
Because the
Company did not initiate any business combinations after June 30, 2001, the adoption of SFAS No. 141 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations. SFAS No. 142 had no effect on the
quarter ending June 30, 2002 as all goodwill was written off as of December 31, 2001.
For the year ended
December 31, 2001, we performed an impairment analysis of identifiable assets and goodwill and we recorded a charge of $7.6 million for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. As of June 30, 2002, we have approximately $1.3 million
remaining in intangible assets, which are being amortized over 4 remaining years.
In August 2001, the FASB issued
SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. SFAS No. 144 supercedes SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of, and the
accounting and reporting provisions of APB Opinion No. 30, Reporting the Results of OperationsReporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and
Transactions. SFAS No. 144 retains the requirements of SFAS No. 121 whereby an impairment loss should be recognized if the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows and develops one accounting model for
long-lived assets that are to be disposed of by sale. SFAS No. 144 eliminates goodwill from its scope, therefore it does not require goodwill to be allocated to long-lived assets. SFAS No. 144 broadens the scope of APB 30 provisions for the
presentation of discontinued operations to include a component of an entity (rather than a segment of a business). SFAS No. 144 had no effect on the accompanying financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.
In November 2001, the EITF issued Topic No. D-103, Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for
Out-of-Pocket Expenses Incurred. Topic No. D-103 requires companies to characterize reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as revenue in the statement of operations. The Company has historically netted
reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses against the related expenses in its consolidated statements of operations. In January 2002, the EITF issued Topic No. D-103 as ETIF Issue No. 01-14. The Company adopted EITF Issue No. 01-14
beginning January 1, 2002 and comparative financials statements for prior periods have been reclassified to comply with the guidance in Topic D-103. Reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses totaled $10,800 and $20,200 for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and $50,500 and $117,600 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively.
In July 2001, the EITF reached final consensus on EITF No. 00-25, Vendor Income Statement Characterization of Consideration Paid to a Reseller of the Vendors Products, EITF 00-25 generally requires that the
consideration, including equity instruments, given to a customer be classified in a vendors financial statements not as an expense, but as an offset of revenue up to the amount of cumulative revenue recognized or to be recognized. In November
2001, the EITF reached consensus on EITF No. 01-09, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer or Reseller of the Vendors Products. EITF 01-09 clarifies and modifies certain items discussed in EITF 00-25. EITF No.
00-25 and EITF No. 01-09 had no effect on the accompanying financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002.
7
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
3. NET LOSS PER SHARE
Net loss per share is calculated under SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. Basic net loss per share is computed using the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net loss per share is equal to basic net loss per share for all periods presented since potential common shares from stock options and warrants are antidilutive due to the
reported net loss. Shares subject to repurchase resulting from early exercises of options that have not vested are excluded from the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001,
the Company had securities outstanding which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share in such periods, as their effect would have been antidilutive due to the
net loss reported in such periods. Such outstanding securities consist of warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and 6,216,000 and 6,920,000 options to purchase shares of common stock at
the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively. Outstanding securities consisted of warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001 and 6,557,000 and 6,816,000 options to purchase
shares of common stock at the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively.
The following table
presents the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share data):
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(9,670 |
) |
|
$ |
(68,137 |
) |
|
$ |
(20,251 |
) |
|
$ |
(81,774 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding |
|
|
33,699 |
|
|
|
32,671 |
|
|
|
33,505 |
|
|
|
32,517 |
|
Less: Weighted average shares of common stock subject to repurchase |
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
(271 |
) |
|
|
(97 |
) |
|
|
(339 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
|
33,621 |
|
|
|
32,400 |
|
|
|
33,408 |
|
|
|
32,178 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
$ |
(0.29 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.10 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.61 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.54 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
There was no goodwill on the financial statements as of June 30, 2002, as no goodwill was acquired during the quarter and all prior
goodwill was written off in the year ended December 31, 2001.
The following table presents the impact of SFAS No.
142 on net loss and net loss per share had the standard been in effect for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
Net loss, as reported |
|
$ |
(9,670 |
) |
|
$ |
(68,137 |
) |
|
$ |
(20,251 |
) |
|
$ |
(81,774 |
) |
Add back amortization of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
445 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
889 |
|
Acquired work force |
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss, as adjusted |
|
$ |
(9,670 |
) |
|
$ |
(67,660 |
) |
|
$ |
(20,251 |
) |
|
$ |
(80,819 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share, basic and diluted, as reported |
|
$ |
(0.29 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.10 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.61 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.54 |
) |
Add back amortization of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
Acquired workforce |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per shared, basic and diluted, as adjusted |
|
$ |
(0.29 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.09 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.61 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.51 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information regarding the Companys other intangible assets
follow (in thousands):
|
|
As of June 30, 2002
|
|
As of December 31, 2001
|
|
|
Gross Amount
|
|
Accumulated Amortization
|
|
|
Net
|
|
Gross Amount
|
|
Accumulated Amortization
|
|
|
Net
|
Purchased Technology |
|
$ |
2,618 |
|
$ |
(1,366 |
) |
|
$ |
1,252 |
|
$ |
2,618 |
|
$ |
(1,225 |
) |
|
$ |
1,393 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
2,618 |
|
$ |
(1,366 |
) |
|
$ |
1,252 |
|
$ |
2,618 |
|
$ |
(1,225 |
) |
|
$ |
1,393 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We amortized purchased technology of $84,000 and $141,000 to
research and development expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively and $350,000 and $525,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively.
The estimated amortization of purchased technology for each of the five fiscal years subsequent to December 31, 2001 is as follows:
Year Ended December
31,
|
|
Amortization Expense
|
2002 (remaining 6 months) |
|
$ |
197 |
2003 |
|
|
338 |
2004 |
|
|
338 |
2005 |
|
|
338 |
2006 |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,252 |
|
|
|
|
9
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
5. NON-CASH STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
In connection with the grant of stock options prior to our initial public offering, we recorded deferred stock compensation of
approximately $8.7 million within stockholders equity, representing the difference between the estimated fair value of the common stock for accounting purposes and the option exercise price of these options at the date of grant. This balance
is presented as a reduction of stockholders equity and is being amortized over the vesting period of the applicable options. We recorded amortization of deferred stock compensation of $221,000 and $382,000 for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2002, respectively, and $592,000 and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2002, we recorded a reversal of approximately $249,000 of deferred stock compensation
on the balance sheet, in which $187,000 represented a reduction to non-cash stock-based compensation and $62,000 represented unamortized deferred stock compensation relating to forfeitures of stock options by terminated employees. There were no
reversals of deferred stock compensation recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2001.
In connection with our
SpeechFront acquisition, we recorded deferred stock compensation of $4.1 million. This amount was part of the purchase agreement and was payable to the founders in common stock, equivalent to approximately 38,710 shares at acquisition date, and
contingent upon their continued employment. Of that amount, $1.7 million of stock, equivalent to approximately 16,590 shares at acquisition date, related to retention of the founders of SpeechFront, and was released from escrow on the eighteen-month
anniversary of the acquisition date, which was May 2002. The remaining $2.4 million of stock, equivalent to approximately 22,120 shares at acquisition date, also relates to retention of the founders and was released from escrow on the
twelve-month anniversary of the acquisition date, which was November 2001. These amounts were amortized over 18 months and 12 months, respectively. By May 2002, the SpeechFront founders had been issued all 38,710 shares of common stock.
Approximately $97,000 and $387,000 were amortized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and approximately $871,000 and $1.8 million were amortized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively, related
to these deferred compensation amounts.
In December 2000, we issued a warrant to a customer to purchase 100,000
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $138.50 per share subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. The warrant is exercisable at the option of the holder, in whole or part, at any time between January 17, 2001 and August 2002. In January
2001, we valued the warrant at $526,000, utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model using the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 5.5%, expected dividend yields of zero, expected life of 1.5 years and expected volatility of 80%. The
warrant was fully amortized as of March 31, 2002. We amortized $205,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2002 and $84,000 and $152,000 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively, related to this warrant. We performed services
of $21,000, $39,000 and $72,000 for this customer during the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and the three months ended June 30, 2001, respectively. We reduced the warrant expense by $18,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2002 and
$72,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively, by these amounts and recorded $21,000 as service revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2002.
We expect to amortize $1.3 million, $209,000 and $8,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
6. STOCK OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM
On
March 1, 2002, we announced a voluntary stock option exchange program for all qualified employees. The exchange program was not available to executive officers, directors, consultants or former employees. Under the program, employees were given the
opportunity to elect to cancel outstanding stock options at an exercise
10
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
price of $15.00 or greater under the 1998 Stock Plan and 2000 Stock Plan held by them in exchange for new options to be granted under the 2000 Stock Plan at a future date at the then current fair
market value. The new options will be granted no earlier than the first business day that is six months and one day after the cancellation date of the exchanged options. The exercise price per share of the new options will be 100% of the fair market
value on the date of grant, as determined by the closing price of our common stock reported by Nasdaq National Market for the last market trading day prior to the date of grant. These elections were made by March 29, 2002 and were required to
include all options granted during the prior six-month period. In April 2002, stock options in the amount of 1,492,389 stock option shares were cancelled relating to this program.
