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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 29, 2005

 

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 000-27273

 


 

SYCAMORE NETWORKS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   04-3410558

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

220 Mill Road

Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

 

(978) 250-2900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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

 

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

 

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock as of February 14, 2005 was 275,326,704.

 



Table of Contents

Sycamore Networks, Inc.

 

Index


   Page No.

Part I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   3

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

   3
   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 29, 2005 and July 31, 2004

   3
   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and six months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004

   4
   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004

   5
   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

 

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

   15

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

   33

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

   33

Part II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

   34

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

   34

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   35

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   36

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

   37

Signature

   38

 

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Table of Contents

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Sycamore Networks, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except par value)

(unaudited)

 

    

January 29,

2005


   

July 31,

2004


 

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 373,172     $ 45,430  

Short-term investments

     396,187       482,274  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,132 at January 29, 2005 and July 31, 2004

     10,074       10,605  

Inventories

     4,148       4,294  

Prepaids and other current assets

     4,686       3,611  
    


 


Total current assets

     788,267       546,214  

Property and equipment, net

     8,412       9,419  

Long-term investments

     179,613       433,621  

Other assets

     1,585       1,664  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 977,877     $ 990,918  
    


 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 5,140     $ 5,602  

Accrued compensation

     2,254       2,071  

Accrued warranty

     2,086       2,017  

Accrued expenses

     3,600       3,077  

Accrued restructuring costs

     10,276       12,005  

Deferred revenue

     3,721       7,226  

Other current liabilities

     2,637       2,554  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     29,714       34,552  

Deferred revenue

     1,427       926  
    


 


Total liabilities

     31,141       35,478  
    


 


Stockholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $.001 par value; 2,500,000 shares authorized; 275,312 and 273,887 shares issued at January 29, 2005 and July 31, 2004, respectively

     275       274  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,744,327       1,740,293  

Accumulated deficit

     (794,207 )     (781,104 )

Deferred compensation

     (456 )     (1,279 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (3,203 )     (2,744 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     946,736       955,440  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 977,877     $ 990,918  
    


 


 

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

 

3


Table of Contents

Sycamore Networks, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
     January 29,
2005


    January 24,
2004


    January 29,
2005


    January 24,
2004


 

Revenue:

                                

Product

   $ 11,225     $ 3,673     $ 22,164     $ 9,829  

Service

     3,667       3,202       6,943       5,487  
    


 


 


 


Total revenue

     14,892       6,875       29,107       15,316  

Cost of revenue:

                                

Product

     6,565       2,152       13,188       5,760  

Service

     1,837       2,094       3,754       4,210  

Stock-based compensation:

                                

Product

     30       77       87       157  

Service

     17       100       53       200  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenue

     8,449       4,423       17,082       10,327  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     6,443       2,452       12,025       4,989  

Operating expenses:

                                

Research and development

     11,217       11,751       22,889       23,049  

Sales and marketing

     3,011       4,345       6,155       8,756  

General and administrative

     1,932       1,482       4,180       3,450  

Stock-based compensation:

                                

Research and development

     212       1,106       482       1,790  

Sales and marketing

     23       263       61       537  

General and administrative

     31       399       231       746  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     16,426       19,346       33,998       38,328  
    


 


 


 


Loss from operations

     (9,983 )     (16,894 )     (21,973 )     (33,339 )

Interest and other income, net

     4,672       3,895       8,870       8,163  
    


 


 


 


Loss before income taxes

     (5,311 )     (12,999 )     (13,103 )     (25,176 )

Provision for income taxes

     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


Net loss

   $ (5,311 )   $ (12,999 )   $ (13,103 )   $ (25,176 )
    


 


 


 


Basic and diluted net loss per share

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.09 )

Weighted-average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

     274,963       271,801       274,497       271,138  

 

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

 

4


Table of Contents

Sycamore Networks, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

     Six Months Ended

 
    

January 29,

2005


    January 24,
2004


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net loss

   $ (13,103 )   $ (25,176 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     2,522       5,982  

Stock-based compensation

     914       3,430  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     —         (52 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     531       6,827  

Inventories

     146       (5,593 )

Prepaids and other current assets

     (1,075 )     (709 )

Deferred revenue

     (3,004 )     (310 )

Accounts payable

     (462 )     871  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     858       (1,127 )

Accrued restructuring costs

     (1,729 )     (3,465 )
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (14,402 )     (19,322 )
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,515 )     (2,702 )

Purchases of investments

     (102,779 )     (395,211 )

Maturities of investments

     442,415       461,817  

Decrease in other assets

     79       354  
    


 


Net cash provided by investing activities

     338,200       64,258  
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     3,944       4,112  

Purchase of treasury stock

     —         (23 )
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     3,944       4,089  
    


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     327,742       49,025  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     45,430       182,640  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 373,172     $ 231,665  
    


 


 

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

 

5


Table of Contents

Sycamore Networks, Inc.

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Description of Business

 

Sycamore Networks, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on February 17, 1998. The Company develops and markets optical networking products that are designed to enable telecommunications service providers to cost-effectively and easily transition their existing fiber optic network into a network infrastructure that can provision, manage and deliver economic, high-bandwidth services to their customers.

 

2. Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying financial data as of January 29, 2005 and for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004 has been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 filed with the SEC.

 

Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. In connection with the preparation of this report, the Company concluded that it was appropriate to classify certain auction rate securities as long-term investments. Previously, such investments had been classified as cash and cash equivalents. At January 29, 2005, the Company reclassified certain auction rate securities from cash and cash equivalents to long-term investments as of January 29, 2005 and for all prior periods. The Company also made corresponding adjustments to its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of January 29, 2005 and July 31, 2004, the Company held approximately $14.8 million and $107.3 million, respectively, of these auction rate securities, which were reclassified. These reclassifications had no impact on the results of operations of the Company.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of financial position as of January 29, 2005 and results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004 have been made. The results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended January 29, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results and cash flows for the full fiscal year or any future periods.

 

3. Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with the intrinsic value provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations and complies with the disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (“SFAS 123”), as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure”.

 

Under the intrinsic value method, when the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock awards equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company currently recognizes compensation expense under APB 25 relating to certain stock options and restricted stock with exercise prices below fair market value on the date of grant.

 

6


Table of Contents

The Company is required under SFAS 123 to disclose pro forma information regarding the stock awards made to its employees based on specified valuation techniques that produce estimated compensation charges. The pro forma information is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
    

January 29,

2005


   

January 24,

2004


   

January 29,

2005


   

January 24,

2004


 

Net loss:

                                

As reported

   $ (5,311 )   $ (12,999 )   $ (13,103 )   $ (25,176 )

Stock-based compensation expense included in reported

net loss under APB 25

     313       1,945       914       3,430  

Stock-based compensation expense that would have been included in reported net loss if the fair value provisions of FAS 123 had been applied to all awards

     (5,265 )     (9,875 )     (12,549 )     (19,097 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ (10,263 )   $ (20,929 )   $ (24,738 )   $ (40,843 )
    


 


 


 


Basic and diluted net loss per share:

                                

As reported

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.09 )

Pro forma

   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.15 )

 

The above pro forma disclosures are not necessarily representative of the effects on reported net income or loss for future periods. The fair value of the stock options at the date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes model.

 

4. Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period less unvested restricted stock. Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period, if dilutive. Common equivalent shares are composed of unvested shares of restricted common stock and the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants outstanding.

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
     January 29,
2005


    January 24,
2004


    January 29,
2005


    January 24,
2004


 

Numerator:

                                

Net loss

   $ (5,311 )   $ (12,999 )   $ (13,103 )   $ (25,176 )
    


 


 


 


Denominator:

                                

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

     275,037       272,666       274,593       272,346  

Weighted-average shares subject to repurchase

     (74 )     (865 )     (96 )     (1,208 )
    


 


 


 


Shares used in per-share calculation – basic and diluted

     274,963       271,801       274,497       271,138  
    


 


 


 


Net loss per share:

                                

Basic and diluted

   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.09 )
    


 


 


 


 

7


Table of Contents

Options to purchase 29.4 million and 28.8 million shares of common stock, at respective average exercise prices of $6.86 and $7.43, have not been included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 and January 24, 2004, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

5. Inventories

 

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

    

January 29,

2005


  

July 31,

2004


Raw materials

   $ 1,022    $ 702

Work in process

     1,288      1,405

Finished goods

     1,838      2,187
    

  

Total

   $ 4,148    $ 4,294
    

  

 

6. Comprehensive Loss

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
     January 29,
2005


    January 24,
2004


    January 29,
2005


    January 24,
2004


 

Net loss

   $ (5,311 )   $ (12,999 )   $ (13,103 )   $ (25,176 )

Unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (1,269 )     849       (459 )     (56 )
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive loss

   $ (6,580 )   $ (12,150 )   $ (13,562 )   $ (25,232 )
    


 


 


 


 

7. Restructuring Charges and Related Asset Impairments

 

In fiscal 2001, the telecommunications industry began a severe decline which has impacted equipment suppliers, including the Company. In response to the telecommunications industry downturn, the Company enacted three separate restructuring programs: the first in the third quarter of fiscal 2001 (the “fiscal 2001 restructuring”), the second in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 (the “first quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring”), and the third in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002 (the “fourth quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring”). As part of the Company’s fourth quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring program, the Company discontinued the development of its standalone transport products and focused its business exclusively on optical switching products. During fiscal 2002, as a result of the combined activity under all of the restructuring programs, the Company recorded a total net charge of $241.5 million, which was classified in the statement of operations as follows: cost of revenue - $91.7 million, operating expenses - $125.0 million, and non-operating expenses - $24.8 million. The originally recorded restructuring charges were subsequently reduced by credits totaling $14.6 million (cost of revenue - $10.8 million and operating expenses - $3.8 million). During fiscal 2003, due to various changes in estimates relating to the restructuring programs, the Company recorded a credit of $0.5 million classified as cost of revenue, and a net credit of $4.4 million classified as operating expenses. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company recorded a net charge of $0.3 million to operating expenses resulting from changes in estimates relating to its restructuring programs. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, due to changes in estimates relating to its restructuring programs, the Company recorded a net charge of $0.4 million to operating expenses. In the event that other contingencies associated with the restructuring program occur, or the estimates associated with the restructuring programs are revised, the Company may be required to record additional charges or credits against the reserves previously recorded for its restructuring programs.

