Indicate by check mark basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | |
PART I | | 7 |
| 7 |
| 7 |
| 7 |
A. | Selected Financial Data | 7 |
B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness | 9 |
C. | Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds | 9 |
D. | Risk Factors | 9 |
| | |
| 29 |
A. | History and Development of Allot | 29 |
B. | Business Overview | 29 |
C. | Organizational Structure | 39 |
D. | Property, Plant and Equipment | 40 |
| 40 |
| |
| 40 |
A. | Operating Results | 40 |
B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources | 52 |
C. | Research and Development, Patents and Licenses | 53 |
D. | Trend Information | 54 |
E. | Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 54 |
F. | Contractual Obligations | 54 |
| 54 |
A. | Directors and Senior Management | 55 |
| Directors | 55 |
| | |
| Executive Officers | 57 |
B. | Compensation of Officers and Directors | 59 |
| | |
C. | Board Practices | 62 |
| | |
D. | Employees | 68 |
E. | Share Ownership | 68 |
| | |
| 71 |
A. | Major Shareholders | 71 |
| | |
B. | Related Party Transactions | 72 |
| | |
C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel | 73 |
| 73 |
A. | Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information. | 73 |
B. | Significant Changes | 73 |
| 73 |
| |
| Markets | 74 |
| 74 |
A. | Share Capital | 74 |
B. | Memorandum and Articles of Association | 74 |
C. | Material Contracts | 79 |
D. | Exchange Controls | 79 |
E. | Taxation | 80 |
F. | Dividends and Paying Agents | 92 |
G. | Statement by Experts | 92 |
H. | Documents on Display | 92 |
I. | Subsidiary Information | 93 |
| 93 |
| | |
| 94 |
| |
PART II | | 94 |
| 94 |
| 94 |
A. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders | 94 |
B. | Use of Proceeds | 94 |
| 94 |
| 95 |
| 95 |
| 95 |
| |
| 95 |
Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures | 95 |
| 96 |
| |
| 96 |
| 96 |
| 96 |
| 96 |
| |
PART III | | 97 |
| 97 |
| 97 |
| 97 |
PRELIMINARY NOTES
Terms
As used herein, and unless the context suggests otherwise, the terms “Allot,” “Company,” “we,” “us” or “ours” refer to Allot Communications Ltd.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical facts, this annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, potential market opportunities and the effects of competition. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and the negatives of those terms. These statements include but are not limited to:
| · | statements regarding projections of capital expenditures; |
| · | statements regarding competitive pressures; |
| · | statements regarding expected revenue growth; |
| · | statements regarding the expected growth in demand of our products; |
| · | statements regarding trends in mobile networks, including the development of a digital lifestyle, over-the-top applications, the need to manage mobile network traffic and cloud computing, among others; |
| · | statements regarding our ability to develop technologies to meet our customer demands and expand our product and service offerings; |
| · | statements regarding the acceptance and growth of our value-added services by our customers; |
| · | statements regarding the expected growth in the use of particular broadband applications; |
| · | statements as to our ability to meet anticipated cash needs based on our current business plan; |
| · | statements as to the impact of the rate of inflation and the political and security situation on our business; |
| · | statements regarding the price and market liquidity of our ordinary shares; |
| · | statements as to our ability to retain our current suppliers and subcontractors; and |
| · | statements regarding our future performance, sales, gross margins, expenses (including stock-based compensation expenses) and cost of revenues. |
These statements may be found in the sections of this annual report on Form 20-F entitled “ITEM 3: Key Information—Risk Factors,” “ITEM 4: Information on Allot,” “ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” “ITEM 10: Additional Information—Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations” and elsewhere in this annual report, including the section of this annual report entitled “ITEM 4: Information on Allot—Business Overview—Overview” and “ITEM 4: Information on Allot—Business Overview—Industry Background,” which contain information obtained from independent industry sources. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including all the risks discussed in “ITEM 3: Key Information—Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.
All forward-looking statements in this annual report reflect our current views about future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Unless we are required to do so under U.S. federal securities laws or other applicable laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I | |
| 7 |
| 7 |
| 7 |
Selected Financial Data | 7 |
Capitalization and Indebtedness | 9 |
Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds | 9 |
Risk Factors | 9 |
| 25 |
History and Development of Allot | 25 |
Business Overview | 25 |
Organizational Structure | 35 |
Property, Plants and Equipment | 35 |
| 35 |
| 36 |
Operating Results | 36 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources | 47 |
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses | 48 |
Trend Information | 49 |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements | 49 |
Contractual Obligations | 49 |
| 50 |
Directors and Senior Management | 50 |
Compensation of Officers and Directors | 53 |
Board Practices | 56 |
Employees | 62 |
Share Ownership | 62 |
| 65 |
Major Shareholders | 65 |
Related Party Transactions | 66 |
Interests of Experts and Counsel | 67 |
| 67 |
Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information | 67 |
Significant Changes | 68 |
| 68 |
Stock Price History | 68 |
Markets | 69 |
| 69 |
Share Capital | 69 |
Memorandum and Articles of Association | 69 |
Material Contracts | 74 |
Exchange Controls | 74 |
Taxation | 74 |
Documents on Display | 86 |
Subsidiary Information | 87 |
| 87 |
| 88 |
PART II | |
| 89 |
| 89 |
| 89 |
| 90 |
| 90 |
| 90 |
| 91 |
| 91 |
| 92 |
| 92 |
| 92 |
| 93 |
PART III | |
| 94 |
| 94 |
| 94 |
PART I
ITEM 1: Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not applicable.
ITEM 2: Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
A. | A. Selected Financial Data |
You should read the following selected consolidated financial data in conjunction with “ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. The consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 20162017 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 20152016 and 20162017 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in “ITEM 18: Financial Statements,” which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 20122013 and 20132014 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 20142015 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which are not included in this annual report.
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2016 | |
| | (in thousands, except per share and share data) | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 77,127 | | | $ | 66,318 | | | $ | 77,240 | | | $ | 62,642 | | | $ | 54,432 | |
Services | | | 27,625 | | | | 30,227 | | | | 39,946 | | | | 37,325 | | | | 35,937 | |
Total revenues | | | 104,752 | | | | 96,545 | | | | 117,186 | | | | 99,967 | | | | 90,369 | |
Cost of revenues(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | | 26,857 | | | | 20,572 | | | | 27,389 | | | | 26,707 | | | | 20,401 | |
Services | | | 4,180 | | | | 6,246 | | | | 7,350 | | | | 6,720 | | | | 7,494 | |
Expenses related to the settlement of the Israel Innovation Authority(2) | | | 15,886 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Total cost of revenues | | | 46,923 | | | | 26,818 | | | | 34,739 | | | | 33,427 | | | | 27,895 | |
Gross profit | | | 57,829 | | | | 69,727 | | | | 82,447 | | | | 66,540 | | | | 62,474 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development, gross | | | 24,915 | | | | 28,073 | | | | 29,998 | | | | 27,674 | | | | 24,827 | |
Less grant participation | | | 2,855 | | | | 1,051 | | | | 984 | | | | 1,252 | | | | 606 | |
Research and development, net(1) | | | 22,060 | | | | 27,022 | | | | 29,014 | | | | 26,422 | | | | 24,221 | |
Sales and marketing(1) | | | 34,127 | | | | 39,817 | | | | 44,599 | | | | 43,318 | | | | 35,290 | |
General and administrative(1) | | | 10,664 | | | | 9,952 | | | | 11,941 | | | | 12,702 | | | | 9,812 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 66,851 | | | | 76,791 | | | | 85,554 | | | | 82,442 | | | | 69,323 | |
Operating income (loss) | | | (9,022 | ) | | | (7,064 | ) | | | (3,107 | ) | | | (15,902 | ) | | | (6,849 | ) |
Financing income (expenses), net | | | 1,358 | | | | 727 | | | | 660 | | | | (584 | ) | | | 1,059 | |
Income (loss) before income tax expenses (benefit) | | | (7,664 | ) | | | (6,337 | ) | | | (2,447 | ) | | | (16,486 | ) | | | (5,790 | ) |
Income tax expenses (benefit) | | | (926 | ) | | | 120 | | | | 50 | | | | 3,356 | | | | 2,204 | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (6,738 | ) | | $ | (6,457 | ) | | $ | (2,497 | ) | | $ | (19,842 | ) | | $ | (7,994 | ) |
Basic net earnings (loss) per share | | $ | (0.21 | ) | | $ | (0.20 | ) | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | (0.59 | ) | | $ | (0.24 | ) |
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share | | $ | (0.21 | ) | | $ | (0.20 | ) | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | (0.59 | ) | | $ | (0.24 | ) |
Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic net earnings (loss) per share | | | 31,959,921 | | | | 32,680,766 | | | | 33,143,168 | | | | 33,419,917 | | | | 33,202,309 | |
Weighted average number of shares used in computing diluted net earnings (loss) per share | | | 31,959,921 | | | | 32,680,766 | | | | 33,143,168 | | | | 33,419,917 | | | | 33,202,309 | |
7
| | Year ended December 31, |
| | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2016 | | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 66,318 | | | $ | 77,240 | | | $ | 62,642 | | | $ | 54,432 | | | $ | 48,727 | |
Services | | | 30,227 | | | | 39,946 | | | | 37,325 | | | | 35,937 | | | | 33,265 | |
Total revenues | | | 96,545 | | | | 117,186 | | | | 99,967 | | | | 90,369 | | | | 81,992 | |
Cost of revenues(1): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | | 20,572 | | | | 27,389 | | | | 26,707 | | | | 20,401 | | | | 19,258 | |
Services | | | 6,246 | | | | 7,350 | | | | 6,720 | | | | 7,494 | | | | 9,272 | |
Total cost of revenues | | | 26,818 | | | | 34,739 | | | | 33,427 | | | | 27,895 | | | | 28,530 | |
Gross profit | | | 69,727 | | | | 82,447 | | | | 66,540 | | | | 62,474 | | | | 53,462 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development, gross | | | 28,073 | | | | 29,998 | | | | 27,674 | | | | 24,827 | | | | 22,244 | |
Less grant participation | | | 1,051 | | | | 984 | | | | 1,252 | | | | 606 | | | | 392 | |
Research and development, net(1) | | | 27,022 | | | | 29,014 | | | | 26,422 | | | | 24,221 | | | | 21,852 | |
Sales and marketing(1) | | | 39,817 | | | | 44,599 | | | | 43,318 | | | | 35,290 | | | | 38,316 | |
General and administrative(1) | | | 9,952 | | | | 11,941 | | | | 12,702 | | | | 9,812 | | | | 10,696 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 76,791 | | | | 85,554 | | | | 82,442 | | | | 69,323 | | | | 70,864 | |
Operating income (loss) | | | (7,064 | ) | | | (3,107 | ) | | | (15,902 | ) | | | (6,849 | ) | | | (17,402 | ) |
Financing income (expenses), net | | | 727 | | | | 660 | | | | (584 | ) | | | 1,059 | | | | 894 | |
Income (loss) before income tax expenses (benefit) | | | (6,337 | ) | | | (2,447 | ) | | | (16,486 | ) | | | (5,790 | ) | | | (16,508 | ) |
Income tax expenses (benefit) | | | 120 | | | | 50 | | | | 3,356 | | | | 2,204 | | | | 1,564 | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (6,457 | ) | | $ | (2,497 | ) | | $ | (19,842 | ) | | $ | (7,994 | ) | | $ | (18,072 | ) |
Basic net earnings (loss) per share | | $ | (0.20 | ) | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | (0.59 | ) | | $ | (0.24 | ) | | $ | (0.54 | ) |
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share | | $ | (0.20 | ) | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | (0.59 | ) | | $ | (0.24 | ) | | $ | (0.54 | ) |
Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic net earnings (loss) per share | | | 32,680,766 | | | | 33,143,168 | | | | 33,419,917 | | | | 33,202,309 | | | | 33,253,158 | |
Weighted average number of shares used in computing diluted net earnings (loss) per share | | | 32,680,766 | | | | 33,143,168 | | | | 33,419,917 | | | | 33,202,309 | | | | 33,253,158 | |
___________________
| (1) | Includes stock-based compensation expense related to options and restricted stock units, or RSUs, granted to employees and others as follows: |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2016 | | | 2017 | |
| | (in thousands) | |
Cost of revenues | | $ | 368 | | | $ | 353 | | | $ | 324 | | | $ | 367 | | | $ | 362 | |
Research and development expenses, net | | | 1,666 | | | | 1,919 | | | | 1,637 | | | | 1,240 | | | | 648 | |
Sales and marketing expenses | | | 3,106 | | | | 3,322 | | | | 2,802 | | | | 1,833 | | | | 1,166 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 2,591 | | | | 2,501 | | | | 2,407 | | | | 1,701 | | | | 1,190 | |
Total | | $ | 7,731 | | | $ | 8,095 | | | $ | 7,170 | | | $ | 5,141 | | | | 3,366 | |
| | Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2016 | |
| | (in thousands) | |
Cost of revenues | | $ | 222 | | | $ | 368 | | | $ | 353 | | | $ | 324 | | | $ | 367 | |
Research and development expenses, net | | | 1,186 | | | | 1,666 | | | | 1,919 | | | | 1,637 | | | | 1,240 | |
Sales and marketing expenses | | | 2,060 | | | | 3,106 | | | | 3,322 | | | | 2,802 | | | | 1,833 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 1,349 | | | | 2,591 | | | | 2,501 | | | | 2,407 | | | | 1,701 | |
Total | | $ | 4,817 | | | $ | 7,731 | | | $ | 8,095 | | | $ | 7,170 | | | $ | 5,141 | |
| | At Year ended December 31, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2016 | | | 2017 | |
| | (in thousands) | |
Consolidated balance sheet data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 42,813 | | | $ | 19,180 | | | $ | 15,470 | | | $ | 23,326 | | | $ | 15,342 | |
Short-term deposits and restricted deposits | | | 38,000 | | | | 59,000 | | | | 42,903 | | | | 29,821 | | | | 31,471 | |
Marketable securities | | | 40,798 | | | | 54,271 | | | | 64,921 | | | | 60,507 | | | | 63,194 | |
Working capital | | | 133,362 | | | | 138,174 | | | | 126,756 | | | | 123,980 | | | | 111,786 | |
Total assets | | | 199,257 | | | | 212,948 | | | | 208,215 | | | | 190,940 | | | | 184,525 | |
Total liabilities | | | 29,330 | | | | 37,968 | | | | 44,810 | | | | 33,637 | | | | 41,396 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (73,842 | ) | | | (76,339 | ) | | | (96,181 | ) | | | (104,175 | ) | | | (122,247 | ) |
Share capital | | | 774 | | | | 819 | | | | 837 | | | | 843 | | | | 851 | |
Total shareholders’ equity | | | 169,927 | | | | 174,980 | | | | 163,405 | | | | 157,303 | | | | 143,129 | |
| (2) | Represents the full balance of the contingent liability related to grants received, which was paid in 2013. |
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
| | At December 31, | |
| | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2016 | |
| | (in thousands) | |
Consolidated balance sheet data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 50,026 | | | $ | 42,813 | | | $ | 19,180 | | | $ | 15,470 | | | $ | 23,326 | |
Short-term deposits and restricted deposits | | | 78,188 | | | | 38,000 | | | | 59,000 | | | | 42,903 | | | | 29,821 | |
Marketable securities | | | 14,841 | | | | 40,798 | | | | 54,271 | | | | 64,921 | | | | 60,507 | |
Working capital | | | 131,598 | | | | 133,362 | | | | 138,174 | | | | 126,756 | | | | 123,980 | |
Total assets | | | 221,791 | | | | 199,257 | | | | 212,948 | | | | 208,215 | | | | 190,940 | |
Total liabilities | | | 52,670 | | | | 29,330 | | | | 37,968 | | | | 44,810 | | | | 33,637 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (67,385 | ) | | | (73,842 | ) | | | (76,339 | ) | | | (96,181 | ) | | | (104,175 | ) |
Share capital | | | 761 | | | | 774 | | | | 819 | | | | 837 | | | | 843 | |
Total shareholders’ equity | | | 169,121 | | | | 169,927 | | | | 174,980 | | | | 163,405 | | | | 157,303 | |
B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
C. | C. Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
Our business involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks described below, together with the financial and other information contained in this annual report and our other filings with the SEC. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations would suffer. In this case, the trading price of our ordinary shares would likely decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks that we currently do not know about or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations.
Risks Relating to Our Business
We have a history of losses and may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability in the future.
We have a history of net losses in all fiscal years since our inception, other than in 2006 and 2011. We had a net loss of $18.1 million in 2017, resulting mainly from a decrease in both products revenues and services revenues of $8.4 million, restructuring expenses of $2.4 million, changes in tax related items of $1.7 million and the impact of the weakening of the U.S. dollar mainly against the ILS and Euros. We had a net loss of $8.0 million in 2016, resulting mainly from a decrease in both products revenues and services revenues. We had a net loss of $19.8 million in 2015, resulting mainly from impairment charge of $5.8 million, tax expenses which amounted to $3.4 million (including $2.7 million of deferred tax asset and pre-paid tax expenses write-off) and a decrease in product revenues. We had a net loss of $2.5 million in 2014, resulting from an inventory write-off of approximately $3.4 million due to launches of newer versions of our products, which rendered certain products in our inventory obsolete. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to achieve or maintain profitability, and we may incur losses in the future if we do not generate sufficient revenues.
Our revenues and business may be adversely affected if we do not effectively compete in the markets in which we operate.
We compete against large companies in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive sector of the networking technology and security markets, which offer, or may offer in the future, competing technologies, including partial or alternative solutions to operators' and enterprises’ challenges, and which, similarly to us, intensely pursue the largest service providers (referred to as Tier 1 operators). as well as large enterprises. Our ability to effectively compete in these markets may be limited since our competitors may have greater financial resources, significant market share and established relationships with operators and distribution channels.
Our Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology enabled offerings face significant competition from router and switch infrastructure companies that integrate functionalities into their platforms, addressing some of the same types of issues that our products are designed to address. In addition, increased network encryption could limit the ability of our DPI solutions to provide analytic information.
Our security products are offered to operators and are deployed in their networks, enabling them to provide security services to their end customers. Such products face significant competition from companies that directly approach end customers and offer them security applications to be installed on their devices; companies that approach the business enterprise sector through distribution channels and offer cloud security products; and companies that offer security products bundled with other products. By offering our security products to operators that provide security services to both business enterprises and individual end customers, we aim to expand the reach of our products. However, such business model may prove to be slower to market or less effective than our competitors' models, in which case our business may be harmed.