7. SEGMENT REPORTING AND INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
We have two operating and reportable segments: licenses and services, which include consulting, training and technical support. Revenue and cost of revenue for the segments are identical to those presented on the accompanying
condensed consolidated statements of operations. We do not track operating expenses nor derive profit or loss based on these segments.
Sales of licenses and services through June 30, 2002 occurred through resellers and direct sales representatives located in our headquarters in Menlo Park, California, and in other locations. These sales were supported
through the Menlo Park location. We do not separately report costs by region internally. International revenues are based on the country in which the end-user is located. The following is a summary of license and service and maintenance revenue by
geographic region (in thousands):
|
|
2002
|
|
2001
|
|
2002
|
|
2001
|
License Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States |
|
$ |
4,895 |
|
$ |
3,377 |
|
$ |
8,465 |
|
$ |
6,444 |
Europe |
|
|
950 |
|
|
711 |
|
|
1,830 |
|
|
1,369 |
Asia |
|
|
217 |
|
|
329 |
|
|
830 |
|
|
687 |
Australia |
|
|
188 |
|
|
134 |
|
|
390 |
|
|
1,052 |
Canada |
|
|
661 |
|
|
109 |
|
|
967 |
|
|
120 |
Latin America |
|
|
720 |
|
|
370 |
|
|
1,010 |
|
|
1,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
7,631 |
|
$ |
5,030 |
|
$ |
13,492 |
|
$ |
10,692 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service and Maintenance Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States |
|
$ |
2,495 |
|
$ |
3,014 |
|
$ |
4,431 |
|
$ |
5,834 |
Europe |
|
|
430 |
|
|
941 |
|
|
880 |
|
|
2,021 |
Asia |
|
|
142 |
|
|
226 |
|
|
291 |
|
|
503 |
Australia |
|
|
161 |
|
|
190 |
|
|
330 |
|
|
635 |
Canada |
|
|
330 |
|
|
271 |
|
|
643 |
|
|
460 |
Latin America |
|
|
181 |
|
|
373 |
|
|
376 |
|
|
917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
3,739 |
|
$ |
5,015 |
|
$ |
6,951 |
|
$ |
10,370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8. RESTRUCTURING
In April 2001, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan that would align the Companys expenses with revised anticipated
demand and create a more efficient organization. In connection with the restructuring plan, we recorded a restructuring charge of $34.1 million for lease loss and severance costs and an asset impairment charge of $20.9 million on tenant improvements
for the year ended December 31, 2001.
11
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
In connection with the restructuring plan, we decided not to occupy a
new leased facility. This decision has resulted in a lease loss of $32.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, comprised of a sublease loss, broker commissions and other facility costs. To determine the sublease loss, the loss after the
Companys cost recovery efforts from subleasing the building, certain assumptions were made related to the (1) time period over which the building will remain vacant (2) sublease terms (3) sublease rates. The lease loss is an estimate under
SFAS No. 5 Accounting for Contingencies and represents the low end of the range and will be adjusted in the future upon triggering events (change in estimate of time to sublease, actual sublease rates, etc.). We have estimated that the
high end of the lease loss could be $55 million if operating lease rental rates continue to decrease in these markets or should it take longer than expected to find a suitable tenant to sublease the facility.
We recorded $1.5 million in costs for the year ended December 31, 2001 associated with severance and related benefits. We reduced
headcount by approximately 80 employees, with reductions ranging between 10% and 20% across all functional areas and affecting several locations.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2002, we implemented a restructuring plan to reduce our workforce by approximately 8%. The restructuring was primarily to realign the sales and professional services
organizations. We recorded a restructuring charge of $1.3 million for the three months ending March 31, 2002, which primarily consisted of payroll and related expenses in connection with headcount reduction. During the three months ended June
30, 2002, approximately $1.2 million of this amount was paid out with the remainder expected to be paid during 2002.
The activity to the restructuring charges accrual through the quarter ended June 30, 2002 are as follows (in millions):
|
|
Lease Loss
|
|
|
Severance and Related Benefits
|
|
|
Total Restructuring
|
|
Total charge for the year ended December 31, 2001 |
|
$ |
32.6 |
|
|
$ |
1.5 |
|
|
$ |
34.1 |
|
Amount utilized in the year ended December 31, 2001 |
|
|
(3.6 |
) |
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
|
|
(5.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance at December 31, 2001 |
|
|
29.0 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
29.1 |
|
Total charge for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
Amount utilized in the quarter ended March 31, 2002 |
|
|
(2.1 |
) |
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance at March 31, 2002 |
|
|
26.9 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
27.5 |
|
Total charge for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount utilized in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 |
|
|
(2.1 |
) |
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
(2.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual balance at June 30, 2002 |
|
$ |
24.8 |
|
|
$ |
0.2 |
|
|
$ |
25.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash outlay for the restructuring plans is expected to be
$35.4 million, of which $10.4 million was paid through June 30, 2002 and $25.0 million remained accrued at June 30, 2002. We expect $8.9 million of the lease loss to be paid out over the next twelve months, and the remaining $16.0 million to be paid
out over the remaining life of the lease of approximately 10 years. The remainder of the employee severance and related benefits accrual of $0.2 million will be paid out by the end of the fiscal year 2002.
12
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
9. COMMITMENTS
We lease our facilities under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through July 2012. Future minimum lease
payments under these agreements, including the Companys new facilities lease, as of December 31, 2001, are as follows (in thousands):
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
|
|
|
2002 (remaining six months) |
|
$ |
4,984 |
2003 |
|
|
9,727 |
2004 |
|
|
9,253 |
2005 |
|
|
8,477 |
2006 |
|
|
8,778 |
Thereafter |
|
|
52,494 |
|
|
|
|
Total minimum lease payments |
|
$ |
93,713 |
|
|
|
|
In May 2000, we entered into a lease for a new headquarters
facility. The lease has an eleven-year term, which began in August 2001, and provides for monthly rent payments starting at approximately $600,000. A $12.2 million certificate of deposit secures a letter of credit required by the landlord for a rent
deposit. In conjunction with the April 2001 restructuring plan (see Note 8), we decided not to occupy this new leased facility and have recorded a lease loss of $32.6 million related to future lease commitments, net of expected sublease income. The
future minimum lease payments table referenced above does not include estimated sublease income.
10. LITIGATION
In March 2001, the first of a number of stockholder
complaints was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Nuance and certain of its officers. Those lawsuits were consolidated and an amended complaint was filed on behalf of a purported class of people
who purchased our stock during the period January 31, 2001 through March 15, 2001, alleging false and misleading statements and insider trading in violation of the federal securities laws. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages. We believe
that these allegations are without merit and we are defending the litigation vigorously. Recently, in response to our motion to dismiss, certain of the Plaintiffs claims were dismissed with prejudice. However, Plaintiffs will be
permitted to file a further amended complaint with respect to several remaining claims. We intend to move to dismiss any such amended complaint. An unfavorable resolution of this litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, and financial condition.
In June and July 2001, putative shareholder derivative actions
were filed in California state court alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and insider trading by various of our directors and officers. While we are named as a nominal defendant, the lawsuits do not appear to seek any recovery against us. Proceedings
in these actions have been stayed.
In August 2001, the first of a number of complaints was filed in federal
district court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of a purported class of persons who purchased Nuance stock between April 12, 2000 and December 6, 2000. In April 2002, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. The consolidated
amended complaint generally alleges that various investment bank underwriters engaged in improper and undisclosed activities related to the allocation of shares in our initial public offering of securities, the conduct of our secondary offering, and
the issuance of analyst reports. The complaints bring claims for violation of several provisions of the federal securities laws against those underwriters, and also against us and some of our directors
13
NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
and officers. Similar lawsuits have been filed concerning more than 300 other companies public offerings. We believe that the allegations against us are without merit and intend to defend
the litigation vigorously.
We are subject to certain other legal proceedings, claims and litigation that arise in
the normal course of business. While the outcome of these matters is not currently determinable, managements does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve current matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
position, results of operations, or cash flows.
14
|
|
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included
elsewhere in this report. The results shown herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future periods.
This Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including but not limited to our expectations
for results over the balance of the year, regarding expense trends, capital requirements, sources of revenue and our current outlook for the Company, as well as our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. All
forward-looking statements included in this Report on Form 10-Q are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties
and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those described in the section below entitled Factors That Affect Future
Results and elsewhere in this Report on Form 10-Q.
OVERVIEW
Nuance develops, distributes and supports speech software that enables enterprises and telecommunications carriers to automate the delivery of information and services over
the telephone. We were incorporated in July 1994 and began operations in October 1994. Prior to 1996, our revenue was derived from technical consulting services. In 1996, we deployed the first version of our software platform and began to
generate software license revenue. Today, we offer a range of speech software products and related services. To support the sale, deployment and operation of our products, we provide a number of services that include consulting, development and
implementation, training, maintenance updates and technical support.
