Back to GetFilings.com
================================================================================
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________________
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
For The Fiscal Year Ended: December 31, 1998
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: 0-26330
-------
ASTEA INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 23-2119058
- --------------------------------------- --------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
455 BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, HORSHAM, PENNSYLVANIA 19044
- ------------------------------------------------ ---------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (215) 682-2500
--------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
----
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: COMMON STOCK, $.01
------------------
PAR VALUE
---------
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
--- ---
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [_]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant as of March 19, 1999 (based on the closing price of $3.25 as quoted
by Nasdaq National Market as of such date) was approximately $22,788,548.
As of March 19, 1999, 13,818,617 shares of the registrant's Common Stock were
outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 13, 1999 are incorporated by reference into Part
III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
================================================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
PART I
Item 1. Business 3
Item 2. Properties 18
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 18
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 18
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related 19
Stockholder Matters
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 20
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 22
Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 27
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 28
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on 50
Accounting and Financial Disclosure
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Officers of the Registrant 50
Item 11. Executive Compensation 50
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 50
Management
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 50
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports 51
on Form 8-K
Signature Page 54
2
PART I
Item 1. Business.
GENERAL
Astea International Inc. ("Astea" or the "Company") develops, markets and
supports front-office solutions for the Customer Relationship Management ("CRM")
software market. Astea's client/server and host-based applications are designed
specifically for organizations for which field service and customer support are
considered mission critical aspects of business operations. The Company's
solutions have demonstrated quantifiable cost efficiency and service
improvements in large enterprise environments that require sophisticated
management of inventory, field and customer support resources. The Company's
principal product offerings--ServiceAlliance/TM/, DISPATCH-1/TM/ and V-
Service/TM/ -- deliver powerful functionality that enables organizations with a
high degree of field service and customer support requirements to improve
customer satisfaction, build customer loyalty, and decrease the cost of customer
service by increasing revenue opportunities while diminishing costs. Astea's
software has been licensed to approximately 400 companies worldwide, distributed
across a variety of industries that provide maintenance and repair services,
including telecommunications, information technology, healthcare, process and
control technologies, and white goods.
ServiceAlliance is the Company's newest service and support management
software solution, which draws on the best practices and functionality of
DISPATCH-1, one of the field service industry's leading customer service
applications. First introduced in 1997, ServiceAlliance is a Year 2000
compliant, client/server application designed to leverage the rapid technology
advances that continue to characterize the software industry. With
ServiceAlliance, the Company reformulated the complex and powerful functionality
of its original DISPATCH-1 product into an intuitive, configurable, modular and
open software design. The result is a tightly integrated, highly configurable
software solution that can be implemented more quickly and at lower cost than
DISPATCH-1, and it is able to interface more easily with other key business
systems. This combination is key to ServiceAlliance's ability to deliver a
faster overall return on investment to Astea's customers. Accordingly,
ServiceAlliance has a broader market appeal, since it cost effectively delivers
to organizations of any size the functionality and capabilities once affordable
only to Fortune 500 companies.
The Company's original customer service product, DISPATCH-1, is one of the
most widely installed field service solutions in the world. DISPATCH-1 helps
organizations with complex and geographically dispersed field service operations
automate and manage call center operations among customers, headquarters, branch
offices and the field. Version 8.0 of DISPATCH-1 is Year 2000 compliant,
supports both Internet and graphical desktop interfaces, and is interfaced to a
number of complementary third-party products designed to extend its
functionality. Other versions of DISPATCH-1 are also Year 2000 compliant.
DISPATCH-1 has been deployed in a wide variety of large enterprise environments,
and can support thousands of users in both single and multi-country situations.
In select engagements, the Company has significantly customized and enhanced
DISPATCH-1 to specifically address the needs of a few very large product
deployments, generating an ongoing level of professional services and consulting
revenues, as well product maintenance revenues.
V-Service is a "virtual" service bureau that provides for the full
deployment of DISPATCH-1 through the Internet, on a highly secure, time-share
basis. V-Service provides access to the software and to each customer's
database for a monthly service fee, which includes customer support. The
Company also owns the rights to PowerHelp(TM), a stand-alone help desk
management application, which the Company distributes and supports solely
through selected resellers in North America, Europe and Japan.
To implement its products, Astea provides its clients with an array of
professional consulting services, training and customer support services.
Astea's experienced and knowledgeable staff members have the
3
expertise necessary for Astea to provide a comprehensive field service and
customer support solution. They also serve as an internal source of industry
expertise, a critical factor in the ongoing product development and enhancement
process which ensures that Astea's products address the evolving business
requirements of its customers.
The Company markets its products both domestically and internationally
through offices in the United States and overseas, as well as through resellers
and system integrators. In 1998, the Company expanded its domestic direct sales
force, establishing new regional locations in Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco,
Denver, and Atlanta. A Toronto, Canada location was added in the first quarter
of 1999. Internationally, the company maintains offices in the United Kingdom,
the Netherlands, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. Distributor
agreements help to extend the Company's sales, marketing, and support presence
to Japan, Taiwan, South Africa, India, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The Company is
currently working on finalizing distributor agreements to serve Korea and
Thailand. In addition, Astea currently maintains marketing partnership
arrangements with several software application companies. Astea has initiated
preliminary conversations with a number of consultant and reseller organizations
with the intent to establish marketing partnerships. New marketing
relationships have been, and continue to be, developed in specific product areas
to enhance the Company's product offerings.
During 1998, the Company divested its Bendata, Inc. ("Bendata") and Abalon
AB ("Abalon") subsidiaries. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements. The closing of the Bendata sale was effective as of July
1, 1998, and the closing of the Abalon sale was effective December 31, 1998.
Through Bendata, the Company had offered the HEAT(TM) family of software
applications for the internal help desk automation market. (HEAT is a trademark
of Bendata, Inc.) Through Abalon, the Company had offered the Abalon suite of
sales and marketing applications built around a central customer database.
(Abalon is a trademark of Abalon AB.) The Company's management concluded that
these past acquisitions did not contribute synergistically to a strong market
focus. Additionally, Astea could not provide adequate investment across multiple
products and markets to establish or maintain strong market positions, while
supporting the investment necessary to maintain or improve its core market
position. The Company therefore elected to maintain a clear and distinct market
focus on field service and support, which leverages its inherent industry
expertise and knowledge. Unless otherwise indicated, the following description
of the Company and its business, assets and financial condition excludes
Bendata, Abalon and their products. The Bendata and Abalon operations have been
treated as discontinued operations for financial reporting purposes. The assets
and liabilities of Bendata and Abalon are classified on the Company's
Consolidated Balance Sheet as net assets of discontinued operations. See Note 3
of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ServiceAlliance, DISPATCH-1, PowerHelp, and V-Service provided 12%, 86%,
1%, and 1%, respectively, of the Company's software license, maintenance and
service revenues in 1998.
CURRENT PRODUCT OFFERINGS
Astea's flexible and functionally powerful products meet the changing
computing and business needs of its customers. Solutions are generally scalable
to address the needs of both small, rapidly growing and large, multinational
organizations; and modular to accommodate growth within the enterprise so that a
solution can be implemented in phases and expanded as required. The Company's
products run on multiple platforms, using popular client/server environments,
multiple hardware platforms and operating systems such as Windows, Windows NT,
multiple UNIX platforms and Open VMS, depending on the product. Astea's products
operate across a variety of relational database management systems (depending on
the product) including those from Oracle, Progress, Sybase and Microsoft. They
are deployed on local and wide-area networks with the ability to utilize
multiple communications protocols.
4
ServiceAlliance
ServiceAlliance is the Company's newest service and support management
software solution, which draws on the best practices and functionality of
DISPATCH-1, one of the field service industry's leading customer service
applications. As of December 31, 1998, ServiceAlliance had been licensed to 47
customers worldwide. See "Certain Factors that May Affect Future Results--
Uncertain Market Acceptance of ServiceAlliance; Continued Dependence on
DISPATCH-1." The Company is encouraged by the initial market acceptance of
ServiceAlliance, which is being implemented in businesses worldwide.
ServiceAlliance is a modularly designed, client/server-based field service
and customer support software solution. Functionally, the product is composed of
six discrete modules that utilize a shared database and centralized functional
core of common tables and processes. ServiceAlliance provides a universal view
of customer information, which facilitates the tracking and management of
customers anywhere in the customer life cycle. With ServiceAlliance, users can
update the status of customer requests as services are performed, maintaining
customer status automatically and eliminating confusion regarding call status.
Screen graphics for every service function have a consistent look to accelerate
user familiarity. Integration lets users move from one step to another with
maximum efficiency and minimum chance of error. Source code modifications are
generally unnecessary.
The standard ServiceAlliance product includes AllianceFIELDSERVICE(TM),
AllianceCUSTOMERSUPPORT(TM), AllianceORDERS(TM), AllianceREPAIR(TM),
AllianceLOGISTICS(TM), and AllianceCONTRACTS(TM). Together, they address
essential elements in the customer life cycle, including field dispatch and
scheduling, external help desk (customer or engineer) support, inventory and
logistics management (from the time of request through allocation and shipment);
contract management and billing (including price books), and sales to service
integration (quotations and work orders). In addition to these core modules,
optional add-on modules are available to meet specific customer needs. Through
AllianceSTUDIO(TM), customers also have access to a set of application-specific
configuration tools that allow them to tailor ServiceAlliance to meet the needs
of their specific business environment, which in turn facilitates rapid
deployment of the product.
In 1998, Astea released AllianceWEB(TM) and AllianceMOBILE(TM), two
optional products designed to extend the boundaries of a service organization.
With AllianceWEB, an organization's customers can access a variety of self-
service functions through the Internet, such as viewing order status, creating
or updating orders, reporting meter readings, viewing and editing their own
customer profile, and searching for information regarding products, parts, and
technical support information. AllianceMOBILE introduced a new support paradigm
for field service agents, enabling real-time access to time sensitive
information such as parts inventories and schedules. Utilizing widely
available, low-cost unlimited Internet access, organizations can now deploy
secure, browser-based access to the ServiceAlliance system.
Significant new product development efforts are planned in 1999 to continue
functional expansion of this product line with the release of versions 4.0 and
4.5. In 1999, Astea plans to commercially introduce AllianceTRAINER(TM). Based
on Professional Training Services, Inc.'s advanced ScoutWings technology,
AllianceTRAINER will deliver on-demand, computer-based training for
ServiceAlliance content at the end-user desktop level. In addition to the more
traditional computer-based training concepts of interactive "teacher" and
"demonstration" modes, AllianceTRAINER offers a "concurrent operation" mode.
With concurrent operation, the application guides an inexperienced operator
through the actions necessary to accomplish a specific ServiceAlliance task,
executing the task in real-time. AllianceTRAINER is designed to reduce the
software learning curve for high-turnover job categories and infrequent or new
users, and therefore to improve customer return on investment by delivering
better and faster end-user productivity.
5
ServiceAlliance was designed to interface with other "best of breed"
products. Inherent product compatibility with a variety of other products, such
as paging, search engines, electronic mail, and Internet tools, extends the
application's functionality. A new automation tool, ActiveX automation, makes
it easy to connect to other applications that conform to that standard. In
addition, AllianceLINK(TM) interface products help clients integrate rapidly
with more complex and sophisticated products, such as complex staff scheduling
products, optimized parts planning and forecasting, financial systems and case-
based reasoning tools.
Supported environments for ServiceAlliance include: ClientsWindows 95/98
and Windows NT and Networks TCP/IP. ServiceAlliance operates with Oracle,
Sybase, and Microsoft SQL Server databases.
DISPATCH-1
Introduced in 1986 as the Company's original standard product, DISPATCH-1
incorporates years of industry experience. Typically adopted by larger Fortune
1,000 companies, many installations accommodate several thousand users in multi-
location, global deployments. DISPATCH-1 automates a wide range of critical
field service and related operations. It allows clients to track information
relevant to their customer accounts by distributing customer, product and
technical information--ranging from field service, depot repair and logistics to
finance and contract administration--across an enterprise. DISPATCH-1 has been
licensed by more than 350 customers worldwide since its introduction. Astea
currently supports approximately 120 DISPATCH-1 customers on active maintenance.
In 1998, approximately 86% of the Company's total revenues derived from license,
maintenance and professional service fees related to DISPATCH-1. See "Certain
Factors that May Affect Future Results--Uncertain Market Acceptance of
ServiceAlliance; Continued Dependence on DISPATCH-1."
DISPATCH-1 has more than 30 core operational modules, which allow call
center operations to open and track service requests, identify contractual
obligations, generate new sales opportunities, diagnose problems and analyze the
appropriate field resources required to address a problem. Spare parts
inventory needed for on-site, in-house or third-party repairs is managed from
requisition through purchasing, receiving and shipping. Repairs made to parts
and components returned from the field are tracked through the product's depot
operations capabilities. Integrated financial modules capture cost and revenue
information throughout the life of the customer interaction. Product
performance and failure information also can be captured and shared with
engineering, quality and manufacturing departments to deliver improvements in
quality control, design and production.
Version 8.0 of DISPATCH-1, released in December 1997, provides users with
easy-to-use interface choices, Year 2000 compliance, enhanced contracts
administration and service order management functionality. Users can now use
the system from virtually any type of interface over the Internet, with a
personal computer or with traditional terminals. Users can access their data
using one or all of these interfaces simultaneously. Each of the interfaces
provides similar screens and may be used separately or in any combination. The
event-driven, thin display client is optimized to perform well in both local
area network ("LAN") and wide area network ("WAN") environments. Remote users
also can access all features of DISPATCH-1 through the Internet, a corporate LAN
or WAN and through direct modem connections.
DISPATCH-1's remote access modules--REMOTE-1(TM), Manager's Window(TM) and
WebAccess(TM)--address the specific processing needs of field technicians, their
managers and the client's customers. Using Astea's REMOTE-1 module, mobile field
technicians have direct access to critical customer service information via
wireless or wireline networks, ensuring that required equipment and parts are
obtained before traveling to the customer site. Manager's Window enables field
managers to gain access to and assess a technician's progress, help troubleshoot
problems and reassign resources to address workload requirements as new customer
priorities arise. WebAccess allows an organization's customers to connect
directly to
6
DISPATCH-1 to initiate service requests, place parts orders and track the
service provider's progress on service calls, streamlining the call center
administration process and further strengthening the client's relationship with
the customer.
Astea has also developed decision support modules to further automate and
decentralize the decision-making capabilities offered by DISPATCH-1. In April
1997, Astea introduced DISPATCH-1 WebView, which provides access to all
DISPATCH-1 functionality using Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator 3.0 and
above or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 and above on PC or Macintosh computers.
This is of particular benefit to companies moving to a "thin-client" Internet
approach to enterprise-wide applications. Remote users can access all features
of DISPATCH-1's 30 modules through the Internet, a corporate LAN/WAN and through
direct modem connections.