Certain of our current direct competitors are substantially larger than we are and have significantly greater financial, sales and marketing, technical, manufacturing and other resources. As the intelligent broadband solutions market has grown, including the markets for DPI enabled solutions for mobile networks and for security products, new competitors have entered and may continue to enter the market. Furthermore, our market may beis subject to industry consolidation, as companies attempt to maintain or strengthen their positions in our evolving industry. For example, someSome of our current and potential competitors have made acquisitions or have announced new strategic alliances designed to position them to provide many of the same products and services that we provide to both the service provider and enterprise markets.markets, such as the recent Sandvine – Procera transaction, which resulted in a combined company positioned to compete with us in the fields of analytics, policy charging and control, traffic management, security, regulatory compliance and cloud managed services. Industry consolidation may result in stronger competitors that are better able to compete as sole-source vendors for customers, may cause price reductions, reduced gross margins and loss of market share.
Therefore, ifIf our competitors announce new products, services or enhancements that better meet the needs of customers or changing industry requirements, offer alternative methods to achieve customer objectives or implement faster go to market strategies, if our business model proves less effective than those of our competitors, if new competitors enter the market, or if industry consolidation results in stronger competitors with wider range of product offerings and greater financial resources, our ability to effectively compete may be harmed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We depend on one or more significant customers and the loss of any such significant customer or a significant decrease in business from any such customer could harm our results of operations.
We derived 44%, 37%, and 42%32% of our total revenues in 2014,2017 from one Tier 1 mobile and fixed operator. In 2016 and 2015, we derived 42% and 2016, respectively,37% of our total revenues from two Tier 1 mobile and fixed operators.operators, respectively. In addition, revenues from individual customers may fluctuate from time to time based on the timing and the terms under which orders are received and the duration of the delivery and implementation of such orders, potentially resulting in decreases in revenues from such customers. The loss of any significant customer or a significant decrease in business from any such customer could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, results of operations and financial condition.
Demand for our products may be impacted by government regulation of the telecommunications industry.
Service providers are subject to government regulation in a number of jurisdictions in which we sell our products. There are several proposals in the United States, Europe and elsewhere for regulating service providers’ ability to prioritize applications in their networks. Advocates for regulating this industry claim that collecting premium fees from certain “preferred” applications would distort the market for Internet applications in favor of larger and better-funded content providers. They also claim that this would impact end-users who already purchased broadband access only to experience response times that differ based on content provider. Opponents believe that content providers who support bandwidth-intensive applications should be required to pay service providers a premium in order to support further network investments.
On June 12, 2015,December 14, 2017 the United States Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) announced that it voted to repeal the Open Internet Report and Order on Remand, Declaratory Ruling, and Order (the “Open“Open Internet Order”),. The Open Internet Order was issued by the United States Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”),FCC and went into effect.effect on June 12, 2015. The Open Internet Order sets forth rules, grounded, among others, on Title II of the Communications Act of 1934; the Open Internet Order regulates both fixed and mobile Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and prohibits them, subject to reasonable network management, from blocking and/or throttling of lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, and from unreasonably interfering or disadvantaging of (i) end users’ ability to select, access service of the lawful Internet content, applications, services, or devices of their choice or (ii) edge providers’ ability to make lawful content, applications, services, or devices available to end users. The Open Internet Order also prohibits paid prioritization of content. The approved proposal to repeal the Open Internet Order would largely reverse the Open Internet Order, including the classification of broadband Internet service as a telecommunications service, which is subject to certain common carrier regulations, and restore the regulatory framework, which preceded the Open Internet Order. Because our products allow ISPs to identify network traffic and facilitate traffic management, the reinstatement of this traditional regulatory framework may affect ISP's demand for certain of our products. However, the repeal of the Open Internet Order will only take effect upon approval of the revised transparency rule by the Office of Management and Budget and may also be reversed by Congress, by a resolution of disapproval, under the Congressional Review Act. Therefore, the impact of the FCC's approved proposal on the demand for our products is uncertain and difficult to assess at this time.
On April 30, 2016, Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 of the European Parliament and of the Council came into effect, setting forth the first EU-wide Net Neutrality (“Open Internet”) rules. Under these rules, blocking, throttling and discrimination of internet traffic by ISPs is prohibited in the EU, with three exceptions: (i) compliance with legal obligations; (ii) integrity of the network; and (iii) congestion management in exceptional and temporary situations. Under these rules, there can be no prioritization of traffic in the internet access service. However, equal treatment permits reasonable day-to-day traffic management according to objectively justified technical requirements, and which must be independent of the origin or destination of the traffic and of any commercial considerations.
However, these rules also allow internet access providers, as well as content and applications providers, to offer special services with specific quality requirements, (provided the Open Internet is not negatively affected by the provision of these services). Such specialized services cannot be a substitute to internet access services, can only be provided if there is sufficient network capacity to provide them in addition to any internet access service and must not be to the detriment of the availability or general quality of internet access services for end-users.
Such regulation of both fixed and mobile ISPs, in affected EU jurisdictions, may limit ISPs' ability to manage, prioritize and monetize their network. Additionally, these regulations may attract growing public debate and attention of regulators in other jurisdictions we operate in. Demand from service providers, in affected jurisdictions, for the traffic management and subscriber management features of our products may be adversely affected by such regulations. A decrease in demand for these features could adversely impact sales of our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or resultresults of operations.
In addition, strict data privacy laws regulating the collection, transmission, storage and use of employee data and consumers' personally-identifying information applicable to ISPs are evolving in the US, European Union and other jurisdictions in which we sell our products. For example, in the U.S., legislation has in recent years been proposed regarding restrictions on the use of geolocation information collected by mobile devices without consumer consent. Similarly, the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), coming into effect in the European Union in May 2018, creates a range of new compliance obligations, increases financial penalties for non-compliance and extends the scope of the E.U. data protection law to all companies processing data of E.U. residents, regardless of the company’s location. The GDPR and other privacy and data protection laws may be interpreted and applied differently from country to country and may create inconsistent or conflicting requirements. Such regulations increase our customers' compliance and administrative burden significantly and may require us to adapt certain of our products, if necessary, to different requirements in various E.U. countries, as well as in the US, in order to allow our customers in such jurisdictions, to comply with such regulations. There is also no assurance that we will be able to adapt our products sufficiently in order to allow our customers in various jurisdictions to comply with such regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction.
As data protection and privacy-related laws and regulations continue to evolve, these changes may result in increased regulatory and public scrutiny, escalating levels of enforcement and sanctions and increased costs of compliance. Therefore, we may be required to modify the features and functionalities of certain of our products, in a manner that is less attractive to customers. Such adjustments of our products, if required, may require extensive financial investments and may take long periods of time, leading to delay in sales cycles, deployment of our products and recognition of related revenues.
We need to continue to increase the functionality of our products and offer additional features and products in order to maintain or increase our profitability.
The commoditization of DPI technology and the introduction of competitive features and value added services will result in a decrease of the average sale prices of our DPI technology enabled products.
The market in which we operate is highly competitive and unless we continue to enhance the functionality of our products, add additional features and offer additional products, our competitiveness may be harmed.
We endeavorseek to enhance our products by offering higher system speeds, additional features and value-added products, such as security and parental control products, among other value added products, and support for additional applications and enhanced reporting tools. We also continuously endeavor to assure our solutions comply with contemporary network and software architectures such as virtualized network services (NFV).
Our value-added products offer customers additional tools to increase the efficiency of their networks or to help them offer additional services to their end customers and derive additional revenues from their end customers. The industry and market for our value added products are still developing and are affected, among others, by trends and changes in internet broadband traffic, including changes in methods used by various content providers and broadband applications and evolution of network security threats.
We cannot provide any assurance that demand for our additional features and value added products will continue or grow, or that we will be able to generate revenues from such sales at the levels we anticipate or at all. Any inability to sell or maintain our additional features and value-added products may lead to commercial disputes with our customers and to lengthy implementation processes and increased spending on technical solutions, allany of which may negatively impact our results of operations.
Our revenues and business will be harmed if we do not keep pace with changes in broadband applications, network security threats and with advances in technology, or if we do not achieve widespread market acceptance, including through significant investments.
We will need to invest heavily in the continued development of our technology in order to keep pace with rapid changes in applications, increased broadband network speeds, network security threats and with our competitors’ efforts to advance their technology. Our ability to develop and deliver effective product offerings depends on many factors, including identifying our customers’ needs, technical implementation of new services and integration of our value-added products with our customers’ existing network infrastructure. While we will continue to introduce innovative value-added products, we cannot provide any assurance that any new products we introduce will achieve the same degree of success that we have with our existing products. Designers of broadband applications and distributors of various network security threats that our products identify, manage or mitigate are using increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection and management and/or mitigation by network operators.
Even if our products successfully identify a particular application, it is sometimes necessary to distinguish between different types of traffic belonging to a single application. Accordingly, we face significant challenges in ensuring that we identify new applications and new versions of current applications as they are introduced, without impacting network performance, especially as networks become faster. This challenge is increased as we seek to expand sales of our products to new geographic territories because the applications vary from country to country and region to region.
The network equipment market is characterized by rapid technological progress, frequent new product introductions, changes in customer requirements and evolving industry standards. To compete, we need to achieve widespread market acceptance.
Alternative technologies could achieve widespread market acceptance and displace the technology on which we have based our product architecture.
Our business and revenues will be adversely affected if we fail to develop enhancements to our products, in order to keep pace with changes in broadband applications, network security threats and advances in technology. We can give no assurance that our technological approach will achieve broad market acceptance or that other technology or devices will not supersede our technology and products.
A failure of our products may adversely affect the operation of our customers' live networks or the quality and scope of service to our customers and their end users, which could harm our reputation, brand position, and financial condition.
Our products are, generally, installed in line as part of our customers' networks.networks and provide a wide range of services that our customers may offer to their own customers. We endeavor to avoid any interruption to the regular operation of suchour customers’ networks, any reduction of quality of services or failure to provide the quality and/or scope of services to users, including, by performing certain tasks during predetermined maintenance windows, and implementing a system bypass, in the event of malfunctions. However, in certain cases, a failure of our products may result in our customers experiencing loss of functionality, denial of service and access, disconnectioninterruption of live traffic on theirour customers’ networks, loss of security protection or inability to provide similar services to our customers’ end user dissatisfaction and loss of revenues.users. Such failure of our products, may cause commercial disputes with our customers, and adversely affect our reputation.reputation, and lead to loss of revenues.
Sales of our products to large service providers can involve a lengthy sales cycle, which may impact the timing of our revenues and result in us expending significant resources without making any sales.
Our sales cycles to large service providers, including carriers, mobile operators and cable operators, are generally lengthy because these end-customers consider our products to be capitalcritical equipment and undertake significant testing to assess the performance of our products within their networks. Furthermore, many of our product and service arrangements with our customers provide that the final acceptance of a product or service may be specified by the customer. In such instances, we do not recognize the revenue until all acceptance criteria have been met. As a result, we often invest significant time from initial contact with a large service provider until it decides to incorporate our products into its network, and we may not be able to recognize the revenue from a customer until all acceptance criteria have been satisfied. We may also expend significant resources in attempting to persuade large service providers to incorporate our products into their networks without success. Even after deciding to purchase our products, the initial network deployment of our products by a large service provider may last up to one year and in certain exceptional instances up to one and a half years. If a competitor succeeds in convincing a large service provider to adopt that competitor’s product, it may be difficult for us to displace the competitor because of the cost, time, effort and perceived risk to network stability involved in changing solutions. As a result, we may incur significant expenses without generating any sales, which could adversely affect our profitability.
The complexity and scope of the solutions and services we provide to larger service providers are increasing, and such larger projects entail greater operational risk and an increased chance of failure.
The complexity and scope of the solutions and services we provide to larger service providers are increasing. The larger and more complex such projects are, the greater the operational risks associated with them. These risks include, but are not limited to, the failure to meet high customization requirements of service providers, the failure to fully integrate our products into the service provider’s network or with third-party products, our dependence on subcontractors and partners and on effective cooperation with third-party vendors for the successful and timely completion of such projects. If we encounter any of these risks, we may incur higher costs in order to complete the project and may be subject to contractual penalties resulting in lower profitability. In addition, the project may demand more of our management’s time than was originally planned, and our reputation may be adversely impacted.
We depend on third parties to market, sell, and install our products and to provide initial technical support for our products for a material portion of our business.
We depend on third-party channel partners, such as distributors, resellers, original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and system integrators, to market and sell a material portion of our products to end-customers. In 2016,2017, approximately 41%50% of our revenues were derived from channel partners. Our channel partners are also responsible for installing our products and providing initial customer support for them. As a result, we depend on the ability of our channel partners to successfully market and sell our products to these end-customers. We also depend on our ability to maintain our relationships with existing channel partners and to develop relationships with new channel partners in key markets. We can give no assurance that our channel partners will market our products effectively, receive and fulfill customer orders for our products on a timely basis or continue to devote the resources necessary to provide us with effective sales, marketing and technical support. In addition, any failure by our channel partners to provide adequate initial support to end-customers could result in customer dissatisfaction with us or our products, which could result in a loss of customers, harm our reputation and delay or limit market acceptance of our products. Our products are complex and it takes time for a new channel partner to gain experience in the operation and installation of these products. Therefore, it may take a period of time before a new channel partner can successfully market, sell and support our products if an existing channel partner ceases to sell our products. Additionally, our agreements with channel partners are generally not exclusive and our channel partners may market and sell products that compete with our products. Our agreements with our distributors and resellers are usually for an initial one-year term and following the expiration of this term, can be terminated by either party. We can give no assurance that these agreements will remain in effect,effect. If we are unable to maintain our relationships with existing channel partners and any termination of one or more of the agreements may adversely affectto develop relationships with new channel partners in key markets our profitability and results of operations.operations may be materially adversely affected.
We are subject to certain regulatory regimes that may affect the way that we conduct business internationally, and our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could materially adversely affect our reputation and result in penalties and increased costs.
We are subject to a complex system of laws and regulations related to international trade, including economic sanctions and export control laws and regulations. We also depend on our distributors and agents outside of Israel for compliance and adherence to local laws and regulations in the markets in which they operate. It is our policy not to make direct or indirect prohibited sales of our products, including into countries sanctioned under laws to which we are subject, and to contractually limit the territories into which our channel partners may sell our products. Nevertheless, several years ago one of our channel partners sold certain of our products (designed for the enterprise market) outside of its contractually designated territory, including into a sanctioned country, and we subsequently determined that our contract management protocol for authorizing channel partner sales was not adequately followed in that instance.
14
Because depend on our distributors and agents outside of Israel for compliance and adherence to local laws and regulations, significant
Significant political or regulatory developments in thosethe jurisdictions in which we sell our products, such as those stemming from the recent change in the presidential administration in the U.S. or the U.K.’s “Brexit” referendum, are difficult to predict and may have a material adverse effect on us. For example,, in the United States, the new presidential administration has expressed support for and may implement greater restrictions on free trade and increase tariffs on goods imported into the United States, as well as a comprehensive tax reform, including in corporate and income taxation. We cannot predict whether quotas, duties, tariffs, taxes or other similar restrictions will be imposed by the United States or other countries upon the import or export of our products in the future. However, changesStates. Changes in U.S. political, regulatory and economic conditions or in its policies governing international trade and foreign manufacturing and investment in the U.S. could adversely affect our sales in the U.S.
In the United Kingdom, a recent referendum was held in which voters approvedfollowing the vote to approve an exit from the E.U., commonly referred to as “Brexit.“Brexit,” On February 8, 2017, the U.K.’s House of Commons approved a bill authorizing the government officially triggered the process to start exit talks withformally initiate negotiations for the terms of separation from the E.U. The U.K. and the E.U. are expected to reach an agreement by 2019; however, the exact terms and timing of such exit remain unclear. The withdrawal of the U.K from the E.U. could potentially disrupt the free movement of goods, services and people between the U.K. and the E.U., undermine bilateral cooperation in key geographic areas and significantly disrupt trade between the U.K. and the E.U. or other nations as the U.K. pursues independent trade relations. Because this is an unprecedented event, it is unclear what long-term economic, financial, trade and legal implications Brexit would have and how it would affect the regulation applicable to our business globally and in the region. The impact on us from Brexit will depend, in part, on the outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory and other negotiations. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the U.K. determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate. In addition, Brexit may lead other E.U. member countries to consider referendums regarding their European Union membership. Any of these developments, along with any political, economic and regulatory changes that may occur, could cause political and economic uncertainty in Europe and internationally and could adversely affect our sales in Europe.
We are also subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and may be subject to similar worldwide anti-bribery laws that generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Some of the countries in which we operate have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices.
Despite our compliance and training programs, we cannot be certain that our procedures will be sufficient to ensure consistent compliance with all applicable international trade and anti-corruption laws, or that our employees or channel partners will strictly follow all policies and requirements to which we subject them. Any alleged or actual violations of these laws may subject us to government scrutiny, investigation, debarment, and civil and criminal penalties, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and reputation.
We depend on our traffic management systems and network management application suitesintelligence solutions for the substantial majority of our revenues.
In the past few years, we have increased sales of our Value Added Services.security products. However, sales of our traffic management systemsnetwork intelligence solutions, which provide service providers with visibility and control of their networks, continue to account for a major portion of our revenues, and accounted for 57%, 58% and 50%71% of our total revenuesrevenue in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.2017. We expect that the traffic management systemsnetwork intelligence solutions will continue to account for a considerable portion of our revenues in the immediate future. If we are unable to increase these sales, or compensate for them by sales of security products, our business will suffer. In addition, service providers may choose embedded or integrated solutions using routers and switches from larger networking vendors over a standalone solution that we offer. Any factor adversely affecting our ability to sell, or the pricing of or demand for, our traffic management systems and network management system,intelligence solutions would severely harm our ability to generate revenues and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We integrate into or bundle various third-party solutions with our products and may integrate or offer additional third-party solutions in the future. If we lose the right to use such solutions, our sales could be disrupted and we would have to spend additional capital to replace such components.
We integrate various third-party solutions into our products and offer third-party solutions bundled with our products. We may integrate or offer additional third-party solutions in the future. Sales of our products could be disrupted if such third-party solutions were either no longer available to us or no longer offered to us on commercially reasonable terms. In either case, we would be required to spend additional capital to either source alternative third-party solutions, redesign our products to function with alternate third-party solutions or develop substitute components ourselves. As a result, our sales may be delayed and/or adversely affected and we might be forced to limit the features available in our current or future product offerings, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our products are highly technical and any undetected software or hardware errors in our products could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our products are complex and are incorporated into broadband networks, which are a major source of revenue for service providers and support critical applications for subscribers and enterprises. Due to the highly technical nature of our products and variations among customers’ network environments, we may not detect product defects until our products have been fully deployed in our customers’ networks. Regardless of whether warranty coverage exists for a product, we may be required to dedicate significant technical resources to repair any defects. If we encounter significant errors, we could experience, among other things, loss of major customers, cancellation of orders, increased costs, delay in recognizing revenues and damage to our reputation. We could also face claims for product liability, tort or breach of warranty. Defending a lawsuit, regardless of its merit, is costly and may divert management’s attention. In addition, if our business liability insurance is inadequate or future coverage is unavailable on acceptable terms or at all, our financial condition could be harmed.