We sell products to our customers both
directly through our sales force and indirectly through resellers and systems integrators. One customer, Nortel Networks, acting as a reseller, accounted for 12% of total revenue in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and 23% of total
revenue in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2001. Another customer, Edify Corporation, also a reseller, accounted for 12% and 17% of total revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively and less than 10% and 11%
for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively. No other customers or resellers accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2001. We anticipate that sales through
resellers will continue to account for a significant percentage of our revenue, however, percentage of our total revenue attributable to sales through resellers may vary in the future.
We sell our products to customers in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. International sales accounted for approximately 35% and 37% of our total
revenue for the three and six months periods ended June 30, 2002 respectively. We anticipate that markets outside the United States will continue to represent a substantial portion of total future revenue. International sales are currently
denominated in U.S. dollars. However, we may denominate sales in foreign currencies in the future.
During the
quarter ended March 31, 2002, we implemented a restructuring plan to reduce our workforce by approximately 8%. The restructuring was primarily to realign the sales and professional services organizations. We recorded a restructuring charge of $1.3
million for the three months ending March 31, 2002, which primarily consisted of payroll and related expenses in connection with headcount reduction. During the three months ended June 30, 2002, approximately $1.2 million of this amount was paid out
with the remainder expected to be paid during 2002.
In response to market conditions, we are currently reviewing
our business and operational models, including our expenses in relation to revenue opportunities. We are working toward reducing overall, ongoing expenses by
15
initiating programs to reduce costs across all functional areas, however, the timing and degree of expense reduction will vary depending on the actions taken and the timing of those actions. In
addition, we are reviewing and evaluating our business model, and we are working toward enhancing the effectiveness of our business relationships as well as our ability to respond to market opportunities.
On July 30, 2002, we filed a report on Form 8-K relating to Ronald Croen becoming the Chairman of our Board of Directors and stepping down
from his position as our President and Chief Executive Officer once a successor has been selected. Mr. Croen is participating with our Board of Directors in an active search to identify a qualified successor and currently remains actively engaged as
President and Chief Executive Officer.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of net revenue represented by certain items in our statements of operations for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001.
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License |
|
67 |
% |
|
50 |
% |
|
66 |
% |
|
51 |
% |
Service |
|
14 |
|
|
33 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
32 |
|
Maintenance |
|
19 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
20 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
100 |
|
|
100 |
|
|
100 |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Service |
|
12 |
|
|
32 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
33 |
|
Maintenance |
|
8 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenue |
|
22 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
78 |
|
|
58 |
|
|
73 |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and marketing |
|
108 |
|
|
103 |
|
|
102 |
|
|
105 |
|
Research and development |
|
30 |
|
|
51 |
|
|
35 |
|
|
49 |
|
General and administrative |
|
36 |
|
|
36 |
|
|
35 |
|
|
34 |
|
Amortization of goodwill |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
Non-cash stock-based compensation |
|
3 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
15 |
|
Restructuring charges |
|
|
|
|
548 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
177 |
|
|
758 |
|
|
183 |
|
|
469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations |
|
(99 |
) |
|
(700 |
) |
|
(110 |
) |
|
(412 |
) |
Interest and other income, net |
|
6 |
|
|
23 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
(93 |
) |
|
(677 |
) |
|
(103 |
) |
|
(387 |
) |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
|
(8 |
) |
|
2 |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
(85 |
)% |
|
(679 |
)% |
|
99 |
% |
|
(389 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPARISON OF THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002 AND 2001
Revenue
Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was $11.4 million, compared with $10.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of 13%. Total revenue for the
six months ended June 30, 2002 was $20.4 million, compared with $21.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 3%.
16
License revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was $7.6 million,
compared with $5.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of 52%. License revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2002 was $13.5 million, compared with $10.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of 26%.
License revenue represented 67% and 66% of total revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and 50% and 51% of total revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively.
Service revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was $1.6 million, compared with $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30,
2001, a decrease of 51%. Service revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2002 was $2.8 million, compared with $6.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 58%. This decrease in service revenue was due primarily to the decline
in demand for these services and the associated reduction of professional service personnel to bring capacity in line with the reduced demand. Service revenue represented 14% of total revenue for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and
33% and 32% of total revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively.
Maintenance revenue
for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was $2.1 million, compared with $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of 22%. Maintenance revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2002 was $4.1 million, compared with
$3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of 13%. This increase in maintenance revenue was due to the relative increase in license revenue. Maintenance revenue represented 19% and 20% of total revenue for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and 17% of total revenue for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2001.
Cost of
Revenue
Cost of license revenue consists primarily of amortization of text-to-speech software, third-party
royalties, media and documentation costs. Cost of license revenues were $209,000 and $295,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and $0 for both three and six months ended June 30, 2001. We anticipate that cost of
license revenue will slightly decrease in absolute dollars, but will vary as a percentage of total revenue from period to period.
Cost of service revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was $1.4 million, compared with $3.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 57%. Cost of service revenue for the six months ended June
30, 2002 was $3.4 million, compared with $7.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 51%. The decrease was due to a reduction of employees resulting from the January 2002 and April 2001 reductions in force, as well as
realignment of the professional services employees to support the sales and marketing organization. Headcount for professional service personnel decreased by approximately 55 employees, a reduction of approximately 65%, in the quarter ended
June 30, 2002 compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2001. Cost of service revenue as a percentage of service revenue was 87% and 120% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, compared with 99% and 104% for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2001, respectively. We anticipate that cost of service revenue will remain constant as a percentage of total revenue. However, this will depend upon our revenue growth, among other factors. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that we will be successful in maintaining our cost of service revenues as a percentage of total revenues.
Cost of maintenance revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2002 was $0.9 million, compared with $1.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 15%. Cost of maintenance revenue for the six months
ended June 30, 2002 was $1.8 million, compared with $2.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 17%. The decrease was due to a reduction of employees resulting from the January 2002 and April 2001 reductions in force.
Headcount for maintenance personnel decreased by approximately 7 employees, a reduction of approximately 23%, in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2001. Cost of maintenance revenue as a percentage of
maintenance revenue was 41% and 43% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, compared with 59% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively. We anticipate that cost of maintenance revenue will
remain constant as a percentage
17
of total revenue. However, this will depend upon our revenue growth, among other factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in maintaining our cost of service
revenues as a percentage of total revenues.
Operating Expenses
In response to market conditions, we are currently reviewing our business and operational models, including our expenses in relation to revenue opportunities. We are
working toward reducing ongoing operating expenses by initiating programs to reduce operational costs across all functional areas, however, the timing and degree of expense reduction will vary depending on the actions taken and the timing of those
actions.
Sales and MarketingSales and marketing expenses primarily consist of compensation and
related costs for sales and marketing personnel and promotional expenditures, including public relations, advertising, trade shows and marketing collateral materials. Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2002 were
$12.2 million, compared with $10.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2001, an increase of 18%. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in commission-based compensation and incentives to sales personnel resulting from the
increase in sales revenue between the three months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, as well as increases in trade shows, training and seminars, consulting and travel-related expenses for this period. Sales and marketing expenses for the six months
ended June 30, 2002 were $21.0 million, compared with $22.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 5%. This decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in commission-based compensation and incentives to sales personnel
resulting from a reduction in sales revenue between the six months ended June 30,2002 and 2001, as well as decreases in travel and related expenses and consulting and recruiting costs. Headcount for sales and marketing personnel increased by 48
employees, an increase of approximately 48%, in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2001, primarily due to the realignment of the professional services and technical support employees to support the sales and
marketing organization. As a percentage of total revenue, sales and marketing expenses were 108% and 102% in the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and 103% and 105% in the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2001,
respectively. We are working to decrease sales and marketing expenses, but anticipate that sales and marketing expenses will vary as a percentage of total revenue from period to period.
Research and DevelopmentResearch and development expenses primarily consist of compensation and related costs for research and development personnel and
contractors. Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2002 were $3.5 million, compared with $5.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 32%. Research and development expenses for the six months
ended June 30, 2002 were $7.1 million, compared with $10.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 31%. This decrease was attributable to a reduction of personnel and related expenses associated with product development
activities resulting from the January 2002 and April 2001 restructuring plans, as well as decreases in training costs, consulting and recruiting costs and travel and related expenses. Headcount for research and development personnel decreased by
approximately 28 employees, a reduction of approximately 22%, in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 compared with the quarter beginning June 30, 2001. In addition, purchased technology amortization costs declined following the December 31, 2001
writedown of the impaired intangible assets. As a percentage of total revenue, research and development expenses were 30% and 35% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and 51% and 49% in the three and six months ended June
30, 2001, respectively. We anticipate that research and development expenses will remain relatively constant in absolute dollars, but will vary as a percentage of total revenue from period to period.