 

8


Table of Contents

As of January 29, 2005, the Company had $10.3 million in accrued restructuring costs, consisting primarily of $9.8 million of accrued liabilities for facility consolidations. Details regarding each of the restructuring programs are described below.

 

Fiscal 2001 Restructuring:

 

The fiscal 2001 restructuring program included a workforce reduction of 131 employees, consolidation of excess facilities, and the restructuring of certain business functions to eliminate non-strategic products and overlapping feature sets. The Company recorded restructuring charges and related asset impairments of $81.9 million classified as operating expenses and an excess inventory charge of $84.0 million relating to discontinued product lines, which was classified as cost of revenue. The restructuring charges included amounts accrued for potential legal matters, administrative expenses and professional fees associated with the restructuring programs, including employment termination related claims. The Company substantially completed the fiscal 2001 restructuring program during the first half of fiscal 2002.

 

First Quarter Fiscal 2002 Restructuring:

 

The first quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring program included a workforce reduction of 239 employees, consolidation of excess facilities and charges related to excess inventory and other asset impairments. As a result, the Company recorded restructuring charges and related asset impairments of $77.3 million classified as operating expenses and an excess inventory charge of $102.4 million classified as cost of revenue. In addition, the Company recorded charges totaling $22.7 million, classified as a non-operating expense, relating to impairments of investments in non-publicly traded companies that were determined to be other than temporary. The restructuring charges included $7.1 million of costs relating to the workforce reduction, $11.2 million related to the write-down of certain land, lease terminations and non-cancelable lease costs and $6.0 million for potential legal matters, administrative expenses and professional fees associated with the restructuring programs, including employment termination related claims. The restructuring charges also included $102.4 million for inventory write-downs and non-cancelable purchase commitments for inventories due to a severe decline in the forecasted demand for the Company’s products and $53.1 million for asset impairments related to the Company’s vendor financing agreements and fixed assets that the Company abandoned. The first quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring program was substantially completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002.

 

During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2002, the Company recorded credits totaling $10.8 million to cost of revenue due to changes in estimates, the majority of which related to favorable settlements with contract manufacturers for non-cancelable inventory purchase commitments. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company recorded a net $3.8 million credit to operating expenses relating to various changes in estimates. The changes in estimates consisted of a $8.4 million reduction in potential legal matters associated with the restructuring programs and the reversal of an accrued liability of $0.8 million for workforce reductions, partially offset by $5.6 million of additional facility consolidation charges. During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2003, the Company recorded a net $0.1 million credit to operating expenses due to various changes in estimates. The changes in estimates consisted of a $4.5 million reduction in potential legal matters associated with the restructuring programs, partially offset by $4.4 million of additional facility consolidation charges due to less favorable sublease assumptions. In addition, the Company recorded a $1.0 million non-cash charge to operating expenses for the write-down of certain land and a $0.5 million credit to cost of revenue relating to a favorable settlement with a supplier. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company recorded a net $0.3 million charge to operating expenses for additional facility consolidation charges. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, due to less favorable sublease assumptions, the Company recorded a net $0.9 million charge to operating expenses.

 

As of January 29, 2005, the projected future cash payments of $9.9 million consist primarily of facility consolidation charges that will be paid over the respective lease terms through fiscal 2007 and potential legal matters associated with the restructuring programs.

 

9


Table of Contents

The restructuring charges and related asset impairments recorded in the fiscal 2001 and the first quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring programs, and the reserve activity since that time, are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Original

Restructuring
Charge


  

Non-cash

Charges


   Payments

   Adjustments

  

Accrual

Balance at
July 31,

2004


   Payments

   Adjustments

   

Accrual

Balance at

January 29,
2005


Workforce reduction

   $ 11,280    $ 1,002    $ 9,309    $ 969    $ —      $ —      $ —       $ —  

Facility consolidations and certain other costs

     41,618      9,786      18,676      2,682      10,474      1,500      (944 )     9,918

Inventory and asset write-downs

     292,736      187,512      94,420      10,804      —        —        —         —  

Losses on investments

     22,737      22,737      —        —        —        —        —         —  
    

  

  

  

  

  

  


 

Total

   $ 368,371    $ 221,037    $ 122,405    $ 14,455    $ 10,474    $ 1,500    $ (944 )   $ 9,918
    

  

  

  

  

  

  


 

 

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2002 Restructuring:

 

The fourth quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring program included a workforce reduction of 225 employees, consolidation of excess facilities, and the restructuring of certain business functions to eliminate non-strategic products. This included discontinuing the development of the Company’s standalone transport products, including the SN 8000 Intelligent Optical Transport Node and the SN 10000 Intelligent Optical Transport System. As a result, the Company recorded restructuring charges and related asset impairments of $51.5 million classified as operating expenses. In addition, the Company recorded a charge of $2.1 million, classified as a non-operating expense, relating to impairments of investments in non-publicly traded companies that were determined to be other than temporary. The restructuring charges included $8.7 million of costs relating to the workforce reduction, $5.6 million for lease terminations and non-cancelable lease costs and $14.5 million relating to potential legal matters, contractual commitments, administrative expenses and professional fees related to the restructuring programs, including employment termination related claims. The restructuring charges also included $22.6 million of costs relating to asset impairments, which primarily included fixed assets that were disposed of, or abandoned, due to the rationalization of the Company’s product offerings and the consolidation of excess facilities. The fourth quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring program was substantially completed during the first half of fiscal 2003.

 

During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2003, the Company recorded a net $4.4 million credit to operating expenses due to various changes in estimates. The changes in estimates consisted of a $4.1 million reduction in potential legal matters associated with the restructuring programs and a $0.8 million reduction in the costs associated with the workforce reduction, partially offset by $0.5 million of additional facility consolidation charges. In addition, the Company recorded a $0.9 million credit to operating expenses relating to proceeds received from the disposal of certain equipment. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, due to an early lease termination, the Company recorded a net credit of $0.6 million to operating expenses.

 

As of January 29, 2005, the projected future cash payments of $0.4 million consist primarily of facility consolidation charges that will be paid over the respective lease terms through fiscal 2006 and potential legal matters and contractual commitments associated with the restructuring programs.

 

10


Table of Contents

The restructuring charges and related asset impairments recorded in the fourth quarter fiscal 2002 restructuring program, and the reserve activity since that time, are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Original

Restructuring
Charge


  

Non-cash

Charges


   Payments

   Adjustments

  

Accrual

Balance at

July 31,

2004


   Payments

   Adjustments

  

Accrual

Balance at

January 29,

2005


Workforce reduction

   $ 8,713    $ 814    $ 7,129    $ 770    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

Facility consolidations and certain other costs

     20,132      —        14,961      3,640      1,531      582      591      358

Asset write-downs

     22,637      22,637      —        —        —        —        —        —  

Losses on investments

     2,108      2,108      —        —        —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 53,590    $ 25,559    $ 22,090    $ 4,410    $ 1,531    $ 582    $ 591    $ 358
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151 (“SFAS 151”), Inventory Costs, which clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material. SFAS 151 will be effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We do not believe the adoption of SFAS 151 will have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123R”). SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized as compensation expense in the consolidated financial statements based on their fair values. This standard is effective for public companies at the beginning of the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2005 and companies may elect to use either the modified-prospective or modified-retrospective transition method. Under the modified prospective method, awards that are granted, modified, or settled after the date of adoption should be measured and accounted for in accordance with SFAS 123R. Unvested equity-classified awards that were granted prior to the effective date should continue to be accounted for in accordance with SFAS 123 except that amounts must be recognized in the income statement. Under the modified retrospective approach, the previously reported amounts are restated (either to the beginning of the year of adoption or for all periods presented) to reflect the SFAS 123 amounts in the income statement. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard and its transition alternatives, which may materially impact the Company’s results of operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 and thereafter.

 

9. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Litigation

 

Beginning on July 2, 2001, several purported class action complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and several of its officers and directors (the “Individual Defendants”) and the underwriters for the Company’s initial public offering on October 21, 1999. Some of the complaints also include the underwriters for the Company’s follow-on offering on March 14, 2000. The complaints were consolidated into a single action and an amended complaint was filed on April 19, 2002. The amended complaint, which is the operative complaint, was filed on behalf of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock between October 21, 1999 and December 6, 2000. The amended complaint alleges claims against the Company, several of the Individual Defendants and the underwriters for violations under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), primarily based on the assertion that the Company’s lead

 

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underwriters, the Company and several of the Individual Defendants made material false and misleading statements in the Company’s Registration Statements and Prospectuses filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, in October 1999 and March 2000 because of the failure to disclose (a) the alleged solicitation and receipt of excessive and undisclosed commissions by the underwriters in connection with the allocation of shares of common stock to certain investors in the Company’s public offerings and (b) that certain of the underwriters allegedly had entered into agreements with investors whereby underwriters agreed to allocate the public offering shares in exchange for which the investors agreed to make additional purchases of stock in the aftermarket at pre-determined prices. It also alleges claims against the Company, the Individual Defendants and the underwriters under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), primarily based on the assertion that the Company’s lead underwriters, the Company and the Individual Defendants defrauded investors by participating in a fraudulent scheme and by making materially false and misleading statements and omissions of material fact during the period in question. The amended complaint seeks damages in an unspecified amount.