Demand for our DPI technology enabled products depends, in part, on the rate of adoption of bandwidth-intensive broadband applications, and the impact multiple applications may have on network speed.
Our DPI technology enabled products are used by service providers and enterprises to monitor and manage bandwidth-intensive applications that cause congestion in broadband networks and impact the quality of experience for users. Demand for our products is driven particularly by growth in applications, which are highly sensitive to network delays and therefore require efficient network management. If the rapid growth in the adoption of such applications does not continue, the demand for our products may be adversely impacted.
Demand for our security products depends, in part, on continued evolution of on-line threatthreats as well as on operators’ interest in providing security services to their end customers.
Our security products are used by service providers to offer security services to their end customers, comprising both of business enterprises as well as individual end customers. The demand for these services depends highly on continued evolution and increase of online threats. In the event that such threats decrease, that end customers are not willingunwilling to incur the costs of security services and/or in the event that ISPs do not continue to pursue security services to their end customers as a revenue source, demand for our security products may be materially adversely impacted.
We currently depend on a single subcontractor to manufacture and provide hardware and warranty support for our Service Gateway platforms and NetEnforcer platforms.Tera platform. If this subcontractor experiences delays, disruptions, quality control problems or a loss in capacity, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results.results
We currently depend on a single subcontractor, Flex (Israel) Ltd. (previously Flextronics (Israel) Ltd.), a subsidiary of Flex (previously Flextronics), a global electronics manufacturing services company, to manufacture, assemble, test, package and provide hardware warranty support for our Service Gateway platforms and NetEnforcer platforms.Tera platform. In addition, our agreement with Flex (Israel) requires it to procure and store key components for our products at its facilities. If Flex (Israel) experiences delays, disruptions or quality control problems in manufacturing our products, or if we fail to effectively manage our relationship with Flex (Israel), product shipments may be delayed and our ability to deliver products to customers could be materially and adversely affected. Flex (Israel) may terminate our agreement at any time during the term upon prior notice. We expect that it would take approximately six months to transition the manufacturing of our products to an alternate manufacturer and our inventory of completed products may not be sufficient for us to continue delivering products to our customers on a timely basis during any such transition period. Therefore, the loss of Flex (Israel) could adversely affect our sales and operating results and harm our reputation.
Certain hardware and software components for our products come from single or limited sources and we could lose sales if these sources fail to satisfy our supply requirements or if our customers refuse to implement components from certain sources.
We obtain certain hardware components used in our products from single or limited sources.
Although the abovementioned hardware components are off-the-shelf items, because our systems have been designed to incorporate these specific hardware components, any change to these components due to an interruption in supply or our inability to obtain such components on a timely basis, may require engineering changes to our products before substitute hardware components could be incorporated. Such changes could be costly and result in lost sales particularly to our traffic management systems. The agreements with our suppliers do not contain any minimum supply commitments. If we or our contract manufacturer fail to obtain components in sufficient quantities when required, our business could be harmed.
We obtain certain software components of our security products from a few limited sources, depending primarily on our customers' preferences. In the event that we are no longer able to source such software components from a particular source, and our customers refuse to implement components from our alternative sources, we may be required to identify an alternative source from which we do not currently acquire such software or develop such software ourselves. This may result in disputes with our customers and/or cancellation or delay of orders, which may materially adversely affect our business.
Our suppliers also sell products to our competitors and may enter into exclusive arrangements with our competitors, stop selling their products or components to us at commercially reasonable prices or refuse to sell their products or components to us at any price. Our inability to obtain sufficient quantities of single-source or limited-sourced components or to develop alternative sources for components or products would harm our ability to maintain and expand our business.
We may expand our business or enhance our technology through acquisitions that could result in diversion of resources and extra expenses. This could disrupt our business and adversely affect our financial condition.
Part of our strategy is to selectively pursue partnerships and acquisitions. We have acquired a number of companies in recent years, including most recently, the acquisition of substantially all of the business and assetsoutstanding shares of Optenet S.A.Netonomy Ltd., a Madrid-based global ITTel-Aviv based developer of software-based cyber security company, in March 2015.for the connected home. The negotiation of acquisitions, investments or joint ventures, as well as the integration of acquired or jointly developed businesses or technologies, could divert our management’s time and resources. Acquired businesses, technologies or joint ventures may not be successfully integrated with our products and operations and we may not realize the intended benefits of these acquisitions. We may also incur future losses from any acquisition, investment or joint venture. In addition, acquisitions could result in:
| · | substantial cash expenditures; |
| · | potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities; |
| · | the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities; |
| · | a decrease in our profit margins; and |
| · | amortization of intangibles and potential impairment of goodwill. |
If acquisitions disrupt our operations or result in significant expenditures or liabilities, our business, operating results or financial conditions may suffer.
If we are unable to successfully protect the intellectual property embodied in our technology, our business could be harmed significantly.materially adversely affected.
Know-how relating to networking protocols, building carrier-grade systems, identifying applications and developing and maintaining security products is an important aspect of our intellectual property. It is our practice to have our employees sign appropriate non-compete agreements when permitted under applicable law. These agreements prohibit our employees who cease working for us from competing directly with us or working for our competitors for a limited period of time. The enforceability of non-compete clauses in certain jurisdictions in which we operate may be limited. Under the current laws of some jurisdictions in which we operate, we may be unable to enforce these agreements and it may thereby be difficult for us to restrict our competitors from gaining the expertise our former employees gained while working for us.
Further, to protect our know-how, we customarily require our employees, distributors, resellers, software testers and contractors to execute confidentiality agreements or agree to confidentiality undertakings when their relationship with us begins. Typically, our employment contracts also include the following clauses:clauses regarding assignment of intellectual property rights for all inventions developed by employees and non-disclosure of all confidential information. We cannot provide any assurance that the terms of these agreements are being observed and will be observed in the future. Because our product designs and software are stored electronically and thus are highly portable, we attempt to reduce the portability of our designs and software by physically protecting our servers through the use of closed networks, which prevent external access to our servers. We cannot be certain, however, that such protection will adequately deter individuals or groups from wrongfully accessing our technology. Monitoring unauthorized use of intellectual property is difficult and some foreign laws do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. We cannot be certain that the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary information will be sufficient. In addition, to protect our intellectual property, we may become involved in litigation, which could result in substantial expenses, divert the attention of management, cause significant delays,or materially disrupt the conduct of our business, orall of which could adversely affect our revenue, financial condition and results of operations.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, we had a patent portfolio consisting of twenty two17 issued U.S. patents and two pending patent applications.patents. While we plan to protect our intellectual property with, among other things, patent protection, there can be no assurance that:
| · | current or future U.S. or foreign patents applications will be approved; |
| · | our issued patents will protect our intellectual property and not be held invalid or unenforceable if challenged by third-parties; |
| · | we will succeed in protecting our technology adequately in all key jurisdictions in which we or our competitors operate; |
| · | the patents of others will not have an adverse effect on our ability to do business; or |
| · | others will not independently develop similar or competing products or methods or design around any patents that may be issued to us. |
Any failure to obtain patents, inability to obtain patents with claims of a scope necessary to cover our technology or the invalidation of our patents may weaken our competitive position and may adversely affect our revenues.
We may be subject to claims of intellectual property infringement by third parties that, regardless of merit, could result in litigation and our business, operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
There can be no assurance that we will not receive communications from third parties asserting that our products, and other intellectual property infringe, or may infringe their proprietary rights. We are not currently subject to any proceedings for infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights and are not aware of any parties that intend to pursue such claims against us. Any such claim, regardless of merit, could result in litigation, which could result in substantial expenses, divert the attention of management, cause significant delays and materially disrupt the conduct of our business. As a consequence of such claims, we could be required to pay substantial damage awards, develop non-infringing technology, enter into royalty-bearing licensing agreements, stop selling our products or re-brand our products. If it appears necessary, we may seek to license intellectual property that we are alleged to infringe. Such licensing agreements may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. Litigation is inherently uncertain and any adverse decision could result in a loss of our proprietary rights, subject us to significant liabilities, require us to seek licenses from others and otherwise negatively affect our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology, our business, operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We use certain “open source” software tools that may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, the assertion of which could impair our product development plans, interfere with our ability to support our clients or require us to pay licensing fees.fees
Certain of our products contain open source code, and we may use more open source code in the future. Open source code is the type of code that is covered by a license agreement that permits the user to liberally copy, modify and distribute the software without cost, provided that users and modifiers abide by certain licensing requirements. The original developers of the open source code provide no warranties on such code. As a result of our use of open source software, we could be subject to suits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source code, and we may incur expenses in defending claims that we did not abide by the open source code license. If we are not successful in defending against such claims, we may be subject to monetary damages or be required to remove the open source code from our products. Such events could disrupt our operations and the sales of our products, which would negatively impact our revenues and cash flow. In addition, under certain conditions, the use of open source code to create derivative code may obligate us to make the resulting derivative code available to others at no cost. If we are required to publicly disclose the source code for such derivative products or to license our derivative products that use an open source license, our previously proprietary software products would be available to others, including our customers and competitors without charge. We monitor our use of suchWhile we endeavor to ensure that no open source software is used in a way which may require us to disclose the source code to avoid subjecting our productsrelated product, such use could inadvertently occur. If we were required to conditions that we do not intend.make our software source code freely available, our business could be seriously harmed. The use of such open source code however, may ultimately subject some of our products to unintended conditions so that we are required to take remedial action that may divert resources away from our development efforts.
Unfavorable or unstable economic conditions in the markets in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
In recent years, economies worldwide have demonstrated instability. Negative economic conditions in the global economy or certain regions such as the European Market, from which we derived 38%49% of our revenues in 2016,2017, could cause a decrease in spending on the types of products and services that we offer.
Additionally, if the worldwide economy remains unstable or further deteriorates, enterprises, telecommunication carriers and service providers in affected regions may significantly reduce or postpone capital investments, which could result in reductions in sales of our products or services, longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price competition in such regions. Such circumstances would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.
Further, because a substantial portion of our operating expenses consists of salaries, we may not be able to reduce our operating expenses in line with any reduction in revenues and, therefore, may not be able to continue to generate increased revenues and manage our costs to maintain profitability.
Our international operations expose us to the risk of fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Our revenues are generated primarily in U.S. dollars and a major portion of our expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result, we consider the U.S. dollar to be our functional currency. A significant portion of our revenue is also generated in Euros, or EUR.Euros. Other significant portions of our expenses are denominated in Israeli shekel (ILS) and, to a lesser extent, in Euros and other currencies. Our ILS-denominated expenses consist principally of salaries and related personnel expenses. We anticipate that a material portion of our expenses will continue to be denominated in ILS. In the past years, we have experienced material fluctuation between the ILS and the U.S. dollar and we anticipate that the ILS will continue to fluctuate against the U.S dollar in the future. In 2017, the ILS appreciated by approximately 10.9% against the U.S. dollar and in 2016 the ILS appreciated by approximately 1.5% against the U.S. dollar and in 2015dollar. In 2017, the ILS depreciatedEUR appreciated by approximately 0.3%13.9% against the U.S. dollar. Indollar, and in 2016 the EUR depreciated by approximately 3.3% against the U.S. dollar, and in 2015 the EUR depreciated by approximately 10.5% against the U.S. dollar. IfThe weakening of the U.S. dollar weakens against the ILS or other currencies we are exposedexpose us to negative impact on our results of operations. Moreover, if the U.S. dollar will strengthen against the EUR, our results of operations generated by revenue in the EUR may be negatively impacted.
We use derivative financial instruments, such as foreign exchange forward contracts, to mitigate the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates on balance sheet accounts and forecast cash flows. We may not purchase derivative instruments adequately to insulate ourselves from foreign currency exchange risks. The volatility in the foreign currency markets may make hedging our foreign currency exposures challenging. In addition, because a portion of our revenue is not earned in U.S. dollars, fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which such revenue is earned may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. If we wishAdditionally, our efforts to maintain theeffectively price products in U.S. dollar-denominated value ofdollars may have disadvantages as they may affect demand for our products when they are sold in a non-U.S. dollarif the local currency devaluation in the non-U.S. dollar currenciesstrengthens relative to the U.S. dollar. We could be adversely affected when the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to the local currency between the time of a sale and the time we receive payment, which would be collected in the devalued local currency. Accordingly, if there is an adverse movement in one or more exchange rates, we might suffer significant losses and our results of operations may otherwise be adversely affected. Uncertainty in global market conditions has resulted in and may continue to cause significant volatility in foreign currency exchange rates which could causeincrease these risks. As our customersinternational operations expand, our exposure to decrease orders andthese risks also increases.
Disruption to our IT systems could adversely affect our revenue, financial conditionreputation and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Risks to cybersecurity and privacy, including the activities of criminal hackers, hacktivists, state-sponsored intrusions, industrial espionage, employee malfeasance and human or technological error are constantly evolving. Computer hackers’ and others routinely attempt to breach the security of high profile companies, governmental agencies, technology products, services and systems.
Our IT systems contain personal, financial and other information that is entrusted to us by our customers and employees as well as financial, proprietary and other confidential information related to our business, and we rely on said systems to manage our business, operations and research and development. If these IT systems are compromised as a result of cyber attacks or cyber related incidents, it could result in the loss or misappropriation of sensitive data or other disruption to our operations. Although we have a comprehensive cybersecurity program designed to protect and preserve the integrity of our information technology systems, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience actual or attempted cyber-attacks of our IT systems or networks (such as limited fishing and malware activities identified by us in the past, which were mitigated). Although none of these actual or attempted cyber-attacks has had a material effect on our operations or financial condition, we cannot guarantee that any such incidents would not materially harm our business in the future.
Despite our investments in risk prevention and contingencies, data protection, prevention of intrusions, access control systems and other security measures, we can provide no assurance that our current IT systems are fully protected against third-party intrusions, viruses, hacker attacks, information or data theft or other similar threats. Any such security breach, whether actual or alleged, could result in system disruptions or shutdowns and/or destruction, alteration, theft or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Even when a security breach is detected, the full extent of the breach may not be determined for some time. An increasing number of companies have disclosed security breaches of their IT systems and networks, some of which have involved sophisticated and highly targeted attacks. We believe such incidents are likely to continue, and we are unable to predict the direct or indirect impact of these future attacks on our business.
Furthermore, there has been heightened legislative and regulatory focus on data security in the U.S., Europe and other jurisdictions, including requirements for varying levels of customer notification in the event of a data breach. We are already subject to strict data privacy laws in the European Union and other jurisdictions in which we operate, governing the collection, transmission, storage and use of employee data and personally identifying information. In addition, the GDPR, coming into effect in Europe in May 2018, creates a range of new compliance obligations, and extends the scope of the E.U. data protection law. Such regulations may increase our compliance and administrative burden significantly and may require us to invest resources and management attention in order to update our IT systems to meet the new requirements. Any breach of our information security can result in adverse publicity, a loss of customer confidence, reduced sales and profits, and criminal penalties or civil liabilities, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our actual financial results may differ materially from any guidance we may publish from time to time.
We may, from time to time, voluntarily publish guidance regarding our future performance that represents our management’s estimates as of the date of relevant release. Any such guidance is based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while presented with numerical specificity, is inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control and are based upon specific assumptions with respect to future business decisions, some of which will change. The principal reason that we may release this data is to provide a basis for our management to discuss our business outlook with analysts and investors. We do not accept any responsibility for any projections or reports published by any such persons. Guidance is necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions of the guidance furnished by us will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. Further, our sales during any given quarter tend to be unevenly distributed as individual orders tend to close in greater numbers immediately prior to the relevant quarter end and further. Our revenues from individual customers may also fluctuate from time to time based on the timing and the terms under which further orders are received and the duration of the delivery and implementation of such orders. Therefore, if our projected sales do not close before the end of the relevant quarter, our actual results may be inconsistent with our published guidance. Accordingly, our guidance is only an estimate of what management believes is realizable as of the date of release. Actual results will vary from the guidance and the variations may be material. Investors should also recognize that the reliability of any forecasted financial data diminishes the farther in the future that the data is forecast. In light of the foregoing, investors are urged to consider any guidance we may publish in context and not to place undue reliance on it.
Our business may be materially affected by changes to fiscal and tax policies. Potentially negative or unexpected tax consequences of these policies, or the uncertainty surrounding their potential effects, could adversely affect our results of operations and share price.
As we operate in the global market, we are subject to tax in Israel and various jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. Our tax expenses include the impact of tax exposures in certain jurisdictions, and may also be affected by adverse changes in the underlying profitability and financial outlook of our operations or changes in tax law, including international tax treaties, or guidelines such as the BEPS project (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting), which could lead to changes in our valuation allowances against deferred tax assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Furthermore, we are subject to tax audits by governmental authorities, primarily in Israel and the United States. If we experience unfavorable results from one or more such tax audits, there could be an adverse effect on our tax rate and therefore on our net income.
Our results of operations may be affected by changes in tax laws, tax rates or double tax treaties. For example, in the United States, H.R. 1, originally known as the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) made significant changes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, including a reduction in the federal income corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and limitations on certain corporate deductions and credits. In addition, the TCJA requires complex computations to be performed that were not previously required in U.S. tax law, significant judgments to be made in interpretation of the provisions of the TCJA and significant estimates in calculations, and the preparation and analysis of information not previously relevant or regularly produced. The U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, and other standard-setting bodies could interpret or issue guidance on how provisions of the TCJA will be applied or otherwise administered that is different from our interpretation. Finally, foreign governments may enact tax laws in response to the TCJA that could result in further changes to global taxation and materially affect our financial position and results of operations. While we have provided the effect of the TCJA in our Consolidated Financial Statements as included in note 13 to our financial statements included elsewhere in this report, the application of accounting guidance for various items and the ultimate impact of the TCJA on our business are currently uncertain.
Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares
The share price of our ordinary shares has been and may continue to be volatile.
Our quarterly financial performance is likely to vary in the future, and may not meet our expectations or the expectations of analysts or investors, which may lead to additional volatility in our share price. The market price of our ordinary shares may be volatile and could fluctuate substantially due to many factors, including, but not limited to:
| · | announcements or introductions of technological innovations, new products, product enhancements or pricing policies by us or our competitors; |
| · | winning or losing contracts with service providers; |
| · | disputes or other developments with respect to our or our competitors’ intellectual property rights; |
| · | announcements of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, acquisitions or other agreements by us or our competitors; |
| · | recruitment or departure of key personnel; |
| · | regulatory developments in the markets in which we sell our products; |
| |
· | our future repurchases, if any, of our ordinary shares pursuant to our current share repurchase program and/or any other share repurchase program which may be approved in the future; |
| · | our sale of ordinary shares or other securities; |
| · | changes in the estimation of the future size and growth of our markets; or |
| · | market conditions in our industry, the industries of our customers and the economy as a whole. |
Share price fluctuations may be exaggerated if the trading volume of our ordinary shares is too low. The lack of a trading market may result in the loss of research coverage by securities analysts. Moreover, we can provide no assurance that any securities analysts will initiate or maintain research coverage of our company and our ordinary shares. If our future quarterly operating results are below the expectations of securities analysts or investors, the price of our ordinary shares would likely decline. Securities class action litigation has often been brought against companies following periods of volatility.