DISPATCH-1 is available on UNIX and Open VMS operating systems and operates
with Oracle and Progress database management systems.
V-Service
Virtual Service Corporation ("VSC") is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company; pursuant to a joint development agreement, Mitsubishi
Electronics America, Inc. has agreed to provide technology and other support to
VSC and, in exchange, is represented on VSC's board of directors and has the
option to acquire an ownership interest in VSC not greater than 50%, depending
on certain circumstances. VSC's V-Service is a "virtual" outsourcing, service
bureau that provides for the full deployment of DISPATCH-1 through the Internet,
on a highly secure, time-share basis. V-Service provides access to the software
and to each customer's database for a monthly service fee, which includes
customer support. Both the hardware and software are maintained at Astea's
headquarters facility in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
PowerHelp
In conjunction with the Company's restructuring during the first quarter of
1997, the Company no longer directly markets the PowerHelp product. In July
1997, the Company granted all of its North American distribution rights in its
PowerHelp customer support product to Vertical Solutions, Inc. ("VSI"), a system
integrator and reseller based in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a period ending in 2001.
During 1998, the Company expanded VSI's distribution rights to Europe and South
America. VSI also assumed responsibility for the technical support of the
Company's existing PowerHelp customers in North America, Europe and South
America, and VSI is authorized to make modifications and enhancements to the
PowerHelp product.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES
Astea offers a range of specialized professional and customer support
services to assist its clients in using its products effectively. These
services include business process consulting, implementation planning, project
management, customization, education and training, technical support and ongoing
software maintenance. Astea believes that its professional services
capabilities allow its clients to deploy the Company's products quickly and
efficiently. Together, professional services and customer support comprised 80%
of the Company's total revenues in 1998, compared to 71% in 1997.
Professional Services
As of December 31, 1998, the professional services group consisted of 129
professional services personnel headquartered in two offices in the United
States and six offices internationally: in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands,
France, Israel, Australia and New Zealand. Of the Company's 129 professional
7
services personnel, 88 representatives are based in domestic offices while the
remaining 41 representatives are based overseas. An initial professional
services engagement usually lasts between six and 18 months for DISPATCH-1 and
between one and four months for ServiceAlliance. For some of Astea's largest
clients, dedicated, global project teams are created to work exclusively with
these clients. In the case of smaller clients or more discrete projects,
appropriate teams are assembled from the Company's worldwide offices to perform
the required services. Due to the more complex nature of Astea's DISPATCH-1
offering, customers that license these programs purchase a higher volume of
professional services than customers of ServiceAlliance and V-Service.
Astea's typical professional services engagement includes planning,
prototyping and implementation of Astea's products within the client's
organization. During the initial planning phase of the engagement, Astea's
professional services personnel work closely with representatives of the client
to prepare a detailed project plan that includes a timetable, resource
requirements, milestones, in-house training programs, onsite business process
training and demonstrations of Astea's product capabilities within the client's
organization. The next, most critical phase of the Astea professional services
personnel engagement is the prototyping phase, in which Astea works closely with
representatives of the client to configure Astea's software functionality to the
client's specific business process requirements. During the prototyping phase,
Astea's professional services personnel design the technology infrastructure,
define and document business processes and establish the order of product
deployment. The critical element of the prototyping phase is a detailed
analysis of the client's business processes and needs. The final phase in the
professional services engagement is the implementation phase, in which Astea's
professional services personnel work with the client to develop detailed data
mapping, conversions, interfaces, product customizations and other technical and
business processes necessary to integrate Astea's software into the client's
computing environment. Ultimately, education plans are developed and executed
to provide the client with the process and system knowledge necessary to
effectively utilize the software and fully implement the Astea solution.
Professional services are charged on an hourly or per diem basis and are billed,
pursuant to customer work orders, usually on a monthly basis.
Customer Support
Company's customer support group provides Astea's clients with telephone
and on-line technical support, as well as product enhancements, updates, new
releases and corrections. Astea's customer support group is deployed to provide
support for Astea's clients in all regions of Astea's worldwide operations,
providing local client representatives with real-time support usually spoken in
their native languages by Astea and distributor personnel familiar with local
business customs and practices. Typically, customer support fees are established
as a fixed percentage of license fees and are invoiced to clients on an annual
basis after the conclusion of the warranty period, which is normally 90 days.
Astea's customer support representatives are located in two offices in the
United States and four offices in Europe and Australia. As of December 31, 1998,
the Company's worldwide customer support group consisted of 47 representatives,
36 located in the United States and 11 based internationally.
CUSTOMERS
The Company estimates that it has approximately 400 license customers,
ranging from small, rapidly growing companies to large, multinational
corporations with geographically dispersed operations and remote offices. The
broad applicability of the Company's products is demonstrated by the wide range
of companies across many markets and industries that use one or more of Astea's
products, including telecommunications, computers and electronics, office
equipment, medical systems, building systems and controls, and third-party
service and support organizations. In 1998, Storage Technology Corporation and
NCR Corporation accounted for 15% and 11% of the Company's revenues,
respectively. In 1997 and 1996, NCR Corporation accounted for 17% and 12% of
the Company's revenues, respectively.
8
SALES AND MARKETING
Astea markets its products and services through a multi-tiered sales
structure comprised of direct sales and telesales operations, and through
relationships with resellers and international distributors. In 1998, the
Company launched a concerted effort to broaden its reseller network by seeking
to establish a nationwide indirect distribution channel targeted at the mid-
market tier. The Company's sales organization consisted of 35 personnel on
December 31, 1998, complemented by a coordinated marketing effort of the
Company's marketing group, which consisted of 14 personnel on December 31, 1998.
See "Certain Factors that May Affect Future ResultsNeed to Expand Indirect
Sales."
Astea's direct sales force of 22 personnel employs a consultative approach
to selling ServiceAlliance and DISPATCH-1, working closely with prospective
clients to understand and define their customers' needs and determine how such
needs can be addressed by the Company's products. These clients typically
represent the mid- to high-end of the CRM software market. A prospect
development organization comprised of telemarketing representatives develops and
qualifies sales leads prior to referral to the direct sales staff. See "Certain
Factors that May Affect Future Results--Continued Dependence on Large Contracts
May Result in Lengthy Sales and Implementation Cycles." The modular structure of
Astea's software and its ongoing product development efforts provide
opportunities for incremental sales of product modules and consulting services
to existing accounts.
Astea's corporate marketing department is responsible for product
marketing, lead generation and marketing communications, including advertising
and public relations. Based on client feedback and market data, product
marketing provides input and direction for the Company's ongoing product
development efforts and professional services marketing. Leads developed from
marketing are routed through the Company's sales and marketing automation
system. The Company also participates in an annual conference organized and
sponsored by ADONUS, Inc., an independent user group comprised of Astea's
DISPATCH-1 and ServiceAlliance clients. Conference participants attend training
sessions, workshops and presentations, and interact with other Astea product
users and Astea management and staff, providing important input for future
product direction.
Astea's international sales increased in 1998, accounting for 32% of the
Company's revenues in 1998, 28% in 1997 and 31% in 1996. See "Certain Factors
that May Affect Future Results--Risks Associated with International Sales" and
Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Astea's product development strategy is to provide products that are easy
to implement, use, and maintain. Its products are designed to be flexible,
modular and scalable, so that they can be implemented incrementally in phases
and expanded to satisfy the evolving information requirements of Astea's clients
and
9
their customers. Each product is also designed to be as platform- hardware-
independent as possible, using popular client/server environments, multiple
hardware platforms and operating systems. To accomplish these goals, the Company
uses widely accepted, commercially available application development tools from
Progress Software Corporation, Sybase, Inc. and Microsoft Corporation. These
software tools provide the Company's clients with the flexibility to deploy
Astea's products across a variety of hardware platforms, operating systems,
client/server configurations and relational database management systems.
As of December 31, 1998, the Company's product development staff consisted
of 62 employees. The Company's total expenses for product development for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were $5,718,000, $8,653,000 and
$6,628,000, respectively; these expenses represented 20%, 27% and 16% of total
revenues for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. In addition, the Company
capitalized software development costs of $800,000, $950,000 and $1,858,000 in
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company anticipates that it will
continue to commit substantial resources to product development in the future.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and "Certain Factors that May Affect Future Results--Need for
Development of New Products."
MANUFACTURING
The Company's software products are distributed on standard magnetic disks,
tapes and CD ROMs. Included with the software products are security keys and
documentation available on CD ROM and in print. Historically, the Company has
purchased diskettes, tapes, and duplicating and printing services from outside
vendors. The Company has been able to obtain adequate supplies of all components
and materials in a timely manner from existing and alternate sources of supply.
COMPETITION
The CRM software market is intensely competitive and subject to rapid
change. To maintain or increase its position in the industry, the Company will
need to continually enhance its current product offerings, introduce new
products and features and maintain its professional services capabilities. The
Company currently competes on the basis of the depth of its product features and
functions, including the adaptability and scalability of its products; the
ability to deploy complex systems both locally and internationally; product
quality, ease-of-use, reliability and performance; breadth of professional
services; integration of Astea's offerings with other enterprise and
client/server applications; price; and the availability of Astea's products on
popular operating systems, relational databases, the Internet and communications
platforms.
Competitors vary in size, scope and breadth of the products and services
offered. The Company encounters competition generally from a number of sources,
including other software companies, third-party professional services
organizations that develop custom software, and management information systems
departments of potential customers developing proprietary, custom software. In
the field service and customer support marketplace, the Company competes against
publicly-held companies and numerous smaller, privately-held companies. The
Company's competitors include SAP AG ("SAP"), Clarify Inc. ("Clarify"), The
Vantive Corporation ("Vantive"), J.D. Edwards and Company ("JD Edwards"), and a
number of smaller privately-held companies. See "Certain Factors that May Affect
Future Results--Competition in the Customer Relationship Management Software
Market Is Intense."
LICENSES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Astea considers its software proprietary and licenses its products to its
customers generally under written license agreements. The Company also employs
an encryption system that restricts a user's access to source code to further
protect the Company's intellectual property. Because the Company's products
allow
10
customers to customize their applications without altering the source code, the
source code for the Company's products is typically neither licensed nor
provided to customers. The Company does, however, license source code from time
to time and maintains certain third-party source code escrow arrangements.
The Company seeks to protect its products through a combination of
copyright, trademark, trade secret and fair business practice laws. The Company
also requires employees and consultants or third-parties to sign nondisclosure
agreements. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for unauthorized
parties to copy certain portions of the Company's products or reverse engineer
or obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. The
Company presently has no patents or patent applications pending. See "Certain
Factors that May Affect Future Results--Risks of Dependence on Proprietary
Technology."
Because the software development industry is characterized by rapid
technological change, Astea believes that factors such as the technological and
creative skills of its personnel, new product developments, frequent product
enhancements, and reliable product maintenance are more important to
establishing and maintaining a technology leadership position than current legal
protections.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1998, the Company, including its subsidiaries, had a
total of 317 full time employees worldwide, 192 in the United States, 18 in the
United Kingdom, 35 in the Netherlands, six in France, 41 in Israel, 23 in
Australia, one in New Zealand and one in Japan. Of the total, 49 were employed
in sales and marketing, 62 in product development, 176 in professional services
and customer support and 30 in administration and finance. The Company's future
performance depends, in significant part, upon the continued service of its key
technical and management personnel and its continuing ability to attract and
retain highly qualified and motivated personnel in all areas of its operations.
See "Certain Factors that May Affect Future Results--Dependence on Key
Personnel; Competition for Employees." None of the Company's employees is
represented by a labor union. The Company has not experienced any work
stoppages and considers its relations with its employees to be good.
CORPORATE HISTORY
The Company was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1979 under the name Applied
System Technologies, Inc. In 1992, the Company changed its name to Astea
International Inc. Until 1986, the Company operated principally as a software
consulting firm, providing professional software consulting services on a fee
for service and on a project basis. In 1986, the Company introduced its
DISPATCH-1 product. In November 1991, the Company's sole stockholder acquired
the outstanding stock of The DATA Group Corporation ("Data Group"), a provider
of field service software and related professional services for the mainframe
computing environment. Data Group was merged into the Company in January 1994.
In February 1995, the Company and its sole stockholder acquired the outstanding
stock of Astea Service & Distribution Systems BV ("Astea BV"), the Company's
distributor of DISPATCH-1, ServiceAlliance and related services in Europe. In
May 1995, the Company reincorporated in Delaware. In July 1995, the Company
completed its initial public offering of Common Stock. In February 1996, the
Company merged with Bendata, Inc. In June 1996, the Company acquired Abalon AB.
In September 1998 (effective July 1, 1998), the Company sold Bendata, Inc. In
December 1998, the Company sold Abalon AB.
CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
The Company does not provide forecasts of its future financial performance.
From time to time, however, information provided by the Company or statements
made by its employees may contain "forward looking" information that involves
risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements contained in this Annual
11
Report on Form 10-K that are not historical fact may constitute forward looking
statements and are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's actual results of
operations and financial condition have varied and may in the future vary
significantly from those stated in any forward looking statements. Factors that
may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks,
uncertainties and other information discussed within this Annual Report on Form
10-K, as well as the accuracy of the Company's internal estimates of revenue and
operating expense levels.
The following discussion of the Company's risk factors should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements and related notes thereto set forth
elsewhere in this report The following factors, among others, could cause actual
results to differ materially from those set forth in forward looking statements
contained or incorporated by reference in this report and presented by
management from time to time. Such factors, among others, may have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, results of operations and financial
conditions:
UNCERTAIN MARKET ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICEALLIANCE; CONTINUED DEPENDENCE ON
DISPATCH-1. In each of 1998, 1997 and 1996 (after accounting for the disposition
of Bendata and Abalon), more than 86%, 93% and 91%, respectively, of the
Company's total revenues derived from the licensing of DISPATCH-1 and the
provision of professional services in connection with the implementation,
deployment and maintenance of DISPATCH-1 installations. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The
Company originally introduced ServiceAlliance in August 1997 in order to target
a market segment in which DISPATCH-1 was not cost-effective or attractive.
Subsequent, rapid changes in technology have now positioned ServiceAlliance to
supercede DISPATCH-1 as the company's flagship brand. As a result, the
probability that DISPATCH-1 will be sold to new customers is small. Sales to
existing customers comprised 100% of DISPATCH-1 license revenue in 1998.
While the Company licensed ServiceAlliance to 34 companies worldwide in
1998 and 10 companies worldwide in 1997, ServiceAlliance has not yet earned
market acceptance, and revenues from sales of ServiceAlliance alone are not yet
sufficient to support the expenses of the Company. The Company's future success
will depend in part on its ability to continue to reduce its reliance on
revenues from DISPATCH-1, by increasing licenses of ServiceAlliance and other
offerings, and by developing new products and product enhancements to complement
its existing field service and customer support offerings. Any failure of the
Company's products to achieve or sustain market acceptance, or of the Company to
sustain its current position in the field service software market, would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to sustain demand for
DISPATCH-1 and increase demand for ServiceAlliance, thereby avoiding future
losses.
NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS. The Company's future success will
depend upon its ability to enhance its current products and develop and
introduce new products on a timely basis that keep pace with technological
developments, industry standards and the increasingly sophisticated needs of its
customers, including developments within the client/server and object-oriented
computing environments. Such developments may require, from time to time,
substantial capital investments by the Company in product development and
testing. The Company intends to continue its commitment to research and
development and its efforts to develop new products and product enhancements.
There can be no assurance that the Company will not experience difficulties that
could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of
new products and product enhancements; that new products and product
enhancements will meet the requirements of the marketplace and achieve market
acceptance; or that the Company's current or future products will conform to
industry requirements. Furthermore, reallocation of resources by the Company,
such as the diversion of research and development personnel to development of a
particular feature for a potential or existing customer, can delay new products
and certain product enhancements. If the Company is unable to develop and
introduce new products or enhancements of existing products in a timely manner
in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition will be materially
adversely effected.
COMPETITION IN THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE MARKET IS
INTENSE. The CRM software market is intensely competitive. The Company's
competitors include Clarify and Vantive, as well as traditional enterprise
resource planning software providers such as SAP, Baan and JD Edwards that are
developing field service and customer support capabilities. In addition, a
number of smaller, privately-held companies generally focus only on discrete
areas of the CRM software marketplace. Because the barriers to entry in the CRM
software market are relatively low, new competitors may emerge with products
that are superior to the Company's products or that achieve greater market
acceptance. Some of the Company's
12
existing and potential competitors have greater financial, technical, marketing
and distribution resources than the Company has. Moreover, the CRM industry is
currently experiencing significant consolidation, as larger public companies
seek to enter the CRM market through acquisitions. The Company expects that
competition will increase as a result of software industry consolidations. As a
result, some of the Company's competitors may be able to respond more quickly to
new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, or to devote
greater resources to the development and distribution of their products.
Increased competition is likely to result in price reductions, reduced gross
margins and loss of market share. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors or
that competitive pressures faced by the Company will not adversely affect its
business and results of operations.
CONTINUED DEPENDENCE ON LARGE CONTRACTS MAY RESULT IN LENGTHY SALES AND
IMPLEMENTATION CYCLES. The sale and implementation of the Company's products
generally involve a significant commitment of resources by prospective
customers. While ServiceAlliance requires a less substantial commitment than
does DISPATCH-1, the purchase and implementation of ServiceAlliance still
require a substantial commitment. As a result, the Company's sales process
often is subject to delays associated with lengthy approval processes attendant
to significant capital expenditures, definition of special customer
implementation requirements, and extensive contract negotiations with the
customer. The sales cycle varies substantially from customer to customer and
typically lasts between four and nine months. During this time the Company may
devote significant time and resources to a prospective customer, including costs
associated with multiple site visits, product demonstrations and feasibility
studies. The Company may experience a number of significant delays over which
the Company has no control. Because the costs associated with the sale of the
product are fixed in current periods, timing differences between incurring costs
and recognition of revenue associated with a particular project may result.
Moreover, in the event of any downturn in any existing or potential customer's
business or the economy in general, purchases of the Company's products may be
deferred or canceled.
In addition, following the initial sale, the implementation of DISPATCH-1
(and to a lesser extent, ServiceAlliance) typically involves several months of
customer training and integration of the product with the customer's other
existing systems. A successful implementation requires a close working
relationship between the customer and members of the Company's professional
service organization. Occasionally, delays result from a customer's lack of
attention to the implementation project for reasons unrelated to the Company's
performance. When the Company has provided consulting services to implement
certain larger projects, some customers have in the past delayed payment of a
portion of license fees until implementation was complete and in some cases have
disputed the consulting fees charged for implementation. There can be no
assurance the Company will not experience additional delays or disputes
regarding payment in the future, particularly if the Company receives orders for
large, complex installations. Some of the Company's customers have adopted the
Company's software on an incremental basis. There can be no assurance that the
Company's customers will expand usage of the Company's software on an
enterprise-wide basis or implement new software products introduced by the
Company. The failure of the Company's software to perform according to customer
expectations or otherwise to be deployed on an enterprise-wide basis could have
a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to collect revenues or
to increase revenues from new as well as existing customers. The Company
believes that period-to-period comparisons of its results of operations should
not be relied upon as any indication of future performance.
REDUCED PRODUCT OFFERINGS AFTER SALES OF BENDATA AND ABALON. During 1998,
the Company divested its Bendata and Abalon subsidiaries. Through Bendata, the
Company had offered the HEAT family of software applications for the help desk
automation market. Through Abalon, the Company had offered the Abalon suite of
sales and marketing applications built around a central customer database.
Through these strategic dispositions, the Company has refocused its efforts and
resources on the field service and customer support segment of the CRM software
market, which is the Company's core competency. While the Company's remaining
products continue to offer help desk functionality, and may in the future offer
sales and
13
marketing automation functionality, the Company currently does not offer stand-
alone products in the help desk and sales and marketing automation segments of
the CRM software market. As a result, the Company's product lines are now less
diversified than in the prior year. This could impede the Company's ability to
compete against other companies in the CRM software market that offer a wider
range of products and further increases the Company's reliance on DISPATCH-1 and
ServiceAlliance. Any failure of the Company's remaining products to achieve or
sustain market acceptance would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business and results of operations.
FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY BE SIGNIFICANT. The
Company's quarterly operating results have in the past varied significantly and
are likely to vary significantly in the future, depending on factors such as the
size and timing of revenue from significant orders, the recognition of revenue
from such orders, the timing of new product releases and market acceptance of
these new releases, the level of product and price competition, and the
seasonality of its business. As a result of the application of the revenue
recognition rules applicable to the Company's licenses under generally accepted
accounting principles, the Company's license revenues may be recognized in
periods after those in which the respective licenses were signed. In addition,
the Company's quarterly operating results are dependent on factors such as
budgeting cycles of its customers, customer order deferrals in anticipation of
enhancements or new products, the impact of acquisitions of competitors, the
cancellation of licenses or maintenance agreements, product life cycles,
software bugs and other product quality problems, personnel changes, changes in
Company strategy, investments to develop sales distribution channels, changes in
the level of operating expenses and general domestic and international economic
and political conditions, among others.
The Company has generally had stronger demand for its products during the
quarters ending in June and December and weaker demand in the quarter ending in
March. The Company anticipates that it may also experience relatively weaker
demand in the quarter ending in September. Moreover, the Company has generally
recorded most of its total quarterly license revenues in the third month of the
quarter, with a concentration of these revenues in the last half of that third
month. This concentration of license revenues is influenced by customer
tendencies to make significant capital expenditures at the end of a fiscal
quarter. The Company expects these revenue patterns to continue for the
foreseeable future. Thus, the Company's results of operations may vary
seasonally in accordance with licensing activity or otherwise, and will also
depend upon its recognition of revenue from such licenses from time to time.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be profitable or avoid losses in
any future period, and the Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of
its results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be
relied upon as any indication of future performance.
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE. The CRM software market is subject to rapid
technological change, frequent new product introductions and evolving
technologies and industry standards that can quickly render existing products
and services obsolete. While the Company is not aware of any emerging products
that are likely to render its existing products obsolete, there can be no
assurance that the Company's products could not suffer such obsolescence.
Because of the rapid pace of technological change in the application software
industry, the Company's current market position in field service and customer
support automation or other markets that it may enter could be eroded rapidly by
product advancements. The Company's application environment relies primarily on
software development tools from Microsoft Corporation, Progress Software
Corporation and PowerSoft Corporation, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. If
alternative software development tools were to be designed and generally
accepted by the marketplace, the Company could be at a competitive disadvantage
relative to companies employing such alternative developmental tools, possibly
resulting in material harm to the Company's financial condition and results of
operation.
NEED TO EXPAND INDIRECT SALES. The Company has historically sold its
products through its direct sales force and a limited number of distributors.
The Company's ability to achieve significant revenue growth
14
in the future will depend in large part on its success in establishing
relationships with distributors, resellers and systems integrators. The Company
is currently investing, and plans to continue to invest, significant resources
to expand its domestic and international direct sales force and develop
distribution relationships with certain third party distributors, resellers and
systems integrators. The Company's distributors also sell or can potentially
sell products offered by the Company's competitors. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to retain or attract a sufficient number of its
existing or future third party distribution partners or that such partners will
recommend, or continue to recommend, the Company's products. The inability to
establish or maintain successful relationships with distributors, resellers or
systems integrators could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results or financial condition. Any failure by the Company
to maintain and train its direct sales force and expand other distribution
channels would materially adversely affect the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL SALES. In 1998, international sales
represented approximately 32% of the Company's total revenues. In 1997,
international sales represented approximately 28% of the Company's total
revenues. In 1996, international sales represented approximately 31% of the
Company's total revenues. The Company expects that international sales will
continue to be a significant component of its business. International sales are
subject to a variety of significant risks, including difficulties in
establishing and managing international distribution channels and in translating
products into foreign languages. International operations also may encounter
difficulties in collecting accounts receivable, staffing and managing personnel
and enforcing intellectual property rights. Other factors that can also
adversely affect international operations include fluctuations in the value of
foreign currencies and currency exchange rates, changes in import/export duties
and quotas, introduction of tariff or non-tariff barriers, potentially adverse
tax consequences, possible recessionary environments in economies outside the
United States, changes in the market for business software as a result of
currency unification in Europe, and economic or political changes in
international markets. The current economic difficulties in several Asian
countries could have an adverse impact on the Company's international operations
in future periods. In addition, the Company's international revenues may also be
affected to a great extent by seasonal fluctuations resulting from lower sales
that typically occur during the summer months in Europe and other parts of the
world.
YEAR 2000 RISKS. The "Year 2000" risk arises because some computer
programs, particularly older ones, were written using two digits rather than
four to define the applicable year--for example, date-sensitive software may
recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This
could result in system failures or miscalculations causing disruptions of
operations, including, among others, a temporary inability to process
transactions and information, send invoices, or engage in similar normal
business activities.
The Company's Software. The Company continues to review and test its
existing product offerings to ensure that these offerings are adequately able to
address the issues expected to arise in connection with the upcoming change in
the century. The Company does not believe that it has material exposure to the
Year 2000 issue with respect to its own products and information systems.
ServiceAlliance and certain later recent releases of DISPATCH-1 (versions 8.0,
6.0j and 6.2g) are designed to accurately calculate, compare and sequence date
and time data between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The Company has
implemented plans and announced timetables for modifying or phasing out the
remainder of its products (older versions of DISPATCH-1) that are not currently
able to calculate, compare and sequence all date and time data between the
twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The Company regularly provides its
customers with current information on the status of these development efforts.
There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will successfully complete
this development in the published timeframes. In addition, the Company has not
fully determined the extent to which the Company's products may be impacted by
third parties' systems, which may not be Year 2000 compliant. Failure by the
Company to successfully modify or phase out its older systems that are not year
2000 compliant within the published timeframes could have a material, adverse
effect on the Company's operations and financial condition.
15
Other Software and Hardware. Non-information technology systems that use
embedded technology, such as microcontrollers, may also face Year 2000 risks.
The Company believes, however, that it does not have a material Year 2000 risk
related to non-information technology systems, and the Company is currently
reviewing these systems. In addition, the Company is conducting an analysis to
determine the extent to which its major vendors' systems (insofar as they relate
to the Company's business) are subject to the Year 2000 risk. To date, all
major vendors that have been reviewed are compliant. This review is expected to
be completed by mid-1999 with the replacement of all non-compliant vendors by
the end of 1999. While the Company has made efforts to seek reassurance from
its suppliers, there can be no assurance that the systems of other companies
with which the Company deals or on which the Company's systems rely will be
timely converted, or that any such failure to convert by another company could
not have an adverse effect on the Company. The Company also faces potential
loss of revenue from customers who may have Year 2000 problems in their own
businesses. Currently, the Company is unable to predict how and to what extent
its operations may be affected by Year 2000 issues at its customers; however,
Year 2000 issues at a significant customer could have a material adverse effect
on the Company.
Costs and Contingency Plans. To date, the Company has not made any
contingency plans to address third-party Year 2000 risks. The Company plans to
formulate contingency plans to the extent necessary in fiscal 1999. Costs
related to Year 2000 remediation at the Company have been and are expected to be
immaterial, since the Company's systems have been and will be upgraded on a
normal replacement schedule with only immaterial purchases of hardware and
software and opportunity costs of Company personnel to ensure that new systems
and those of third parties are Year 2000 compliant. The Company estimates that
the expenses and capital expenditures associated with achieving Year 2000
compliance will approximate $100,000. Funding for these costs will come from
cash flows from operations. The Company has not deferred any significant system
projects due to its Year 2000 efforts.
Legal Liabilities. The law regarding liability for Year 2000 problems is
evolving rapidly and could become more friendly to users of software with
alleged Year 2000 deficiencies. The Company limits its contractual warrantees
on Year 2000 compliance to objective performance standards that the Company has
tested, and the Company makes no warrantees for nonconformance if the Company's
software products are combined with other software or data that are not
conducive to accurately calculating, comparing or sequencing date and time data
between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Nonetheless, there can be no
assurance that some of the Company's customers will not assert legal claims
against the Company based on Year 2000 theories of liability. While the Company
believes that such claims would be precluded by its contracts, if such a claim
were upheld in court, the resulting expense to the Company and diversion of
management and development time could have a material, adverse effect on the
Company's operations and financial condition.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL; COMPETITION FOR EMPLOYEES. The future success
of the Company will depend in large part on its ability to attract and retain
talented and qualified employees, including skilled management personnel. The
Company's future success also depends on its continuing ability to attract and
retain highly qualified technical, sales and managerial personnel. Competition
for key personnel is intense, particularly so in recent years. From time to time
the Company has experienced difficulty in recruiting and retaining talented and
qualified employees. There can be no assurance that the Company can retain its
key technical, sales and managerial employees or that it can attract, assimilate
or retain other highly qualified technical, sales and managerial personnel in
the future. The inability of the Company to hire talented personnel or the loss
of key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business
and results of operations.
CONCENTRATION OF OWNERSHIP. Zack B. Bergreen, the Company's Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, as of March 19, 1999, beneficially owned approximately
49% of the outstanding Common Stock of the
16
Company. As a result, Mr. Bergreen exercises significant control over the
Company through his ability to influence and control the election of directors
and all other matters that require action by the Company's stockholders. Under
certain circumstances, Mr. Bergreen could prevent or delay a change of control
of the Company which may be favored by a significant portion of the Company's
other stockholders, or cause a change of control not favored by the majority of
the Company's other stockholders. Mr. Bergreen's ability under certain
circumstances to influence, cause or delay a change in control of the Company
also may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Company's Common
Stock.