 

The action against the Company is being coordinated with approximately three hundred other nearly identical actions filed against other companies. Due to the large number of nearly identical actions, the Court has ordered the parties to select up to twenty “test” cases. To date, along with sixteen other cases, the Company’s case has been selected as one such test case. As a result, among other things, the Company will be subject to broader discovery obligations and expenses in the litigation than non-test case issuer defendants.

 

On October 9, 2002, the court dismissed the Individual Defendants from the case without prejudice based upon Stipulations of Dismissal filed by the plaintiffs and the Individual Defendants. This dismissal disposed of the Section 15 and Section 20(a) claims without prejudice, because these claims were asserted only against the Individual Defendants. On October 13, 2004, the court denied the certification of a class in the action against the Company with respect to the Section 11 claims alleging that the defendants made material false and misleading statements in the Company’s Registration Statement and Prospectuses. The certification was denied because no class representative purchased shares between the date of the IPO and January 19, 2000 (the date unregistered shares entered the market), and thereafter suffered a loss on the sale of those shares. The court certified a class in the action against the Company with respect to the Section 10(b) claims alleging that the Company and the Individual Defendants defrauded investors by participating in a fraudulent scheme and by making materially false and misleading statements and omissions of material fact during the period in question.

 

The Company, the Individual Defendants, the plaintiff class and the vast majority of the other approximately three hundred issuer defendants and the individual defendants currently or formerly associated with those companies have approved, and submitted to the Court for its approval, settlement and related agreements (the “Settlement Agreement”) which set forth the terms of a settlement between these parties. Among other provisions, the Settlement Agreement provides for a release of the Company and the Individual Defendants for the conduct alleged in the action to be wrongful and for the Company to undertake certain responsibilities, including agreeing to assign away, not assert, or release, certain potential claims the Company may have against its underwriters. In addition, no payments will be required by the issuer defendants under the Settlement Agreement to the extent plaintiffs recover at least $1 billion from the underwriter defendants, who are not parties to the Settlement Agreement and have filed a memorandum of law in opposition to the approval of the Settlement Agreement. To the extent that plaintiffs recover less than $1 billion from the underwriter defendants, the approximately three-hundred issuer defendants are required to make up the difference. It is anticipated that any potential financial obligation of the Company to plaintiffs pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement will be covered by existing insurance. The Company currently is not aware of any material limitations on the expected recovery of any potential financial obligation to the plaintiffs from the Company’s insurance carriers. The Company’s insurance carriers are solvent, and the Company is not aware of any uncertainties as to the legal sufficiency of an insurance claim with respect to any recovery by the plaintiffs. Therefore, we do not expect that the Settlement Agreement will involve any payment by the Company. If material limitations on the expected recovery of any potential financial obligation to the plaintiffs from the Company’s insurance carriers should arise, the Company’s maximum financial obligation to plaintiffs pursuant to the Settlement Agreement would be less than $3.4 million. On February 15, 2005, the court granted preliminary approval of the Settlement Agreement, subject to certain modifications consistent with its opinion. The issuer defendants and the plaintiffs have until February 28, 2005 to submit a revised Settlement Agreement which provides for a mutual bar of all contribution claims by the settling and non-settling parties and does not bar the parties from pursuing other claims. The underwriter defendants will have until March 10, 2005 to object to a revised Settlement

 

12


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Agreement. There is no assurance that the parties to the settlement will be able to agree to a revised Settlement Agreement consistent with the court’s opinion, or that the court will grant final approval to the settlement to the extent the parties reach agreement. If the Settlement Agreement is not approved and the Company is found liable, we are unable to estimate or predict the potential damages that might be awarded, whether such damages would be greater than the Company’s insurance coverage, and whether such damages would have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition in any future period.

 

On April 1, 2003, a complaint was filed against the Company in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York by the creditors’ committee (the “Committee”) of 360networks (USA), inc. and 360networks services inc. (the “Debtors”). The Debtors are the subject of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding but are not plaintiffs in the complaint filed by the Committee. The complaint seeks recovery of alleged preferential payments in the amount of approximately $16.1 million, plus interest. The Committee alleges that the Debtors made the preferential payments under Section 547(b) of the Bankruptcy Code to the Company during the 90-day period prior to the Debtors’ bankruptcy filings. The Company believes that the claims against it are without merit and intends to defend against the complaint vigorously. The Company is not currently able to estimate the possibility of loss or range of loss, if any, relating to these claims.

 

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

Guarantees

 

FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”), requires that upon issuance of a guarantee, the guarantor must disclose and recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation assumed under that guarantee. The initial recognition and measurement requirement of FIN 45 is effective for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002 only for those items that require disclosure. As of January 29, 2005, the Company’s guarantees requiring disclosure consist of its accrued warranty obligations and indemnifications for intellectual property infringement claims.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company may agree to indemnify other parties, including customers, lessors and parties to other transactions with the Company, with respect to certain matters. The Company has agreed to hold these other parties harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants, or other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by the Company, if any, under these agreements have not had a material impact on the Company’s operating results or financial position. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded a liability for these agreements as the Company believes the fair value is not material.

 

Warranty liability

 

The Company records a warranty liability for parts and labor on its products at the time revenue is recognized. Warranty periods are generally three years from installation date. The estimate of the warranty liability is based primarily on the Company’s historical experience in product failure rates and the expected material and labor costs to provide warranty services.

 

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The following table summarizes the activity related to product warranty liability (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
    

January 29,

2005


    January 24,
2004


   

January 29,

2005


    January 24,
2004


 

Beginning balance

   $ 1,978     $ 4,157     $ 2,017     $ 4,651  

Accruals for warranties during the period

     224       74       443       197  

Settlements

     (278 )     (147 )     (523 )     (499 )

Adjustments related to preexisting warranties

     162       (188 )     149       (453 )
    


 


 


 


Ending balance

   $ 2,086     $ 3,896     $ 2,086     $ 3,896  
    


 


 


 


 

14


Table of Contents

Item 2.

 

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

 

Except for the historical information contained herein, we wish to caution you that certain matters discussed in this report constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Factors That May Affect Future Results” contained in this Form 10-Q. The information discussed in this report should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports we file from time to time with the SEC. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or similar words.

 

Executive Summary

 

Sycamore develops and markets optical networking products for telecommunications service providers worldwide. Our current and prospective customers include large, established domestic and international telecommunications service providers (sometimes referred to as incumbent service providers), non-traditional telecommunications service providers, newer start-up service providers (sometimes referred to as emerging service providers), systems integrators and government entities with private fiber networks (collectively referred to as “service providers”). We believe that our products enable service providers to cost effectively and easily transition their existing fiber optic network into a network infrastructure that can provision, manage and deliver economic, high-bandwidth services to their customers.

 

Our business has been adversely affected by the decline in the telecommunications industry which began in 2001. During this period, our revenue decreased significantly and we enacted three separate restructuring programs in order to reduce our cost structure and focus our business on the optical switching market. As part of our strategy, however, we continue to maintain a significant cost structure, particularly within the research and development, sales and customer service organizations. We believe this cost structure is necessary to develop, market and sell our products to current and prospective customers. Due to our decreased revenues, our restructuring programs and our decision to maintain a significant cost structure, we have incurred a cumulative net loss of $794.2 million at January 29, 2005.

 

We reported revenues of $14.9 million and $29.1 million for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005. While our operating results for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2005 improved over the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004, we expect that current market conditions will continue to have an adverse impact on our business. We anticipate that we will continue to generate operating losses and consume cash for at least the next several quarters, if not longer.

 

In particular, as service providers limit their capital spending, competition for optical switching opportunities is intense and continues to be dominated by large, incumbent equipment suppliers. We believe that large incumbent suppliers have numerous competitive advantages that include pricing leverage, established customer relationships, broad product portfolios, penetration into emerging markets and large service and support teams. In addition, industry reports continue to be very cautious regarding the optical networking environment. Sycamore’s target market, the optical switching segment, remains a very small percentage of the total market.

 

As reported previously, we have engaged Morgan Stanley to assist us in identifying and assessing all available alternatives to maximize shareholder value. We continue to review the strategic and financial alternatives available to Sycamore including but not limited to: (i) a sale to another entity; (ii) acquisitions of, or mergers or other combinations with, companies with either complementary technologies or in adjacent market segments; (iii) remaining a stand-alone entity; (iv) additional restructurings of our operations or business and (v) recapitalization alternatives, such as stock buybacks and cash distributions. Changes, if any, implemented as a result of the strategic alternatives review could affect the basic nature of our Company. During the course of this review, we intend to continue to follow our existing strategy and objectives as a stand-alone provider of optical networking equipment.

 

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Table of Contents

Our total cash, cash equivalents and investments were $949.0 million at January 29, 2005. Included in this amount were cash and cash equivalents of $373.2 million. We intend to fund our operations, including fixed commitments under operating leases, and any required capital expenditures over the next few years using our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments. We believe that, based on our business plans and current conditions, our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months. We also believe that our current cash, cash equivalents and investments will enable us to pursue the strategic and financial alternatives discussed above.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those relating to the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory allowance, valuation of investments, warranty obligations, restructuring liabilities and asset impairments, litigation and other contingencies. Estimates are based on our historical experience and other assumptions that we consider reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. To the extent there are material differences between our estimates and the actual results, our future results of operations will be affected.

 

We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect the most significant judgments, assumptions and estimates we use in preparing our consolidated financial statements. Changes in these estimates can affect materially the amount of our reported net income or loss.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. The most significant revenue recognition judgments typically involve customer acceptance, whether collection is reasonably assured and multiple element arrangements. In instances where customer acceptance is specified, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria have been met. We determine collectibility based on creditworthiness of customer, analysis and customer’s payment history. Service revenue is recognized as the services are performed or ratably over the service period. Some of our transactions involve the sale of products and services under multiple element arrangements. While each individual transaction varies according to the terms of the purchase order or sales agreement, a typical multiple element arrangement may include some or all of the following components: product shipments, installation services, maintenance and training. The total sales price is allocated based on the relative fair value of each component, which generally is the price charged for each component when sold separately and recognized when revenue recognition criteria for each element is met.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts. In the event that we become aware of deterioration in a particular customer’s financial condition, a review is performed to determine if additional provisions for doubtful accounts are required.