General and AdministrativeGeneral and administrative expenses primarily consist of compensation and related costs for
administrative personnel, legal services, accounting services and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2002 were $4.1 million, compared with $3.7 million in the three months ended
June 30, 2001, an increase of 13%. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2002 were $7.1 million, compared with $7.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2001, a decrease of 1%. The increase for the three-month
period was primarily due
18
to an increase in consulting costs and corporate insurance costs. Headcount for administrative personnel decreased by approximately 4 employees, a reduction of approximately 6%, in the quarter
ended June 30, 2002 compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2001. As a percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expenses were 36% and 35% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and 36% and 34% in the three and
six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively. We are working to decrease general and administrative expenses anticipate that general and administrative expenses but will vary as a percentage of total revenue from period to period.
Amortization of GoodwillGoodwill amortization of $5.5 million was recorded in connection with the acquisition
of SpeechFront in November 2000. There was no amortization of goodwill for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 as all goodwill was written off as of December 31, 2001. Amortization expense was $0 for both the three and six months ended June
30, 2002 and $477,000 and 955,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2001.
Non-Cash Stock-Based
CompensationIn connection with the grant of stock options prior to our initial public offering, we recorded deferred stock compensation of approximately $8.7 million within stockholders equity, representing the difference between the
estimated fair value of the common stock for accounting purposes and the option exercise price of these options at the date of grant. This balance is presented as a reduction of stockholders equity and is being amortized over the vesting
period of the applicable options. We recorded amortization of deferred stock compensation of $221,000 and $382,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and $592,000 and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2001, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2002, we recorded a reversal of approximately $187,000 of deferred stock compensation expense relating to forfeitures of stock options by terminated employees. There were no reversals of
deferred stock compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2001.
In connection with our November 2000
SpeechFront acquisition, we recorded deferred stock compensation of $4.1 million. This amount was part of the purchase agreement and was payable to the founders in common stock, equivalent to approximately 38,710 shares at acquisition date,
contingent upon their continued employment. Of that amount, $1.7 million of stock, equivalent to approximately 16,590 shares at acquisition date, related to retention of the founders of SpeechFront, and was released from the escrow account on the
eighteen-month anniversary of the acquisition date, which was May 2002. The remaining $2.4 million of stock, equivalent to approximately 22,120 shares at acquisition date, also related to retention of the founders and was released from the escrow
account on the twelve-month anniversary of the acquisition date, which was November 2001. By May 2002, the SpeechFront founders had been issued all 38,710 shares of common stock. These amounts have been amortized over 18 months and 12 months,
respectively. Approximately $97,000 and $387,000 were amortized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and approximately $871,000 and $1.8 million were amortized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively,
related to these deferred compensation amounts.
In December 2000, we issued a warrant to a customer to purchase
100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $138.50 per share subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. The warrant is exercisable at the option of the holder, in whole or part, at any time between January 17, 2001 and August 2002. In
January 2001, we valued the warrant at $526,000, utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model using the following assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 5.5%, expected dividend yields of zero, expected life of 1.5 years and expected volatility of
80%. The warrant was fully amortized as of March 31, 2002. We amortized $205,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2002 and $84,000 and $152,000 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively, related to this warrant. We performed
services of $21,000, $39,000 and $72,000 for this customer during the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 and the three months ended June 30, 2001, respectively. We reduced the warrant expense by $18,000 and $72,000 in the six months ended June
30, 2002 and 2001, respectively, by these amounts and recorded $21,000 as service revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2002.
We expect to amortize $1.3 million, $209,000 and $8,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
19
Restructuring Charges
During the quarter ended March 31, 2002, we implemented a restructuring plan to reduce our workforce by approximately 8%. The restructuring was primarily to realign the
sales and professional services organizations. We recorded a restructuring charge of $1.3 million for the three months ending March 31, 2002, which primarily consisted of payroll and related expenses in connection with headcount reduction. During
the three months ended June 30, 2002, approximately $1.2 million of this amount was paid out with the remainder expected to be paid during 2002.
Interest and Other Income, Net
Interest and other income, net, consists primarily of
interest earned on cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments. Interest and other income, net was $654,000 and $1.5 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and $2.3 million and $5.4 million in
the three and six months ended June 30, 2001, respectively, a decrease of 72% in both periods. This decrease was due to a reduction in interest income, resulting from lower cash balances and decreased interest rates.
Provision for Income Taxes
We have incurred operating losses for all periods from inception through June 30, 2002 and therefore have not recorded a provision for U.S. federal income taxes for any period through June 30, 2002. We recorded income tax expense
relating to foreign taxes of $165,000 and $270, 000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002, respectively, and $153,000 and $303,000 for the three and six months period ended June 30, 2001, respectively. The income tax expense for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 has been reduced by tax credits associated with research and development activities from our Canadian technology center. These tax credits, which result in cash payments to us, are based on qualified
salaries paid and capital equipment purchases. Tax credits of approximately $1.1 million were recorded against income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2002 and are related to qualified expenditures made in 1999, 2000 and 2001. An
additional tax credit of $0.2 million was recorded in the period ended June 30, 2002 and reduced property and equipment. We do not expect these tax credits to be substantial in future quarters.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
From inception
to our initial public offering, we financed our operations primarily from private sales of convertible preferred stock totaling $70.0 million through March 31, 2000 and, to a lesser extent, from bank financing. On April 18, 2000, we raised
approximately $80 million through the completion of our initial public offering of common stock. On October 2, 2000, we raised approximately $144 million through the completion of our follow-on public offering. As of June 30, 2002, we had cash and
cash equivalents aggregating $98.8 million and investments totaling $51.2 million.
Our operating activities used
cash of $25.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002, and used cash of $10.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2001. This negative operating cash flow in the six months ended June 30, 2002 was largely the result of our net loss
and the lease payments associated with unoccupied space. The negative operating cash flow in the six months ended June 30, 2001 resulted principally from our net loss, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and recording of a
restructuring accrual and tenant improvement asset impairment.
Investing activities used cash of $10.5 million
during the six months ended June 30, 2002, and $22.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2001. The use of cash in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2002 resulted from the net purchases of short-term investments
offset by maturities of short-term investments. The use of cash for the six months ended June 30, 2001 resulted primarily from additions to property and equipment and purchased technology, partially offset by maturities of short-term investments.
20
Our financing activities generated cash of $2.0 million during the six months
ended June 30, 2002, and $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2001. The generation of cash was largely the result of proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan contributions from employees for both
the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001.
Our capital requirements depend on numerous factors. We may continue
to report significant quarterly operating losses resulting in future negative operating cash flows. We do not plan to spend more than $5 million on capital expenditures in the next 12 months. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, our
short-term and long-term investments, and our borrowing capacity will be sufficient to fund our activities for at least the next 12 months. Thereafter, we may need to raise additional funds in order to fund more rapid expansion, including
increases in employees and office facilities; to develop new or enhance existing products or services; to respond to competitive pressures; or to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, services or products. Additional funding
may not be available on favorable terms or at all. In addition, we may, from time to time, evaluate potential acquisitions of other businesses, products and technologies. We may also consider additional equity or debt financing, which could be
dilutive to existing investors.
The following table summarizes our obligations and commercial commitments to make
future payments under contracts:
Contractual Obligations
|
|
Total
|
|
Current
|
|
1-3 years
|
|
4-5 years
|
|
After 5 years
|
Operating leases |
|
$ |
93,713 |
|
$ |
4,984 |
|
$ |
27,457 |
|
$ |
17,487 |
|
$ |
43,785 |
|
Other Commercial Commitments
|
|
Total
|
|
Less than 1 year
|
|
1-3 years
|
|
4-5 years
|
|
After 5 years
|
Standby Letters of Credit |
|
$ |
12,207 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
12,207 |
The restricted cash secures our letters of credit of approximately
$12.2 million and is invested with a bank, as required by landlords to meet rent deposits requirements for our leases on facilities (see Note 1).
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our critical accounting policies are as follows:
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estimating valuation allowances and lease loss; |
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accounting for income taxes; and |
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valuation of intangible assets and goodwill. |
Revenue Recognition
We apply the provisions of Statement of Position 97-2, Software
Revenue Recognition, as amended by Statement of Position 98-9 Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions to all transactions involving the sale of software products and sales of
hardware where the software is not incidental.
Our license revenue consists of license fees for our software
products. The license fees for our software products are calculated using two variables, one of which is the estimated maximum number of simultaneous end-user connections to an application running on our software and the other of which is the value
attributed to the functional use of the software.
All revenues generated from our worldwide operations are
approved at our corporate headquarters, located in the United States. We recognize revenue from the sale of software licenses when persuasive evidence of an
21
arrangement exists, the software has been delivered, the fee is fixed and determinable and collection of the resulting receivable is probable.
We use a signed contract and purchase order as evidence of an arrangement for licenses and maintenance renewals. For services, we use a
signed contract or statement of work to evidence an arrangement. Software is delivered to customers either electronically or on a CD-ROM. We assess whether the fee is fixed and determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction.