RISKS OF DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY. The Company's success is
heavily dependent upon proprietary technology. The Company's products are
licensed to customers under signed license agreements containing, among other
terms, provisions protecting against the unauthorized use, copying and transfer
of the licensed program. In addition, the Company relies on a combination of
trade secret, copyright and trademark laws and non-disclosure agreements to
protect its proprietary rights in its products and technology. Policing
unauthorized use of the Company's software is difficult and, while the Company
is unable to determine the extent to which piracy of its software products
exists, software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem. In addition,
the laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company's proprietary
rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. There can be no
assurance that measures taken by the Company will be adequate to protect the
Company's proprietary technology. In addition, there can be no assurance that
the Company's competitors will not independently develop technologies that are
substantially equivalent or superior to the Company's technologies. In addition,
although the Company believes that its products and technologies do not infringe
on any existing proprietary rights of others, and although there are no pending
lawsuits against the Company regarding infringement of any existing patents or
other intellectual property rights or any notices that the Company is infringing
the intellectual property rights of others, there can be no assurance that such
infringement claims will not be asserted by third parties in the future. Any
such situations can have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and
results of operations.
RISK OF PRODUCT DEFECTS; FAILURE TO MEET PERFORMANCE CRITERIA. The
Company's field service and customer support software is intended for use in
enterprise-wide applications that may be critical to a customer's business. As a
result, the Company's customers and potential customers typically have demanding
requirements for installation and deployment. Software products as complex as
those offered by the Company may contain errors or failures, particularly when
software must be customized for a particular licensee, when new products are
first introduced or when new versions are released. Although the Company
conducts extensive product testing during product development, the Company has
at times delayed commercial release of software until problems were corrected
and, in some cases, has provided enhancements to correct errors in released
software. The Company could, in the future, lose revenues as a result of
software errors or defects. There can be no assurance that, despite testing by
the Company and by current and potential customers, errors will not be found in
software, customizations or releases after commencement of commercial shipments,
resulting in loss or delay of revenue or delay in market acceptance, diversion
of development resources or increased service and warranty costs, any of which
could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.
BURDENS OF CUSTOMIZATION. Certain of the Company's clients request
customization of DISPATCH-1 products to address unique characteristics of their
businesses or computing environments. The Company's commitment to customization
could place a burden on the Company's client support resources or delay the
delivery or installation of products which, in turn, could materially adversely
affect the Company's relationship with significant clients or otherwise
adversely affect its business and results of operations. In addition, the
Company could incur penalties or reductions in revenues for failures to develop
or timely deliver new products or product enhancements under development
agreements and other arrangements with customers.
17
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE. The market price of the Common Stock
has in the past been, and may continue to be, subject to significant
fluctuations in response to, and may be adversely affected by, variations in
quarterly operating results, changes in earnings estimates by analysts,
developments in the software industry, adverse earnings or other financial
announcements of the Company's customers and general stock market conditions as
well as other factors. In addition, the stock market can experience extreme
price and volume fluctuations from time to time which may bear no meaningful
relationship to the Company's performance.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The Company's headquarters are located in a leased facility of
approximately 51,000 square feet in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The Company also
leases facilities for operational activities in Bedford, Massachusetts; Houten,
the Netherlands; and Tefen, Israel; and for sales and customer support
activities in Cranfield, England; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; St. Leonards,
Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand. The Company believes that suitable
additional or alternative office space will be available in the future on
commercially reasonable terms as needed.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims
arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. In addition,
since the Company enters into a number of large contracts requiring the complex
installation of software products and the implementation of considerable
professional services over several quarterly periods, the Company is from time
to time engaged in discussions and deliberations with customers regarding the
adequacy and timeliness of the installation or service, product functionality
and features desired by the customer and additional work and product
requirements that were not anticipated at the commencement of the project. These
deliberations sometimes result in changes in services required, upward or
downward price adjustments, or reworking of contract terms. The Company from
time to time will reserve funds for contingencies under contract deliberations.
The Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings, the adverse
outcome of which, in management's opinion, would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. See
Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report, through the solicitation of
proxies or otherwise.
18
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "ATEA." The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale
prices for the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market for the
past two fiscal years:
1997: High Low
----------- --------------
First quarter $6.38 $3.89
Second quarter 3.75 1.94
Third quarter 3.19 2.38
Fourth quarter 2.94 1.75
1998:
First quarter 4.38 1.81
Second quarter 3.50 1.94
Third quarter 2.97 1.63
Fourth quarter 2.03 1.41
As of March 19, 1999, there were approximately 83 holders of record of the
Company's Common Stock. (Because "holders of record" include only stockholders
listed with the Company's transfer agent and exclude stockholders listed
separately with financial nominees, this number does not accurately reflect the
actual number of beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock, of which the
Company estimates there were more than 2,700 on such date.) On March 19, 1999,
the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market
was $3.25 per share.
The Company has not paid a dividend since its initial public offering and
does not presently intend to declare a cash dividend on the Common Stock in the
foreseeable future and expects to retain future earnings to fund the development
and growth of its business.
As of December 31, 1998, the Company has used all of the $42,057,000 net
proceeds from its initial public offering of common stock. The use of proceeds
includes $9,952,000 for the acquisition of Abalon AB, $3,416,000 for expenses
incurred in connection with the merger with Bendata, Inc., $7,779,000 of S
corporation distributions paid to the majority stockholder, $6,900,000 for
purchases and installation of property and equipment, $2,536,000 for repayment
of indebtedness and $11,474,000 of working capital for product development
activities and general operations.
19
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Years ended December 31, 1998 1997 1996 1995(2) 1994
- --------------------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- -------------- ---------
(in thousands, except per
share data)
STATEMENT OF INCOME
DATA:(1)
Revenues:
Software license
fees.............. $ 5,822 $ 9,213 $ 15,792 $ 22,659 $10,760
Services and
maintenance....... 23,119 22,948 26,010 20,357 9,683
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total revenues. 28,941 32,161 41,802 43,016 20,443
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Cost and expenses:
Cost of software
license fees(3)... 1,957 2,749 2,462 2,733 1,399
Cost of services
and maintenance... 17,583 16,054 18,908 13,717 6,386
Product
development....... 5,718 8,653 6,628 3,588 2,461
Sales and
marketing......... 7,976 8,367 14,053 9,232 4,463
General and
administrative(4). 5,297 11,127 7,524 5,449 2,914
Restructuring
charge(5)......... (800) 5,328 - - -
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total costs and
expenses.......... 37,731 52,278 49,575 34,719 17,623
Income (loss) from
continuing operations
before interest and taxes.. (8,790) (20,117) (7,773) 8,297 2,820
Net interest expense
(income)................... (496) (4) (632) (283) 324
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations
before income taxes........ (8,294) (20,113) (7,141) 8,580 2,496
Provision (benefit) for
income taxes(6)............ (803) (877) (2,355) 1,883 49
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations...... (7,491) (19,236) (4,786) 6,697 2,447
Gain on sale of
discontinued operations.... 43,339 - - - -
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations.... (1,697) 742 (14,921) 50 420
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Net income (loss)........... $34,151 $(18,494) $(19,707) $ 6,747 $ 2,867
======= ======== ======== ======== =======
Basic earnings (loss) per
share:
Continuing operations..... $ (0.56) $ (1.45) $ (0.37) $ 0.64 $ 0.27
Gain on sale of
discontinued operations.. 3.22 - - - -
Discontinued operations... (0.13) 0.05 (1.16) - 0.05
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
$ 2.53 $ (1.40) $ (1.53) $ 0.64 $ 0.32
======= ======== ======== ======== =======
Diluted earnings (loss) per
share:
Continuing operations..... $ (0.56) $ (1.45) $ (0.37) $ 0.59 $ 0.26
Gain on sale of
discontinued operations.. 3.22 - - - -
Discontinued operations... (0.13) 0.05 (1.16) - 0.04
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
$ 2.53 $ (1.40) $ (1.53) $ 0.59 $ 0.30
======= ======== ======== ======== =======
Shares used in computing
basic earnings (loss) per
share...................... 13,478 13,252 12,844 10,514 9,100
Shares used in computing
diluted earnings (loss)
per share.................. 13,478 13,252 12,844 11,484 9,539
Pro Forma Data:
Historical income
from continuing
operations before
income taxes...... $ 8,580 $ 2,496
Provisions for
income taxes(6)... 3,433 958
-------- -------
Pro forma income
from continuing
operations........ $ 5,147 $ 1,538
======== =======
Pro forma basic
earnings per
share............. $ 0.49 $ 0.17
======== =======
Pro forma diluted
earnings per
share............. $ 0.45 $ 0.16
======== =======
Balance Sheet Data:(1)
Working capital............. $45,542 $ 11,409 $ 24,748 $ 41,951 $ 4,188
Total assets................ 63,613 30,525 49,795 64,889 19,296
Long-term debt, less
current portion............ 468 1,477 3,609 2,532 2,913
Retained earnings (deficit). (1,351) (35,502) (17,008) 2,699 4,963
Total stockholders' equity.. 49,017 13,429 31,617 47,920 6,368
20
(1) The Company sold Bendata in September 1998 (effective July 1, 1998) and
sold Abalon in December 1998. The results of Bendata and Abalon have been
treated as discontinued for all periods presented. See Note 3 of the Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) In February 1995, the Company acquired Astea BV. The results of operations
after the acquisition date are included in the statement of income data.
See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3) Included in cost of software license fees in the first quarter of 1997 is a
write-off of $453,000 of capitalized software development costs related to
the Company's support automation product, PowerHelp, and to older versions
of certain service automation modules which are no longer marketed by the
Company. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(4) As a result of the restructuring during the first quarter of 1997, the
Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $2,058,000 which is
included in general and administrative expense. This charge related to the
1995 acquisition of Astea BV. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
(5) Included in the first quarter of 1997 is a restructuring charge of
$5,328,000 which includes severance costs, office closing costs and other
consolidation costs. In the second quarter of 1998, $800,000 was reversed
due to lower than expected costs. See Note 4 of the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
(6) Until July 1995, Astea had operated as an S corporation for income tax
purposes since its inception in 1979. Therefore, the historical financial
statements before conversion to C corporation status do not include a
provision for federal and state income taxes for such years, except for
certain state income taxes imposed at the corporate level. Pro forma net
income has been computed as if the Company had been fully subject to
federal and state income taxes based on the tax laws in effect during the
respective years.
21
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
OVERVIEW
This document contains various forward-looking statements and information
that are based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and
information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to
various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to vary
materially from those contained in such forward looking statements. Should one
or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those
anticipated, estimated, expected or projected. Certain of these as well as other
risks and uncertainties are described in more detail in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
The Company develops, markets and supports front-office solutions for the
Customer Relationship Management ("CRM") software market. Astea's client/server
and host-based applications are designed specifically for organizations for
which field service and customer support are considered mission critical aspects
of business operations. The Company's principal product offerings -
ServiceAlliance and DISPATCH-1 - deliver powerful functionality that enables
organizations with a high degree of field service and customer support
requirements to improve customer satisfaction, build customer loyalty, and
decrease the cost of customer service by increasing revenue opportunities while
diminishing costs. Astea's software is used by companies worldwide, distributed
across a variety of industries that provide maintenance and repair services,
including telecommunications, information technology, healthcare, process and
control technologies, and white goods. The Company maintains operations in the
United States, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, France, the United
Kingdom, Japan and Israel.
The Company generates revenues from two sources: software license fees for
its software products, and services and maintenance revenues from professional
services, which includes consulting, customization, implementation, training and
maintenance related to those products.
Software license fees, which accounted for 20% of the Company's total
revenues in 1998, consist of license fees for the Company's products. Software
license fee revenues also include some fees from the sublicensing of third-party
software, primarily consisting of relational database licenses constituting an
integral part of the Company's products. Typically, customers pay a license fee
for the software based on the number of licensed users. Depending on the
contract terms and conditions, software license fees are recognized as revenue
upon delivery of the product if no significant vendor obligations remain and
collection of the resulting receivable is deemed probable. If significant vendor
obligations exist at delivery or if the product is subject to customer
acceptance, revenue is deferred until no significant obligations remain or
acceptance has occurred.
The second component of the Company's revenues consists principally of fees
derived from professional services associated with the implementation and
deployment of the Company's software products and, to a lesser extent,
maintenance fees for ongoing customer support, primarily external customer
technical support services and product enhancements. Professional services
(including training) are charged on an hourly or daily basis and billed monthly
pursuant to customer work orders. Training services may also be charged on a
per-attendee basis with a minimum daily charge. Out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by company personnel performing professional services are typically reimbursed
by the customer. The Company recognizes revenue from professional services as
the services are performed. Annual maintenance fees are typically paid to the
Company under agreements entered into at the time of the initial software
license. Maintenance revenue, which is invoiced annually upon the expiration of
the warranty period, is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement, which
is usually twelve months.
22
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected
financial data and the percentages of the Company's total revenues represented
by each line item presented for the periods presented:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years ended December 31, 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
Software license fees 20.1% 28.6% 37.8%
Services and maintenance 79.9 71.4 62.2
Total revenues 100.0 100.0 100.0
--------------------------------------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of software license fees 6.8% 8.6% 5.9%
Cost of services and maintenance 60.7 49.9 45.2
Product development 19.8 26.9 15.9
Sales and marketing 27.6 26.0 33.6
General and administrative 18.3 34.6 18.0
Restructuring charge (2.8) 16.6 -
Total costs and expenses 130.4% 162.6% 118.6%
--------------------------------------
COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
Revenues. Total revenues decreased $3,220,000, or 10%, to $28,941,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1998 from $32,161,000 for the year ended December
31, 1997. This decrease is primarily due to the decreasing demand within the
DISPATCH-1 product line which decreased $4,779,000 or 16% in 1998 to $25,168,000
from $29,947,000 in 1997. The decrease in DISPATCH-1 product line revenues was
offset by a $2,433,000 increase in ServiceAlliance product line revenue to
$3,361,000 in 1998 from $928,000 in 1997. The Company's international operations
contributed $9,317,000 in 1998 compared to $9,107,000 in 1997. This represents
a 2% increase over the same period last year and is 32% of total revenues in
1998 compared to 28% of total revenues in 1997.
Software license fee revenues decreased $3,391,000 or 37% to $5,822,000 in
1998 from $9,213,000 in 1997. License fee revenues for DISPATCH-1 decreased
$4,104,000 or 54% from $7,586,000 in 1997 to $3,482,000 in 1998 due to
decreasing demand for this product. For ServiceAlliance, which was introduced
in August 1997, license fee revenues were $2,207,000 in 1998 compared to
$896,000 in 1997, an increase of 146%. PowerHelp, which is no longer directly
marketed by Astea, had license revenues of $133,000 in 1998 compared to $731,000
in 1997.