 

Warranty Obligations

 

We accrue for warranty costs at the time revenue is recognized based on contractual rights and on the historical rate of claims and costs to provide warranty services. If we experience an increase in warranty claims above historical experience or our costs to provide warranty services increase, we may be required to increase our warranty accrual. An increase in the warranty accrual will have an adverse impact on our gross margins.

 

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Table of Contents

Inventory Allowance

 

We continuously monitor inventory balances and record inventory allowances for any excess of the cost of the inventory over its estimated market value, based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. While such assumptions may change from period to period, we measure the net realizable value of inventories using the best information available as of the balance sheet date. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected, or we experience a higher incidence of inventory obsolescence because of rapidly changing technology and customer requirements, additional inventory allowances may be required. Once we have written down inventory to its estimated net realizable value, we cannot increase its carrying value due to subsequent changes in demand forecasts. Accordingly, if inventory previously written down to its net realizable value is subsequently sold, we may realize improved gross profit margins on these transactions.

 

Restructuring Liabilities and Asset Impairments

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2001 and the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2002, we recorded charges for restructuring and related asset impairments totaling $422.0 million, including inventory related charges of $186.4 million. These restructuring programs required us to make numerous assumptions and estimates such as future revenue levels and product mix, the timing of and the amounts received for subleases of excess facilities, the fair values of impaired assets, the amounts of other than temporary impairments of strategic investments, and the potential legal matters, administrative expenses and professional fees associated with the restructuring programs.

 

We continuously monitor the judgments, assumptions and estimates relating to the restructuring programs and, if these judgments, assumptions and estimates change, we may be required to record additional charges or credits against the reserves previously recorded for these restructuring programs. For example, during the second quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a net charge of $0.4 million to operating expenses for additional facility consolidation charges. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, we recorded a net charge of $0.3 million to operating expenses due to less favorable sublease assumptions and during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2003, we recorded a net credit totaling $4.4 million to operating expenses, due to various changes in estimates relating to all of our restructuring programs. These credits included decreases in the accruals for potential legal matters associated with the restructuring programs and workforce reduction costs, partially offset by increases in the accrual for additional facility consolidation charges due to less favorable sublease assumptions. While we have reduced the accrual for potential legal matters based on our current estimate, given the inherent uncertainties involved in such matters, it is possible that we may subsequently incur costs in excess of the amount accrued. In addition, in the event that other contingencies associated with the restructuring programs occur, or the estimates associated with the restructuring programs are revised, we may be required to record additional charges or credits against the reserves previously recorded for the restructuring programs. As of January 29, 2005, we had $9.8 million accrued as part of our restructuring liability relating to facility consolidations.

 

Results of Operations

 

Revenue

 

The following table presents product and service revenue (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
     January 29,
2005


   January 24,
2004


   Variance
in Dollars


   Variance
in Percent


    January 29,
2005


   January 24,
2004


   Variance
in Dollars


   Variance
in Percent


 

Revenue

                                                      

Product

   $ 11,225    $ 3,673    $ 7,552    205.6 %   $ 22,164    $ 9,829    $ 12,335    125.5 %

Service

     3,667      3,202      465    14.5 %     6,943      5,487      1,456    26.5 %
    

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

Total revenue

   $ 14,892    $ 6,875    $ 8,017    116.6 %   $ 29,107    $ 15,316    $ 13,791    90.0 %
    

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

 

Total revenue increased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared to the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The increase for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 was due to an increase in both product and service revenue. Product revenue consists primarily of sales of our optical networking products including the SN 3000 and SN 16000 optical switches. Product revenue increased for the three and six months

 

17


Table of Contents

ended January 29, 2005 compared to the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The increase for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily due to a higher level of product shipments including shipments for the GIG-BE project described below. Service revenue consists primarily of fees for services relating to the maintenance of our products and to a lesser extent installation services and training. Service revenue increased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared to the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The increase for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily due to a higher level of maintenance and training revenue.

 

During fiscal 2004, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) selected our products to serve as the optical digital cross connect platform for the Global Information Grid Bandwidth Expansion (GIG-BE) project. During fiscal 2004, through our distribution partner, Sprint Government Systems Division, DISA purchased certain evaluation equipment and began accepting GIG-BE product shipments.

 

For the second quarter of fiscal 2005, GIG-BE revenue accounted for 25.1% of our revenue and 3 other customers accounted for 26.2%, 15.2% and 14.6% of revenue. International revenue represented 57% of our total revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2005. For the second quarter of fiscal 2004, three international customers accounted for the majority of our revenue and international revenue represented 98% of our total revenue. We expect future revenue will continue to be highly concentrated in a relatively small number of customers and that international revenue may continue to represent a significant percentage of future revenue. GIG-BE deployments in any given quarter may cause shifts in the percentage mix of domestic and international revenue. The loss of any one of these customers or any substantial reduction in orders by any one of these customers could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Gross profit

 

The following table presents gross profit for product and services, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
     January 29,
2005


    January 24,
2004


    January 29,
2005


    January 24,
2004


 

Gross profit :

                                

Product

   $ 4,630     $ 1,444     $ 8,889     $ 3,912  

Service

     1,813       1,008       3,136       1,077  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 6,443     $ 2,452     $ 12,025     $ 4,989  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit :

                                

Product

     41.2 %     39.3 %     40.1 %     39.8 %

Service

     49.4 %     31.5 %     45.2 %     19.6 %

Total

     43.3 %     35.7 %     41.3 %     32.6 %

 

Product gross profit

 

Cost of product revenue consists primarily of amounts paid to third-party contract manufacturers for purchased materials and services and other fixed manufacturing costs. Product gross profit increased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared to same periods ended January 24, 2004. The increase for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily the result of higher product revenue partially offset by changes in customer mix and distribution channels. In the future, we believe that product gross profit may fluctuate due to pricing pressures resulting from intense competition for limited optical switching opportunities worldwide. In addition, product gross profit may be affected by changes in the mix of products sold, channels of distribution, shipment volume, overhead absorption, sales discounts, increases in material or labor costs, excess inventory and obsolescence charges, increases in component pricing, the introduction of new products or entering new markets with different pricing and cost structures.

 

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Table of Contents

Service gross profit

 

Cost of service revenue consists primarily of costs of providing services under customer service contracts which include salaries and related expenses and other fixed costs. Service gross profit increased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared to the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The increase for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily due to increased revenues and a reduction in service delivery costs primarily as a result of lower fixed support costs. Service gross profit may be affected in future periods by various factors such as the change in mix between technical support services and advanced services, as well as the timing of technical support service contract initiations and renewals.

 

Operating Expenses

 

The following table presents operating expenses (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
     January 29,
2005


   January 24,
2004


   Variance
in Dollars


    Variance
in Percent


    January 29,
2005


   January 24,
2004


   Variance
in Dollars


    Variance
in Percent


 

Research and development

   $ 11,217    $ 11,751    $ (534 )   (4.5 )%   $ 22,889    $ 23,049    $ (160 )   (0.7 )%

Sales and marketing

     3,011      4,345      (1,334 )   (30.7 )%     6,155      8,756      (2,601 )   (29.7 )%

General and administrative

     1,932      1,482      450     30.4 %     4,180      3,450      730     21.2 %

Stock-based compensation

     266      1,768      (1,502 )   (85.0 )%     774      3,073      (2,299 )   (74.8 )%
    

  

  


 

 

  

  


 

Total operating expenses

   $ 16,426    $ 19,346    $ (2,920 )   (15.1 )%   $ 33,998    $ 38,328    $ (4,330 )   (11.3 )%
    

  

  


 

 

  

  


 

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses and prototype costs relating to design, development, testing and enhancements of our products. Research and development expenses decreased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared to the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The decrease in expenses for the three months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily due to lower fixed expenses and lower project materials costs partially offset by an increase in personnel-related expenses. The decrease in expenses for the six months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily due to lower fixed expenses, partially offset by higher project materials costs and personnel-related expenses.

 

Sales and Marketing Expenses

 

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, commissions and related expenses, customer evaluations inventory and other sales and marketing support expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared to the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The decrease in expenses for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily due to a reduction in the costs of evaluation equipment and lower personnel-related expenses.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for executive, finance and administrative personnel, professional fees and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses increased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared to the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The increase for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily due to increased professional and advisory fees. Expenses may continue to increase due to continued exploration of strategic alternatives.

 

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Table of Contents

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

Stock-based compensation expense primarily resulted from the granting of stock options and restricted shares with exercise or sale prices that were deemed to be below fair market value. Total stock-based compensation expense decreased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The decrease for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 was primarily due to lower deferred compensation balances resulting from the ongoing vesting of stock options and restricted shares with exercise or sales prices that were deemed to be below fair market value.

 

Interest and Other Income, Net

 

The following table presents interest and other income, net (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

 
     January 29,
2005


   January 24,
2004


   Variance
in Dollars


   Variance
in Percent


    January 29,
2005


   January 24,
2004


   Variance
in Dollars


   Variance
in Percent


 

Interest and other income, net

   $ 4,672    $ 3,895    $ 777    20.0 %   $ 8,870    $ 8,163    $ 707    8.7 %
    

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

 

Interest and other income, net increased for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005 compared to the same periods ended January 24, 2004. The increase was primarily due to higher interest rates.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

We did not provide for income taxes for the three and six months ended January 29, 2005, or for the same periods in fiscal 2004, due to our cumulative tax losses in recent years and the net losses incurred during each period. We did not record any tax benefits relating to these losses due to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of these deferred tax assets. Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if certain substantial changes in our ownership were to occur, we could be limited in the future in the amount of net operating losses and other tax attributes that could be utilized annually to offset future taxable income. Future tax benefits have not been recognized in the financial statements, as their utilization is considered uncertain based on the weight of available information.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and investments were $949.0 million at January 29, 2005. Included in this amount were cash and cash equivalents of $373.2 million, compared to $45.4 million at July 31, 2004. The increase in cash and cash equivalents for the six months ended January 29, 2005 was due to cash provided by investing activities of $338.2 million and cash provided by financing activities of $3.9 million partially offset by cash used in operating activities of $14.4 million.