We assess collectibility based on a number of factors, including the customers past payment history and its current creditworthiness. If we determine that collection of a fee is not reasonably assured, we defer the revenue and recognize it at
the time collection becomes reasonably assured.
We recognize license revenue either upon issuance of the
permanent software license key or on system acceptance, if the customer has established acceptance criteria (which currently occurs only in a minority of cases). Such criteria typically consist of a demonstration to the customer that, upon
implementation, the software performs in accordance with specified system parameters, such as recognition accuracy or task completion rates.
We use the residual method to recognize revenue when a license agreement includes one or more elements to be delivered at a future date if evidence of the fair value of all undelivered elements exists.
If evidence of the fair value of the undelivered elements does not exist, revenue is deferred and recognized when delivery occurs. As a general rule, license revenue from value-added resellers and OEMs is recognized when product has been sold
through to an end user and such sell-through has been reported to the Company. Certain OEM agreements include time-based provisions by which the company recognizes revenue.
The timing of license revenue recognition is affected by whether we perform consulting services in the arrangement and the nature of those services. In the majority of
cases, we either perform no consulting services or we perform standard implementation services that are not essential to the functionality of the software. When we perform consulting services that are essential to the functionality of the software,
we recognize both license and consulting revenue utilizing contract accounting based on the percentage of the consulting services that have been completed.
Service revenue consists of revenue from providing consulting, training and other revenue consisting primarily of reimbursements for consulting out-of-pocket expenses incurred, in accordance with the
Financial Accounting Standard Boards (FASB) Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 01-14, Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Incurred. Our consulting service
contracts are bid either on a fixed-fee basis or on a time-and-materials basis. For a fixed-fee contract, we recognize revenue using the percentage of completion method. For time-and-materials contracts, we recognize revenue as services are
performed. Training service revenue is recognized as services are performed. Losses on service contracts, if any, are recognized as soon as such losses become known.
Maintenance revenue consists of fees for providing technical support and software updates. We recognize all maintenance revenue ratably over the contract term. Most
customers have the option to renew or decline maintenance agreements annually during the contract term.
Our
standard payment terms are net 30 to 90 days from the date of invoice. Thus, a significant portion of our accounts receivable balance at the end of a quarter is primarily comprised of revenue from that quarter.
We record deferred revenue primarily as a result of payments from customers received in advance of recognition of revenue. As of June 30,
2002, deferred revenue was $9.4 million. The deferred revenue amount includes unearned license, prepaid maintenance and professional services that will be recognized as revenue in the future as we deliver licenses and perform services.
22
Estimating Valuation Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Lease Loss
We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits based upon payment history and the customers current
creditworthiness, as determined by our review of their current credit information. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based on a percentage of our accounts
receivable, our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and appropriate reserves have been established, we cannot guarantee
that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have experienced in the past. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of revenue and or expenses for any period if management made different judgments or
utilized different estimates.
We restructured our business and have established reserves at the low end of the
range of estimable cost (as required by accounting standards) against outstanding commitments for leased property that we have not occupied. These reserves are based upon managements estimate of the time required to sublet the property and the
amount of sublet income that might be generated between the date the property was not occupied and expiration of the lease for each of the unoccupied property. These estimates are reviewed and revised quarterly and may result in a substantial
increase or decrease to restructuring expense should different conditions prevail than were anticipated in original management estimates.
Accounting for Income Taxes
In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are
required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating actual current tax liabilities together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such
as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheet. We then assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be
recovered from future taxable income, and to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase this allowance in a period, we include an expense
within the tax provision in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Significant management judgment is required
in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. We have recorded a valuation allowance due to uncertainties related to our ability to
utilize some of our deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of the utilization of certain net operating loss carryforwards and foreign tax credits before they expire. The valuation allowance is based on estimates of taxable income by the
jurisdictions in which we operate and the period over which deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to establish an additional
valuation allowance, which could impact our financial position and results of operations.
Valuation of Intangible Assets and Goodwill
We periodically assess the realizability of long-lived assets, including intangibles in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets. For assets to be held and used, including acquired intangibles, we initiate our review annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparison of its carrying amount to the expected future undiscounted cash flows (without interest charges) that the asset is
expected to generate. Any impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair market value. Significant management judgment is required in the forecasting of future operating results which
are used in the preparation of projected discounted cash flows and should different conditions prevail, material write downs of net intangible assets could occur.
23
It is reasonably possible that the estimates of anticipated future gross revenue,
the remaining estimated economic life of the products and technologies, or both, could differ from those used to assess the recoverability of these costs and result in a write-down of the carrying amount or a shortened life of acquired intangibles
in the future.
In 2002, SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets became effective. This did
not have an impact on our financial statements as all goodwill had been previously amortized or impaired.
The
above listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States, with no need for managements judgment in their application. There are also areas in which the exercise of managements judgment in selecting an available alternative would not produce a materially different result. See our audited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and which contain accounting policies and other disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF LOSSES. WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO INCUR LOSSES AND WE MAY NOT ACHIEVE OR MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY.
We have incurred losses since our inception, including a loss of approximately $9.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2002. As of June 30, 2002, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately
$188.0 million. We expect to have net losses and negative cash flow for at least the next 12 to 18 months. We expect to spend significant amounts to develop or enhance our products, services and technologies and to enhance sales and operational
capabilities. As a result, we will need to generate significant increases in revenue to achieve profitability. Even if we achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
OUR ABILITY TO ACCURATELY FORECAST OUR QUARTERLY SALES IS LIMITED, OUR SHORT TERM COSTS ARE RELATIVELY FIXED AND WE EXPECT OUR BUSINESS TO BE
AFFECTED BY SEASONALITY. AS A RESULT, OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE.
Our quarterly operating
results have varied significantly in the past and we expect that they will vary significantly from quarter to quarter in the future. As a result, our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict. For example, in March 2001, we announced our
revised expectations for our first quarter financial results based upon our then-current outlook, including a revenue shortfall and a larger than expected net loss for the quarter due to general economic conditions which had led customers and
customer prospects to postpone capital investment in Nuance products and service offerings based on Nuance products. These quarterly variations are caused by a number of factors, including:
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general economic downturn and delays or cancellations in orders by customers who are reducing spending; |
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delays in customer orders due to the complex nature of large telephony systems and the associated implementation projects; |
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timing of product deployments and completion of project phases, particularly for large orders; |
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delays in recognition of software license revenue in accordance with applicable accounting principles; |
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|
our ability to develop, introduce, ship and support new and enhanced products, such as new versions of our software platform, that respond to changing
technology trends in a timely manner and our ability to manage product transitions; |
24
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the amount and timing of expenses; and |
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the utilization rate of our professional services personnel. |
Due to these factors, and because the market for our software is new and rapidly changing, our ability to accurately forecast our quarterly sales is limited. In addition,
most of our costs are relatively fixed in the short term, even as we endeavor to manage these costs. If we have a shortfall in revenue in relation to our expenses, we may be unable to reduce our expenses quickly enough to avoid lower quarterly
operating results. We do not know whether our business will grow rapidly enough to absorb the costs of our expenses, even as we endeavor to manage these costs. As a result, our quarterly operating results could fluctuate significantly and
unexpectedly from quarter to quarter.
We also expect to experience seasonality in the sales of our products. For
example, we anticipate that sales may be lower in the first and third quarters of each year due to patterns in the capital budgeting and purchasing cycles of our current and prospective customers. We also expect that sales may decline during summer
months. These seasonal variations in our sales may lead to fluctuations in our quarterly operating results. It is difficult for us to evaluate the degree to which this seasonality may affect our business.
WE DEPEND UPON RESELLERS FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR SALES. THE LOSS KEY RESELLERS, OR A DECLINE IN THEIR RESALE OF OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, COULD
LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO SUSTAIN AND GROW OUR REVENUE.
In 1999, 56% of our revenue was achieved by indirect sales
through resellers. The percentage of revenue through indirect sales increased to 72% in 2000, to 75% in 2001 and to 79% and 83% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2002. Though this percentage may vary or decrease in the future, we intend to
continue to rely on resellers for a substantial portion of our sales in the future. As a result, we are dependent upon the viability and financial stability of our resellers, as well as upon their continued interest and success in selling our
products. The loss of a key reseller or our failure to develop new and viable reseller relationships could limit our ability to sustain and grow our revenue. Significant expansion of our internal sales force to replace the loss of a key reseller
would require increased management attention and higher expenditures.
Our contracts with resellers generally do
not require a reseller to purchase our products. We cannot guarantee that any of our resellers will continue to market our products or devote significant resources to doing so. In addition, we may, from time to time, terminate or adjust some of our
relationships with resellers in order to address changing market conditions, improve our business, resolve disputes, or for other reasons. Any such termination or adjustment could have a negative impact on our business and result decreased sales
through resellers or threatened or actual litigation. Finally, our resellers possess confidential information concerning our products, product release schedules and sales, marketing and reseller operations. Although we have nondisclosure agreements
with our resellers, we cannot guarantee that any reseller would not use our confidential information in competition with us or otherwise. If our resellers do not successfully market and sell our products for these or any other reasons, our sales
could be adversely affected and our revenue could decline.