Our shareholders do not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of a U.S. company because we have elected to use certain exemptions available to foreign private issuers from certain NASDAQ corporate governance requirements.
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted under NASDAQ Rule 5615(a)(3) to follow Israeli corporate governance practices instead of the NASDAQ Stock Market requirements that apply to U.S. companies. As a condition to following Israeli corporate governance practices, we must disclose which requirements we are not following and describe the equivalent Israeli law requirement. We must also provide NASDAQ with a letter from our Israeli outside counsel, certifying that our corporate governance practices are not prohibited by Israeli law. As a result of these exemptions, our shareholders do not have the same protections as are afforded to shareholders of a U.S. company. We currently follow Israeli home country practices with regard to the quorum requirement for shareholder meetings and shareholder approval of equity compensation plans requirements. As permitted under the Israeli Companies Law, 5759-1999, or the Companies Law, our articles of association provide that the quorum for any meeting of shareholders shall be the presence of at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy who hold at least 25% of the voting power of our shares instead of 33 1/3% of our issued share capital (as prescribed by NASDAQ's rules). We submitted a letter from our outside counsel in connection with this item prior to our initial public offering in November 2006. We do not seek shareholder approval for equity compensation plans in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Law, which does not fully reflect the requirements of Rule 5635(c). We submitted a letter from our outside counsel in connection with this item in June 2008.
In the future, we may also choose to follow Israeli corporate governance practices instead of NASDAQ requirements with regard to, among other things, the composition of our board of directors, compensation of officers, director nomination procedures and quorum requirements at shareholders’ meetings. In addition, we may choose to follow Israeli corporate governance practice instead of NASDAQ requirements to obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events (such as for issuances that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company). Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as provided under NASDAQ corporate governance rules. Following our home country governance practices, as opposed to the requirements that would otherwise apply to a U.S. company listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, may provide less protection than is accorded to investors of domestic issuers. See “ITEM 16G: Corporate Governance”.
As a foreign private issuer, we are not subject to the provisions of Regulation FD or U.S. proxy rules and are exempt from filing certain Exchange Act reports.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act related to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file annual and current reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. domestic companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, we are permitted to disclose limited compensation information for our executive officers on an individual basis and we are generally exempt from filing quarterly reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material nonpublic information to, among others, broker-dealers and holders of a company’s securities under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that the holder will trade in the company’s securities on the basis of the information. These exemptions and leniencies reduce the frequency and scope of information and protections to which you may otherwise have been eligible in relation to a U.S. domestic issuer.
We would lose our foreign private issuer status if (a) a majority of our outstanding voting securities were either directly or indirectly owned of record by residents of the United States and (b)(i) a majority of our executive officers or directors were United States citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50 percent50% of our assets were located in the United States or (iii) our business were administered principally in the United States. Our loss of foreign private issuer status would make U.S. regulatory provisions mandatory. The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly higher. If we are not a foreign private issuer, we will be required to file periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the SEC, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We would also be required to follow U.S. proxy disclosure requirements, including the requirement to disclose, under U.S. law, more detailed information about the compensation of our senior executive officers on an individual basis. We may also be required to modify certain of our policies to comply with accepted governance practices associated with U.S. domestic issuers. Such conversion and modifications will involve additional costs. In addition, we would lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain NASDAQ corporate governance requirements on U.S. stock exchanges that are available to foreign private issuers.
Our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company..
Generally, if for any taxable year 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or the average percentage of our assets which produce passive income or which are held for the production of passive income (“passive assets”) is at least 50% of our total net assets, we would be characterized as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for such taxable year. Publicly traded corporations must determine the percentage of assets on the basis of the value of their assets. No definitive guidance has been issued by the U.S. government concerning how to value the assets of a foreign public company for PFIC testing purposes. It can be inferred from the legislative history that the fair market value of the total assets of a publicly traded foreign corporation can be more easily measured, and is therefore likely to be less burdensome to taxpayers, by applying the “market capitalization” method. Under the market capitalization method, the total asset value of a company would be considered to equal the aggregate fair market value of its outstanding stock (i.e., its market capitalization) plus its outstanding liabilities, as of a relevant testing date. However, the legislative history did not specify the circumstances under which it would be appropriate to use the “market capitalization” method, or that such method was an exclusive means for valuing the total assets of a publicly traded corporation. Accordingly, if the market capitalization approach is found to be insufficient in the context of the facts and circumstances of a particular case, other reasonable valuation methods may be employed to determine the fair market value of a corporation’s assets. In certain circumstances, including extremely volatile market conditions, it may be appropriate to apply alternative valuation methods, to more accurately determine the fair market value of our assets, such as a valuation of the assets by an independent qualified expert. Given the volatility of the capital markets in recent years, we have obtained an independent valuation of our company for the 20162017 tax year, as well as an opinion from a U.S. tax advisor that, applying the results of the independent valuation of our company which employed an approach other than the market capitalization approach, and which provided the reasoning underlying the use of such approach, we should not be a PFIC for the 20162017 taxable year. We considered such valuation in determining the value of our total assets and we also considered the above-referenced opinion. On that basis, we believe that we were not a PFIC for the 20162017 tax year; however there can be no certainty that the IRS will not challenge such a position and determine that based on the IRS’s interpretation of the asset test, we were a PFIC for the 20162017 tax year. Thus, there can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC for 20162017 or for any other taxable year. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the implication of the PFIC rules in his, her or its particular circumstances. See “ITEM 10: Taxation–United States Federal Income Taxation–Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”
If we were characterized as a passive foreign investment company, a U.S. Holder (as defined under “ITEM 10: Additional Information–Taxation–United States Federal Income Taxation–Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations”) could avoid certain adverse passive foreign investment company consequences by making a qualified electing fund election to be taxed currently on its proportionate share of the passive foreign investment company’s ordinary income and net capital gains. However, we do not intend to comply with the necessary accounting and record keeping requirements that would allow a U.S. Holder to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to the Company. See “ITEM 10: Additional Information–Taxation–United States Federal Income Taxation–Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”
Certain U.S. holders of our ordinary shares may suffer adverse tax consequences if we or any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries are characterized as a “controlled foreign corporation”, or a CFC, under Section 957(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
A non-U.S. corporation is considered a CFC if more than 50 percent of (1) the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such corporation entitled to vote, or (2) the total value of the stock of such corporation, is owned, or is considered as owned by applying certain constructive ownership rules, by United States shareholders who each own stock representing 10% or more of the vote or, for the taxable year of a non-U.S. corporation beginning after December 31, 2017 and for taxable years of shareholders with or within which such taxable years of such non-U.S. corporation ends, 10% or more of the value on any day during the taxable year of such non-U.S. corporation (“10% U.S. Shareholder”). Generally, 10% U.S. Shareholders of a CFC are required to include currently in gross income such 10% U.S. Shareholder’s share of the CFC’s “Subpart F income”, a portion of the CFC’s earnings to the extent the CFC holds certain U.S. property, and certain other new items under the TCJA. Such 10% U.S. Shareholders are subject to current U.S. federal income tax with respect to such items, even if the CFC has not made an actual distribution to such shareholders. “Subpart F income” includes, among other things, certain passive income (such as income from dividends, interests, royalties, rents and annuities or gain from the sale of property that produces such types of income) and certain sales and services income arising in connection with transactions between the CFC and a person related to the CFC.
Certain changes to the CFC constructive ownership rules introduced by the TCJA may cause one or more of our non-U.S. subsidiaries to be treated as CFCs and may impact our CFC status, thus affecting holders of our ordinary shares that are 10% United States shareholders. For 10% U.S. Shareholders, this may result in negative U.S. federal income tax consequences, such as current U.S. taxation of Subpart F income and of any such shareholder’s share of our accumulated non-U.S. earnings and profits (regardless of whether we make any distributions), taxation of amounts treated as global intangible low-taxed income under Section 951A of the Code with respect to such shareholder, and being subject to certain reporting requirements with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Current or prospective 10% U.S. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. tax consequences of acquiring, owning, or disposing our ordinary shares and the impact of the TCJA, especially the changes to the rules relating to CFCs.
If the price of our ordinary shares declines, we may be more vulnerable to an unsolicited or hostile acquisition bid.
We do not have a controlling shareholder. Notwithstanding provisions of our articles of association and Israeli law, a decline in the price of our ordinary shares may result in us becoming subject to an unsolicited or hostile acquisition bid. In the event that such a bid is publicly disclosed, it may result in increased speculation regarding our company and volatility in our share price even if our board of directors decides not to pursue a transaction. If our board of directors does pursue a transaction, there can be no assurance that it will be consummated successfully or that the price paid will represent a premium above the original price paid for our shares by all of our shareholders.
Disruption to our IT systems could adversely affect our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our business operations, production facilities and research and development technologies rely on our IT systems to collect, analyze and store our data. There can be no guarantee that our back-up storages will be effective if it becomes necessary to rely on them. If our existing or future IT systems do not function properly, or if the IT systems prove incompatible with new technologies, we could experience interruptions in data transmissions and slow response times, preventing us from completing routine business, production or research activities.
Additionally, our IT systems contain personal, financial and other information that is entrusted to us by our customers and employees as well as financial, proprietary and other confidential information related to our business. Despite our investments in risk prevention and contingencies, data protection, prevention of intrusions, data leaks and access control systems, we can provide no assurance that our current IT systems are fully protected against third-party intrusions, viruses, hacker attacks, information or data theft or other similar threats. Any such security breach, whether actual or alleged, could result in system disruptions or shutdowns and/or destruction, alteration, theft or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has risen as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world has increased. Furthermore, there has been heightened legislative and regulatory focus on data security in the U.S. and abroad, including requirements for varying levels of customer notification in the event of a data breach. As we continue to develop our technologies, we may need to update our IT systems and storage capabilities. Any such breach of our information security can result in adverse publicity, a loss of customer confidence, reduced sales and profits, and criminal penalties or civil liabilities, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Lastly, disruption or failure of our IT systems for technical reasons, due to natural disasters or other unanticipated catastrophic events, including power interruptions, storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, acts of war or terrorism, could significantly impair our ability to deliver our products on schedule and materially and adversely affect our relationships with our partners and customers, our business, our reputation and our results of operations.
Risks Relating to our Location in Israel
Conditions in Israel could adversely affect our business.
We are incorporated under Israeli law and our principal offices, research and development division and manufacturing facilities are located in Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel directly affect our business. Since the State of Israel was established in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have occurred between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Although Israel has entered into various agreements with Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, there has been an increase in unrest and terrorist activity, which began in September 2000 and continued with varying levels of severity into 2016.2017. In recent years, these have included, among others, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza strip, both of which resulted in rockets being fired into Israel, causing casualties and significant disruption of economic activities. Outside of periods of armed conflict, Israel has also historically experienced terrorist activity and unrest, including for instance, recent unrest due to the United States’ announcement to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Any armed conflicts, terrorist activities or political instability in the region may affect a significant portion of our work force, which is located in Israel, and may limit materially our ability to obtain raw materials from theseaffected countries or sell our products to companies in these countries. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners, or significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel, could adversely affect our operations and product development and manufacturing, cause our revenues to decrease and adversely affect the share price of publicly traded companies having operations in Israel, such as us.
Our operations may be disrupted by the obligations of personnel to perform military service.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, we employed 440477 people, of whom 254260 were based in Israel. Some of our employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual military reserve duty in the Israel Defense Forces, depending on their age and position in the army. Additionally, they may be called to active reserve duty at any time under emergency circumstances for extended periods of time. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence of one or more of our executive officers or key employees for a significant period due to military service and any significant disruption in our operations could harm our business. The full impact on our workforce or business if some of our executive officers and employees are called upon to perform military service, especially in times of national emergency, is difficult to predict. Additionally, the absence of a significant number of employees at our manufacturing subcontractor, Flex, as a result of military service obligations may disrupt their operations and could have a material adverse effect on our ability to timely deliver products to customers may be materially adversely affected.
The tax benefits that are available to us require us to meet several conditions and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which would increase our costs and taxes.
Our investment program in equipment at our facility in Hod-Hasharon, Israel, has been granted approved enterprise status and we are therefore eligible for tax benefits under the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, referred to as the Investments Law. We also have been granted benefited enterprise status. We expect to utilize these tax benefits after we utilize our net operating loss carry forwards. As of December 31, 2016,2017, our net operating loss carry forwards for Israeli tax purposes amounted to approximately $46.6$53.0 million. To remain eligible for these tax benefits, we must continue to meet certain conditions stipulated in the Investments Law and its regulations and the criteria set forth in the specific certificate of approval. If we do not meet these requirements, the tax benefits would be canceled and we could be required to refund any tax benefits and investment grants that we received in the past. Further, in the future these tax benefits may be reduced or discontinued. If these tax benefits are cancelled, our Israeli taxable income would be subject to regular Israeli corporate tax rates. The standard corporate tax rate in Israel for 2017 is 24% and for 2018 and thereafter willis scheduled to be 23%23.0% and was 24.0% in 2017 and 25.0% and 26.5% in 2016 and 2015, respectively.2016.
Effective January 1, 2011, the Investment Law was amended. Under the amended Investment Law, the criteria for receiving tax benefits were revised. Under the transition provisions of the new legislation,2011 - Amendment, a company may decide to irrevocably implement the new amendment2011 Amendment while waiving benefits provided under the current lawInvestment law’s prior benefits programs or to remain subject to the current law.Investment Law’s prior benefits programs. In the future, we may not be eligible to receive additional tax benefits as were made available under this law.the Investment law prior to the 2011 Amendment. The termination or reduction of these tax benefits would increase our tax liability, which would reduce our profits. Finally, in the event of a distribution of a dividend from the abovementioned tax-exempt income, in addition to withholding tax at the following rates: (i) Israeli resident corporation – 0%, (ii) Israeli resident individual – 20% in 2014 and onwards, and (iii) non-Israeli resident – 20% in 2014 and onwards subject to a reduced tax rate under the provisions of an applicable double tax treaty, would be subject to income tax on the amount distributed in accordance with the effective corporate tax rate which would have been applied had we not enjoyed the exemption. See “ITEM 10: Additional Information—Taxation—Israeli Tax Considerations and Government Programs.”
No assurance can be given that we will be eligible to receive additional tax benefits under the Investments Law in the future. The termination or reduction of these tax benefits would increase our tax liability in the future, which would reduce our profits or increase our losses. Additionally, if we increase our activities outside of Israel, for example, by future acquisitions, our increased activities may not be eligible for inclusion in Israeli tax benefit programs.
The government grants we have received for research and development expenditures require us to satisfy specified conditions and restrict our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel. If we fail to comply with these conditions or such restrictions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties and may be subject to criminal charges.
We have received grants from the Israel Innovation Authority (formerly known as the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy) for the financing of a portion of our research and development expenditures in Israel, pursuant to the provisions of The Encouragement of Industrial Research, Development and DevelopmentInnovation in Industry Law, 1984, referred to as the Research and Development Law. In the future we may not receive grants or we may receive significantly smaller grants from the Israel Innovation Authority, and our failure to receive grants in the future could adversely affect our profitability.
In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 20162017 we received and accrued non-royalty-bearing grants totaling $1.0 million, $1.3 million, $0.6 million and $0.6$0.4 million, respectively, from the Israel Innovation Authority, representing 3.3%4.5%, 4.5%2.4% and 2.4%1.8%, respectively, of our gross research and development expenditures. In 2014 and 2015 we qualified to participate in two non-royalty-bearing research and development programs, and in one such program in 2016 and 2017, funded by the Israel Innovation Authority to develop generic technology relevant to the development of our products. Such programs are approved pursuant to special provisions of the Research and Development Law. We were eligible to receive grants constituting between 40% and 55%of up to 50% of certain research and development expenses relating to these programs. Although the grants under these programs are not required to be repaid by way of royalties, the restrictions of the Research and Development Law described below apply to these programs.
The provisions of the Research and Development Law and the terms of the Israel Innovation Authority grants prohibit us from transferring manufacturing products which we originally planned to manufacture in Israel outside of Israel if they incorporate technologies funded by the Israel Innovation Authority, and from transferring intellectual property rights in technologies developed using these grants, without special approvals from the Israel Innovation Authority.
Even if we receive approval to manufacture our products outside of Israel, we may be required to pay an increased total amount of royalties, which may be up to 300% of the grant amount plus interest, depending on the manufacturing volume that is performed outside of Israel. This restriction may impair our ability to outsource manufacturing or engage in similar arrangements for those products or technologies. Know-how developed under an approved research and development program may not be transferred to any third-parties, except in certain circumstances and subject to prior approval. Similarly, even if we receive approval to transfer intellectual property rights in technologies developed using these grants, we may be required to repay a multiple of the original grants plus LIBOR interest to the Israel Innovation Authority. In addition, if we fail to comply with any of the conditions and restrictions imposed by the Research and Development Law or by the specific terms under which we received the grants, we may be required to refund any grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges.
It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors in Israel or the United States, or to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel or serve process on our officers and directors.
We are incorporated in Israel. The majority of our executive officers and directors are not residents of the United States, and the majority of our assets and the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to enforce a U.S. court judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or any of these persons in a U.S. or Israeli court, or to effect service of process upon these persons in the United States. Additionally, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws on the grounds that Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. Even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing the matters described above.
Provisions of Israeli law and our articles of association may delay, prevent or make undesirable an acquisition of all or a significant portion of our shares or assets.
Our articles of association contain certain provisions that may delay or prevent a change of control, including a classified board of directors. In addition, Israeli corporate law regulates acquisitions of shares through tender offers and mergers, requires special approvals for transactions involving significant shareholders and regulates other matters that may be relevant to these types of transactions. These provisions of Israeli law could delay or prevent a change in control and may make it more difficult for third-parties to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders, and may limit the price that investors may be willing to pay for our ordinary shares in the future. Furthermore, Israeli tax considerations may make potential transactions undesirable to us or to some of our shareholders. See “ITEM 10: Additional Information—Memorandum and Articles of Association—Acquisitions under Israeli Law” and “—Anti-Takeover Measures.”