 

Cash provided by investing activities of $338.2 million consisted primarily of net maturities of investments of $339.6 million. Cash provided by financing activities of $3.9 million consisted of proceeds from employee stock plan activity. Cash used in operating activities of $14.4 million consisted of the net loss for the period of $13.1 million, adjusted for net non-cash charges totaling $3.4 million and changes to working capital totaling $4.7 million. The most significant changes to working capital were a decrease in deferred revenue of $3.0 million, a decrease in accrued restructuring costs of $1.7 million, a decrease in prepaids and other current assets of $1.1 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $0.9 million. Non-cash charges include depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation.

 

Our primary source of liquidity comes from our cash and cash equivalents and investments, which totaled $949.0 million at January 29, 2005. Our investments are classified as available-for-sale and consist of securities that are readily convertible to cash, including certificates of deposits, commercial paper, government securities and auction-rate securities, with contractual maturities ranging from February 2005 to July 2033. At January 29, 2005, $396.2

 

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million of investments with maturities of less than one year were classified as short-term investments, and $179.6 million of investments with maturities of greater than one year were classified as long-term investments. At current revenue levels, we anticipate that some portion of our existing cash and cash equivalents and investments will continue to be consumed by operations. Our accounts receivable, while not considered a primary source of liquidity, represents a concentration of credit risk because the accounts receivable balance at any point in time typically consists of a relatively small number of customer account balances. At January 29, 2005, more than 37% of our accounts receivable balance was attributable to 5 international customers. As of January 29, 2005, we do not have any outstanding debt or credit facilities, and do not anticipate entering into any debt or credit agreements in the foreseeable future. Our fixed commitments for cash expenditures consist primarily of payments under operating leases and inventory purchase commitments. We do not currently have any material commitments for capital expenditures, or any other material commitments aside from operating leases for our facilities and inventory purchase commitments. We currently intend to fund our operations, including our fixed commitments under operating leases, and any required capital expenditures over the next few years using our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments.

 

Based on our current plans and business conditions, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. We will continue to consider appropriate action with respect to our cash position in light of the present and anticipated business needs as well as providing a means by which our shareholders may realize value in connection with their investment.

 

Commitments, Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

At January 29, 2005, our off-balance sheet arrangements, which consist entirely of contractual commitments for operating leases and inventory purchase commitments, were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Total

  

Less than

1 Year


   1-3 Years

   3-5 Years

Operating Leases

   $ 12,179    $ 4,321    $ 7,858    —  

Inventory Purchase Commitments

     6,491      6,491      —      —  
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 18,670    $ 10,812    $ 7,858    —  
    

  

  

  

 

Payments made under operating leases will be treated as rent expense for the facilities currently being utilized, or as a reduction of the restructuring liability for payments relating to excess facilities. Payments made for inventory purchase commitments will initially be capitalized as inventory, and will then be recorded as cost of revenue as the inventory is sold or otherwise disposed of.

 

Factors that May Affect Future Results

 

Our business has been, and is likely to continue to be, adversely affected by unfavorable conditions in the telecommunications industry and the economy in general.

 

In early 2001, the telecommunications industry began a severe decline which has had a significant impact on our business. The industry decline and the continued spending constraints in the optical networking market have caused a decrease in the demand for our products which has had an adverse impact on our revenue and profitability.

 

We anticipate that our current and prospective customers will not materially increase their optical switching capital spending with us in the near future. As a result, we anticipate that our revenue, cost of revenue, gross profit and operating results will continue to be adversely affected by these market conditions.

 

We expect the trends described above to continue to affect our business in many ways, including the following ways:

 

    our current and prospective customers will continue to have limited capital expenditures;

 

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    consolidation of our customers may cause delays, disruptions or reductions in their capital spending plans;

 

    we will continue to have limited ability to forecast the volume and product mix of our sales;

 

    we will experience increased competition as a result of reduced demand and we may experience downward pressures on pricing of our products which reduces gross margins;

 

    the increased competition may enable customers to demand more favorable terms and conditions of sales including extended payment terms; and

 

    any bankruptcies or weakening financial condition of some of our customers may require us to write off amounts due from prior sales.

 

These factors could lead to further reduced revenues and gross margins and increased operating losses.

 

Consolidation in the industry may lead to increased competition and harm our business.

 

The industry has experienced consolidation and we expect this trend to continue. Consolidation among our customers may cause delays or reductions in capital expenditure plans and/or increased competitive pricing pressures as the number of available customers declines and their relative purchasing power increases in relation to suppliers. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business.

 

Our strategy to pursue strategic and financial alternatives may not be successful.

 

We face numerous challenges as a focused optical switching vendor. In order to address these challenges we continue to pursue alternatives available to us, including but not limited to: (i) a sale to another entity, (ii) acquisitions of, or mergers or other combinations with companies with either complementary technologies or in adjacent segments, (iii) remaining a stand-alone entity, and (iv) additional restructuring of our operations or business. Any decision regarding strategic alternatives would be subject to inherent risk, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to identify the appropriate opportunities, successfully negotiate economically beneficial terms, successfully integrate any acquired business, retain key employees or achieve the anticipated synergies or benefits of the strategic alternative selected. Additionally, we may issue additional shares in connection with a strategic transaction that could dilute the holdings of existing common stockholders, or we may utilize cash in such a strategic transaction. In implementing our strategy, we may enter markets in which we have little or no prior experience and there can be no assurance that we will be successful.

 

Further, we may consider appropriate action with respect to our cash position in light of present and anticipated business needs including but not limited to stock buybacks and cash distributions. As reported previously, we have engaged Morgan Stanley to assist us in the review of strategic and financial alternatives for our Company. There can be no assurances that any transaction or other corporate action will result from our review of strategic and financial alternatives. Further, there can be no assurance concerning the success, type, form, structure, nature, results, timing or terms and conditions of any such potential action, even if such an action does result from this review.

 

Whether or not we pursue any specific strategic alternative, the value of your shares may decrease.

 

The Company continues to review various strategic alternatives, including but not limited to, a sale to another entity, acquisitions of, or mergers or other combinations with other companies, remaining a standalone entity, additional restructuring of our operations or business and other recapitalization alternatives such as additional cash distributions and stock buybacks. We cannot predict whether, or when, such a transaction or transactions will be available, and we cannot assure you that we would be able to consummate any transaction or transactions or that any transaction or transactions would provide you with a positive return on your investment. Accordingly, whether or not we pursue any specific strategic alternative, the value of your shares may decrease.

 

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We currently depend entirely on our line of optical networking products and our revenue depends upon their commercial success.

 

Our revenue depends on the commercial success of our line of optical networking products. Our research and development efforts focus exclusively on optical switching products. In order to remain competitive, we believe that continued investment in research and development is necessary in order to provide innovative solutions to our current and prospective customers. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in:

 

    anticipating evolving customer requirements;

 

    completing the development, introduction or production manufacturing of new products; or

 

    enhancing our existing products.

 

If our current and prospective customers do not adopt our optical networking products and do not purchase and successfully deploy our current and future products, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Current economic conditions makes forecasting difficult.

 

Current economic and market conditions have limited our ability to forecast the volume and product mix of our sales, making it difficult to provide estimates of revenue and operating results. We continue to have limited visibility into the capital spending plans of our current and prospective customers. Fluctuations in our revenue can lead to even greater fluctuations in our operating results. Our planned expense levels depend in part on our expectations of future revenue. Our planned expenses include significant investments in our research and development, sales and customer service organizations that we believe are necessary to develop, market and sell our products to current and prospective customers, even though we are unsure of the volume, duration or timing of any purchase orders. As a result, it is difficult to forecast revenue and operating results. If our revenue and operating results are below the expectations of our investors and market analysts, it could cause a decline in the price of our common stock.

 

Our current strategy requires us to maintain a significant cost structure and our failure to increase our revenues would prevent us from achieving and maintaining profitability.

 

Our business has been adversely affected by the decline in the telecommunications industry which began in 2001. During this period, our revenue has decreased significantly and we enacted three separate restructuring programs which have reduced our cost structure and focused our business on the optical switching market. In order to remain competitive, we continue to maintain a significant cost structure, particularly within the research and development, sales and customer support organizations. We believe this cost structure is necessary to develop, market and sell our products to current and prospective customers. Due to our decreased revenues, our restructuring programs and our decision to maintain a significant cost structure, we have incurred a net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 of $5.3 million and a cumulative net loss of $794.2 million at January 29, 2005. We expect that our decision to maintain a significant cost structure will require us to generate significantly higher revenue over current levels in order to achieve and maintain profitability. As a result, we expect to continue to incur net losses. We cannot assure you that our revenue will increase or that we will generate sufficient revenue to achieve or sustain such profitability.

 

We face intense competition that could adversely affect our sales and profitability.

 

Service providers continue to limit their capital spending. Competition for optical switching opportunities is intense and continues to be dominated by large, incumbent equipment suppliers. Competition is based upon a combination of price, established customer relationships, broad product portfolios, large service and support teams, functionality and scalability. Large companies, such as Nortel Networks, Lucent Technologies, Alcatel, Cisco, Tellabs and Ciena Corporation, have historically dominated this market. Many of our competitors have long operating histories and greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and manufacturing resources than we do and are able to devote greater resources to the research and development of new products. These competitors also have long standing existing relationships with our current and prospective customers. To a lesser extent, new competitors have entered the

 

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optical networking market using the latest available technology in order to compete with our products. Our competitors may forecast market developments more accurately and could develop new technologies that compete with our products or even render our products obsolete.