Total services and maintenance revenues increased $171,000 or 1% to
$23,119,000 in 1998 from $22,948,000 in 1997. The increase in service and
maintenance revenues is attributable to an increase in ServiceAlliance offset by
a decrease in DISPATCH-1 and PowerHelp revenues. ServiceAlliance service and
maintenance revenues increased to $1,154,000 in 1998 from $32,000 in 1997 due to
increases in new licenses sold in prior periods. DISPATCH-1 service and
maintenance revenues decreased 3% or $675,000 to $21,686,000 in 1998 from
$22,361,000 in 1997, due to the decrease in new licenses sold in prior periods.
PowerHelp service and maintenance revenues were $279,000 in 1998 compared to
$555,000 in 1997.
In 1998, the Company had two customers which accounted for 26% of total
revenues. In 1997, one customer accounted for 17% of total revenues.
23
Costs of Revenues. Costs of software license fee revenues decreased 29%,
or $792,000, to $1,957,000 in 1998 from $2,749,000 in 1997. The software license
gross margin decreased by 4% to 66% in 1998 from 70% in 1997. The combination
of lower software license revenue and fixed costs of capitalized software
amortization are the causes of the lower software license gross margin.
Amortization of capitalized software increased 11%, or $984,000, to $1,108,000
in 1998 from $577,000 in 1997. The 1997 amortization includes a write-off of
$453,000 of net capitalized software costs.
The costs of services and maintenance revenues increased 10%, or
$1,529,000, to $17,583,000 in 1998 from $16,054,000 in 1997. The service and
maintenance gross margin percentage decreased to 24% in 1998 from 30% in 1997.
The lower margins were attributable to the start-up costs associated with
ServiceAlliance, the Company's newest product offering. ServiceAlliance was
commercially released in August 1997.
Product Development. Product development expenses decreased 34%, or
$2,935,000, to $5,718,000 in 1998 from $8,653,000 in 1997. Product development
as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 20% in 1998 compared to 27% in
1997. The Company's total product development costs, including capitalized
software development costs were $6,518,000 or 23% of revenues in 1998 compared
to $9,603,000 or 30% of revenues in 1997, a decrease of $3,085,000 or 32%.
During the second quarter of 1998, the Company completed the specifications of
its Greenshark development tool project. At that time, the Company determined
that due to the scope of this project, third party development tools would be
used in the Company's future development activities and incurred no further
Greenshark development expenditures. In addition, the decrease in development
expense in 1998 relates to reduced charges for third-party consultants and
reduced salary expense and related benefits. The capitalized portions of total
product development costs were $800,000 in 1998 compared to $950,000 in 1997.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses decreased 5%, or
$391,000, to $7,976,000 in 1998 from $8,367,000 in 1997. The decrease primarily
relates to lower commissions as a result of lower license revenue in 1998
compared to 1997. Sales and marketing expense as a percentage of total revenues
increased 28% in 1998 from 26% in 1997.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased
52%, or $5,830,000, to $5,297,000 in 1998 from $11,127,000 in 1997. As a
percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to
18% in 1998 compared to 35% in 1997. This decrease primarily relates to non-
recurring charges of $5,131,000 in 1997. These charges include $2,058,000 for
the write-off of Astea BV goodwill and $3,073,000 of contingency reserve for the
possible failure to deliver a commercial release of software product under a
beta development agreement, payment of cash and stock options related to the
settlement of claims by a stockholder and other contingencies. Excluding the
non-recurring charges recorded in the first quarter of 1997, general and
administrative expenses decreased $699,000, or 12%, as a result of efficiencies
from the first quarter 1997 restructuring.
Restructuring Charge. During the first quarter of 1997, the Company
recorded a restructuring charge of $5,328,000 for actions aimed at reducing
costs and consolidating its development activities. Since the restructuring was
announced, the Company aggressively continued to close and consolidate excess
capacity. Through December 1998, these payments totaled $4,376,000, including
severance of $1,240,000, office-closing costs and unutilized lease expense of
$2,398,000 and other consolidation costs of $738,000. During the second quarter
of 1998, the Company, based upon then current facts, evaluated its restructuring
accrual and determined that $800,000 was not needed and, accordingly, the
accrual was adjusted. This excess related to lower than expected office-closing
costs.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $492,000, to $496,000
in 1998 from $4,000 in 1997. This increase was primarily attributable to the
cash received due to the sale of Bendata.
24
International Operations. Total revenue from the Company's international
operations grew by $210,000, or 2% to $9,317,000 in 1998 from $9,107,000 in
1997. The increase in revenue from international operations was primarily
attributable to the introduction of ServiceAlliance in the third quarter of
1997, offset by reductions in DISPATCH-1 and PowerHelp due to decreasing demand.
International operations resulted in a $934,000 loss for 1998 compared to a loss
of $5,170,000 in 1997. The 1997 loss includes $4,022,000 of non-recurring
charges. These charges include $2,058,000 for the write-off of Astea BV goodwill
and $1,964,000 charge for restructuring the Company's international operations.
The current economic difficulties of several Asian countries could have an
adverse impact on the Company's international operations in future periods.
COMPARISON OF YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
Revenues. Total revenues decreased 23% to $32,161,000 in 1997 from
$41,802,000 in 1996. This decrease is primarily due to decreasing demand within
the DISPATCH-1 product line which realized a 21% decline in total revenues. The
Company's international operations contributed $9,107,000 in 1997 compared to
$12,870,000 in 1996.
Software license fee revenues decreased 42%, or $6,579,000, to $9,213,000
in 1997 from $15,792,000 in 1996. DISPATCH-1 software license revenues decreased
39%, or $4,930,000, to $7,586,000 in 1997 from $12,516,000 in 1996. This
decrease was due primarily to increased competition in the CRM software
marketplace, which reduced the number of large volume software license
agreements in 1997. PowerHelp software license revenues decreased $2,546,000 to
$731,000 in 1997 from $3,277,000 in 1996. The Company restructured during the
first quarter of 1997 and ended its direct marketing of PowerHelp.
ServiceAlliance, which was introduced in the third quarter of 1997, had $896,000
of software license fees in 1997.
Services and maintenance revenues decreased 12%, or $3,062,000, to
$22,948,000 in 1997 from $26,010,000 in 1996. DISPATCH-1 service and maintenance
revenues decreased 12% or $2,985,000 to $22,361,000 in 1997 from $25,346,000 due
to decreasing volume in new licenses sold.
In 1997 and 1996, the Company had one customer which accounted for 17%
and 12% of total revenues, respectively.
Costs of Revenues. Costs of software license fee revenues increased 12%,
or $287,000, to $2,749,000 in 1997 from $2,462,000 in 1996. The software license
gross margin decreased to 70% in 1997 from 84% in 1996. The decrease in software
license gross margins was due to the increase in the aggregate cost of third-
party software licenses sold in conjunction with the Company's products and the
combination of lower software license revenues and the fixed cost of capitalized
software amortization. Amortization of capitalized software increased 96%, or
$504,000, to $1,030,000 in 1997 from $526,000 in 1996. Included in amortization
expense for 1997 is $453,000 of capitalized software written off in 1997.
The costs of services and maintenance revenues decreased 15%, or
$2,854,000, to $16,054,000 from $18,908,000 in 1996. This decrease was
attributable to cost reductions resulting from the first quarter 1997
restructuring. The gross margin on services and maintenance revenues increased
to 30% in 1997 from 27% in 1996.
Product Development. Product development expenses increased 31%, or
$2,025,000, to $8,653,000 in 1997 from $6,628,000 in 1996. This increase is a
result of the Company's commitment to bring new product offerings to the market
along with the enhancement of existing products including the Company's August
1997 introduction of ServiceAlliance. As a percentage of revenues, product
development expenses increased to 27% in 1997 from 16% in 1996. The Company's
total product development costs, including capitalized software
25
development costs, were $9,603,000, or 30% of revenues in 1997 compared to
$8,486,000, or 20% of revenues in 1996, an increase of 13% or $1,117,000. The
capitalized portions of total product development costs were $950,000 in 1997
compared to $1,858,000 in 1996.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses decreased 40%, or
$5,686,000, to $8,367,000 in 1997 from $14,053,000 in 1996. This decrease
resulted from reduced headcount and related benefits, as well as lower
commissions as a result of reduced license fee revenues in 1997 compared to
1996. Sales and marketing expense as a percentage of revenues decreased to 26%
in 1997 from 34% in 1996.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased
48%, or $3,603,000, to $11,127,000 in 1997 from $7,524,000 in 1996. As a
percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 35% in
1997 compared to 18% in 1996. This increase primarily relates to non-recurring
charges of $5,131,000 in 1997. These charges include $2,058,000 for the write-
off of Astea BV goodwill and $3,073,000 of contingency reserves for the possible
failure to deliver a commercial release of software product under a beta
development agreement, payment of cash and stock options related to the
settlement of claims by a stockholder and other contingencies in 1997. Excluding
the non-recurring charges of $5,131,000 recorded in the first quarter of 1997,
general and administrative expenses decreased by $1,528,000 in 1997, primarily
due to a charge of $1,400,000 in 1996 to address a customer satisfaction issue.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased 99%, or $628,000, to
$4,000 in 1997 from $632,000 in 1996. This decrease was the result of decreased
investments due to cash used for the 1996 acquisitions of Bendata and Abalon and
for the operating cash requirements of the Company .
International Operations. Total revenues from the Company's
international operations decreased by $3,764,000 to $9,107,000 in 1997 from
$12,870,000 in 1996. This decrease is primarily due to the decreasing demand
within the DISPATCH-1 product line. International operations resulted in a loss
of $5,170,000 in 1997 compared to a loss of $3,263,000 in 1996. The 1997 loss
includes $4,022,000 of non-recurring charges. These charges include $2,058,000
for the write-off of Astea BV goodwill and $1,964,000 charge for restructuring
the Company's international operations.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash used in operating activities was $8,525,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1998 compared to $1,594,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997.
This increased use of cash was primarily attributable to an increased net loss,
increased payments for restructuring charges and accounts payable and accrued
expenses, reduced collection of receivables, an increase in the net deferred
income tax asset as well as timing of income tax refunds and non-cash goodwill
write-down and elimination of non-cash expenses related to the issuance of stock
and stock options in various dispute settlements (See Note 13 of the Notes to
the Consolidated Financial Statements). The increases were offset by the
Company's higher net income.
The Company generated $18,216,000 of cash from investing activities in
1998 compared to $6,408,000 in 1997. The increase was attributable to the
proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, offset by purchases of
investments available for sale and purchases of fixed assets.
The Company generated $263,000 in financing activities for the year ended
December 31, 1998 compared to cash used of $942,000 for the year ended December
31, 1997. The increase in cash generated was attributable to the use of a tax
benefit from the exercise of options in 1998.
At December 31, 1998, the Company had a working capital ratio of
approximately 4.3:1, with cash and investments available for sale of
$36,894,000. The Company believes that it has adequate cash resources to
26
make the investments necessary to maintain or improve its current position and
to sustain its continuing operations for the foreseeable future. The Company
does not anticipate that its operations or financial condition will be affected
materially by inflation.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
During 1998, the Company divested its Bendata and Abalon subsidiaries.
The closing of the Bendata sale was effective as of July 1, 1998, and the
closing of the Abalon sale was effective December 31, 1998. Through Bendata,
the Company had offered the HEAT family of software applications for the
internal help desk automation market. (HEAT is a trademark of Bendata, Inc.)
Through Abalon, the Company had offered the Abalon suite of sales and marketing
applications built around a central customer database. The Company's management
concluded that these past acquisitions did not contribute synergistically to a
strong market focus. Additionally, Astea could not provide adequate investment
across multiple products and markets to establish or maintain strong market
positions, while supporting the aggressive investment necessary to maintain or
improve its core market position. To better ensure long-term success, the
Company elected to maintain a clear and distinct market focus on field service
and support, which leverages its inherent industry expertise and knowledge. The
Bendata and Abalon operations have been treated as discontinued operations for
financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the operating results and assets and
liabilities of these businesses have been reflected separately from continuing
operations. During 1998, the Company recorded a gain on the sale of Bendata of
$34,267,000, net of taxes of $4,138,000, and a gain on the sale of Abalon of
$9,072,000, including a tax benefit of $1,201,000. See Note 3 of the Notes to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the discontinued
operations generated revenues of $18,095,000, $28,773,000 and $20,906,000,
respectively. The discontinued operations generated a net loss of $(1,697,000)
in 1998, net income of $742,000 in 1997 and net loss of $(14,921,000) in 1996.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
The Company's exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates
relates primarily to the Company's investment portfolio. The Company does not
have any derivative financial instruments in its portfolio. The Company places
its investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards. The
Company is adverse to principal loss and ensures the safety and preservation of
its invested funds by limiting default risk, market risk and reinvestment risk.
As of December 31, 1998, the Company's investments consisted of U.S. government
agencies securities, commercial paper and corporate bonds. The Company does not
expect any material loss with respect to its investment portfolio.
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
The Company does not use foreign currency forward exchange contracts or
purchased currency options to hedge local currency cash flows or for trading
purposes. All sales arrangements with international customers are denominated
in foreign currency. The Company does not expect any material loss with respect
to foreign currency risk.
27
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
Report of Independent Public Accountants
To Astea International Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Astea
International Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31,
1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1998. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Astea International
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying
Accounts, is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and
Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic financial statements.
This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit
of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all
material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
/s/Arthur Andersen LLP
Arthur Andersen LLP
Philadelphia, Pa.
February 12, 1999
28
ASTEA INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $14,291,000 $ 6,396,000
Investments available for sale 22,603,000 1,359,000
Notes and escrow receivable 9,407,000 -
Receivables, net of reserves of $768,000 and $1,224,000 9,347,000 9,265,000
Prepaid expenses and other 2,097,000 1,593,000
Deferred income taxes 1,462,000 819,000
Net assets of discontinued operations - 6,343,000
---------------------------------------------
Total current assets 59,207,000 25,775,000
Property and equipment, net 1,469,000 1,938,000
Capitalized software development costs, net 2,937,000 2,812,000
---------------------------------------------
Total assets $63,613,000 $ 30,525,000
=============================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 887,000 $ 995,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 8,673,000 9,214,000
Deferred revenues 4,105,000 4,157,000
---------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 13,665,000 14,366,000
Deferred income taxes 463,000 1,253,000
Long-term debt 468,000 1,477,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares
authorized, none issued - -
Common stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares
authorized, 13,540,000 and 13,361,000 shares issued and
outstanding 135,000 134,000
Additional paid-in capital 51,098,000 49,585,000
Deferred compensation (29,000) (43,000)
Cumulative currency translation adjustment (836,000) (745,000)
Accumulated deficit (1,351,000) (35,502,000)
---------------------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity 49,017,000 13,429,000
---------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $63,613,000 $ 30,525,000
=============================================
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE STATEMENTS.