ITEM 4: Information on Allot
A. | A. History and Development of Allot |
Our History
Our legal and commercial name is Allot Communications Ltd. We are a company limited by shares organized under the laws of the State of Israel. Our principal executive offices are located at 22 Hanagar Street, Neve Ne’eman Industrial Zone B, Hod-Hasharon 4501317, Israel, and our telephone number is +972 (9) 761-9200. We have irrevocably appointed Allot Communications Inc. as our agent to receive service of process in any action against us in any United States federal or state court. The address of Allot Communications Inc. is 300 TradeCenter, Suite 4680, Woburn,1500 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01801-7422.01803.
We were incorporated on November 12, 1996 as “Ariadne Ltd.” and commenced operations in 1997. In September 1997, we changed our name to “Allot Communications Ltd.”. In November 2006, we listed our shares on NASDAQ. In 2007, we introduced our Service Gateway platform that enables broadband providers to build efficient, secure, manageable and profitable intelligent networks that are optimized to deliver Internet-based content and services. In 2008, we completed the acquisition of the business of Esphion Limited, a developer of network protection solutions for carriers and internet service providers. In 2010, we listed our shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, or TASE, and began applying the reporting reliefs afforded under the Israeli Securities Law to companies whose securities are dually listed on NASDAQ and the TASE. In 2012, we acquired the business of Ortiva Wireless Inc., a developer of video optimization solutions for mobile and Internet networks. In 2012, we acquired the business of Oversi Networks Ltd., a developer of products and systems for caching Internet content. In 2015, we acquired substantially all of the assets and business of Optenet S.A., a Madrid-based global IT security company. In early 2018, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Netonomy Ltd., a Tel-Aviv based developer of software-based cyber security for the connected home.
Overview
We are a leading global provider of visibility,leading innovative network intelligence and security solutions for mobile and fixed service providers as well as enterprises worldwide. Our solutions are deployed globally for network and application analytics, traffic control and shaping, network-based security including mobile security, DDoS protection, IoT security, and monetization solutions that enablemore. Allot’s multi-service platforms are deployed by over 500 mobile, fixed and cloud service providers and enterprises to protect and personalize the digital experience. Allot’s flexible and highly scalableover 1000 enterprises. Our industry leading network-based security as a service delivery framework leverages the intelligence in data networks, enablingsolution has achieved over 50% penetration with some service providers to get closer to their customers, safeguard network assets and users, and accelerate time-to-revenue for value-added services.is already used by over 18 million subscribers in Europe.
We have a global and diverse customer base composed of mobile and fixed broadband service providers, cable operators, satellite service providers, private networks, data centers, governments, and enterprises such as financial and educational institutions. Our scalable, carrier-grade solutions integrate capabilities that allow our customersWith over 20 years of experience empowering service providers and enterprises to get more out of their networks and to manage them better, we enable network operators as well as enterprises, to clearly see and understand their networks from within, to optimize, the deliveryinnovate and performancecapitalize on every opportunity, to learn about users and network behaviors, to improve quality of over-the-top (OTT) applicationsservice and reduce costs, and to detect security breaches to protect their own networks and their users from attacks, all while increasing value to customers and deploying new services monetize network utilization through value-added product deployment, security service offerings, real-time metering and application-aware charging models and personalize the user experience through service tiering and differentiation.faster.
Through our combination of innovative technology, proven know-how and collaborative approach to industry standards and partnerships, with broadband service providers and enterprises, we deliver broadband solutions that equip our customersservice providers with the capabilities to elevate their role in theas premier digital lifestyle ecosystemservices providers and to expand into new business opportunities. We offer our customers market leading, proprietary technologies that are seamlessly woven into carrier-class productspowerful, diverse, and solutions.scalable. In addition, we have developed significant industry know-how and expertise through our experience in designing and implementing use cases with our diverselarge customer base. Beginning from the proposal stage of a new project through the testing, acceptanceWe believe that when visibility is clear and implementation of our products, we collaborate closely with ournetwork intelligence is accurate, service providers can make smart decisions in real time to manage their networks, engage customers and other industry participants to create innovative solutions to create the digital lifestyle ecosystems that our customers require.innovate with new services.
Industry Background
The rapid proliferation of broadband networks in recent years has been largely driven by demand from users for faster and more reliable access to the Internet and by the proliferation in the number and complexity of broadband applications, as well as the proliferation of mobile smartphones, tablets and other Internet-connected devices.
Rising Network Operational Costs Due to the Rapid Adoption of Broadband Applications
Advances in broadband access (such as the introduction of long-term evolution, or LTE, technology) combined with the advanced data capabilities of end-user devices (such as smartphones and tablets) have promoted a growing number of applications and content delivered over broadband networks. The vast majority of these applications run over-the-top of the network, which means they are not originated, controlled or charged by the network operator. The use of OTT applications, such as streaming video, peer-to-peer (P2P), Voice over IP (VoIP), social networks, interactive gaming and online content, requires large and increasing amounts of bandwidth. Moreover, many of these applications are highly sensitive to network delays caused by congestion. In response to these challenges, service providers have been forced to invest heavily in network infrastructure upgrades and customer support services in order to maintain the quality of experience for subscribers.
Rising Data Traffic in Mobile Networks
The mobile data market continues to grow rapidly, fueled by the proliferation of smartphones and tablets, mobile-enabled laptops that use mobile modems or tethered smartphones to connect to the Internet. On average, the data traffic generated by an Internet user with a smartphone is multiple times that of an Internet user without a smartphone.
The cost of increasing the bandwidth in mobile networks is significantly higher than that in wireline networks. As a result, mobile operators are experiencing economic and infrastructure challenges in meeting the rising tide of data traffic over their networks. In addition, as capacity increases in mobile networks, smartphone users are likely to have increased expectations with respect to speed and performance.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that unmanaged 3G and 4G/LTE mobile networks (and soon also 5G mobile networks) will not be able to cope with the rising tide of data traffic, without implementing intelligent bandwidth management solutions. Moreover, network providers may need to develop new pricing models if they are not able to monetize the OTT traffic carried by their networks.
Service Providers Demand the Ability to Offer Services that Can Be Monetized at Different Rates
Some service providers still offer flat-rate broadband access, regardless of the type of applications and data used by subscribers. These operators provide the same level of service to all subscribers and do not guarantee access quality, regardless of a subscriber’s willingness to pay for premium services and network performance. However, with the increasing amount of data used, the flat-rate pricing model may not be profitable, especially for mobile broadband operators, unless they can charge subscribers high rates. As a result, both mobile and fixed operators have begun to offer service plans based on gigabytes of data used. However, this pricing model is also subject to competition from other service providers offering lower rates, contributing to downward pricing pressure and high subscriber turnover rates.
To address these issues and increase the average revenue per user (ARPU), a significantly increased number of service providers have begun to offer premium, differentiated services, such as free usage for specific applications, content bundling, off-peak usage incentives, security services, improved quality for VoIP and Internet video, among others. By offering such tiered services and charging subscribers according to the value of these services, as well as based on the gigabyte usage, service providers can capitalize on the revenue opportunities embodied in their networks. To offer premium services and to guarantee high-quality delivery of content and user experience, service providers need enhanced visibility into and control of network traffic, including visibility into the type of applications used on the network and levels of traffic generated by different subscribers.
The Challenge of Elevating the Role of Fixed and Mobile Broadband Networks
In the evolving digital lifestyle, consumers recognize the importance of the devices they use to access the Internet and choose the Internet content and services they use based on quality. However, the network that connects them to the Internet is not as “visible”, and is therefore not as highly valued, even though it plays a critical role in the service chain. In order to generate revenue through various pricing models and encourage consumers and content providers to seek higher quality network services, service providers are seeking to elevate the role of network connectivity and services. To do so, service providers must be able to identify and leverage the business intelligence in their data networks and capitalize on the network traffic that they generate.
The ability to identify, distinguish and prioritize different applications plays a major role in intelligent management of network resources and service delivery, allowing service providers to optimize bandwidth utilization and reduce operational costs, while maintaining high quality of service for tiered and premium services. Application designers are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection by network operators who desire to manage network use. Traditional network infrastructure devices, such as routers and switches, do not generally have sufficient computing resources or the required algorithms to distinguish between different and rapidly evolving applications.
Network Security Threats
As reliance on the Internet has grown, service provider and enterprise networks have become increasingly vulnerable to a wide range of security threats, including distributed denial of service attacks, spambots malware and other threats. These attacks are designed to flood the network with traffic that consumes all the available bandwidth and hinder the ability to provide high quality broadband access to subscribers or to prevent enterprises from using mission-critical applications. These threats also compromise network and data integrity. We believe service providers and enterprises must protect against such attacks by detecting and neutralizing malicious traffic at very early stages before such threats can compromise network integrity and services.
End-User Security Threats
Broadband devices, especially mobile devices, are increasingly vulnerable to online threats such as malware and phishing. Since most broadband users have limited cyber-security expertise, they become easy targets for cybercriminals. Mobile device users are even more exposed since the threat awareness is lower than that of PC users. There are several options to safeguard broadband users on-the-go. We believe service providers must protect their subscribers by providing security-as-a-service so that individual and business customers are always protected seamlessly from the network security threats.
Enterprise Demand for Visibility and Delivery of Mission-Critical Applications and Services in the Cloud
The proliferation of network applications, bring your own device and cloud computing present significant challenges for enterprises that operate data centers, wide-area networks, virtual private networks (VPN) and Internet connectivity for organizations of all sizes. Enterprises depend on network infrastructure to ensure the delivery of business-critical applications to an increasingly mobile and often global workforce, and as such, face many of the same issues as service providers. At the same time, Internet access has introduced a wide variety of recreational and non-business applications to enterprise networks, resulting in network congestion and negatively impacting employee productivity. As a result, there is an increasing need for enterprises to be able to monitor and control the traffic on their business networks.
Integrated Network Intelligence Solutions
Our integrated broadbandnetwork intelligence solutions allowprovide network visibility and control allowing mobile, fixed and enterprise operators to elevate their role in the digital lifestyle ecosystem and expand into new business opportunities. Our solutions enable our customers to increase revenues by monetizing network usage through value-added products and services, value-based charging, reduce costs by optimizing the delivery and performance of OTT content and cloud computing services and improve customer loyalty by personalizing operator offerings with various choices of service tiers and digital lifestyle options.
Our IntegratedNetwork Intelligence Solutions include:
| · | Analytics solutions deliver accurate and meaningful network business intelligence to drive capacity planning, congestion management, service planning, regulatory compliance and marketing decisions. |
| · | Traffic Management solutions prioritize existingcritical network capacity,traffic, control congestion and optimize service delivery. Dynamic Quality of Service (QoS)Experience (QoE) enforcement enables effective traffic management strategies that minimize infrastructure and operating costs. |
| · | Policy Control and Charging solutions drive personalized service plans and pay-for-use pricing models based on real-time consumption of bandwidth and OTT applications. We provide a single point of integration with provisioning and pricing systems. |
| · | Service Enablement solutions facilitate a wide variety of cost-saving and revenue-generating use cases to create personalized customer experiences demanded by today’s sophisticated consumers. |
| |
· | “Security as a Service” Solutions enable operators to secure the digital experience against online threats and harmful content, by providing network based Security as a Service (SECaaS) to their end customers.
|
| |
· | Network Core Security Solutions, focused on identifying and blocking large scale Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on the core network elements of service providers.
|
Allot’s Products (Our Platforms)
The Allot Service Gateway platforms (including Allot Service Gateway Tera, and Allot Service Gateway 9500) as well as Allot NetEnforcer platforms are based on leading technology and high performance, designed for in-line deployment in a wide range of networks. Allot service Gateway platforms are designed for deployment both on traditional and virtualized network access infrastructure. Within each platform, our Dynamic Actionable Recognition Technology (DART) engine employs multiple deep packet inspection (DPI) and analytical methods to identify network traffic by subscriber, application, device and network topology. Our technology is able to identify more OTT applications than any other solution on the market with frequent and custom updates to our extensive signature library. These granular elements may be mapped directly into dynamic traffic management, charging and service enablement policies.
High-Performance Platforms
| · | Allot Service Gateway 9500 (series of products) provides visibility, control and security of application and user traffic in cloud data centers and ISP networks. The platform provides a unified framework and single point of integration for traffic visibility and policy enforcement, charging, as well as pre-integrated services, including, web and cyber security, and web optimization, cyber threat protection, data sourcing, and network analytics. |
| |
· | Allot Service Gateway Terapowers the deployment and delivery of digital lifestyle services in fixed, mobile and cloud networks that are on the path to software-defined networking (SDN)and virtualized network services (NFV). The Allot Service Gateway Tera provides a unified framework for traffic detection, policy enforcement and service integration across any access network, and helps manage traffic loads, keeping pace with the growing demand for services and the complex needs of application delivery. Allot Service Gateway Tera supports both physical and virtual service deployment and serves as a single point of seamless integration in the network for real-time data sourcing, traffic management, service chaining, application-based charging, endpoint protection and anti-DDoS, as well as value-added services from other leading vendors. |
| · | Allot Service Gateway Virtual Edition provides contemporary, software only based version of our Service Gateway functionality, enabling telecommunication service providers to deploy leading integrated network intelligence, policy enforcement and revenue-generating services in a scalable manner, which complies with any hardware and orchestration infrastructure used by the provider. Our Service Gateway Virtual Edition enables both on-premises and cloud deployments, and provides the promise of expansion on demand based on the actual traffic dynamic of the network. |
| · | Allot Secure Service Gatewayintegrates network intelligence, policy enforcement, and web security in a single scalable platform for large enterprises. This unified platform offers enterprises a cost-effective solution of advance technologies for visibility, control and security of their network. Allot’s SSG ranges from several hundred Mbps (megabits per second )second) to several dozen Gbps, hence providing full coverage to even the most complex enterprise network. |
| · | Allot NetEnforcer bandwidth management devices monitor and manage network traffic per application and per subscriber, enabling intelligent optimization of broadband and wide area network (WAN) services. With full duplex speeds ranging from 10 megabits per second (Mbps) to 16 Gbps, these devices provide essential visibility, policy enforcement and traffic steering to added-value services in a wide range of service provider and enterprise networks.End of Life of the Allot NetEnforcer was declared during September 2017, and thus is being withdrawn from sale. |
Subscriber Management Platform
The Allot Subscriber Management Platform (SMP) drives the centralized creation, provisioning and pricing of subscriber services, including tiered and usage-based data plans, which we believe are key to personalizing digital lifestyle offerings and maximizing average revenue per user. The Allot SMP allows subscriber traffic to be managed across converged access networks and when offloading to Wi-Fi hotspots. Modular licensing provides flexible and scalable management for any number of subscribers.
| · | Allot TierManager: Provides and manages differentiated services and tiered service plans that are tailored to subscriber preferences. |
| · | Allot QuotaManager: Provides and manages usage allowances and caps, with real-time metering of service consumption and dynamic enforcement of quota limits and overage policy. |
| · | Allot ChargeSmart: Enables real-time, pay-for-use pricing, based on a user’s consumption of data and applications. It also integrates seamlessly in 3G and 4G mobile networks and implements the pricing model via standard telecommunication interfaces, such as Diameter Gx, Sd, Gy and Gz. |
| |
· | Allot Smart Engage Onboarding: Onboarding: Allows operators to engage customers at first time broadband usage, and also increase on going engagement, including, increasing introduction of services and number of opt-ins for add-on services. |
Analytics Services
Our analytics solutions analyze traffic data to drive smart business decisions.
| · | Allot ClearSee Analytics: Is a business intelligence application that helps network operators turn big data into valuable insight for the decision-makers in their organization. Its self-service approach allows network operators to synthesize and analyze large varieties and volumes of data with extreme efficiency. Tools include built-in dashboards for mining Network, Application, Subscriber, Device, and Quality of Experience data, plus Self-Service data mining for modeling fresh perspectives and gaining deeper understanding of network usage and subscriber behavior. |
| · | Allot ClearSee Data Source: Source: Extracts a rich variety of raw traffic statistics from operator networks, enriches it with data from operator business systems, and loads it into a cutting-edge data warehouse where it is transformed into modeled data objects that are meaningful to telco operators and easy to manipulate using the Allot ClearSee Analytics application. This valuable source data may also be exported to external analytics tools and other business applications. |
Security Solutions
Our security solutions protect network customers, network service integrity and brand reputation.
| · | “Security as a Service” Solutions enable operators to secure subscribers against online threats and harmful content by providing network-based Security as a Service (SECaaS) to their end customers. |
| o | Allot WebSafe Personal: Opt-in security services that allow ISP subscribers to define and enforce safe-browsing limits (Parental Control) and to prevent incoming malware from infecting their devices (Anti-Malware). Services are enforced at the network level, requiring no device involvement or battery consumption. |
| |
· | Allot WebSafe: URL filtering service that blocks blacklisted content and enables access control to objectionable content on the Internet.
|
·o | Allot WebSafe Business: Enables managed security service providers to protect the digital assets of business customers, whose applications are migrating to the cloud and whose employees are increasingly mobile. Allot WebSafe Business providesProvides flexible, multi-tenant Security as a Service to small and medium business (SMB) customers, including, web (URL) filtering, anti-malware, application control and mail security. |
| |
· | Allot ServiceProtector: Attack detection and mitigation services that protect commercial networks against inbound and outbound Denial of Service (DoS/DDoS) attacks, Zero Day attacks, worms, zombie and spambot behavior. |
| |
· | Allot Content Protector: Provides a carrier-class URL filtering service that blocks access to blacklisted and illegal content, enabling network operators to comply with regulatory requirements. |
| |
· | Allot SpamOut Protector: Prevents malicious spambots from compromising operators' network service, and includes anti-spam filter which detects and blocks outbound spam and protects network and IP domain against being blacklisted as a spammer or a phishing security risk. |
| · | McAfeeAllot Unified Security Powered by Allot: Provides end-to end security capabilities through combining Allot’s multi-tenant network-based security platform and McAfee endpoint protection. Offering On-Net and Off-Net coverage, the solution blends advanced threat detection technologies in network and at the endpoint with customer intelligence and comprehensive personalization capabilities to deliver a scalable platform that simplifies security service activation, service awareness, operation and management.
|
Centralized Management
The Allot NetXplorer is the management umbrella for our devices, platforms and solutions, providing a central access point for network-wide monitoring, reporting, analytics, troubleshooting, accounting and QoS policy provisioning. Its user-friendly interface provides our customers with a comprehensive overview of the application, user, device and network topology traffic, while its wide variety of reports provide accessible, detailed analyses of granular traffic data.
| · | NetXplorer Analytics and Reporting: Real-time reporting provides 30-second accuracy for timely troubleshooting and resolution of customer care issues, while historical traffic statistics facilitate analyses of usage trends and user behavior. |
| · | NetXplorer Data Collector: Provides distributed data collection and storage at different points in the network in order to support growing and large-scale deployments with large volumes of network traffic. |
| · | NetAccounting Server: Aggregates network-wide usage statistics and exports the data to external accounting systems in standard formats. |
| · | NetPolicy Provisioner: Provides a virtual “bandwidth management device” for self-monitoring and self-provisioning by a networks operator’s VPN, ISP and managed services customers. |
Customers
We have a global, diversified customer base consisting primarily of mobile and fixed service providers, cable operators, private networks, data centers, governments and enterprises. We derive a significant and growing portion of our revenue from direct sales to large mobile and fixed-line service providers. We generate the remainder of our revenue through a select and well-developed network of channel partners, generally consisting of distributors, resellers, OEMs and system integrators. We also endeavor to increase our sales to enterprises and have adapted the structure of our sales organization to this end. In 2016,2017, we derived 38%49% of our revenues from Europe, 31%19% from the Americas, 17% from Asia and Oceania 14%and 15% from the Middle East and Africa and 14% from the Americas (excluding the United States) and 3% from the United States.Africa. For a breakdown of total revenues by geographic location, see “ITEM 5.A – Operating Results – Results of Operations – Revenues.”