 

The decline in the telecommunications industry beginning in early 2001 has reduced product demand for our products and resulted in even greater competitive pressures. We expect to encounter aggressive tactics such as the following:

 

    price discounting;

 

    early announcements of competing products and other marketing efforts;

 

    customer financing assistance;

 

    complete solution sales from one single source;

 

    marketing and advertising assistance; and

 

    intellectual property disputes.

 

These tactics may be effective in a highly concentrated customer base like ours. Our customers are under increasing pressure to deliver their services at the lowest possible cost. As a result, the price of an optical networking system may become an important factor in customer decisions. In certain cases, our larger competitors have more diverse product lines that allow them the flexibility to price their products more aggressively and absorb the significant cost structure associated with optical switching research and development across their entire business. If we are unable to offset any reductions in the average selling price of our products by a reduction in the cost of our products, our gross margins will be adversely affected.

 

Further, we believe that our industry may enter into a consolidation phase. Over the past two to three years, the market valuations of many companies in our industry have declined significantly making them more attractive acquisition candidates. Furthermore, the weakened financial position of many companies in our industry may make them more receptive to being acquired. We believe that industry consolidation may result in stronger competitors that are better able to compete for customers. Industry consolidation may have an adverse impact on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

 

If we are unable to compete successfully against our current and future competitors, we could experience price reductions, order cancellations and reduced gross margins, any one of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Substantially all of our revenue is generated from a limited number of customers, and our success depends on increasing both direct sales and indirect sales through distribution channels to a limited number of incumbent service providers and the federal government.

 

There are limited optical switching opportunities since our current and prospective customers have reduced their capital expenditures and competition for these opportunities is intense. In recent quarters our revenue has been concentrated among a limited number of customers. None of our customers is contractually committed to purchase minimum quantities of products from us and orders are generally cancelable prior to shipment. We expect that our revenue will continue to depend on sales of our products to a limited number of customers. While expanding our customer base is a key objective, at the present time, the number of prospective customers for our products is limited. In addition, we believe that our industry may enter into a consolidation phase which would further reduce the number of prospective customers, slow purchases and delay optical switching deployment decisions.

 

Our direct sales efforts primarily target incumbent service providers, many of which have made significant investments in traditional optical networking infrastructures. In addition we are establishing channel relationships with distribution partners including resellers, distributors and systems integrators for the sale of our products to the federal government and commercial customers. We have entered into agreements with several distribution partners,

 

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some of which also sell products that compete with our products. We cannot be certain that we will be able to retain or attract distribution partners on a timely basis or at all, or that the distribution partners will devote adequate resources to selling our products. Since we have only limited experience in developing and managing such channels, the extent to which we will be successful is uncertain. If we are unable to develop and manage new channels of distribution to sell our products to incumbent service providers and the federal government, or if our distribution partners are unable to convince incumbent service providers or the federal government to deploy our optical networking solutions, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.

 

We may not be successful in selling our products through established channels to the federal government.

 

We have a reseller agreement for the sale of our products to the federal government and our products were selected to serve as the optical digital cross connect platform for DISA’s GIG-BE project. Since we have only limited experience in developing and managing such channels, the extent to which we will be successful is uncertain. Sales to the federal government require compliance with on-going complex procurement rules and regulations with which we have little experience. We will not be able to succeed in the federal government market and sell our products to federal government contractors if we cannot comply with these rules and regulations. The federal government is not contractually committed to purchase our products for the GIG-BE project, and there can be no assurance that it will purchase our products in the future. Our failure to sell products to the federal government, including for use in the GIG-BE project, could adversely affect our ability to achieve our planned levels of revenue, which would affect our profitability and results of operations.

 

Our large customers have substantial negotiating leverage, which may require that we agree to terms and conditions that may have an adverse effect on our business.

 

The federal government and large telecommunications providers that make up a large part of our target market have substantial purchasing power and potential leverage in negotiating contractual arrangements with us. These customers and prospects may require us to develop additional features and require penalties for failure to deliver such features. As we seek to increase sales into our target markets, we may be required to agree to such terms and conditions, which may affect the timing of revenue recognition and amount of deferred revenues and may have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

 

We depend on a government agency, through our reseller, for a significant amount of our revenue and the loss or decline of existing or future government agency funding could adversely affect our revenue and cash flows.

 

For the first six months of fiscal 2005, approximately 31% of our revenue was derived from a government agency through our reseller. This government agency (DISA) may be subject to budget cuts, budgetary constraints, a reduction or discontinuation of funding or changes in the political or regulatory environment that may cause the agency to terminate the projects, divert funds or delay implementation. The agency may terminate the contract at any time without cause. A significant reduction in funds available for the agency to purchase equipment would significantly reduce our revenue and cash flows. The significant reduction or delay in orders by the agency would also significantly reduce our revenue and cash flows. Additionally, government contracts are generally subject to audits and investigations by government agencies. If the results of these audits or investigations are negative, our reputation could be damaged, contracts could be terminated or significant penalties could be assessed. If a contract is terminated for any reason, our ability to fully recover certain amounts may be impaired resulting in a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Any acquisitions or strategic investments we make could disrupt our business and seriously harm our financial condition.

 

As part of our business strategy, we consider acquisitions, strategic investments and business combinations including those in complementary companies, products or technologies, or in adjacent market segments and otherwise. We may consider such acquisitions to broaden our product portfolio, gain access to a particular customer base or market, or to take immediate advantage of a strategic opportunity. In the event of an acquisition, we may:

 

    issue stock that would dilute our current stockholders’ holdings;

 

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    consume cash, which would reduce the amount of cash available for other purposes;

 

    incur debt or assume liabilities;

 

    increase our ongoing operating expenses and level of fixed costs;

 

    record goodwill and non-amortizable intangible assets subject to impairment testing and potential periodic impairment charges;

 

    incur amortization expenses related to certain intangible assets;

 

    incur large and immediate write-offs; or

 

    become subject to litigation.

 

Our ability to achieve the benefits of any acquisition, will also involve numerous risks, including:

 

    problems combining the purchased operations, technologies or products;

 

    unanticipated costs or liabilities;

 

    diversion of management’s attention from other business issues and opportunities;

 

    adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;

 

    problems entering markets in which we have no or limited prior experience;

 

    problems with integrating employees and potential loss of key employees; and

 

    additional regulatory compliance issues.

 

We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully integrate any businesses, products, technologies or personnel that we might acquire in the future and any failure to do so could disrupt our business and seriously harm our financial condition.

 

The unpredictability of our quarterly results may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

 

In general, our revenue and operating results in any reporting period may fluctuate significantly due to a variety of factors including:

 

    fluctuation in demand for our products;

 

    the timing and size of sales of our products;

 

    changes in customer requirements, including delays or order cancellations;

 

    the introduction of new products by us or our competitors;

 

    changes in the price or availability of components for our products;

 

    the timing of recognizing revenue and deferred revenue;

 

    readiness of customer sites for installation;

 

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    changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors;

 

    satisfaction of contractual customer acceptance criteria and related revenue recognition issues;

 

    manufacturing and shipment delays and deferrals;

 

    the timing and amount of employer payroll tax to be paid on employee gains on stock options exercised;

 

    changes in accounting rules, such as any future requirement to record stock-based compensation expense for employee stock option grants made at fair market value; and

 

    general economic conditions as well as those specific to the telecommunications and related industries.

 

We believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not a good indication of our future performance. You should not rely on our results for one quarter as any indication of our future performance. The factors discussed above are extremely difficult to predict and impact our revenue and operating results. In addition, our ability to forecast our future business has been significantly impaired by the current economic and market conditions. As a result, we believe that our revenue and operating results are likely to continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter and may cause our stock price to fluctuate.

 

Additionally, we believe that customers who make a decision to deploy our products will expand their networks slowly and deliberately. Potential new business opportunities for our products may be smaller than what we have experienced historically. In addition, we could receive purchase orders on an irregular and unpredictable basis. Because of the nature of our business, we cannot predict these sales and deployment cycles. The long sales cycles, as well as our expectation that customers may tend to place large orders sporadically with short lead times, may cause our revenue and results of operations to vary significantly and unexpectedly from quarter to quarter. As a result, our future operating results may be below our expectations or those of public market analysts and investors, and our revenue may decline or recover at a slower rate than anticipated by us or analysts and investors. In either event, the price of our common stock could decrease.

 

We utilize contract manufacturers and any disruption in these relationships may cause us to fail to meet our customer’s demands and may damage our customer relationships.

 

We have limited internal manufacturing capabilities. We outsource the manufacturing of our products to contract manufacturers who manufacture our products in accordance with our specifications and fill orders on a timely basis. We may not be able to manage our relationships with our contract manufacturers effectively, and our contract manufacturers may not meet our future requirements for timely delivery. Our contract manufacturers also build products for other companies, and we cannot be assured that they will have sufficient quantities of inventory available to fill our customer orders or that they will allocate their internal resources to fill these orders on a timely basis. In addition, our utilization of contract manufacturers limits our ability to control the manufacturing processes of our products, which exposes us to risks including the unpredictability of manufacturing yields and a reduced ability to control the quality of finished products. Unforecasted customer demand may increase the cost to build our products due to fees charged to expedite production and other related charges.

 

The contract manufacturing industry is a highly competitive, capital-intensive business with relatively low profit margins, and acquisition activity is relatively common. Qualifying a new contract manufacturer and commencing volume production is expensive and time consuming, and could result in a significant interruption in the supply of our products. If we are required or choose to change contract manufacturers for any reason, our revenue, gross margins and customer relationships could be adversely affected.

 

We and our contract manufacturers rely on single or limited sources for supply of certain components and our business may be seriously harmed if our supply of any of these components is disrupted.