WE DEPEND ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF CUSTOMER ORDERS FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION
OF OUR REVENUE DURING ANY GIVEN PERIOD. THE LOSS OF, OR DELAYS IN, A KEY ORDER COULD SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE OUR REVENUE IN ANY GIVEN PERIOD AND HARM OUR BUSINESS.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue in each period from a limited number of customers. For example, in the six months ended June 30, 2002, five customers made up
34% of our total revenue, in the quarter ended June 30, 2002, two customers each, acting as a reseller each, accounted for approximately 12% of our total revenue.
We expect that a limited number of customers and customer orders will continue to account for a substantial portion of our revenue in any given period. Generally, customers
who make large purchases from us are not
25
expected to make subsequent, equally large purchases in the short term, and therefore we must attract new customers in order to maintain or increase our revenues. As a result, if we do not
acquire a major customer, if a contract is delayed, cancelled or deferred, or if an anticipated sale is not made, our business could be harmed.
SALES TO CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ACCOUNT FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR REVENUE, WHICH EXPOSES US TO RISKS INHERENT IN INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.
International sales represented approximately 35% and 37% of our total revenue in the three and six month period ended June 30, 2002, respectively 42% of our revenue in
2001, 47% of our revenue in 2000 and 21% of our revenue in 1999, and we anticipate that revenue from markets outside the United States will continue to represent a significant portion of our total revenue. We are subject to a variety of risks
associated with conducting business internationally, any of which could harm our business. These risks include:
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difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations; |
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the difficulty in establishing and maintaining an effective international reseller network; |
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the burden of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws, particularly with respect to intellectual property and license requirements;
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political and economic instability outside the United States; |
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import or export licensing and product certification requirements; |
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tariffs, duties, price controls or other restrictions on foreign currencies or trade barriers imposed by foreign countries; |
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potential adverse tax consequences, including higher marginal rates; |
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unfavorable fluctuations in currency exchange rates; and |
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limited ability to enforce agreements, intellectual property rights and other rights in some foreign countries. |
SPEECH SOFTWARE PRODUCTS GENERALLY, AND OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN PARTICULAR, MAY NOT ACHIEVE WIDESPREAD ACCEPTANCE BY BUSINESSES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CARRIERS, WHICH COULD REQUIRE US TO MODIFY OUR SALES AND MARKETING EFFORTS AND COULD LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY GROW OUR BUSINESS.
The market for speech software products is relatively new and rapidly changing. In addition, some of our products are new to the market or will be new to the market once released. Our ability to
increase revenue in the future depends on the acceptance by our customers, resellers and their end users of speech software generally and our products and services in particular. The adoption of speech software products could be hindered by the
perceived costs of this new technology, as well as the reluctance of enterprises that have invested substantial resources in existing call centers or touch-tone-based systems to replace their current systems with this new technology. Accordingly, in
order to achieve commercial acceptance, we may have to educate prospective customers, including large, established enterprises and telecommunications companies, about the uses and benefits of voice interface software in general and our products in
particular. This may require shifts in our sales and marketing efforts and strategies to achieve such education. If these efforts fail or prove excessively costly or otherwise unmanageable, or if speech software generally do not achieve commercial
acceptance, our business could be harmed.
26
The continued development of the market for our products will depend upon the
following factors among others:
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widespread and successful deployment of speech software applications; |
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customer demand for services having a voice user interface; |
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acceptance by businesses of the benefits of speech technology; |
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demand for new uses and applications of speech software technology, including adoption of voice user interfaces by companies that operate web sites;
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adoption of industry standards for speech software and related technologies; and |
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continuing improvements in hardware technology that may reduce the costs of speech software solutions. |
OUR PRODUCTS CAN HAVE A LONG SALES AND IMPLEMENTATION CYCLE AND, AS A RESULT, OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE.
The sales cycles for our products have typically ranged from three to twelve months, depending on the size and complexity of the order,
the amount of services to be provided by us and whether the sale is made directly by us or indirectly through a value added reseller, a voice application service provider or a systems integrator.
Purchase of our products requires a significant expenditure by a customer. Accordingly, the decision to purchase our products typically requires significant
pre-purchase evaluation. We may spend significant time educating and providing information to prospective customers regarding the use and benefits of our products. During this evaluation period, we may expend substantial sales, marketing and
management resources. Because of this lengthy evaluation cycle, we may experience a delay between the time we incur these expenditures and the time we generate revenues, if any, from such expenditures.
In addition, during any quarter we may receive a number of orders that are large relative to our total revenues for that quarter or
subsequent quarters.
After purchase, it may take substantial time and resources to implement our software and to
integrate it with our customers existing systems. If we are performing services that are essential to the functionality of the software, in connection with its implementation, we recognize software revenue based on the percentage completed
using contract accounting. In cases where the contract specifies milestones or acceptance criteria, we may not be able to recognize either software or service revenue until these conditions are met. We have in the past and may in the future
experience unexpected delays in recognizing revenue. Consequently, the length of our sales and implementation cycles and the varying order amounts for our products make it difficult to predict the quarter in which revenue recognition may occur and
may cause license and services revenue and operating results to vary significantly from period to period.
OUR FAILURE TO RESPOND TO
AND SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE RAPID CHANGE IN THE MARKET FOR SPEECH SOFTWARE COULD CAUSE US TO LOSE REVENUE AND HARM OUR BUSINESS.
The speech software industry is relatively new and rapidly changing. Our success will depend substantially upon our ability to enhance our existing products and to develop and introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new
products and features that meet changing end-user requirements, gain commercial acceptance and incorporate technological advancements. If we are unable to develop new products and enhanced functionalities or technologies to adapt to these changes,
we may be unable to retain existing customers or attract new customers, which could harm our business. In addition, as we develop new products, sales of existing products may decrease. If we cannot offset a decline in revenue from existing products
with sales of new products, our business would suffer.
27
Commercial acceptance of any new products and technologies we may introduce will
depend, among other things, on:
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the ability of our services, products and technologies to meet and adapt to the needs of our target markets; |
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the performance and price of our products and services and our competitors products and services; and |
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our ability to deliver customer service and professional services directly and through our resellers. |
OUR CURRENT AND POTENTIAL COMPETITORS, SOME OF WHOM HAVE GREATER RESOURCES AND EXPERIENCE THAN WE DO, MAY MARKET OR DEVELOP PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND
TECHNOLOGIES THAT MAY CAUSE DEMAND FOR, AND THE PRICES OF, OUR PRODUCTS TO DECLINE.
A number of companies
have developed, or are expected to develop, products that compete with our products. Competitors in the speech software market include IBM, Microsoft, Philips Electronics, SpeechWorks International, Veritel, Vocalis, T-NETIX and Scansoft. We expect
additional competition from other companies, our competitors may combine with each other, and other companies may enter our markets by acquiring or entering into strategic relationships with our competitors. Current and potential competitors have
established, or may establish, cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties to increase the abilities of their advanced speech and language technology products to address the needs of our prospective customers.
Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, significantly greater financial, technical,
product development and marketing resources, greater name recognition and larger customer bases than we do. Our present or future competitors may be able to develop products comparable or superior to those we offer, adapt more quickly than we do to
new technologies, evolving industry trends and standards or customer requirements, or devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we do. Accordingly, we may not be able to compete effectively in our
markets, competition may intensify and future competition may cause us to reduce prices and/or otherwise harm our business.
INTERNATIONAL SALES OPPORTUNITIES MAY REQUIRE US TO, DEVELOP LOCALIZED VERSIONS OF OUR PRODUCTS. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, WE MAY BE UNABLE TO GROW OUR REVENUE AND EXECUTE OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY.
International sales opportunities may require investing significant resources in creating and refining different language models for each
particular language or dialect. These language models are required to create versions of our products that allow end users to speak the local language or dialect and be understood and authenticated. If we fail to develop localized versions of our
products, our ability to address international market opportunities and to grow our business will be limited. We must also expend resources to develop localized versions of our products, and we may not be able to recognize adequate revenues from
these localized versions of our products to make them profitable.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN VARIOUS SECURITIES CLASS ACTION
LITIGATIONS, WHICH, IF RESOLVED UNFAVORABLY, COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OR FINANCIAL CONDITION.
We have been sued in various shareholder lawsuits in federal district court in California and New York (See Part IIItem 1Legal Proceedings). We believe that the allegations against us are without
merit and intend to continue to defend the litigation vigorously. An unfavorable resolution of the lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
28
OUR STOCK PRICE MAY BE VOLATILE DUE TO FACTORS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL.