Channel Partners
We market and sell our products to end-customers both by direct sales and through channel partners, which include distributors, resellers, OEMs and system integrators. A significant portion of our sales occur through our channel partners. In 2016,2017, approximately 41%50% of our revenues were derived from channel partners. Our channel partners are responsible for installing and providing initial customer support for our products. Our channel partners are located around the world and address most major markets. Our channel partners target a range of end-users, including carriers, alternative carriers, cable operators, private networks, data centers and enterprises in a wide range of industries, including government, financial institutions and education. Our agreements with channel partners that are distributors or resellers are generally non-exclusive, for an initial term of one year and automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless terminated. After the first year, such agreements may typically be terminated by either party upon ninety days prior notice.
We offer support to our channel partners. This support includes the generation of leads through marketing events, seminars and web-based leads and incentive programs as well as technical and sales training.
Sales and Marketing
Our product sales cycle varies based on the intended use by the end-customer. The sales cycle for initial network deployment may generally last between twelve and eighteen months for large and medium service providers, six to twelve months for small service providers, and one to six months for enterprises. Follow-on orders and additional deployment of our products usually require shorter cycles. Large and medium service providers generally take longer to plan the integration of our solutions into their existing networks and to set goals for the implementation of the technology.
We focus our marketing efforts on product positioning, increasing brand awareness, communicating product advantages and generating qualified leads for our sales organization. We rely on a variety of marketing communications channels, including our website, trade shows, industry research and professional publications, the press and special events to gain wider market exposure.
We have organized our worldwide sales efforts into the following territories:regions: North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and Asia and Oceania. We have regional offices in the United States, Israel, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Colombia, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, China, Italy and India and a regional presence in Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Hong Kong, South Korea, South Africa, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, our sales and marketing staff, including product management and business development functions, consisted of 99122 employees.
Service and Technical Support
We believe our technical support and professional services capabilities are a key element of our sales strategy. Our technical staff provides project management, delivery, training, support and professional services, as well as assists in presale activities and advises channel partners on the integration of our solutions into end-customer networks. Our basic warranty to end-customers (directly or through our partners) is three months for software and twelve months for hardware. Generally, end-customers are also offered a choice of one year or multi-year customer support programs when they purchase our products. These customer support programs can be renewed at the end of their terms. Our end-customer support plans generally offer the following features:
| · | unlimited 24/7 access to our global support organization, via phone, email and online support system, provided by regional support centers; |
| · | expedited replacement units in the event of a warranty claim; |
| · | software updates and upgrades offering new features and protocols and addressing new and changing network applications; and |
| · | periodic updates of solution documentation, technical information and training. |
Our support plans are designed to maximize network up-time and minimize operating costs. Our customers, including partners and their end-customers, are entitled to take advantage of our around-the-clock technical support which we provide through our sixseven support centers, located in France, Israel, Singapore, India, Colombia Spain and the United States. We also offer our customers, 24-hour access to an external web-based technical knowledge base, which provides technical support information and, in the case of our channel partners, enables them to support their customers independently and obtain follow up and support from us.
Many of our strategic customers purchase special support contracts, which include specifics service levels (for example, with respect to response time, restoration time, resolution time, on-site support, spare parts management, and resident engineers).
We also offer particular professional services, such as, network audit, solution design, project management, business intelligence reports, customer project documentation, integration services, interoperability testing and training and specific customizations.
The expenditures associated with the technical support staff are allocated in our statements of comprehensive loss between sale and marketing expenses and cost of goods sold, based on the roles of and tasks performed by personnel.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, our technical staff consisted of 117128 employees, including 5267 technical support persons, 5153 deployment and professional services engineers, 6six documentation and training persons, and eight business operation and CS management.two Customer Success managers.
Research and Development
Our research and development activities take place primarily in Israel. We also have research and development activities in Spain and Mexico. As of December 31, 2016,2017, 117 of our employees in Israel, 4243 of our employees in Spain and fourthree of our employees in Mexico, were engaged primarily in research and development. We devote a significant amount of our resources towards research and development in order to introduce new products and continuously enhance existing products and to support our growth strategy. We have assembled a core team of experienced engineers, many of whom are leaders in their particular field or discipline and have technical degrees from top universities and have experience working for leading Israeli or international networking companies. These engineers are involved in advancing our core technologies, as well as in applying these core technologies to our product development activities. In previous years, our research and development efforts have benefited from royalty-bearing grants from the Israel Innovation Authority. As of December, 31 2016,2017, there are no outstanding royalties due from us to the Israel Innovation Authority. In 2016,2017, we benefited from additional grants from the Israel Innovation Authority,Authority; however, these grants do not bear royalties. Under the terms of those grants we are required to perform our manufacturing activities within the state of Israel, as a condition to maintaining these benefits. The State of Israel does not own any proprietary rights in technology developed with the Innovation Authority funding and there is no restriction related to the Israel Innovation Authority on the export of products manufactured using technology developed with the Israel Innovation Authority funding (other limitations on export apply under applicable law). For a description of restrictions on the transfer of the technology and with respect to manufacturing rights, please see “ITEM 3: Key Information—Risk Factors—The government grants we have received for research and development expenditures require us to satisfy specified conditions and restrict our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel. If we fail to comply with these conditions or such restrictions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties and may be subject to criminal charges.”
Manufacturing
We subcontract the manufacture and repair of the hardware components of our Service Gateway platforms and our NetEnforcer traffic management systemsTera platform to Flex (Israel) Ltd., which manufactures these components in accordance with our design. This strategy enables us to reduce our fixed costs, focus on our core research and development competencies and provide flexibility in meeting market demand. Flex (Israel) is contractually obligated to provide us with manufacturing services based on agreed specifications, including manufacturing, assembling, testing, packaging and procuring the raw materials for our devices. We are not required to provide any minimum orders. Our agreement with Flex (Israel) is automatically renewed annually for additional one-year terms. Flex (Israel) may terminate our agreement with them at any time during the term upon prior notice. We retain the right to procure independently any of the components used in our products. Flex (Israel) has a U.S. affiliateaffiliates outside of Israel, to which it can, with the prior consent of the Israel Innovation Authority, transfer manufacturing of our products if necessary, in which event we may be required to pay increased royalties to the Israel Innovation Authority. We expect that it would take approximately six months to transition manufacturing of our products to an alternate manufacturer.
We subcontract the integration of our security software products with an off-the- shelf hardware platforms provided by Lenovo and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HP). Based on verbal understandings, Arrow ocs (Israel) performs the integration of the software product with HP servers, while Malam-Team (Israel) performs the integration of such software with Lenovo Servers. Such hardware components are manufactured in accordance with our design.
We design and develop internally a number of the key components for our products, including printed circuit boards. Some of the hardware components of our products are obtained from single or limited sources. Since our products have been designed to incorporate these specific components, any change in these components due to an interruption in supply or our inability to obtain such components on a timely basis may require engineering changes to our products before we could incorporate substitute components. In particular, we purchase the central processing unit for our Service Gateway platforms and for our NetEnforcer products from NetLogic Microsystems, Inc. (now part of Broadcom Corporation, recently acquired by Avago). We also purchase off the shelf hardware components from single or limited sources for our security and Traffic Management products. We carry approximately three to six months of inventory of key components. We also work closely with our suppliers to monitor the end-of-life of the product cycle for integral components, and believe that in the event that they announce end of life, we will be able to increase our inventory to allow enough time for replacing such components. The agreements with our suppliers do not contain any minimum purchase or supply commitments. Product testing and quality assurance is performed by our contract manufacturer using tests and automated testing equipment and according to controlled test documentation we specify. We also use inspection testing and statistical process controls to assure the quality and reliability of our products.
Competition
We compete against large companies in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive sector of the networking technology market, which offer, or may offer in the future, competing technologies, including partial or alternative solutions to operators' and enterprises’ challenges, and which, similarly to us, intensely pursue the largest service providers (referred to as Tier 1 operators). as well as large enterprises. Our DPI technology enabled offerings face significant competition from router and switch infrastructure companies.companies that integrate functionalities into their platforms addressing some of the same types of issues that our products are designed to address.
Our security products, which are offered to operators and are deployed in their networks for the purpose of enabling them to provide security services to their end customers, are subject to competition from companies which offer security products, based on different technology and marketing and sales approaches. Generally, we compete on the basis of product performance, ease of use and installation, customer support and price.
Our security product offerings face significant competition from companies that directly approach end customers and offer them security applications to be installed on their devices; companies that approach the business enterprise sector through distribution channels and offer cloud security products; and companies that offer security products bundled with other products. By offering our security products to operators that provide security services to both business enterprises and individual end customers, we aim to expand the reach of our products.
See “ITEM 3: Key Information—Risk Factors—Our revenues and business may be adversely affected if we do not effectively compete in the markets in which we operate.”
Intellectual Property
Our intellectual property rights are very important to our business. We believe that the complexity of our products and the know-how incorporated into them makes it difficult to copy them or replicate their features. We rely on a combination of confidentiality and other protective clauses in our agreements, copyright and trade secrets to protect our know-how. We also restrict access to our servers physically and through closed networks since our product designs and software are stored electronically and thus are highly portable.
We customarily require our employees, subcontractors, customers, distributors, resellers, software testers, technology partners and contractors to execute confidentiality agreements or agree to confidentiality undertakings when their relationship with us begins. Typically, our employment contracts also include assignment of intellectual property rights for all inventions developed by employees, non-disclosure of all confidential information, and non-compete clauses, which generally restrict the employee for six months following termination of employment. The enforceability of non-compete clauses in certain jurisdictions in which we operate may be limited. See “ITEM 3: Key Information—Risk Factors— If we are unable to successfully protect the intellectual property embodied in our technology, our business could be harmed significantly.” Because our product designs and software are stored electronically and thus are highly portable, we attempt to reduce the portability of our designs and software by physically protecting our servers through the use of closed networks, which prevent external access to our servers.
The communications equipment industry is characterized by constant product changes resulting from new technological developments, performance improvements and lower hardware costs. We believe that our future growth depends to a large extent on our ability to be an innovator in the development and application of hardware and software technology. As we develop the next generation products, we intend to pursue patent protection for our core technologies in the telecommunications segment. We plan to seek patent protection in our largest markets and our competitors’ markets, for example in the United States and Europe. As we continue to move into new markets, such as Japan, Korea and China, and Latin America countries we will evaluate how best to protect our technologies in those markets. We intend to vigorously prosecute and defend the rights of our intellectual property.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, we had twenty two17 issued U.S. patents and two pending patent applications in the United States.patents. We expect to formalize our evaluation process for determining which inventions to protect by patents or other means. We cannot be certain that patents will be issued as a result of the patent applications we have filed.
We have obtained a U.S. trademark registration for one of our key marks that we use to identify our products or services: “NetEnforcer.”
Government Regulation
See
“ITEM“ITEM 5: Overview—Government Grants” for a description of grants received from the Israel Innovation Authority of the Ministry of Economy.
C. | C. Organizational Structure |
As of December 31, 2016,2017, we held directly and indirectly the percentage indicated of the outstanding capital stock of the following subsidiaries:
Company | | Jurisdiction of Incorporation | | Percentage Ownership | |
Allot Communications Inc. | | United States | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications Europe SARL | | France | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications (Asia Pacific) Pte. Limited | | Singapore | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications (UK) Limited (with branches in Spain, Italy and Germany) | | United Kingdom | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications Japan K.K. | | Japan | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications (New Zealand) Limited (with a branch in Australia) | | New Zealand | | | 100 | % |
Oversi Networks Ltd. | | Israel | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications (Hong Kong) Ltd | | Hong Kong | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications Africa (PTY) Ltd | | South Africa | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications India Private Ltd | | India | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications Spain, S.L. Sociedad Unipersonal | | Spain | | | 100 | % |
Allot Communications (Colombia) S.A.S | | Colombia | | | 100 | % |
Allot MexSub | | Mexico | | | 100 | % |
* Allot Communications Ltd. also holds a branch in Colombia.
During January 2018, we acquired all the issued and outstanding share capital of Netonomy Ltd. a company incorporated in Israel.
D. | Property, Plant and Equipment |
39
D. Property, Plant and Equipment
Our principal administrative and research and development activities are located in our approximately 68,04961,343.53 square foot (6,322(5,699 square meter) facilities in Hod-Hasharon, Israel. The leases for our facilities vary in dates and terms, with the main facility’s non-stabilized lease expiring in June 2018.March 2022.
We also lease a 5,888 square foot (547 square meter) facility in Woburn, Massachusetts, for the purposes of our U.S. sales and marketing operations pursuant to a one year lease that expires in August 2019.which may be renewed upon mutual consent. We lease a total of 10,8727,653.14 square foot (1,010(711 square meter) in three facilities in Spain, mainly for our sales and research and development operations in Spain, pursuant to lease agreements. The lease agreement of our main site in Spain expires on October 2017. expired was renewed for one year in 2017 and may be renewed for additional terms by mutual consent.We lease other smaller facilities for the purpose of our sales and marketing and support activities in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Singapore, China, Japan, South Africa, Colombia, New Zealand and India.
ITEM 4A: Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20162017 and related notes and the information contained elsewhere in this annual report. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with USU.S. GAAP. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth under “ITEM 3.D: Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a leading global provider of securitynetwork intelligence and monetizationsecurity solutions that enable service providers and enterprises to protect and personalize the digital experience.experience and monetize on their networks. Allot’s flexible and highly scalable service delivery framework leverages the intelligence in data networks, enabling service providers to get closer to their customers, safeguard network assets and users, and accelerate time-to-revenue for value-added services. Our customers use our solutions to create sophisticated policies to monitor network applications, enforce quality of service policies that guarantee mission-critical application performance, mitigate security risks and leverage network infrastructure investments. Demand from users for faster and more reliable access to the Internet, an increase in the number and complexity of broadband applications, and growth in mobile data-enhanced smartphones have resulted in the rapid proliferation of broadband access networks in recent years. Our carrier-class products are used by service providers to offer subscriber-based and application-based tiered services that enable them to optimize their service offerings, reduce churn rates and increase ARPU.
We market and sell our products through a variety of channels, including direct sales and through our channel partners, which include distributors, resellers, OEMs and system integrators. End customers of our products include carriers, mobile operators, cable operators, wireless, wireline and satellite Internet service providers, educational institutions, governments and enterprises. The resulting intelligent, content-aware broadband networks enable our customers to accurately monitor and manage IP traffic per application, subscriber, network topology and device.
In 2016,2017, the primary drivers of our revenues were the mobile and fixed markets, which were highlighted by our ongoing relationship with global Tier 1 mobile and fixed operators groups.
In 2012, we acquired the business of Ortiva Wireless Inc. (“Ortiva”), a developer of solutions for mobile and Internet networks and Oversi Networks Ltd. (“Oversi”), a developer of products and systems for caching Internet content.
In March 2015, we acquired the business and substantially all of the assets of Optenet, S.A., a developer of security solutions for internet service providers and enterprises. Under the terms of the agreement, the consideration includes approximately $9.9 million (€8.9 million) in cash. In addition, there is a performance-based earn-out over a period of five years following closing, which is capped at approximately $27.5 million (€25 million) and is contingent upon reaching certain revenues threshold from sale of Optenet products. The fair value of the contingent consideration as of the acquisition date was estimated at $8.1 million (€7.3 million). See Note 1(b) to our consolidated financial statements for further information.
In January 2018, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Netonomy Ltd., a developer of software-based cyber security for the connected home. Under the terms of the agreement, the consideration includes approximately $3.2 million in cash. In addition, there is a performance-based contingent amount, over a period of two and a half years following closing, which is capped at approximately $1.1 million.
Key measures of our performance
Revenues
We generate revenues from two sources: (1) sales of our network traffic management systems and our network management application solutions and platforms, and (2) maintenance and support services and professional services, including installation and training. We generally provide maintenance and support services pursuant to a one- to three-year maintenance and support program, which may be purchased by customers at the time of product purchase or on a renewal basis.
We recognize revenues from product sales when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery of the product has occurred, no significant obligations with respect to implementation remain, the fee is fixed or determinable and collection is probable. We typically grant a one-year hardware and three-month software warranty on all of our products, or one-year hardware and software warranty to customers that purchase annual maintenance and support. Typically our support contracts with our customers, provide hot line support, warranty,software updates and upgrades, if and when available. We record a provision for warranty at the time the product’s revenue is recognized. We estimate the liability of possible warranty claims based on our historical experience. Warranty claims have to date been immaterial to our results of operations. Maintenance and support revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the applicable maintenance and support agreement. See “—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Revenue Recognition” below.
Customer concentration. We derived 44%,32% of our total revenues in 2017 from one Tier 1 mobile and fixed operator. In 2016 and 2015, we derived 42% and 37% and 42% of our total revenues from two Tier 1 mobile and fixed operators, in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Geographical breakdown. See “ITEM 4B: Information on Allot—Business Overview—Customers” for the geographic breakdown of our revenues by percentage for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2016.2017.
Cost of revenues and gross margins
Our products’ cost of revenues consists primarily of costs of materials, manufacturing services and overhead, warehousing and product testing. Our services’ cost of revenues consists primarily of salaries and related personnel costs for our customer support staff as well as the royalty payments mentioned above.staff. We expect our percentage of gross margin to decreaseremain at the same level as a result of additional personnel hiring and other operational expenditures related to product and services sales. Such increases may be partially offset by increased sales of our value added products and services, as their related cost of revenues is generally lower. In 2014 our gross margin decreased, primarily due to inventory write-offs of $3.4 million due to product cycle replacement. Specifically in 2014 we launched the service gateway TERA and reduced the level of inventories related to the old product lines.2017. In 2015 our gross margin decreased, primarily due to intangible assets impairment of $5.8 million derived from Oversi’s and Ortiva’s technologies acquired in 2012 due to our decision to reach end of life on the respective product lines. In 2016 we recorded no intangible assets impairment and as a result our gross margin increased compared to 2015. In 2017, our gross margin decreased compared to 2016, due to an increase in projects which required a higher portion of services and the weakening of the U.S. dollar mainly against the ILS and the Euro.