29
ASTEA INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
Software license fees $ 5,822,000 $ 9,213,000 $ 15,792,000
Services and maintenance 23,119,000 22,948,000 26,010,000
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total revenues 28,941,000 32,161,000 41,802,000
-----------------------------------------------------------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of software license fees 1,957,000 2,749,000 2,462,000
Cost of services and maintenance 17,583,000 16,054,000 18,908,000
Product development 5,718,000 8,653,000 6,628,000
Sales and marketing 7,976,000 8,367,000 14,053,000
General and administrative 5,297,000 11,127,000 7,524,000
Restructuring charge (800,000) 5,328,000 -
-----------------------------------------------------------
Total costs and expenses 37,731,000 52,278,000 49,575,000
Loss from continuing operations before interest and taxes (8,790,000) (20,117,000) (7,773,000)
Interest income 688,000 343,000 1,060,000
Interest expense (192,000) (339,000) (428,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (8,294,000) (20,113,000) (7,141,000)
Income tax benefit 803,000 877,000 2,355,000
-----------------------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing operations (7,491,000) (19,236,000) (4,786,000)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes 43,339,000 - -
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (1,697,000) 742,000 (14,921,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $34,151,000 $(18,494,000) (19,707,000)
===========================================================
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ (0.56) $(1.45) $( 0.37)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations 3.22 - -
Discontinued operations (0.13) 0.05 (1.16)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 2.53 $(1.40) $(1.53)
===========================================================
Shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings
(loss) per share 13,478,000 13,252,000 12,844,000
===========================================================
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE STATEMENTS.
30
ASTEA INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CUMULATIVE
ADDITIONAL CURRENCY
PREFERRED PAID-IN DEFERRED TRANSLATION
STOCK COMMON STOCK CAPITAL COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENT
--------- ------------ ------------- ------------ -----------
Balance, January 1, 1996 - 124,000 45,600,000 (388,000) (115,000)
Issuance of common stock for the
purchase of Abalon
(see Note 3) - 2,000 4,998,000 - -
Grant of stock options below
fair market value - - 31,000 (31,000) -
Exercise of stock options - 5,000 544,000 - -
Amortization of deferred
compensation - - - 162,000 -
Cancellation of options granted - - (97,000) 97,000 -
S corporation distribution (see
Note 16) - - (1,979,000) - -
Cumulative currency translation
adjustment - - - - (328,000)
Net loss - - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 - 131,000 49,097,000 (160,000) (443,000)
Issuance of common stock in
dispute settlement (see Note - 1,000 202,000 - -
13)
Grant of stock options in dispute
settlement (see Note 13) - - 157,000 - -
Exercise of stock options - 2,000 96,000 - -
Amortization of deferred
compensation - - - 57,000 -
Cancellation of options granted - - (60,000) 60,000 -
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock purchase plan - - 93,000 - -
Cumulative currency translation
adjustment - - - - (302,000)
Net loss - - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 - 134,000 49,585,000 (43,000) (745,000)
Exercise of stock options - 1,000 93,000 - -
Tax benefit from exercise of
stock options - - 1,335,000 - -
Amortization of deferred
compensation - - - 52,000 -
Grant of stock options below
fair market value - - 38,000 (38,000) -
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock purchase plan - - 41,000 - -
Stock issued to Board of -
Directors - 6,000 - -
in lieu of cash payments
Cumulative currency translation
adjustment - - - - (91,000)
Net income
- - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 $ - $135,000 $51,098,000 $ (29,000) $(836,000
===============================================================================
RETAINED TOTAL
EARNINGS STOCKHOLDERS' COMPREHENSIVE
(Deficit) EQUITY INCOME (LOSS)
-------------- ------------- -------------
Balance, January 1, 1996 2,699,000 47,920,000
Issuance of common stock for the
purchase of Abalon
(see Note 3) - 5,000,000
Grant of stock options below
fair market value - -
Exercise of stock options - 549,000
Amortization of deferred
compensation - 162,000
Cancellation of options granted - -
S corporation distribution (see
Note 16) - (1,979,000)
Cumulative currency translation
adjustment - (328,000) (328,000)
Net loss (19,707,000) (19,707,000) (19,707,000)
--------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 (17,008,000) 31,617,000 (20,035,000)
Issuance of common stock in
dispute settlement (see Note - 203,000
13)
Grant of stock options in dispute
settlement (see Note 13) - 157,000
Exercise of stock options - 98,000
Amortization of deferred
compensation - 57,000
Cancellation of options granted - -
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock purchase plan - 93,000
Cumulative currency translation
adjustment - (302,000) (302,000)
Net loss (18,494,000) (18,494,000) (18,494,000)
--------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization
Balance, December 31, 1997 (35,502,000) 13,429,000 (18,796,000)
Exercise of stock options - 94,000
Tax benefit from exercise of
stock options - 1,335,000
Amortization of deferred
compensation - 52,000
Grant of stock options below
fair market value - -
Issuance of common stock under
employee stock purchase plan - 41,000
Stock issued to Board of
Directors - 6,000
in lieu of cash payments
Cumulative currency translation
adjustment - (91,000) (91,000)
Net income
34,151,000 34,151,000 34,151,000
-------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 $ (1,351,000) $ 49,017,000 $ 34,060,000
=======================================================
The accompanying notes are in intergral part of these statements.
31
ASTEA INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
---------------------------------------
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 34,151,000 $(18,494,000) $(19,707,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
used in operating activities:
Gain on sale of discontinued business (43,339,000) - -
(Gain)/loss on operations of discontinued business 1,697,000 (742,000) 14,921,000
Goodwill write-down - 2,058,000 -
Expense related to stock, stock options and debt
issued in dispute - 1,522,000 -
Write-off of capitalized software - 453,000 -
Non-cash restructuring charges - 832,000 -
Depreciation and amortization 2,388,000 2,216,000 2,246,000
Amortization of deferred compensation 52,000 57,000 162,000
Other (427,000) 29,000 (10,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables (236,000) 6,915,000 1,242,000
Prepaid expenses and other (705,000) (37,000) (108,000)
Income tax refund receivable - 1,516,000 (1,516,000)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,152,000 (734,000) (436,000)
Accrued restructuring (1,716,000) 1,868,000 -
Deferred revenues (109,000) (504,000) (1,050,000)
Deferred income taxes (1,433,000) 1,451,000 41,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in operating activities (8,525,000) (1,594,000) (4,215,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations (2,054,000) 288,000 (4,483,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net sales (purchases) of investments available for (21,244,000) 7,635,000 21,828,000
sale
Purchases of property and equipment (831,000) (277,000) (2,182,000)
Capitalized software development costs (800,000) (950,000) (1,858,000)
Payment for acquired businesses, net of cash
acquired - - (9,710,000)
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations 41,091,000 - -
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by investing activities 18,216,000 6,408,000 8,078,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings (repayments) on line of credit - (500,000) 500,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee
stock purchase plan 135,000 189,000 549,000
Net repayments of long-term debt (1,207,000) (631,000) (138,000)
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 1,335,000 - -
S corporation distribution and dividends paid to
stockholders - - (1,979,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 263,000 (942,000) (1,068,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents (5,000) 51,000 9,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 7,895,000 4,211,000 (1,679,000)
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of year 6,396,000 2,185,000 3,864,000
----------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of year $ 14,291,000 $ 6,396,000 $ 2,185,000
================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
32
ASTEA INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. COMPANY BACKGROUND
Astea International Inc. (the "Company" or "Astea") develops, markets,
and supports front-office solutions for the Customer Relationship Management
("CRM") software market. Astea's client/server and host-based applications
are designed specifically for organizations for which field service and
customer support are considered mission critical assets of business
operations. The Company licenses its products to companies worldwide,
distributed across a variety of industries that provide maintenance and repair
services, including telecommunications, information technology, healthcare,
process and control technologies and white goods.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated and combined financial statements include the accounts
of Astea International Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and branches.
The financial statements reflect the elimination of all significant
intercompany accounts and transactions.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Depending on contract terms and conditions, software license fees are
recognized upon delivery of the product if no significant vendor obligations
remain and collection of the resulting receivable is deemed probable. If
significant vendor obligations exist at delivery and/or the product is subject
to customer acceptance, revenue is deferred until no significant obligations
remain and/or acceptance has occurred. If the payment of the license fee is
coincident to services which are deemed to be essential to the transaction,
the license fee is deferred and recognized using contract accounting over the
period during which the services are performed. The Company's software
licensing agreements provide for customer support. The portion of the license
fee associated with customer support is unbundled from the license fee and is
recognized ratably over the warranty period as maintenance revenue. The
Company's revenue recognition policy is in accordance with the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Statement of Position No. 97-2,
"Software Revenue Recognition."
Services revenues, which include consulting, implementation and training,
are recognized as performed. Maintenance revenues are recognized ratably over
the terms of the maintenance agreements.
33
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an
original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Investments Available for Sale
Pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," the
Company determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity
securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each
balance sheet date. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, all short-term
investments have been classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale
securities are carried at fair value, based on quoted market prices, with
unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of
stockholders' equity. As of December 31, 1998 and 1997, unrealized losses and
gains were not material to the financial statements. Realized gains and
losses, computed using specific identification, and declines in value
determined to be permanent are recognized in the consolidated statements of
income.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Property and equipment
capitalized under capital leases are recorded at the present value of the
minimum lease payments due over the lease term. Depreciation and amortization
are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of
the related assets or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Gains and losses
on disposal are recognized in the year of the disposition. Expenditures for
repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred and significant
renewals and betterments are capitalized.
Capitalized Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes software development costs in accordance with
SFAS No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased
or Otherwise Marketed." The Company capitalizes software development costs
subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility and until the
product is available for general release. Costs incurred prior to the
establishment of technological feasibility are charged to product development
expense. Development costs associated with product enhancements that extend
the original product's life or significantly improve the original product's
marketability are also capitalized once technological feasibility has been
established. Software development costs are amortized on a product-by-product
basis over the greater of the ratio of current revenues to total anticipated
revenues or on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the
products (three to five years), beginning with the initial release to
customers. The Company continually evaluates whether events or circumstances
have occurred that indicate that the remaining useful life of the capitalized
software development costs should be revised or that the remaining balance of
such assets may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates the recoverability
of capitalized software based on the estimated future revenues of each
product. During 1997, the Company wrote-off capitalized software development
costs for products that were no longer marketed by the Company (see Note 4).
As of December 31, 1998, management believes that no revisions to the
remaining useful life or write-downs of capitalized software development costs
are required.
34
Goodwill
In February 1995, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Astea Service and Distribution System BV ("Astea BV") for
$1,760,000. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net
assets acquired of $2,628,000 was recorded as goodwill and was being amortized
on a straight-line basis over 10 years. In 1997, the Company wrote-off the
remaining value of goodwill related to Astea BV, which was $2,058,000
(goodwill of $2,628,000 and related accumulated amortization of $570,000) (See
Note 4).
Major Customers
In 1998, the Company had two customers, which, in the aggregate,
accounted for 26% of total revenues. In 1997 and 1996, the Company had one
customer which accounted for 17% and 12% of total revenues, respectively.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk consist principally of investments available for
sale and trade receivables. The Company does not require collateral from its
customers.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company paid
interest of $258,000, $424,000 and $415,000, respectively (of which zero,
$242,000 and $330,000, respectively, was paid to the majority stockholder and
his wife (see Note 16)); federal income taxes of $425,000, zero and $966,000,
respectively; and state income taxes of $70,000, zero and $173,000,
respectively. In 1997, the Company received a refund of federal income tax of
$1,516,000.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes," the objective of which is to recognize the
amount of current and deferred income taxes payable or refundable at the date
of the financial statements as a result of all events that have been
recognized in the financial statements as measured by enacted tax laws.
Currency Translation
The accounts of the international subsidiaries and branch operations are
translated in accordance with SFAS No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation,"
which requires that assets and liabilities of international operations be
translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The
results of operations are translated at average exchange rates during the
year. The effects of exchange rate fluctuations in translating assets and
liabilities of international operations into U.S. dollars are accumulated and
reflected as a cumulative currency translation adjustment in the accompanying
consolidated statements of stockholders' equity. Transaction gains and losses
are included in net income. There are no material transaction gains or losses
in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the periods
presented.
35
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Company presents earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128 ,
"Earnings per Share." Pursuant to SFAS No. 128, dual presentation of basic and
diluted earnings per share ("EPS") is required for companies with complex
capital structures on the face of the statements of income. Basic EPS is
computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common
shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS, reflects the potential
dilution from the exercise or conversion of securities into common stock.
Options to purchase 2,025,000, 1,980,000 and 1,859,000 shares of common stock
with an average exercise price per share of $2.16, $2.62 and $4.93 were
outstanding as of December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, but were
excluded from the diluted loss per common share calculation as the inclusion
of these options would have an antidilutive effect. The Company adopted SFAS
No. 128 in its 1997 financial statements.
In accordance with SFAS No. 128, all earnings (loss) per common share
data previously reported have been restated to comply with its provisions.
There is no effect of this accounting change on previously reported earnings
(loss) per common share data for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive
Income." SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and presentation of
comprehensive income (loss) and its components (revenues, expenses, gains and
losses) in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. This statement
also requires that all components of comprehensive income (loss) are displayed
with the same prominence as other financial statements. Comprehensive income
(loss) consists of net income (loss) and foreign currency translation
adjustments. The adoption of SFAS No. 130 had no impact on total
stockholders' equity and is presented on the accompanying Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders' Equity. Prior year financial statements have been
reclassified to conform with the provisions established in SFAS No. 130.
Segment Information
In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS No. 131 establishes standards
for the way that public business enterprises report financial information
about operating segments in financial statements. SFAS No. 131 also requires
additional disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and
major customers. The Company operates in one operating segment, therefore,
the adoption of SFAS No. 131 had no effect on the Company's existing
disclosures. See geographic segment data in Note 17.
36
3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Bendata
On February 27, 1996, the Company completed a merger with Bendata, Inc.
and Bendata UK Limited LLC, (collectively "Bendata"). Bendata develops
markets and supports the HEAT family of software applications for the internal
help desk automation market. The Company exchanged 1,500,000 shares of its
common stock for all of the outstanding capital stock of Bendata, Inc. and
membership interest in Bendata UK Limited LLC in a merger accounted for as a
pooling of interests (the "Merger"). In connection with the Merger, $3,416,000
of merger expenses ($2,609,000 after-tax) were incurred and charged to expense
in the first quarter of 1996. The Merger expenses consisted of bonus payments
made to Bendata non-shareholder employees, as well as legal, accounting and
investment banking fees.