Since our initial public offering on April 13, 2000, our stock price has been extremely volatile. During that time, the stock market in
general, The Nasdaq National Market and the securities of technology companies in particular have experienced extreme price and trading volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating
performance of individual companies. The following factors, among others, could cause our stock price to fluctuate:
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actual or anticipated variations in operating results; |
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announcements of operating results and business conditions by our customers and suppliers; |
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announcements by our competitors relating to new customers, technological innovation or new services; |
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announcements of new product lines and/or shifts in business focus of sales and distribution models; |
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increases in our plans for, or rate of, capital expenditures for infrastructure, information technology and other similar capital expenditures;
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economic developments in our industry as a whole; |
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general market and economic conditions; and |
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general decline in information technology and capital spending plans. |
These broad market fluctuations may materially adversely affect our stock price, regardless of our operating results. Our stock price may fluctuate due to variations in our
operating results. For example, on March 15, 2001, we announced our revised expectations for our first-quarter revenues based upon our then-current outlook. As a result, the trading price of our common stock declined rapidly and significantly.
IF WE DO NOT EFFECTIVELY MANAGE OUR OPERATIONS AND RESOURCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH MARKET AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, OUR BUSINESS COULD BE
HARMED.
Our operations have changed significantly due to volatility in our business and may continue to
change in the future. We experienced significant growth in the past; however, in April 2001, we reduced our workforce by approximately 20%. Additionally, during the quarter ended March 31, 2002, we implemented a restructuring plan to reduce our
workforce by approximately another 8%. We may be required to expand or contract our business operations and workforce in the future to adapt to the market environment, and as a result may need to expand or contract our management, operational,
sales, marketing, financial and human resources, as well as management information systems and controls, to align and support any such growth or contraction. Our failure to successfully manage these types of changes would place a burden on our
business, our operations and our management team, and could negatively impact sales, customer relationships and other aspects of our business performance and could cause our business to suffer.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO HIRE AND RETAIN SELECT PERSONNEL, OUR BUSINESS COULD BE HARMED.
We intend to hire select personnel during the year. Competition for these individuals can be intense, and we may not be able to attract, assimilate, or retain additional highly qualified personnel in
the future. The failure to attract, integrate, motivate and retain these employees could harm our business. The decline in the value of our common stock may also make it more difficult to retain our employees.
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WE RELY ON THE SERVICES OF OUR KEY PERSONNEL, WHOSE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO REPLACE.
We rely upon the continued service and performance of a relatively small
number of key technical and senior management personnel. Our future success will be impacted by our ability to retain of these key employees. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to retain all key personnel. For example, in July 2002, our
President and Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Croen, became the Chairman of Companys Board of Directors and announced plans to step down from his position as CEO once a successor has been identified. In addition, in January 2002, Graham Smith
resigned from his position with the company as Chief Financial Officer. While Mr. Croen plans to remain engaged as CEO until his successor is selected and retained, we may encounter difficulties or delays in hiring a new Chief Executive Officer
and such difficulties or delays could harm our business. None of our key technical or senior management personnel are bound by employment agreements, and, as a result, any of these employees could leave with little or no prior notice. If we lose any
of our key technical and senior management personnel, replacement of such personnel could be difficult and costly, and if we are unable to successfully and swiftly replace such personnel and effectively transition to new management personnel, our
business could be harmed. We do not have key person life insurance policies covering any of our employees.
WE MAY INCUR A VARIETY OF
COSTS TO ENGAGE IN FUTURE ACQUISITIONS OF COMPANIES, PRODUCTS OR TECHNOLOGIES, AND THE ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF THOSE ACQUISITIONS MAY NEVER BE REALIZED.
As a part of our business strategy, we may make acquisitions of, or significant investments in, complementary companies, products or technologies. For instance, in November 2000 we acquired
SpeechFront, a Canadian company, and in February 2001, we acquired non-exclusive intellectual property rights from a third-party. Any future acquisitions would be accompanied by risks such as:
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difficulties in assimilating the operations and personnel of acquired companies; |
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diversion of our managements attention from ongoing business concerns; |
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our potential inability to maximize our financial and strategic position through the successful incorporation of acquired technology and rights into our
products and services; |
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additional expense associated with amortization of acquired assets; |
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maintenance of uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; and |
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impairment of existing relationships with employees, suppliers and customers as a result of the integration of new management personnel.
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We cannot guarantee that we will be able to successfully integrate any business, products, technologies or
personnel that we might acquire in the future, For example, the SpeechFront assets and text to speech technology we acquired have been impaired (see notes to the consolidated financial statements). Our inability to integrate successfully any
business products, technologies or personnel we may acquire in the future could harm our business.
WE ARE EXPOSED TO GENERAL ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS, WHICH MAY CONTINUE TO HARM OUR BUSINESS.
As a result of recent unfavorable economic conditions
and reduced capital spending, it is possible that our sales will decline. This economic downturn became particularly acute following the events of September 11, 2001. We experienced a decline in revenues during 2001 due in part to delays in
purchases by our customers and to prevailing economic conditions. If the economic conditions continue or worsen in the United States or we may experience a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
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OUR PRODUCTS MAY INFRINGE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS, AND RESULTING CLAIMS AGAINST US
COULD BE COSTLY AND REQUIRE US TO ENTER INTO DISADVANTAGEOUS LICENSE OR ROYALTY ARRANGEMENTS.
The software
industry and the field of speech and voice technologies are characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent litigation based on allegations of patent infringement and the violation of intellectual property rights. Although
we attempt to avoid infringing known proprietary rights of third parties we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims for alleged infringement by us or our licensees of third-party proprietary rights, such as patents, trade secrets, trademarks
or copyrights, from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Any claims relating to the infringement of third-party proprietary rights, even if not successful or meritorious, could result in costly litigation, divert resources and
managements attention or require us to enter into royalty or license agreements which are not advantageous to us. In addition, parties making these claims may be able to obtain injunctions, which could prevent us from selling our products.
Furthermore, former employers of our employees may assert that these employees have improperly disclosed confidential or proprietary information to us. Any of these results could harm our business. We may be increasingly subject to infringement
claims as the number of, and number of features of, our products grow.
OUR PRODUCTS ARE NOT 100% ACCURATE AND WE COULD BE SUBJECT TO
CLAIMS RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR PRODUCTS. ANY CLAIMS, WHETHER SUCCESSFUL OR UNSUCCESSFUL, COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT COSTS AND COULD DAMAGE OUR REPUTATION.
Speech recognition, natural language understanding and authentication technologies, including our own, are not 100% accurate. Our customers, including several financial
institutions, use our products to provide important services to their customers, including transferring funds to accounts and buying and selling securities. Any misrecognition of voice commands or incorrect authentication of a users voice in
connection with these financial or other transactions could result in claims against us or our customers for losses incurred. Although our contracts typically contain provisions designed to limit our exposure to liability claims, a claim brought
against us for misrecognition or incorrect authentication, even if unsuccessful, could be time-consuming, divert managements attention, result in costly litigation and harm our reputation. Moreover, existing or future laws or unfavorable
judicial decisions could limit the enforceability of the limitation of liability, disclaimer of warranty or other protective provisions contained in our contracts.
ANY SOFTWARE DEFECTS IN OUR PRODUCTS COULD HARM OUR BUSINESS AND RESULT IN LITIGATION.
Complex software products such as ours may contain errors, defects and bugs. With the planned release of any product, we may discover these errors, defects and bugs and, as a result, our products may
take longer than expected to develop. In addition, we may discover that remedies for errors or bugs may be technologically unfeasible. Delivery of products with undetected production defects or reliability, quality, or compatibility problems could
damage our reputation. Errors, defects or bugs could also cause interruptions, delays or a cessation of sales to our customers. We could be required to expend significant capital and other resources to remedy these problems. In addition, customers
whose businesses are disrupted by these errors, defects and bugs could bring claims against us which, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time-consuming and could result in costly litigation and payment of damages.
ANY INABILITY TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT OUR PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY COULD HARM OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE.
Our future success and ability to compete depends in part upon our proprietary technology and our trademarks, which we attempt to protect with a combination of patent,
copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as with our confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions. These legal protections afford
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only limited protection and may be time-consuming and expensive to obtain and/or maintain. Further, despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon or
misappropriating our intellectual property.
Although we have filed multiple U.S. patent applications, we have
currently only been issued a small number of patents. There is no guarantee that more patents will be issued with respect to our current or future patent applications. Any patents that are issued to us could be invalidated, circumvented or
challenged. If challenged, our patents might not be upheld or their claims could be narrowed. Our intellectual property may not be adequate to provide us with competitive advantage or to prevent competitors from entering the markets for our
products.
Additionally, our competitors could independently develop non-infringing technologies that are
competitive with, equivalent to, and/or superior to our technology. Monitoring infringement and/or misappropriation of intellectual property can be difficult, and there is no guarantee that we would detect any infringement or misappropriation of our
proprietary rights. Even if we do detect infringement or misappropriation of our proprietary rights, litigation to enforce these rights could cause us to divert financial and other resources away from our business operations. Further, we license our
products internationally, and the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
THIRD PARTIES COULD OBTAIN LICENSES FROM SRI INTERNATIONAL RELATING TO SPEECH SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES AND DEVELOP TECHNOLOGIES TO COMPETE WITH OUR PRODUCTS, WHICH COULD CAUSE OUR SALES TO DECLINE.