Operating expenses
Research and development. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, costs for subcontractor services, depreciation, rent and costs of materials consumed in connection with the design and development of our products. We expense all of our research and development costs as they are incurred. Our net research and development expenses are comprised of gross research and development expenses offset by financing through grants from the Israel Innovation Authority. Such participation grants are recognized at the time at which we are entitled to such grants on the basis of the costs incurred and included as a deduction of research and development expenses (see - “Government Grants” below). We believe that significant investment in research and development, including hiring high quality research and development personnel, is essential to our future success.
Sales and marketing. Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel costs, travel expenses, costs associated with promotional activities such as public relations, conventions and exhibitions, rental expenses, depreciation and commissions paid to third parties, promote our brand, establish new marketing channels and expand our presence worldwide.
General and administrative. Our general and administrative expenses consist of salaries and related personnel costs, rental expenses, costs for professional services and depreciation. General and administrative expenses also include costs associated with corporate governance, tax and regulatory compliance, compliance with the rules implemented by the SEC, NASDAQ and the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (“TASE”) and premiums for our director and officer liability insurance.
While we do not expect our operating expenses to increase in 2017, they may increase in future periods.
Financial income, net
Financial income, net consists primarily of interest earned on our cash balances and other financial investments, foreign currency exchange gains or losses, gains or losses resulting from the sale of marketable securities and bank fees.
In 2014, we had $0.7 million financial income, net. In 2015, we had $0.6 million financial expenses, net. The change in 2015 was primarily attributed to foreign currency exchange losses. In 2016, we had $1.1 million financial income, net. The change in 2016 was primarily attributed to interest earned on our cash balances and other financial investments.
In addition, financial income, net, may fluctuate due to foreign currency exchange gains or losses, as well as interest rate changes. See “—Factors Affecting Our Performance.”
Approved Enterprise
Our facilities in Hod-Hasharon, Israel have been granted Approved Enterprise status under the Encouragement of Capital Investments Law, 1959, and enjoy certain tax benefits under this program. We expect to utilize these tax benefits after we utilize our net operating loss carry forwards. As of December 31, 2016,2017, our net operating loss carry forwards for Israeli tax purposes totaled approximately $46.6$53.0 million, which includes losses related to our acquisition of Oversi. As a result of our acquisition of Oversi, we may offset operating losses in Israel against taxable income annually with a limitation of up to 14% of the total accumulated loss but no more than 50% of our taxable income. Income derived from other sources, other than through our “Approved Enterprise” status, during the benefit period will be subject to the regular corporate tax rate.
Government Grants
Our research and development efforts have been financed, in part, through grants from the Israel Innovation Authority under our approved plans in accordance with the Research and Development Law. In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 20162017 we received grants from the Israel Innovation Authority through non-royalty bearing programs.
Factors Affecting Our Performance
Our business, financial position and results of operations, as well as the period-to-period comparability of our financial results, are significantly affected by a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:
Customer concentration.We derived 42%32% of our total revenues in 20162017 from twoone global Tier 1 mobile and fixed operator groups. While we have some visibility into the likely scope of the customers’ projects, our relationships are conducted solely on a purchase order basis and we do not have any commitment for future purchase orders from these customers. The loss of any of such significant customers could harm our results of operations and financial condition.
Size of end-customers and sales cycles. We have a global, diversified end-customer base consisting primarily of service providers and enterprises. The deployment of our products by small and midsize enterprises and service providers can be completed relatively quickly. Large service providers take longer to plan the integration of our solutions into their existing networks and to set goals for the implementation of the technology. Sales to large service providers are therefore more complicated as they involve a relatively larger number of network elements and solutions. We are seeking to achieve further significant customer wins in the large service provider market that would positively impact our future performance. The longer sales cycles associated with the increased sales to large service providers of our platforms may increase the unpredictability of the timing of our sales and may cause our quarterly and annual operating results to fluctuate if a significant customer delays its purchasing decision and/or defers an order. Furthermore, longer sales cycles may result in delays from the time we increase our operating expenses and make investments in inventory to the time that we generate revenue from related product sales.
Average selling prices. Our performance is affected by the selling prices of our products. We price our products based on several factors, including manufacturing costs, the stage of the product’s life cycle, competition, technical complexity of the product, and discounts given to channel partners in certain territories. We typically are able to charge the highest price for a product when it is first introduced to the market. We expect that the average selling prices for our products will decrease over the product’s life cycle as our competitors introduce new products. In order to maintain or increase our current prices, we expect that we will need to enhance the functionality of our existing products by offering higher system speeds, additional value-added products and features, such as additional security functions, supporting additional applications and providing enhanced reporting tools. We also from time to time introduce enhanced products, typically higher-end models that include new architecture and design and new capabilities. Such enhanced products typically increase our average selling price. To further offset such declines, we sell maintenance and support programs for our products, and as our customer base and number of field installations grow, our related service revenues are expected to increase.
Cost of revenues and cost reductions. Our cost of revenues as a percentage of total revenues was 29.7% for 2014, 33.4% for 2015, and 30.9% for 2016.2016 and 34.8% for 2017. Our products use off-the-shelf components and typically the prices of such components decline over time. However, the introduction and sale of new or enhanced products and services may result in an increase in our cost of revenues. We make a continuous effort to identify cheaper components of comparable performance and quality. We also seek improvements in engineering and manufacturing efficiency to reduce costs. Our products incorporate features that are purchased from third parties. In addition, new products usually have higher costs during the initial introduction period. We generally expect such costs to decline as the product matures and sales volume increases. The introduction of new products may also involve a significant decrease in demand for older products. Such a decrease may result in a devaluation or write-off of such older products and their respective components. In 2014, we recorded a write-off of $3.4 million of inventory to our cost of revenues, due to product cycle replacement. Specifically in 2014 we launched the service gateway TERA that supersedes the service gateway Sigma and Sigma E and as a result of the faster than anticipated adoption, we reduced the level of inventories related to the old product lines. The growth of our customer base is usually coupled with increased service revenues primarily resulting from increased maintenance and support. In addition, the growth of our installed base with large service providers may result in increased demand for professional services, such as training and installation services. An increase in demand for such services may require us to hire additional personnel and incur other expenditures. However, these additional expenses, handled efficiently, may be utilized to further support the growth of our customer base and increase service revenues. The increase of our cost of revenues in 2015 was primarily due to intangibles assets impairment of $5.8 million derived from Oversi’s and Ortiva’s technologies acquired in 2012 due to our decision to phase out the respective product lines. In 2016 we recorded no intangible assets impairment and as a result our gross margin increased compared to 2015. In 2017 our cost of revenues slightly increased mainly due to an increase in projects which require a higher portion of services and the weakening of the U.S. dollar mainly against the ILS and the Euro.
Currency exposure.A majority of our revenues and a substantial portion of our expenses are denominated in the U.S. dollar. However, a significant portion of our revenues is incurred in currencies other than U.S. dollar, mostly in Euro. In addition, a significant portion of our expenses, associated with our global operations, including personnel and facilities-related expenses, are incurred in currencies other than the U.S. dollar; this is the case primarily in Israel and to a lesser extent in other countries in Europe and Asia. Consequently, a decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to local currencies will increase the dollar cost of our operations in these countries. A relative decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar would be partially offset to the extent that we generate revenues in such currencies. In order to partially mitigate this exposure we have decided in the past and may decide from time to time in the future to enter into hedging transactions. We may discontinue hedging activities at any time. As such decisions involve substantial judgment and assessments primarily regarding future trends in foreign exchange markets, which are very volatile, as well as our future level and timing of cash flows of these currencies, we cannot provide any assurance that such hedging transactions will not affect our results of operations when they are realized. See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for further information. Also see “ITEM 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”
Interest rate exposure.We have a significant amount of cash that is currently invested primarily in interest bearing vehicles, such as bank time deposits and available for sale marketable securities. These investments expose us to risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. See “ITEM 11: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and actual results may differ. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Certain of our accounting policies are particularly important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. In applying these critical accounting policies, our management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in making certain estimates. Those estimates are based on our historical experience, the terms of existing contracts, our observance of trends in our industry, information provided by our customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. With respect to our policies on revenue recognition and warranty costs, our historical experience is based principally on our operations since we commenced selling our products in 1998. Our estimates are primarily guided by observing the following critical accounting policies:
| · | Allowance for doubtful accounts; |
| · | Accounting for stock-based compensation; |
| · | Impairment of goodwill and long lived assets; |
| · | Contingencies.Contingent liabilities. |
| · | Contingent Consideration. |
Because each of the accounting policies listed above requires the exercise of certain judgments and the use of estimates, actual results may differ from our estimations and as a result would increase or decrease our future revenues and net income.
Revenue recognition.
We account for revenue recognition in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification No. 605-25, “Multiple elements arrangements” (“ASC No. 605-25”). We generate revenues mainly from selling our products along with related maintenance and support services. At times, these arrangements may also include professional services, such as installation services or training. We generally sell our products through resellers, distributors, OEMs and system integrators, all of whom are considered end-users.
Revenues from product sales are recognized when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer, no significant performance obligations remain, payment for products is not contingent upon performance of installation or service obligations, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable. In instances where final acceptance of the product or service is specified by the customer, we do not recognize the revenue until all acceptance criteria have been met.
Maintenance and support related revenues included in multiple element arrangements are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the applicable maintenance and support agreement. Other services, such as professional services, are recognized upon the completion of installation or when the service is provided. In instances where the services provided in a multiple element arrangement are considered essential to the functionality of the product and payment of the product is contingent upon performance of the services, the sales of the products and services would be considered one unit of accounting. Deferred revenues are classified as short and long term based on their contractual term and recognized as revenues at the time the respective elements are provided.
Revenues arrangements with multiple deliverables are allocated using the relative selling price method. The Company determinesWe determine the best estimated selling price (“BESP”) in multiple elements arrangements as follows:
For the products, we determined the “BESP” based on management’s estimated selling price by reviewing historical transactions and considering multiple other factors, including but not limited to, pricing practices including discounting, and competition.
For the maintenance and support, the Company determined BESP based on VSOE of the price charged based on standalone sales (renewals) of such elements using a consistent percentage of the Company's product price lists in the same territories.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. Subsequently, the FASB has issued the following standards related to ASU 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (“ASU 2016-08”); ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (“ASU 2016-10”); ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (“ASU 2016-12”); and ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2016-20”). The Company must adopt ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 with ASU 2014-09 (collectively, the “new revenue standards”).
Under the standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.
The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). We will adopt the standard using the modified retrospective method to restate each prior reporting period presented.
The standard became effective for us beginning in 2018 fiscal year. In preparation for adoption of the standard, we have implemented internal controls and key system functionalities to enable the preparation of financial information and have reached conclusions on key accounting assessments related to the standard, including our assessment that the impact of accounting for costs incurred to obtain a contract is immaterial.
The most significant impact of the new standard relates to the way the Company accounts for term-based license agreements. Specifically, under the current revenue standard, the Company recognizes both the term license and maintenance revenues ratably over the contract period whereas under the new revenue standard it would recognize term license revenues at the point in time when control transfers and the associated maintenance revenues over the contract period. We expect the adoption of the standard to result in a reduction of deferred revenues of $712 as of January 1, 2018 to be recorded in accumulated deficit due to upfront recognition of license revenues from term licenses.
Provision for returns.We provide a provision for product returns based on its experience with historical sales returns. Such provisions amounted to $0.7, $0.9 million $0.7 million and $1.1$0.7 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016 2015 and 2014,2015, respectively.
Business combinations. We account for our business acquisitions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 805, Business Combinations. We use management best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the business combination date. The total purchase price allocated to the tangible assets acquired is assigned based on the fair values as of the date of the acquisition.
Allowance for doubtful accounts. We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable on a specific basis. We estimate this allowance based on our judgment as to our ability to collect outstanding receivables. We primarily base this judgment on an analysis of significant outstanding invoices, the age of the receivables, our historical collection experience and current economic trends. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific allowance against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected.
Accounting for stock-based compensation. We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification No. 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” (“ASC No. 718”) that requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in our consolidated statement of operations. We recognize compensation expense for the value of its awards granted based on the straight-line method over the requisite service period of each of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures. ASC No. 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of the grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
In connection with the grant of options and RSUs, we recorded total stock-based compensation expenses of $8.1 million in 2014, $7.2 million in 2015, and $5.1 million in 2016.2016 and $3.4 million in 2017. In 2016,2017, $0.4 million, $0.6 million, $1.2 million $1.8 million and $1.7$1.2 million of our stock-based compensation expense resulted from cost of revenue, research and development expenses, net, sales and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses, respectively, based on the department in which the recipient of the option grant was employed. As of December 31, 2016,2017, we had an aggregate of $5.0$4.7 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation remaining to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 2.32.8 years.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Inventory write-offs are provided to cover risks arising from slow-moving items, technological obsolescence, excess inventory and discontinued products. Inventory write-off provision as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and 2014 totaled $2.7 million, $2.0 million, $1.7 million, and $4.5$1.7 million, respectively.
Marketable securities. We account for our investments in marketable securities using Accounting Standards Codification No. 320, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC No. 320”).
We determine the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and evaluate such designation as of each balance sheet date. We classify all of our investments in marketable securities as available for sale. Available for sale securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities. The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization together with interest and dividends on securities are included in financial income, net, if any.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, we held available for sale marketable securities of $60.5$63.2 million. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the unrealized loss recorded in other comprehensive income was $0.1 million.
Impairment of goodwill and long lived assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets of purchased businesses. Under Accounting Standards Codification No. 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other” (“ASC No. 350”), goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually, or more often if there are indicators of impairment present.
We perform an annual impairment analysis of goodwill at December 31 of each year, or more often as applicable. We operate in one operating segment, and this segment comprises only one reporting unit. The provisions of ASC No. 350 require that a two-step impairment test be performed on goodwill at the level of the reporting units. In the first step, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value of the net assets, goodwill is considered not impaired, and no further testing is required to be performed. If the carrying value of the net assets exceeds the fair value, then we must perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then we would record an impairment loss equal to the difference.
We believe that our business activity and management structure meet the criterion of being a single reporting unit for accounting purposes. We performed an annual impairment analysis as of December 31, 20162017 and determined that the carrying value of the reporting unit was more than the fair value of the reporting unit. Fair value is determined using market capitalization. During the years ended 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2016,2017, no impairment losses were recorded.
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value at the date of the acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be either finite or indefinite. Intangible assets that are not considered to have an indefinite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Some of the acquired intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives in proportion to the economic benefits realized. This accounting policy results in accelerated amortization of such customer relationships and backlog as compared to the straight-line method. All other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis.
Property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC No. 360, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. During 2017and 2016, no impairment losses were recorded in respect of intangible assets were recorded.assets. During 2015, we recorded impairment losses of $5.8 million in respect of intangible assets. During 2014, no such impairment losses were recorded.
Income taxes.We account for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification No. 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC No. 740”). ASC No. 740 prescribes the use of the liability method, whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. We provide a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
In Israel, we have accumulated operating loss carry forwards of approximately $46.6$53.0 million and capital losses of approximately $27.3 million for tax purposes as of December 31, 2016,2017, which may be carried forward and offset against taxableordinary income and capital gains respectively in the future for an indefinite period. In the United States, the accumulated losses for U.S. federal income tax return purposes were approximately $5.5$5.9 million as of December 31, 2016,2017, and expire between 2026 and 2032. We believe that because of our history of losses, and uncertainty with respect to future taxable income, it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets regarding the loss carry forwards will not be utilized in the foreseeable future, and therefore, a valuation allowance was provided to reduce deferred tax assets to their realizable value. The valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 20162017 was $14.7$23.6 million.
ASC No. 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring a liability for uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that, on an evaluation of the technical merits, the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.
ContingenciesContingent liabilities. FromWe are, from time to time, involved in claims, lawsuits, government investigations, and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. In making a determination regarding provisions for liability, using available information, we evaluate the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome in legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are a defendant or plaintiff in various legal actions, which arise in the normal course of business. We are requiredparty to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges ofand record a loss contingency when it is probable losses. A determination ofa liability has been incurred and the amount of reserves required forthe loss can be reasonably estimated. These subjective determinations are based on the status of such legal or regulatory proceedings, the merits of our defenses and consultation with legal counsel. Legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. Should any of these contingencies, if any, which wouldestimates and assumptions change or prove to have been incorrect, it could have a material impact on our results of operations, is made after considered analysisfinancial position and cash flows.
Contingent Consideration. We measure liabilities related to earn-out payments at fair value at the end of each individual action together with our legal advisors.reporting period. The required reserves may change infair value was estimated by utilizing the future duepotential cash payments discounted to new developments in each matter or changes in circumstancesarrive at a present value amount, based on our expectation. The discount rate was based on the Monte-Carlo simulation method by taking into account, forecast future revenues, expected volatility and estimations. A change in the required reserves would impact our resultsweighted average cost of operations in the period the change is made.debt.