In 1996, the Company's Australian branch acquired certain assets and
liabilities of Professional Help Desk PTY Limited ("Professional Help Desk"),
an Australian distributor of HEAT, for $58,000, forgiveness of a Bendata UK
Limited LLC royalty receivable of $213,000 and minimum future royalty payments
with a present value of $98,000. The Company's Australian branch began
marketing and supporting HEAT after this acquisition.
On September 4, 1998, the Company completed the sale of the capital stock
of Bendata, which was accounted for as if it were effective on July 1, 1998.
Effective on October 1, 1998, the Company's Australian branch ceased marketing
and supporting HEAT and transferred existing HEAT customers to the buyer of
Bendata. In consideration for the sale of Bendata, Astea received $35,000,000
in cash and a promissory note in the principal amount of $7,500,000, payable
on September 4, 1999, bearing interest at 4.89% per annum, secured by an
irrevocable letter of credit. In addition, Astea will receive a secured
promissory note, payable on September 4, 1999, in the principal amount of
approximately $807,000 subject to certain post-closing adjustments that have
not yet been reviewed by the buyer related to taxes. During the year ended
December 31, 1998, the Company recorded a gain of $34,267,000, net of taxes of
$4,138,000.
Abalon
On June 28, 1996, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of
Bebalon AB, the sole shareholder of E.L.G. Data AB, which was the sole
shareholder of Astea International AB, formerly Abalon AB (collectively
"Abalon") in a transaction accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting. The Company acquired Abalon for $9,652,000 in cash, 233,236
shares of common stock with a value of $5,000,000 and a $900,000 note payable
in equal annual installments in cash or stock over three years. In connection
with the acquisition, the Company recorded a one-time charge of $13,810,000
related to the fair value of in process research and development.
On December 31, 1998, Astea completed the sale of all of the capital
stock of Abalon. In consideration for the sale of Abalon, the Company
received $9,500,000 in cash, of which $1,100,000 was deposited in escrow until
July 1999. During the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company recorded a
gain of $9,072,000, including a tax benefit of $1,201,000.
Bendata and Abalon are being accounted for as discontinued operations.
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the operating
results and balance sheet items of the discontinued operations, as well as the
related transaction gains, separately from continuing operations.
37
Income (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated
statements of income was:
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
Bendata $11,880,000 $20,935,000 $ 16,675,000
Abalon 6,215,000 7,838,000 4,231,000
---------------------------------------------------------
Total $18,095,000 $28,773,000 $ 20,906,000
=========================================================
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES:
Bendata $ 1,293,000 $ 2,078,000 $ (597,000)
Abalon (2,844,000) (447,000) (13,582,000)
---------------------------------------------------------
Total (1,551,000) 1,631,000 (14,179,000)
INCOME TAXES:
Bendata 146,000 877,000 742,000
Abalon - 12,000 -
---------------------------------------------------------
Total 146,000 889,000 742,000
NET INCOME (LOSS):
Bendata 1,147,000 1,201,000 (1,339,000)
Abalon (2,844,000) (459,000) (13,582,000)
---------------------------------------------------------
Total $(1,697,000) $ 742,000 $(14,921,000)
=========================================================
The assets and liabilities of Bendata and Abalon have been reclassified in
the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets to separately identify them as net
assets of discontinued operations. A summary of these net assets of discontinued
operations as of December 31, 1998 is as follows:
BENDATA ABALON TOTAL
-----------------------------------------------------------
Current assets, excluding receivables $ 4,892,000 $ 28,000 $ 4,920,000
Receivables 5,484,000 3,320,000 8,804,000
Property and equipment, net 1,411,000 609,000 2,020,000
Goodwill 308,000 795,000 1,103,000
Capitalized software development costs, net - 744,000 744,000
Current liabilities (7,278,000) (3,712,000) (10,990,000)
Long-term liabilities (258,000) - (258,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Net assets of discontinued operations $ 4,559,000 $ 1,784,000 $ 6,343,000
===========================================================
38
4. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES
During the first quarter of 1997, the Company recorded a restructuring
charge of $5,328,000 for actions aimed at reducing costs and consolidating its
development activities primarily in its service automation product line. Since
the restructuring was announced, the Company aggressively continued to close
and consolidate excess capacity. Through December 1998, these charges totaled
$4,376,000, including severance of $1,240,000, office-closing costs and
unutilized lease expense of $2,398,000 and other consolidation costs of
$738,000. During the second quarter of 1998, the Company evaluated its
restructuring accrual based upon then current facts and determined that
$800,000 was not needed and, accordingly, the accrual was adjusted. This
excess related to lower than expected office-closing costs.
As of December 31, 1998, the balance of the accrued restructuring charge
of $152,000 is required for real and personal property leases payable through
June 1999 (See Note 10).
As a result of the restructuring, during the first quarter of 1997, the
Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $2,058,000, which is included
in general and administrative expense. This charge related to the 1995
acquisition of Astea BV, which experienced a deterioration in its operations.
In 1997, as a result of the restructuring of its operation, the Company closed
certain locations, which were part of Astea BV.
Included in cost of software license fees in the first quarter of 1997 is
a write-off of $453,000 of capitalized software development costs related to
the Company's PowerHelp product, and to older versions of DISPATCH-1 modules
which are no longer marketed by the Company.
5. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and money market accounts $11,089,000 $5,396,000
Commercial Paper 3,202,000 1,000,000
-----------------------------------------
$14,291,000 $6,396,000
=========================================
6. INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Agencies Securities $10,010,000 $1,054,000
Corporate bonds 12,593,000 305,000
-----------------------------------------
$22,603,000 $1,359,000
=========================================
All investments available for sale have maturities of less than twelve
months from the respective balance sheet date. Losses on sales of securities
for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were zero, $24,000 and
$59,000 respectively, and have been included in interest expense in the
accompanying consolidated statements of income.
39
7. RECEIVABLES
December 31, 1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Billed receivables $7,876,000 $6,903,000
Unbilled receivables 743,000 2,123,000
Royalties receivable 728,000 239,000
------------------------------------
$9,347,000 $9,265,000
====================================
Billed receivables represent billings for the Company's products and
services to end users, while royalties receivable represents billings to the
Company's value added resellers. Both balances are shown net of reserves for
estimated uncollectible amounts. Unbilled receivables represent contractual
amounts due within one year under software licenses, which are not yet
billable.
8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
USEFUL LIFE/ DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------
LEASETERM 1998 1997
------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Computers and related equipment 3 $ 4,325,000 $ 3,620,000
Furniture and fixtures 10 140,000 157,000
Equipment under capital leases 3 865,000 865,000
Leasehold improvements 15 114,000 71,000
Office equipment 3-7 429,000 366,000
Other 5 23,000 23,000
-----------------------------------
5,896,000 5,102,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation
and amortization (4,427,000) (3,164,000)
-----------------------------------
$ 1,469,000 $ 1,938,000
===================================
During 1997, the Company wrote-off property and equipment of $3,287,000
and accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,973,000 and recorded a net
charge to the restructuring accrual of $1,314,000 (see Note 4). Additionally,
during 1997, the Company terminated the building lease with its majority
stockholder and his wife and wrote-off $2,462,000 of building under capital
lease and $576,000 of accumulated amortization (see Note 16).
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
was $1,280,000, $1,574,000 and $1,655,000, respectively.
Equipment under capital leases includes telephone systems, computers and
related equipment. Title to the property is owned by the financing companies.
The gross book value of equipment securing these leases is $865,000 as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997. Accumulated amortization on assets under capital
leases as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $637,000 and $349,000,
respectively.
40
9. CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized software development costs $ 5,441,000 $ 4,208,000
Less: Accumulated amortization (2,504,000) (1,396,000)
---------------------------------------
$ 2,937,000 $ 2,812,000
=======================================
The Company capitalized software development costs for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 of $1,233,000, $950,000, and $1,858,000,
respectively. Included in 1998 capitalized software development costs is
$433,000 of third party software received in exchange for the Company's
software products. Amortization of software development costs for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $1,108,000, $577,000, and $526,000,
respectively. During 1997, the Company wrote-off capitalized software
development costs of $723,000 and related accumulated amortization of $270,000
(see Note 4).
10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts payable $4,234,000 $4,261,000
Accrued compensation and related benefits 2,037,000 1,430,000
Accrued disposal costs 1,030,000 -
Accrued restructuring (see Note 4) 152,000 1,868,000
Reserve for contingencies (see Note 13) 460,000 954,000
Other accrued liabilities 760,000 701,000
-------------------------------------
$8,673,000 $9,214,000
=====================================
11. DEBT
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized lease obligations (see Note 13) $ 652,000 $ 826,000
Notes payable to former owners of acquired
companies (see Note 3) - 552,000
Note payable to customer (see Note 13) - 337,000
Note payable to stockholder (see Note 13) 703,000 757,000
--------------------------------------
1,355,000 2,472,000
Less: Current portion (887,000) (995,000)
--------------------------------------
$ 468,000 $1,477,000
======================================
During 1997, the Company terminated the building lease with its majority
stockholder and his wife and wrote-off $2,433,000 of capital lease obligations
(see Note 16).
The $703,000 note payable to Stockholder was repaid in January 1999.
41
During 1998, the Company's $2,000,000 line of credit expired. The line
of credit was secured by $2,000,000 of the Company's investments. During
1998, the line of credit was not used.
See Note 13 for maturity of capital lease obligations.
12. Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes is as follows:
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current
Federal $ 6,291,000 $(2,834,000) $(2,837,000)
State 389,000 - 27,000
Foreign - (2,540,000) 140,000
---------------------------------------------------------
Deferred 6,680,000 (5,374,000) (2,670,000)
Federal 855,000 1,132,000 80,000
State - - -
Foreign - - (728,000)
---------------------------------------------------------
855,000 1,132,000 (648,000)
Reinstatement of deferred
income tax assets - - 575,000
---------------------------------------------------------
Increase/(decrease) in 7,535,000 (4,242,000) (2,743,000)
Valuation allowance (5,255,000) 4,254,000 1,130,000
$ 2,280,000 $ 12,000 $(1,613,000)
=========================================================
Continuing Operations $ (803,000) $ (877,000) $(2,355,000)
Discontinued Operations:
Income from discontinued
operations 146,000 889,000 742,000
Gain on sale of discontinued
operations 2,937,000 - -
---------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,280,000 $ 12,000 $(1,613,000)
=========================================================
42
The approximate income tax effect of each type of temporary difference is
as follows:
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current deferred income tax assets (liabilities):
Revenue recognition $ 790,000 $ 826,000
Accruals and reserves not
currently deductible for tax 672,000 1,143,000
Valuation reserve - (1,150,000)
----------------------------------------------------
1,462,000 819,000
Non-current deferred income tax
assets (liabilities):
Benefit of operating loss
carryforward 129,000 3,713,000
Deferred compensation 62,000 182,000
Capitalized software
development costs (940,000) (956,000)
Depreciation methods 120,000 42,000
Alternative Minimum Tax 295,000 -
Valuation reserve (129,000) (4,234,000)
----------------------------------------------------
(463,000) (1,253,000)
----------------------------------------------------
Net deferred income tax asset (liability) $ 999,000 $ (434,000)
====================================================
During 1997, due to the uncertainty of the ultimate realization of
certain net operating losses and other current deferred tax assets, the
Company has provided a valuation reserve for the deferred tax assets. As a
result of the gain on the sale of Bendata (see Note 3), the Company utilized
net operating losses for which the valuation reserve had been recorded.
Accordingly, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $5,255,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1998 related to the reversal of the valuation
allowance. Realization of the remaining deferred tax asset is dependent on
generating sufficient future taxable income. Although realization is not
assured, management's belief is that it is more likely than not that all of
the net deferred tax asset will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax
asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near-term if
estimates of future taxable income are reduced.
43
The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the
Company's effective income tax rate is as follows:
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal statutory tax rate (34.0)% (34.0)% (34.0)%
Valuation reserve 22.0 22.2 -
Net operating losses from foreign 1.2 7.6 10.4
subsidiaries not benefited
State income taxes, net of federal tax
benefit (1.7) - -
Nondeductible expenses 8.1 0.4 (2.9)
Other (5.3) (0.6) (6.5)
---------------------------------------------
(9.7)% (4.4)% (33.0)%
=============================================
As of December 31, 1998, the Company had a net operating loss
carryforward for United States federal income tax purposes of approximately
$5,589,000. Included in the aggregate net operating loss carryforward is
$5,210,000 of tax deductions related to equity transactions, the benefit of
which will be credited to stockholders' equity, if and when realized after the
other tax deductions in the carryforwards have been realized. The net
operating loss carryforward began to expire in 1999.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company leases facilities and equipment under noncancelable operating
leases and equipment under noncancelable capital leases. Interest rates on
the capital leases range from 9.0% to 9.2%.
Rent expense under all operating leases for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996 was $1,892,000, $1,800,000, and $1,585,000, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under the Company's leases as of December
31, 1998 are as follows:
OPERATING LEASES CAPITAL LEASES
------------------------ --------------------
1999 $1,990,000 $ 231,000
2000 1,459,000 231,000
2001 1,320,000 257,000
2002 850,000 29,000
2003 5,000 -
Thereafter 2,000 -
-----------------------------------------------
Total minimum lease payments $5,626,000 $ 748,000
===============================================
Less: Amount representing interest (96,000)
---------------------
Present value of future minimum lease payments 652,000
Less: Current portion (184,000)
---------------------
$ 468,000
=====================
44
In September 1997, the Company settled a dispute with a customer
regarding the implementation of the Company's software products. In
conjunction with the settlement, the Company issued 81,000 shares of common
stock, paid $300,000 in October 1997 and entered into a non-interest bearing
promissory note for $337,000 which was paid in April 1998.
In connection with the settlement of a dispute and to avoid potential
litigation with a stockholder, the Company entered into an agreement with a
stockholder which provided, among other items, a $1,000,000 non-interest
bearing promissory note payable in twenty equal quarterly installments through
June 30, 2002 (present value of $825,000), a non-qualified stock option grant
to purchase 90,000 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of
$157,000 and a $300,000 cash payment made on October 1, 1997. The Company did
not make the December 31, 1998 payment on time and the entire remaining
balance of the note became due. The Company paid approximately $703,000 in
January 1999 to satisfy the note payable.