 

We and our contract manufacturers purchase several key components from single or limited sources. These key components include commercial digital signal processors, central processing units, field programmable gate arrays,

 

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switch fabric, and optical transceivers. We generally purchase our key components on a purchase order basis and have no long-term contracts for these components. In the event of a disruption in supply of key components, we may not be able to develop an alternate source in a timely manner or on acceptable terms. Any such failure could impair our ability to deliver products to customers, which would adversely affect our revenue and operating results.

 

In addition, our reliance on key component suppliers exposes us to potential supplier production difficulties or quality variations. The loss of a source of supply for key components or a disruption in the supply chain could require us to incur additional costs to redesign our products that use those components.

 

During the past year, component suppliers have planned their production capacity to better match demand. If the demand for certain components increases beyond the component suppliers planned production capacity, there may be component shortages which may increase procurement costs. In addition, consolidation in the optical component industry could result in increased competition for supply of key components and higher component prices. If any of these events occurred, our revenue and operating results could be adversely affected.

 

Our inability to anticipate inventory requirements may result in inventory charges or delays in product shipments.

 

During the normal course of business, we may provide purchase orders to our contract manufacturers for up to six months prior to scheduled delivery of products to our customers. If we overestimate our product requirements, the contract manufacturers may assess cancellation penalties or we may have excess inventory which could negatively impact our gross margins. If we underestimate our product requirements, the contract manufacturers may have inadequate inventory that could interrupt manufacturing of our products and result in delays in shipment to our customers. We also could incur additional charges to manufacture our products to meet our customer deployment schedules. If we overestimate or underestimate our product requirements, our revenue and gross profit may be impacted.

 

Product performance problems could limit our sales to current and prospective customers.

 

If our products do not meet our customers’ performance requirements, our relationships with current and prospective customers may be adversely affected. The design, development and deployment of our products often involve problems with software, components, manufacturing processes and interoperability with other network elements. If we are unable to identify and fix errors or other problems, or if our customers experience interruptions or delays that cannot be promptly resolved, we could experience:

 

    loss of revenue or delay in revenue recognition or accounts receivable collection;

 

    loss of customers and market share;

 

    inability to attract new customers or achieve market acceptance;

 

    diversion of development and other resources;

 

    increased service, warranty and insurance costs; and

 

    legal actions by our customers.

 

These factors may adversely impact our revenue, operating results and financial condition. In addition, our products are often critical to the performance of our customers’ network. Generally, we seek to limit liability in our customer agreements. If we are not successful in limiting our liability, or these contractual limitations are not enforceable or if we are exposed to product liability claims that are not covered by insurance, a successful claim could harm our business.

 

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Our business is subject to risks from international operations.

 

International sales represented 53% of total revenue in the first six months of fiscal 2005, and we have a substantial international customer base. We are subject to foreign exchange translation risk to the extent that our revenue is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Doing business internationally requires significant management attention and financial resources to successfully develop direct and indirect sales channels and to support customers in international markets. We may not be able to maintain or expand international market demand for our products.

 

In addition, international operations are subject to other inherent risks, including:

 

    greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection and longer collection periods;

 

    difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations in compliance with local laws and customs;

 

    reliance on distribution partners for the resale of our products in certain markets and for certain types of product offerings, such as the integration of our products into third-party product offerings;

 

    necessity to work with third parties in certain countries to perform installation and obtain customer acceptance, and the resulting impact on revenue recognition;

 

    necessity to maintain staffing, or to work with third parties, to provide service and support in international locations;

 

    the impact of slowdowns or recessions in economies outside the United States;

 

    unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, including trade protection measures and import and licensing requirements;

 

    certification requirements;

 

    currency fluctuations;

 

    reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries;

 

    potentially adverse tax consequences; and

 

    political and economic instability, particularly in emerging markets.

 

These factors may adversely impact our revenue, operating results and financial condition.

 

We depend on our key personnel to manage our business effectively in a rapidly changing market, and if we are unable to retain our key employees, our ability to compete could be harmed.

 

We depend on the continued services of our executive officers and other key engineering, sales, marketing and support personnel, who have critical industry experience and relationships that we rely on to implement our business strategy. None of our officers or key employees is bound by an employment agreement for any specific term. We do not have “key person” life insurance policies covering any of our employees.

 

All of our key employees have been granted stock-based awards that are intended to represent an integral component of their compensation package. These stock-based awards may not provide the intended incentive to our employees if our stock price declines or experiences significant volatility. The loss of the services of any of our key employees, the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel in the future, or delays in hiring qualified personnel could delay the development and introduction of, and negatively impact our ability to sell, our products.

 

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We face certain litigation risks.

 

We are the defendant in a securities lawsuit and a party to other litigation and claims in the normal course of our business. Litigation is by its nature uncertain and there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of such claims will not exceed the amounts accrued for such claims, if any. Litigation can be expensive, lengthy, and disruptive to normal business operations. An unfavorable resolution of a legal matter could have a material adverse affect on our business, operating results, or financial condition. For additional information regarding certain lawsuits in which we are involved, see Part II, Item 1 - “Legal Proceedings”.

 

Our ability to compete and pursue strategic alternatives could be jeopardized if we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights or infringe on intellectual property rights of others.

 

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and restrictions on disclosure to protect our intellectual property rights. We also enter into confidentiality or license agreements with our employees, consultants and corporate partners and control access to and distribution of our products, documentation and other proprietary information. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our products or technology. Monitoring unauthorized use of our products is difficult and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use of our technology, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. If competitors are able to use our technology, our ability to compete and pursue strategic alternatives effectively could be harmed. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights. Any such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse affect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Our industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent claims and related litigation regarding patents and other intellectual property rights. In the course of our business, we may receive claims of infringement or otherwise become aware of potentially relevant patents or other intellectual property rights held by other parties. We evaluate the validity and applicability of these intellectual property rights, and determine in each case whether we must negotiate licenses or cross-licenses to incorporate or use the proprietary technologies in our products.

 

Any parties asserting that our products infringe upon their proprietary rights would force us to defend ourselves, and possibly our customers, manufacturers or suppliers against the alleged infringement. Regardless of their merit, these claims could result in costly litigation and subject us to the risk of significant liability for damages. Such claims would likely be time consuming and expensive to resolve, would divert management time and attention and would put us at risk to:

 

    stop selling, incorporating or using our products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

 

    obtain from the owner of the intellectual property right a license to sell or use the relevant technology, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all;

 

    redesign those products that use such technology; or

 

    accept a return of products that use such technologies.

 

If we are forced to take any of the foregoing actions, our business may be seriously harmed.

 

In addition, we license public domain software and proprietary technology from third parties for use in our existing products, as well as new product development and enhancements. We cannot be assured that such licenses will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms in the future, if at all. The inability to maintain or obtain any such license required for our current or future products and enhancements could require us to substitute technology of lower quality or performance standards or at greater cost, either of which could adversely impact the competitiveness of our products.

 

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While we believe that we currently have adequate internal controls over financial reporting, we are exposed to risks from recent legislation requiring companies to evaluate those internal controls.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in particular Section 404, requires our management to report on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. Beginning with our Form 10-K for our fiscal year ending July 31, 2005, our independent auditors will be required to attest to and report on the evaluation by our management. We are currently undergoing a review of our internal control systems and procedures and are considering improvements that will be necessary in order for us to ensure compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Although we believe that our efforts will enable us to provide the required management report and enable our independent auditors to provide their attestation report concerning our assessment and the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of our fiscal year end, we can give no assurances that such efforts will be completed in a timely manner and on a successful basis, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

Our earnings may be impacted by the new accounting pronouncements requiring the expensing of equity instruments issued to employees.

 

We currently account for the issuance of stock options under APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. The FASB has issued SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment” that changes the accounting treatment for grants of options, sale of shares under our employee stock purchase plan and other equity instruments issued to employees. The provisions of SFAS 123R will require companies to record a charge to earnings for employee stock option grants and other equity incentives beginning July 1, 2005. SFAS 123R will be effective for our first quarter of fiscal 2006 and thereafter. Management is assessing the implications of this revised standard, which may materially impact the Company’s results of operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 and thereafter.

 

Any extension of credit to our customers may subject us to credit risks and limit the capital that we have available for other uses.

 

From time to time we have received requests for financing assistance from existing and prospective customers. In the near term, we expect these requests to continue. We believe the ability to offer financing assistance can be a competitive factor in obtaining business. In the past, we have provided extended payment terms on trade receivables to certain key customers to assist them with their network deployment plans. Such financing activities subject us to the credit risk of customers whom we finance. In addition, our ability to recognize revenue from financed sales will depend upon the relative financial condition of the specific customer, among other factors. We could experience losses due to customers failing to meet their financial obligations that could harm our business and materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

 

Our stock price may continue to be volatile.

 

Historically, the market for technology stocks has been extremely volatile. Our common stock has experienced, and may continue to experience, substantial price volatility. The occurrence of any one or more of the factors noted above could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly. In addition, the following factors could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly:

 

    loss of a major customer;

 

    significant changes or slowdowns in the funding and spending patterns of our current and prospective customers;

 

    the addition or departure of key personnel;

 

    variations in our quarterly operating results;

 

    announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, new products or product enhancements;

 

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    failure by us to meet product milestones;

 

    acquisitions, distribution partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

    regulatory changes in telecommunications;

 

    variations between our actual results and the published expectations of securities analysts;

 

    changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

 

    sales of our common stock or other securities in the future;

 

    changes in market valuations of networking and telecommunications companies;

 

    fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes; and

 

    announcements or implementation of a stock buyback or cash distribution.

 

In addition, the stock market in general, and the Nasdaq National Market and technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market and industry factors may materially adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against such companies.

 

Your ability to influence key transactions, including changes of control, may be limited by significant insider ownership, provisions of our charter documents and provisions of Delaware law.