Upon our incorporation in 1994, we received a license from SRI International to a number of patents and other proprietary
rights, including rights in software, relating to speech software technologies developed by SRI International. This license was exclusive until December 1999, when we chose to allow the exclusivity to lapse. As a result, SRI International may have,
or may in the future, license these patents and proprietary rights to our competitors. If a license from SRI International were to enable third parties to enter the markets for our products and services or to compete more effectively, we could lose
market share and our business could suffer.
IF THE STANDARDS WE HAVE SELECTED TO SUPPORT ARE NOT ADOPTED AS THE STANDARDS FOR SPEECH
SOFTWARE, BUSINESSES MIGHT NOT USE OUR SPEECH SOFTWARE PRODUCTS FOR DELIVERY OF APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES.
The market for speech software is new and emerging and industry standards have not yet been established. We may not be competitive unless our products support changing industry standards. The emergence of industry standards, whether
through adoption by official standards committees or widespread usage, could require costly and time-consuming redesign of our products. If these standards become widespread and our products do not support them, our customers and potential customers
may not purchase our products. Multiple standards in the marketplace could also make it difficult for us to ensure that our products will support all applicable standards, which could in turn result in decreased sales of our products.
Our V-Builder applications-building tool and our Voice Web Server software are each designed to work with the recently emerged
VoiceXML standard. There are currently other, similar standards in development, some of which may become more widely adopted than VoiceXML. If VoiceXML is not widely accepted by our target customers or if another competing standard were to become
widely adopted, then sales of our products could decline and our business would be harmed. In that case, we may find it necessary to redesign our existing products or design new products that are compatible with alternative standards that are widely
adopted or that replace VoiceXML. This design or redesign could be costly and time-consuming.
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CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS MAY DISAGREE WITH HOW NUANCE USES THE PROCEEDS FROM ITS PUBLIC OFFERINGS.
Management retains broad discretion over the use of proceeds from our April 2000 initial public offering and
September 2000 secondary public offering. Stockholders may not deem these uses desirable and our use of the proceeds may not yield a significant return or any return at all. Because of the number and variability of factors that determine our use of
the net proceeds from these offerings, we cannot guarantee that these uses will not vary substantially from our currently planned uses.
OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS AND DELAWARE LAW CONTAIN PROVISIONS WHICH MAY DELAY OR PREVENT A CHANGE OF CONTROL OF NUANCE.
Provisions of our charter and bylaws may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from attempting to acquire, control of Nuance. These provisions could limit the
price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions include:
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the division of the board of directors into three separate classes; |
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the elimination of cumulative voting in the election of directors; |
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prohibitions on our stockholders from acting by written consent and calling special meetings; |
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procedures for advance notification of stockholder nominations and proposals; and |
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the ability of the board of directors to alter our bylaws without stockholder approval. |
In addition, our board of directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges
and restrictions, including voting rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible financings or acquisitions or other corporate
purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
Since the completion of our initial public offering on April 13, 2000, we have been subject to the antitakeover provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, including Section 203, which may deter potential acquisition
bids for our company. Under Delaware law, a corporation may opt out of Section 203. We do not intend to opt out of the provisions of Section 203.
OUR FACILITIES ARE LOCATED NEAR KNOWN EARTHQUAKE FAULT ZONES, AND THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EARTHQUAKE OR OTHER NATURAL DISASTER COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO OUR FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT, WHICH COULD REQUIRE US TO CURTAIL OR CEASE OPERATIONS.
Our facilities are located in the San Francisco Bay Area near known earthquake fault zones and are vulnerable
to damage from earthquakes. In October 1989, a major earthquake that caused significant property damage and a number of fatalities struck this area. We are also vulnerable to damage from other types of disasters, including fire, floods, power loss,
communications failures and similar events. If any disaster were to occur, our ability to operate our business at our facilities could be seriously, or potentially completely, impaired. The insurance we maintain may not be adequate to cover our
losses resulting from disasters or other business interruptions.
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WE RELY ON A CONTINUOUS POWER SUPPLY TO CONDUCT OUR OPERATIONS, AND AN ENERGY CRISIS IN CALIFORNIA
COULD DISRUPT OUR OPERATIONS AND INCREASE OUR EXPENSES.
California recently experienced an energy crisis that
increased our expenses and could have disrupted our operations. In the event of an acute power shortage, that is, when power reserves for the State of California fall below 1.5%, California has on some occasions implemented, and may in the future
continue to implement, rolling blackouts throughout California. We currently do not have backup generators or alternate sources of power in the event of a blackout, and our current insurance does not provide coverage for any damages we, or our
customers, may suffer as a result of any interruption in our power supply. If blackouts interrupt our power supply, we would be temporarily unable to continue operations at our facilities. If California experiences a similar energy crisis in the
future, any such interruption in our ability to continue operations at our facilities could damage our reputation, harm our ability to retain existing customers and to obtain new customers, and could result in lost revenue, any of which could
substantially harm our business and results of operations.
INFORMATION THAT WE MAY PROVIDE TO INVESTORS FROM TIME TO TIME IS ACCURATE
ONLY AS OF THE DATE WE DISSEMINATE IT, AND WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE THE INFORMATION.
From time to
time, we may publicly disseminate forward-looking information or guidance in compliance with Regulation FD promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information or guidance represents our outlook only as of the date that we
disseminated it, and we undertake no obligation to provide updates to this information or guidance in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The following discusses our exposure to market risk related to changes in interest rates, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially as a result of a number of factors including those set forth in the risk factors section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
To date, all of our
recognized revenues have been denominated in U.S. dollars and primarily from customers in the United States, and our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate changes has been immaterial. We expect, however, that future product license and services
revenues may also be derived from international markets and may be denominated in the currency of the applicable market. As a result, our operating results may become subject to significant fluctuations based upon changes in the exchange rates of
certain currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, to the extent that we engage in international sales denominated in U.S. dollars, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies could make our products less
competitive in international markets. Although we will continue to monitor our exposure to currency fluctuations, and when appropriate, may use financial hedging techniques to minimize the effect of these fluctuations, we cannot assure you that
exchange rate fluctuations will not adversely affect our financial results in the future.
Interest Rate Risk
As of June 30, 2002, we had cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments of $150.0 million. Any
decline in interest rates over time would reduce our interest income from our cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments. Based upon our balance of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments at
June 30, 2002, a decrease in interest rates of 0.5% would cause a corresponding decrease in our annual interest income by approximately $750,000.
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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In March 2001, the first of a number
of stockholder complaints was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Nuance and certain of its officers. Those lawsuits were consolidated and an amended complaint was filed on behalf of a purported
class of people who purchased our stock during the period January 31, 2001 through March 15, 2001, alleging false and misleading statements and insider trading in violation of the federal securities laws. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified
damages. We believe that these allegations are without merit and we are defending the litigation vigorously. Recently, in response to our motion to dismiss, certain of the Plaintiffs claims were dismissed with prejudice. However, Plaintiffs
will be permitted to file a further amended complaint with respect to several remaining claims. We intend to move to dismiss any such amended complaint. An unfavorable resolution of this litigation could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
In June and July 2001, putative shareholder derivative
actions were filed in California state court alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and insider trading by various of our directors and officers. While we are named as a nominal defendant, the lawsuits do not appear to seek any recovery against us.
Proceedings in these actions have been stayed.
In August 2001, the first of a number of complaints was filed in
federal district court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of a purported class of persons who purchased Nuance stock between April 12, 2000 and December 6, 2000. In April 2002, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. The
consolidated amended complaint generally alleges that various investment bank underwriters engaged in improper and undisclosed activities related to the allocation of shares in our initial public offering of securities, the conduct of our secondary
offering, and the issuance of analyst reports. The complaints bring claims for violation of several provisions of the federal securities laws against those underwriters, and also against us and some of our directors and officers. Similar lawsuits
have been filed concerning more than 300 other companies public offerings. We believe that the allegations against us are without merit and intend to defend the litigation vigorously.
We are subject to certain other legal proceedings, claims and litigation that arise in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these matters is currently not
determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The
following proposals were adopted by the margins indicated at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 23, 2002.
1. To elect three (3) Class II directors to the Board of Directors for a term of three years and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Name of Director
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Shares Voted For
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Shares Withheld
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Curtis Carlson |
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26,403,260 |
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92,056 |
Alan Herzig |
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26,401,055 |
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94,261 |
Philip Quigley |
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26,403,411 |
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91,905 |
2. To ratify the appointment by the
Company of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002.
Shares Voted For
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Shares Voted Against
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Shares Abstaining
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26,117,217 |
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365,517 |
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12,582 |
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibit
99.1 is incorporated as part of this document.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
On April 17, 2002, Nuance filed a report on Form 8-K relating to its decision to no longer engage Arthur Andersen, LLP as
its independent accountants.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NUANCE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
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August 14, 2002 |
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By: |
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/s/ KAREN
BLASING
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Karen Blasing Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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