The Company is from time to time involved in certain legal actions and
customer disputes arising in the ordinary course of business. In the Company's
opinion, the outcome of such actions will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
14. PROFIT SHARING PLAN/SAVINGS PLAN
The Company maintains a voluntary profit sharing plan, including a
Section 401(k) feature, covering all qualified and eligible employees. Company
contributions to the profit sharing plan are determined at the discretion of
the Board of Directors. For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
the Company did not make any contributions. Effective July 1, 1998, the
Company began matching 25% of eligible employees' contributions to the 401(k)
plan up to a maximum of 1.5% of each employee's compensation. The Company
contributed approximately $51,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998.
15. EQUITY PLANS
Stock Option Plans
The Company has Stock Option Plans (the "Plans") under which incentive
and non-qualified stock options may be granted to its employees, officers,
directors and others. Generally, incentive stock options are granted at fair
value, become exercisable over a four-year period, and are subject to the
employee's continued employment. Non-qualified options are granted at exercise
prices determined by the Board of Directors and vest over varying periods. A
summary of the status of the Company's stock options as of December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996 and changes during the years then ended is as follows:
45
OPTIONS
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING EXERCISABLE
--------------------------------------------------------
SHARES WTD. AVG. WTD. AVG.
AVAILABLE EXERCISE EXERCISE
FOR GRANT SHARES PRICE SHARES PRICE
Balance, January 1, 1996 632,000 1,715,000 5.75 664,000 $0.46
Granted at market (893,000) 893,000 15.26
Granted below market (80,000) 80,000 24.77
Granted outside Plan at market - 184,000 6.04
Cancelled 529,000 (529,000) 14.06
Cancelled outside Plan - (15,000) 6.50
Exercised - (469,000) 1.17
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 188,000 1,859,000 4.93 590,000 $2.79
Authorized 500,000 - -
Granted at market (1,539,000) 1,539,000 2.68
Granted outside Plan at market - 721,000 3.35
Cancelled 1,556,000 (1,556,000) 5.28
Cancelled outside Plan - (433,000) 5.12
Exercised - (150,000) 0.65
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 705,000 1,980,000 2.62 774,000 $2.25
Authorized 500,000 - -
Granted at market (1,887,000) 1,887,000 1.93
Granted at below market (300,000) 300,000 1.88
Granted outside Plan at market - 261,000 1.69
Cancelled 1,798,000 (1,798,000) 2.37
Cancelled outside Plan - (453,000) 2.39
Exercised - (152,000) .62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 816,000 2,025,000 2.16 991,000 $2.29
============================================================================
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding at December 31, 1998:
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
RANGE OF NUMBER REMAINING AVERAGE NUMBER AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING CONTRACTUAL LIFE EXERCISE PRICE EXERCISABLE EXERCISE PRICE
- ----------------- ----------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------- ----------------
$ 0.21 - $ 1.41 175,000 5.59 $ 0.52 135,000 $ 0.25
1.69 - 1.69 1,442,000 8.87 1.69 511,000 1.69
1.92 - 3.50 348,000 6.91 2.74 309,000 2.68
15.00 - 15.00 60,000 6.57 15.00 36,000 15.00
--------- -------
0.21 - 15.00 2,025,000 8.18 2.16 991,000 2.29
========= =======
In July 1996, the Company repriced all outstan ding non-officer employee
options to $7.75, the fair market value on the new grant date. In October
1996, the Company repriced certain outstanding officer options to the current
fair market value of $5.50. In April 1997, the Company repriced all
outstanding employee options to $2.52, the fair market value on the new grant
date. In September 1998, the Company repriced all outstanding employee
options to $1.69, the fair market value on the new grant date. Options
granted to directors under the 1995 Director Plan were not repriced.
The Company accounts for options and the employee stock purchase plan
under Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees," under which deferred compensation expense has been
recorded for options granted with exercise prices below fair
46
value. The deferred compensation is charged to expense ratably over the
vesting period. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock options and
employee stock purchase plan been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company's net income (loss) and
basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share would have been:
1998 1997 1996
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) - as reported $34,151,000 $(18,494,000) $(19,707,000)
Net income (loss) - pro forma $32,151,000 $(22,103,000) $(24,266,000)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss)
per share - as reported $ 2.53 $ (1.40) $ (1.53)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss)
per share - pro forma $ 2.39 $ (1.67) $ (1.89)
The resulting effect on pro forma net income (loss) and net income (loss)
per share disclosed for 1998, 1997 and 1996 is not likely to be representative
of the effects on net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share on a pro
forma basis in future years, because 1998, 1997 and 1996 pro forma results
include the impact of only three, two and one years, respectively, of grants
and related vesting, while subsequent years will include additional years of
grants and vesting.
The weighted average fair value of those options granted during the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was estimated as $1.16, $1.84 and
$7.31, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 5.05%, 6.60% and
6.48% for 1998, 1997 and 1996 grants, respectively; an expected life of six
years; volatility of 85%; and a dividend yield of zero for 1998, 1997 and 1996
grants.
The weighted average fair value of the employee purchase rights granted
in 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $0.76, $1.51 and $9.52, respectively. The fair
value of the purchase rights was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with
the following weighted average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 5.09%,
6.10% and 5.46% for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively; an expected life of six
months; volatility of 85%; and a dividend yield of zero for 1998 and 1997.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In May 1995, the Company adopted an employee stock purchase plan (the
"ESPP") which allows full-time employees with one year of service the
opportunity to purchase shares of the Company's common stock through payroll
deductions at the end of bi-annual purchase periods. The purchase price is the
lower of 85% of the average market price on the first or last day of the
purchase periods. An employee may purchase up to a maximum of 500 shares or
10% of the employee's base salary, whichever is less, provided that the
employee's ownership of the Company's stock is less than 5% as defined in the
ESPP. Pursuant to the ESPP, 250,000 shares of common stock were reserved for
issuance. During 1998 and 1997 shares purchased were 20,819 and 24,357,
respectively. During 1996, no shares were purchased under the ESPP. At
December 31, 1998, there were 204,824 shares available for future purchases.
47
16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company had leased certain of its office facilities from its majority
stockholder and his wife under a noncancelable capital lease which had an
original expiration date of 2009 and required annual lease payments of
$399,000. Payments of zero, $283,000 and $399,000 for the years ended December
31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, were made by the Company under this
lease. On September 17, 1997, the Company entered into a lease termination
agreement with the majority stockholder and his wife, whereby the Company
agreed to pay $583,000. During 1997, the Company paid $272,000 of this
amount, with the remainder of $311,000 paid in February 1998. In conjunction
with the lease termination, the Company wrote-off the building under capital
lease, net of accumulated amortization and the capital lease obligation and
recorded a net charge of $36,000 to the restructuring accrual. In management's
opinion, the terms of this related party lease and the related lease
termination were at least as favorable to the Company as could have been
obtained from an unaffiliated third party.
From its inception in 1979 through the date of the Company's initial
public offering (August 1995), the Company had been owned by one individual.
As a result of the termination of the Company's S corporation status,
distributions totaling $1,979,000 have been paid to the majority stockholder
in 1996 which represented taxed but undistributed S corporation earnings.
In 1998, 1997, and 1996, the Company paid premiums on behalf of the
majority stockholder and his wife of $70,000, $52,000 and $70,000,
respectively, under split dollar life insurance policies.
48
17. GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT DATA
The Company operates in one business segment. The following table
presents information about the Company's operations by geographic area:
Year ended December 31, 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
Revenues:
Software license fees
United States
Domestic $ 2,963,000 $ 6,431,000 $ 9,128,000
Export 161,000 410,000 996,000
------------ ------------ ------------
3,124,000 6,841,000 10,124,000
Europe 2,382,000 1,492,000 4,158,000
Other foreign 316,000 880,000 1,510,000
------------ ------------ ------------
2,698,000 2,372,000 5,668,000
------------ ------------ ------------
5,822,000 9,213,000 15,792,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Services and maintenance
United States
Domestic 15,153,000 14,869,000 17,884,000
Export 1,347,000 1,344,000 924,000
------------ ------------ ------------
16,500,000 16,213,000 18,808,000
----------- ------------ ------------
Europe 5,042,000 5,079,000 4,944,000
Other foreign 1,577,000 1,656,000 2,258,000
------------ ------------ ------------
23,119,000 22,948,000 26,010,000
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 28,941,000 $ 32,161,000 $ 41,802,000
============ ============ ============
Loss from continuing operations
before interest and taxes
United States $ (7,856,000) $(14,947,000) $ (4,510,000)
Europe (339,000) (4,214,000) (2,131,000)
Other foreign (595,000) (956,000) (1,132,000)
------------ ------------ -----------
$ (8,790,000) $(20,117,000) $ (7,773,000)
============ ============ ============
Identifiable assets
United States $114,862,000 $ 76,952,000 $ 90,737,000
Europe 4,012,000 2,012,000 5,246,000
Other foreign 1,817,000 1,521,000 2,794,000
Discontinued operations - 6,343,000 2,559,000
Eliminations (57,078,000) (56,303,000) (51,369,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 63,613,000 $ 30,525,000 $ 49,967,000
============ ============ ============
49
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
Information concerning the directors of the Company is incorporated
herein by reference to the information contained under the heading "Election of
Directors" in the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the Company's 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 13, 1999, which will be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than April 30, 1999 (the
"Definitive Proxy Statement").
Certain information concerning directors and executive officers of the
registrant required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the
information contained under the heading "Occupations of Directors and Executive
Officers" in the registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement.
The information concerning the compliance with Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading "Section 16
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Information concerning executive compensation required by this item is
incorporated herein by reference to the information contained under the heading
"Compensation and Other Information Concerning Directors and Officers" in the
Definitive Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners
and management required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the
information contained under the heading "Management and Principal Holders of
Voting Securities" in the Definitive Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
Information concerning certain relationships and related transactions
required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the information
contained under the heading "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" in
the Definitive Proxy Statement. See also Note 16 of the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company appearing elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
50
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a)(1)(A) Consolidated Financial Statements.
i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1998 and 1997
ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December
31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(1)(B) Report of Independent Public Accountants.
(a)(2) Schedules.
a) Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the
information required to be set forth therein is not applicable
or is shown in the accompanying Financial Statements or notes
thereto.
(a)(3) List of Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as part of and incorporated by reference
into this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated August 14, 1998, among the
Company, Ixchange Technology Holdings Limited, Network Data,
Inc., Bendata, Inc., Bendata (Europe) Limited LLC, and Bendata
Holding, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
September 4, 1998).
2.2 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 31, 1998, among the
Company, Network Data, Inc. and Industri-Matematik
International Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
December 31, 1998).
3(i).1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-
92778)).
3(ii).1 By-Laws of the Company (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-
1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
4.1 Specimen certificate representing the Common Stock
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File
No. 33-92778)).
10.1 1994 Amended Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
51
10.2 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1994
Amended Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
10.3 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1994
Amended Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
10.4 1991 Amended Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-
92778)).
10.5 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1991
Amended Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
10.6 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
10.7 Amendment No. 1 to 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended September 30, 1997).
10.8 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Enrollment/Authorization
Form (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed on
September 19, 1995 (File No. 33-97064)).
10.9 Amended and Restated 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option
Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997).
10.10 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1995
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-8, filed on September 19, 1995 (File No.
33-97064)).
10.11 1997 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996).
10.12 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1997
Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996).
10.13 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1997 Stock
Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996).
10.14 1998 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997).
10.15 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1998
Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997).
10.16 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1998 Stock
Option Plan. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997).
10.17 Agreement of Lease, dated July 12, 1996, between the Company
and C/N Horsham Towne Limited Partnership (Incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996).
10.18 Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated April
24, 1995, between
52
the Company and Midlantic Bank, N.A., as amended by letter
agreement dated May 22, 1995 (Incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, as amended (File No. 33-92778)).
10.19 Modification Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997, by and among
the Company, PNC Bank, National Association, successor by
merger to Midlantic Bank, N.A. and PNC Leasing Corp.
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997).
10.20 Cross Collateralization Agreement dated June 30, 1997, by and
among the Company, PNC Bank, National Association and PNC
Leasing Corp. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.25 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997).
10.21 Modification Agreement dated April 30, 1998 by and among the
Company, PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Leasing Corp.
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1998).
10.22 Memorandum of John G. Phillips regarding employment terms,
dated May 15, 1997. (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997).
10.23 Letter to Robert G. Schwartz Jr. regarding severance, dated
February 17, 1998. (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.34 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997).
21.1* Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1* Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
24.1* Powers of Attorney (See the Signature Page).
27.1* Financial Data Schedule.
___________________
* Filed herewith
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
On January 14, 1999, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K
relating to the sale of Abalon AB on December 31, 1998. The Company filed no
current reports on Form 8-K, or amendments to current reports on Form 8-K/A,
during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1998.
(c) Exhibits.
The Company hereby files as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K the
exhibits listed in Item 14(a)(3) set forth above.
53
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized this 26th day of March,
1999.
ASTEA INTERNATIONAL INC.
By: /s/ Zack B. Bergreen
-----------------------
Zack B. Bergreen
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Zack B. Bergreen and John G. Phillips,
jointly and severally, his attorney-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Report on Form 10-K and to file same, with exhibits thereto and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorney-in-fact, or his
substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- --------------
/s/ Zack B. Bergreen Chairman and Chief Executive March 26, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Zack B. Bergreen Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ John G. Phillips Vice President and Chief March 26, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
John G. Phillips Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Charles D. LaMotta President, Chief Operating March 26, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Charles D. LaMotta Officer and Director
/s/ Henry H. Greer Director March 26, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Henry H. Greer
/s/ Bruce R. Rusch Director March 26, 1999
- ---------------------------------------
Bruce R. Rusch
54
SCHEDULE II
ASTEA INTERNATIONAL INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
BALANCE AT OTHER BALANCE AT
BEGINNING INCREASES/ END OF
CLASSIFICATION OF PERIOD ADDITIONS (1) DEDUCTIONS (2) DECREASES (3) PERIOD
- ------------------------------- ----------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -----------
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1996
Reserve for estimated
uncollectible accounts $ 922,000 $ 64,000 $ (297,000) $ 534,000 $1,223,000
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1997
Reserve for estimated
uncollectible accounts $1,223,000 $1,055,000 $ (841,000) $ (213,000) $1,224,000
Reserve for
restructuring - $5,328,000 $(2,083,000) $(1,377,000) $1,868,000
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1998
Reserve for estimated
uncollectible accounts $1,224,000 $1,257,000 $(1,974,000) $ 261,000 $ 768,000
Reserve for
restructuring $1,868,000 $ (800,000) $ (875,000) $ (41,000) $ 152,000
(1) Amounts represent charges and reductions to expenses and revenue.
(2) Amounts represent the write-off of receivables against reserve for estimated
uncollectible accounts and cash paid for restructuring activities.
(3) Amounts represent recoveries of previously written-off receivables and
amounts reclassed from deferred revenues for changes in the reserve for
estimated uncollectible accounts and non-cash writedowns of property and
equipment for changes in the reserve for restructuring.
55