 

As of January 29, 2005, our officers, directors and entities affiliated with them, in the aggregate, beneficially owned approximately 36% of our outstanding common stock. These stockholders, if acting together, would be able to significantly influence matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers or other business combination transactions. In addition, provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, by-laws, and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to certain stockholders.

 

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Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

Interest Rate Sensitivity

 

The primary objective of our current investment activities is to preserve investment principal while maximizing income without significantly increasing risk. We maintain a portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments in a variety of securities including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, money market funds and government debt securities. These available-for-sale investments are subject to interest rate risk and may fall in value if market interest rates increase. If market interest rates increased immediately and uniformly by 10 percent from levels at January 29, 2005, the fair value of the portfolio would decline by approximately $1.1 million. We have the ability to hold our fixed income investments until maturity, and therefore do not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to any significant degree by the effect of a sudden change in market interest rates on our investment portfolio.

 

Exchange Rate Sensitivity

 

While the majority of our operations are based in the United States, our business has become increasingly global, with international revenue representing 59% of total revenue in fiscal 2004, and 53% of revenue in the first six months of fiscal 2005. We expect that international sales may continue to represent a significant portion of our revenue. Fluctuations in foreign currencies may have an impact on our financial results, although to date the impact has not been material. We are prepared to hedge against fluctuations in foreign currencies if the exposure is material, although we have not engaged in hedging activities to date.

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Based on our management’s evaluation (with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our second fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls. Our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of our control system are met. However, our management (including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer) does not expect that the disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Due to the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, errors and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been or will be detected.

 

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Part II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Beginning on July 2, 2001, several purported class action complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and several of its officers and directors (the “Individual Defendants”) and the underwriters for the Company’s initial public offering on October 21, 1999. Some of the complaints also include the underwriters for the Company’s follow-on offering on March 14, 2000. The complaints were consolidated into a single action and an amended complaint was filed on April 19, 2002. The amended complaint, which is the operative complaint, was filed on behalf of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock between October 21, 1999 and December 6, 2000. The amended complaint alleges claims against the Company, several of the Individual Defendants and the underwriters for violations under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), primarily based on the assertion that the Company’s lead underwriters, the Company and several of the Individual Defendants made material false and misleading statements in the Company’s Registration Statements and Prospectuses filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, in October 1999 and March 2000 because of the failure to disclose (a) the alleged solicitation and receipt of excessive and undisclosed commissions by the underwriters in connection with the allocation of shares of common stock to certain investors in the Company’s public offerings and (b) that certain of the underwriters allegedly had entered into agreements with investors whereby underwriters agreed to allocate the public offering shares in exchange for which the investors agreed to make additional purchases of stock in the aftermarket at pre-determined prices. It also alleges claims against the Company, the Individual Defendants and the underwriters under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), primarily based on the assertion that the Company’s lead underwriters, the Company and the Individual Defendants defrauded investors by participating in a fraudulent scheme and by making materially false and misleading statements and omissions of material fact during the period in question. The amended complaint seeks damages in an unspecified amount.

 

The action against the Company is being coordinated with approximately three hundred other nearly identical actions filed against other companies. Due to the large number of nearly identical actions, the Court has ordered the parties to select up to twenty “test” cases. To date, along with sixteen other cases, the Company’s case has been selected as one such test case. As a result, among other things, the Company will be subject to broader discovery obligations and expenses in the litigation than non-test case issuer defendants.

 

On October 9, 2002, the court dismissed the Individual Defendants from the case without prejudice based upon Stipulations of Dismissal filed by the plaintiffs and the Individual Defendants. This dismissal disposed of the Section 15 and Section 20(a) claims without prejudice, because these claims were asserted only against the Individual Defendants. On October 13, 2004, the court denied the certification of a class in the action against the Company with respect to the Section 11 claims alleging that the defendants made material false and misleading statements in the Company’s Registration Statement and Prospectuses. The certification was denied because no class representative purchased shares between the date of the IPO and January 19, 2000 (the date unregistered shares entered the market), and thereafter suffered a loss on the sale of those shares. The court certified a class in the action against the Company with respect to the Section 10(b) claims alleging that the Company and the Individual Defendants defrauded investors by participating in a fraudulent scheme and by making materially false and misleading statements and omissions of material fact during the period in question.

 

The Company, the Individual Defendants, the plaintiff class and the vast majority of the other approximately three hundred issuer defendants and the individual defendants currently or formerly associated with those companies have approved, and submitted to the Court for its approval, settlement and related agreements (the “Settlement Agreement”) which set forth the terms of a settlement between these parties. Among other provisions, the Settlement Agreement provides for a release of the Company and the Individual Defendants for the conduct alleged in the action to be wrongful and for the Company to undertake certain responsibilities, including agreeing to assign away, not assert, or release, certain potential claims the Company may have against its underwriters. In addition, no payments will be required by the issuer defendants under the Settlement Agreement to the extent plaintiffs recover at least $1 billion from the underwriter defendants, who are not parties to the Settlement Agreement and have filed a memorandum of law in opposition to the approval of the Settlement Agreement. To the extent that plaintiffs recover less than $1 billion from the underwriter defendants, the approximately three-hundred issuer defendants are required

 

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to make up the difference. It is anticipated that any potential financial obligation of the Company to plaintiffs pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement will be covered by existing insurance. The Company currently is not aware of any material limitations on the expected recovery of any potential financial obligation to the plaintiffs from the Company’s insurance carriers. The Company’s insurance carriers are solvent, and the Company is not aware of any uncertainties as to the legal sufficiency of an insurance claim with respect to any recovery by the plaintiffs. Therefore, we do not expect that the Settlement Agreement will involve any payment by the Company. If material limitations on the expected recovery of any potential financial obligation to the plaintiffs from the Company’s insurance carriers should arise, the Company’s maximum financial obligation to plaintiffs pursuant to the Settlement Agreement would be less than $3.4 million. On February 15, 2005, the court granted preliminary approval of the Settlement Agreement, subject to certain modifications consistent with its opinion. The issuer defendants and the plaintiffs have until February 28, 2005 to submit a revised Settlement Agreement which provides for a mutual bar of all contribution claims by the settling and non-settling parties and does not bar the parties from pursuing other claims. The underwriter defendants will have until March 10, 2005 to object to a revised Settlement Agreement. There is no assurance that the parties to the settlement will be able to agree to a revised Settlement Agreement consistent with the court’s opinion, or that the court will grant final approval to the settlement to the extent the parties reach agreement. If the Settlement Agreement is not approved and the Company is found liable, we are unable to estimate or predict the potential damages that might be awarded, whether such damages would be greater than the Company’s insurance coverage, and whether such damages would have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition in any future period.

 

On April 1, 2003, a complaint was filed against the Company in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York by the creditors’ committee (the “Committee”) of 360networks (USA), inc. and 360networks services inc. (the “Debtors”). The Debtors are the subject of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding but are not plaintiffs in the complaint filed by the Committee. The complaint seeks recovery of alleged preferential payments in the amount of approximately $16.1 million, plus interest. The Committee alleges that the Debtors made the preferential payments under Section 547(b) of the Bankruptcy Code to the Company during the 90-day period prior to the Debtors’ bankruptcy filings. The Company believes that the claims against it are without merit and intends to defend against the complaint vigorously. The Company is not currently able to estimate the possibility of loss or range of loss, if any, relating to these claims.

 

The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

In the six months ended January 29, 2005, the following shares of common stock were surrendered to the Company:

 

    

Total shares
purchased

*


   Average price
paid per share


October 31, 2004 – November 27, 2004

   1,023    $ —  

November 28, 2004 – December 25, 2004

   —        —  

December 26, 2004 – January 29, 2005

   5,008      —  
    
  

Total

   6,031    $ —  
    
  


* Purchased from departing employees pursuant to preexisting contractual rights.

 

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The Company has not publicly announced any programs to repurchase shares of common stock.

 

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

 

At the Company’s annual meeting held on December 20, 2004, the stockholders of the Company elected the following nominees, each to serve for a three-year term as a Class II Director and until their respective predecessors are elected and qualified:

 

Nominees


 

          For          


 

  Withheld  


Gururaj Deshpande

  252,889,402   996,981

Paul J. Ferri

  252,562,102   1,324,281

 

Daniel E. Smith, Timothy A. Barrows, Paul W. Chisholm and John W. Gerdelman also continued as directors of the Company after the annual meeting.

 

At the same annual meeting, the stockholders of the Company ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2005 by the following vote:

 

        For        


 

    Against    


 

Abstention


252,233,571

  1,570,839   81,973

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibits:

 

(a) List of Exhibits

 

Number

  

Exhibit Description


3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (2)
3.2    Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (2)
3.3    Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (3)
3.4    Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (2)
4.1    Specimen common stock certificate (1)
4.2    See Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4, for provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Registrant defining the rights of holders of common stock of the Company (2)(3)
10.1    Letter Agreement between Sycamore Networks, Inc. and Alan Cormier.
10.2    Form of Indemnification Agreement between Sycamore Networks, Inc. and executive officers of Sycamore, including Alan Cormier. (4)
*10.3    Lease Term Expiration Agreement between Sycamore Networks, Inc. and Farley White Associates, LLC dated January 21, 2005.
*10.4    Agreement for the Provision of Hardware, Software, Training, Support and Maintenance and Project Management Services to Vodafone Limited between Vodafone Limited and Sycamore Networks, Inc. dated November 16, 2000, as amended by amendments 1 through 5.
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(1) Incorporated by reference to Sycamore Networks, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Statement No. 333-84635).
(2) Incorporated by reference to Sycamore Networks, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Statement No. 333-30630).
(3) Incorporated by reference to Sycamore Networks, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 27, 2001 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2001.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Sycamore Networks, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 30, 1999 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 1999.
* Confidential treatment requested for certain portions of this Exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act, which portions are omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Signature

 

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

 

Sycamore Networks, Inc.

/s/ Richard J. Gaynor


Richard J. Gaynor
Chief Financial Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: February 25, 2005

 

 

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