For more information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements see note 2 to the Financial Statements.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our statements of operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2015 | | | 2016 | | | 2017 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | | 62.7 | % | | | 60.2 | % | | | 59.4 | % |
Services | | | 37.3 | | | | 39.8 | | | | 40.6 | |
Total revenues | | | 100.0 | | | | 100.0 | | | | 100.0 | |
Cost of revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | | 26.7 | | | | 22.6 | | | | 23.5 | |
Services | | | 6.7 | | | | 8.3 | | | | 11.3 | |
Total cost of revenues | | | 33.4 | | | | 30.9 | | | | 34.8 | |
Gross profit | | | 66.6 | | | | 69.1 | | | | 65.2 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development, net | | | 26.4 | | | | 26.8 | | | | 26.7 | |
Sales and marketing | | | 43.3 | | | | 39.1 | | | | 46.7 | |
General and administrative | | | 12.7 | | | | 10.9 | | | | 13.0 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 82.4 | | | | 76.7 | | | | 86.4 | |
Operating loss | | | 15.8 | | | | 7.6 | | | | 21.2 | |
Financing income (expenses), net | | | (0.6 | ) | | | 1.2 | | | | 1.1 | |
Loss before income tax expense | | | 16.4 | | | | 6.4 | | | | 20.1 | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | | | (3.4 | ) | | | (2.4 | ) | | | (1.9 | ) |
Net loss | | | 19.8 | % | | | 8.8 | % | | | 22.0 | % |
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2014 | | | 2015 | | | 2016 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | | 65.9 | % | | | 62.7 | % | | | 60.2 | % |
Services | | | 34.1 | | | | 37.3 | | | | 39.8 | |
Total revenues | | | 100.0 | | | | 100.0 | | | | 100.0 | |
Cost of revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | | 23.4 | | | | 26.7 | | | | 22.6 | |
Services | | | 6.3 | | | | 6.7 | | | | 8.3 | |
Total cost of revenues | | | 29.7 | | | | 33.4 | | | | 30.9 | |
Gross profit | | | 70.3 | | | | 66.6 | | | | 69.1 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development, net | | | 24.8 | | | | 26.4 | | | | 26.8 | |
Sales and marketing | | | 38.1 | | | | 43.3 | | | | 39.1 | |
General and administrative | | | 10.2 | | | | 12.7 | | | | 10.9 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 73.1 | | | | 82.4 | | | | 76.7 | |
Operating loss | | | 2.7 | | | | 15.8 | | | | 7.6 | |
Financing income (expenses), net | | | 0.6 | | | | (0.6 | ) | | | 1.2 | |
Loss before income tax expense | | | 2.1 | | | | 16.4 | | | | 6.4 | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | | | 0.0 | | | | (3.4 | ) | | | (2.4 | ) |
Net loss | | | 2.1 | % | | | 19.8 | % | | | 8.8 | % |
Revenues
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our revenues by geographic locations for the periods indicated:
| | Revenues by Location | |
| | 2017 | | | % Revenues | | | 2016 | | | % Revenues | | | 2015 | | | % Revenues | |
| | ($ in thousands) | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Europe | | $ | 40,394 | | | | 49 | % | | $ | 34,279 | | | | 38 | % | | $ | 39,110 | | | | 39 | % |
Asia and Oceania | | | 13,936 | | | | 17 | % | | | 27,700 | | | | 31 | % | | | 28,495 | | | | 29 | % |
Middle East and Africa | | | 12,130 | | | | 15 | % | | | 12,365 | | | | 14 | % | | | 9,809 | | | | 10 | % |
Americas | | | 15,532 | | | | 19 | % | | | 16,025 | | | | 17 | % | | | 22,553 | | | | 22 | % |
Total Revenues | | $ | 81,992 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 90,369 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 99,967 | | | | 100 | % |
| | Revenues by Location | |
| | 2016 | | | % Revenues | | | 2015 | | | % Revenues | | | 2014 | | | % Revenues | |
| | ($ in thousands) | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Europe | | $ | 34,279 | | | | 38 | % | | $ | 39,110 | | | | 39 | % | | $ | 41,238 | | | | 35 | % |
Asia and Oceania | | | 27,700 | | | | 31 | % | | | 28,495 | | | | 29 | % | | | 41,990 | | | | 36 | % |
Middle East and Africa | | | 12,365 | | | | 14 | % | | | 9,809 | | | | 10 | % | | | 15,352 | | | | 13 | % |
United States | | | 2,931 | | | | 3 | % | | | 8,206 | | | | 8 | % | | | 15,307 | | | | 13 | % |
Americas (excluding United States) | | | 13,094 | | | | 14 | % | | | 14,347 | | | | 14 | % | | | 3,299 | | | | 3 | % |
Total Revenues | | $ | 90,369 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 99,967 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 117,186 | | | | 100 | % |
49
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016
Products. Product revenues decreased by $5.7 million, or 10.5%, to $48.7 million in 2017 from $54.4 million in 2016. The decrease in revenues in 2017 was attributable to the longer than expected sale cycles and the low backlog at the beginning of the year.
Services. Service revenues decreased by $2.6 million, or 7.2%, to $33.3 million in 2017 from $35.9 million in 2016. A material part of the sales of our Services is linked to the sales of our Products, which decreased due to the factors described above. Such factors also contributed to the decrease in Services revenues.
Product revenues comprised 59.4% of our total revenues in 2017, a decrease of 0.8% compared to 2016 while the services revenues portion of total revenues increased by 0.8%.
Cost of revenues and gross margin
Products. Cost of product revenues decreased by $1.1 million, or 5.4%, to $19.3 million in 2017 from $20.4 million in 2016. Product gross margin slightly decreased to 60.5% in 2017 from 62.5% in 2016. This increase is attributed to direct costs related to new Tier 1 projects.
Services. Cost of services revenues increased by $1.8 million, or 24.0%, to $9.3 million in 2017 from $7.5 million in 2016.
Total gross margin decreased to 65.2% in 2017 from 69.1% in 2016.
Operating expenses
Research and development. Gross research and development expenses decreased by $2.6 million, or 10.4%, to $22.2 million in 2017 from $24.8 million in 2016. Gross research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 27.1% in 2017 from 27.5% in 2016.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $3.0 million, or 8.5%, to $38.3 million in 2017 from $35.3 million in 2016. The increase in our sales and marketing expenses is mainly attributable to the reorganization of our sales department implemented during 2017, which included, among others, recruitment of senior sales executives. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues increased to 46.7% in 2017 from 39.1% in 2016.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million, or 9.2%, to $10.7 million in 2017 from $9.8 million in 2016. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 13.0% in 2017 from 10.9% in 2016.
Financial income, net. In 2017 we had $0.9 million financial income, net, similar to the level of income in 2016, which was $1.1 million, financial income, net.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense in 2017 was $1.6 million, compared to income tax expense of $2.2 million in 2016. the decrease in 2017 was mainly due to less write offs of unutilized withholding taxes, compared to 2016.
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
Revenues
Products. Product revenues decreased by $8.2 million, or 13.1%, to $54.4 million in 2016 from $62.6 million in 2015. The decrease in revenues in 2016 was attributable to a decrease in the number of transactions with large Tier-1 operators compared to 2015 and the sharp decrease in the EUR and other currencies against the U.S. dollar.
Services. Service revenues decreased by $1.4 million, or 3.7%, to $35.9 million in 2016 from $37.3 million in 2015. A material partportion of the sales of our Services is linked to the sales of our Products, which decreased due to the factors described above. Such factors also contributed to the decrease in Services revenues.
Product revenues comprised 60.2% of our total revenues in 2016, a decrease of 2.4% compared to 2015 while the services revenues portion of total revenues increased by 2.4%.
Cost of revenues and gross margin
Products. Cost of product revenues decreased by $6.3 million, or 23.6%, to $20.4 million in 2016 from $26.7 million in 2015. Product gross margin increased to 62.5% in 2016 from 57.4% in 2015. The decrease of our cost of product revenues in 2016 was a mainly the result of an intangible assets impairment of $5.8 million in 2015 derived from Oversi’s and Ortiva’s technologies acquired in 2012 due to our decision to reach end of life on the respective product lines1.lines.
Services. Cost of services revenues increased by $0.8 million, or 11.5%, to $7.5 million in 2016 from $6.7 million in 2015. This increase was attributed to additional personnel hiring and increase in operational expenditures related to service sales.
Total gross margin increased to 69.1% in 2016 from 66.6% in 2015.
Operating expenses
During 2016, the Company endeavored to reduce its operating expenses by decreasing, among others, its head count and other operating expenses.
Research and development. Gross research and development expenses decreased by $2.8 million, or 10.3%, to $24.8 million in 2016 from $27.7 million in 2015. Research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenues increased to 27.5% in 2016 from 27.7% in 2015.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $8.0 million, or 18.5%, to $35.3 million in 2016 from $43.3 million in 2015.
Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 39.1% in 2016 from 43.3% in 2015.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses decreased by $2.9 million, or 22.8%, to $9.8 million in 2016 from $12.7 million in 2015.
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 10.9% in 2016 from 12.7% in 2015.
Financial income, net.In 2016 we had $1.1 million financial income, net, and in 2015, we had $0.6 million financial expenses, net. The change in 2016 was primarily attributed to interest earned on our cash balances and other financial investments.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense in 2016 was $2.2 million, compared to income tax expense of $3.4 million in 2015. This decrease was due to a write-off of $2.1 million of deferred tax assets done in 2015, which was offset by an increase in write-off of unutilized withholding taxes of $0.6 million in 2016.
Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014
Revenues
Products. Product revenues decreased by $14.6 million, or 18.9%, to $62.6 million in 2015 from $77.2 million in 2014. The decrease in revenues in 2015 was attributable to longer conversion cycles of bookings into revenues, mainly with respect to bookings from new customers, the sharp decrease in EuroB. Liquidity and other currencies against the U.S. dollar, and a decrease in the number of transactions with large Tier-1 operators up-scaling their equipment, compared to previous year.
Services. Service revenues decreased by $2.6 million, or 6.6%, to $37.3 million in 2015 from $39.9 million in 2014. The decrease in services revenues is primarily attributable to decrease in product revenue.
Product revenues comprised 62.7% of our total revenues in 2015, a decrease of 3.2% compared to 2014 while the services revenues portion of total revenues increased by the same percentage.Capital Resources
Cost of revenues and gross margin
Products. Cost of product revenues decreased by $0.7 million, or 2.5%, to $26.7 million in 2015 from $27.4 million in 2014. Product gross margin, decreased to 57.4% in 2015 from 64.5% in 2014. The decrease of our cost of product revenues in 2015 was in correlation with the decrease in product revenues, which was compensated by an intangible assets impairment of $5.8 million derived from Oversi’s and Ortiva’s technologies acquired in 2012 due to our decision to reach end of life on the respective product lines.
Services. Cost of services revenues decreased by $0.6 million, or 8.6%, to $6.7 million in 2015 from $7.3 million in 2014. This decrease is consistent with the decrease in services revenues.
Total gross margin, decreased to 66.6% in 2015 from 70.4% in 2014
Operating expenses
Research and development. Gross research and development expenses decreased by $2.3 million, or 7.7%, to $27.7 million in 2015 from $30.0 million in 2014. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in salaries and related expenses of approximately $1.7 million and a decrease in other overhead expenses of approximately $0.5 million.
Research and development expenses, as a percentage of total revenues increased to 26.4% in 2015 from 24.8% in 2014.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $1.3 million, or 2.9%, to $43.3 million in 2015 from $44.6 million in 2014. This decrease is primarily attributable to decrease in commission expenses of approximately $1.0 million, and decrease in salary expenses of approximately $0.3 million.
Sales and marketing expenses, as a percentage of total revenues increased to 43.3% in 2015 from 38.1% in 2014.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million, or 6.4%, to $12.7 million in 2015 from $11.9 million in 2014. This increase is primarily attributable to increase in bad debt expense of approximately $0.7 million.
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to 12.7% in 2015 from 10.2% in 2014.
Financial income, net. In 2015 we had $0.6 million financial expenses, net, in 2014, we had $0.7 million financial income, net. The change in 2015 was primarily attributed to foreign currency exchange losses.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense in 2015 was $3.4 million, compared to income tax expense of $0.05 million in 2014. This decrease is due to realization of deferred tax assets of $0.7 million and write-off of $2 million of deferred and pre-paid tax assets, as well as $0.5 million write-off of unutilized withholding taxes as it is more likely than not that these assets will not be utilized in the foreseeable future.
B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
As of December 31, 2016,2017, we had $23.3$15.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, $60.5$63.2 million available for sale marketable securities and $29.8$31.5 million in short-term and restricted deposits. As of December 31, 2016,2017, our working capital, which we calculate by subtracting our current liabilities from our current assets, was $123.9$111.8 million.
Based on our current business plan, we believe that our existing cash balances will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months. If our estimates of revenues, expense or capital or liquidity requirements change or are inaccurate and are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or arrange additional debt financing. In addition, we may seek to sell additional equity or arrange debt financing to give us financial flexibility to pursue attractive acquisitions or investment opportunities that may arise in the future.
Operating activities.
During 2017, we used $0.2 million in cash and cash equivalents from operating activities. Net cash used in operating activities consisted mainly of a net loss of $18.1 million, depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets of $3.7 million, $3.4 million of stock-based compensation expense, an increase of $0.7 million in inventory, an increase of $1.1 million in employees and payroll accruals, a decrease of $1.4 million in trade receivables, an increase of $2.6 million in trade payables, an increase of $3.5 in other payables and accrued expenses, a decrease of $1.4 million in other receivables and prepaid expenses and $1.5 million related to other operating activities.
During 2016, we used $3.5 million in cash and cash equivalents from operating activities. Net cash used in operating activities consisted mainly of a net loss of $8.0 million, depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets of $4.0 million, $5.1 million of stock-based compensation expense, a decrease of $2.9 million in inventory, a decrease of $0.8 million in employees and payroll accruals, an increase of $0.3 million in trade receivables, a decrease of $4.2 million in deferred revenues attributed to sales which revenue recognition criteria were met while cash was collected in the previous years, a decrease of $3.8 million in trade payables, a decrease of $0.2 in long-term deferred taxes, net, a decrease of $0.7 million in other receivables and prepaid expenses and $0.7 million related to other operating activities.
Net cash we provided inby operating activities in 2015 was $4.2 million. Net cash provided inby operating activities consisted mainly of a net loss of $19.8 million, depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets of $11.5 million, $7.2 million of stock-based compensation expense, an increase of $0.06 million in inventory, an increase of $0.9 million in employees and payroll accruals, an increase of $0.8 million in trade receivables, an increase of $2.0 million in deferred revenues attributed to sales which revenue recognition criteria were met while cash was collected in the previous years, an increase of $2.2 million in trade payables, a decrease of $1.4 million in long-term deferred taxes, net, an increase of $2.6 million in other receivables and prepaid expenses and $2.4 million related to other operating activities.
During 2014, we provided $15.8 million in cash and cash equivalents from operating activities. Net cash provided in operating activities consisted mainly of a net loss of $2.5 million, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets of $5.2 million, $8.1 million of stock-based compensation expense, a decrease of $3.7 million in inventory, an increase of $1.1 million in employees and payroll accruals, an increase of $6.9 million in trade receivables, an increase of $1.9 million in deferred revenues attributed to sales which revenue recognition criteria were met while cash was collected in the previous year, an increase of $3.1 million in trade payables and $2.1 million related to other operatingInvesting activities.
InvestingNet cash used in investing activities. in 2017 was $8.1 million, primarily attributable to an investment in available-for sale marketable securities of $30.1 million, purchase of property and equipment of $2.8 million and investment in short-term bank deposits and restricted deposits of $1.7 million. The above changes were partially offset by redemption of marketable securities of $26.5.
Net cash provided by investing activities in 2016 was $15.0 million, primarily attributable to an investment in available-for sale marketable securities of $29.7 million and the purchase of property and equipment of $1.6 million. The above changes were partially offset by redemption of marketable securities of $33.2 million and redemptions of short-term bank deposits of $12.9 million.
Net cash used byin investing activities in 2015 was $7.9 million, primarily attributable to acquisitions of $9.9 million, an investment in available-for sale marketable securities of $34.1 million and the purchase of property and equipment of $2.2 million. The above changes were partially offset by redemption of marketable securities of $22.2 million and redemptions of short-term bank deposits of $16.3 million.
Net cash used in investing activities in 2014 was $40.9 million, primarily attributable to the investments of short-term bank deposits of $21.0 million, an investment in available-for sale marketable securities of $22.7 million and the purchase of property and equipment of $3.4 million and a loan granted to a third party of $2.1 million. The above changes were partially offset by redemption of marketable securities of $8.2 million.
We expect that our capital expenditures will total approximately $2.9$2.8 million in 2017.2018. We anticipate that these capital expenditures will be primarily related to further investments in lab equipment for research and development and for leasehold improvements.
Financing activities.activities.
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2017 was $0.4 million, which was all attributable to issuance of share capital through the exercise of stock options and RSUs.
Net cash used in financing activities in 2016 was $3.7 million, which was attributable to issuance of share capital through the exercise of stock options and RSUs of $0.1 million and repurchase of our ordinary shares of $3.8 million.
Net cash used in financing activities in 2015 was $0.03 million, which was attributable to issuance of share capital through the exercise of stock options and RSUs of $0.13 million and repurchase of our ordinary shares of $0.17 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities in 2014 was $1.5 million, which was attributable to issuance of share capital through the exercise of stock optionsC. Research and RSUs of $1.5 million.Development, Patents and Licenses
C. | Research and Development, Patents and Licenses |
In previous years, our research2015, 2016 and development efforts have benefited from royalty-bearing grants from the Israel Innovation Authority. In 2014, 2015 and 2016,2017, we benefited from non-royalty bearing grants from the Israel Innovation Authority. The government grants we have received for research and development expenditures restrict our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel and require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to comply with such restrictions or these conditions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may be subject to criminal charges.
53
In addition to our membership in a Magnet consortium which was approved prior to 2014, in 2014 we were also qualified to participate in one research and development program funded by the Israel Innovation Authority to develop generic technology relevant to the development of our products. Such program is approved pursuant to the Research and Development Law, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The programs is for companies with large research and development activities. We were eligible to receive non-royalty-bearing grants constituting between 40% and 55% of certain research and development expenses relating to this program. Although the grants under these programs are not required to be repaid by way of royalties, the restrictions under the Research and Development Law described above apply to these programs.
Total research and development expenses, before royalty bearing grants, were approximately $30.0 million, $27.7 million, $24.8 million and $24.822.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2016,2017, respectively. Non-royalty -bearing grants amounted to $1.0 million, $1.3 million, and $0.6 million and $0.4 million, in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2016,2017, respectively.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, we had twenty two17 issued U.S. patents and twono pending patent applications in the United States. We expect to formalize our evaluation process for determining which inventions to protect by patents or other means. We cannot be certain that patents will be issued as a result of the patent applications we have filed.
See “ITEM 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” above.
E. | Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements |
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, we have no unconsolidated special purpose financing or partnership entities that are likely to create material contingent obligations.
F. | Contractual Obligations |
F. Contractual Obligations
The following table of our material contractual and other obligations known to us as of December 31, 2016,2017, summarizes the aggregate effect that these obligations are expected to have on our cash flows in the periods indicated.
| | Payments due by period | | | Payments due by period | |
Contractual Obligations | | Total | | | Less than 1 year | | | 1–3 years | | | Over 3 years | | | Total | | | Less than 1 year | | | 1–3 years | | | Over 3 years | |
| | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | | | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |
Operating leases —offices(1) | | $ | 3,307 | | | $ | 2,458 | | | $ | 833 | | | | 16 | | |
Operating leases —offices(1) | | | $ | 6,523 | | | $ | 2,336 | | | $ | 3,100 | | | | 1,087 | |
Operating leases —vehicles | | | 478 | | | | 267 | | | | 211 | | | | - | | | | 428 | | | | 278 | | | | 150 | | | | - | |
Accrued severance pay(2) | | | 286 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 286 | | |
Uncertain tax position (ASC-740) | | | | 245 | | | | | | | | | | | | 245 | |
Accrued severance pay(2) | | | | 344 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 344 | |
Total | | $ | 4,071 | | | $ | 2,725 | | | $ | 1,044 | | | $ | 302 | | | $ | 7,540 | | | $ | 2,614 | | | $ | 3,250 | | | $ | 1,676 | |
_____________________
| (1) | Consists primarily of an operating lease for our facilities in Hod Hasharon, Israel, as well as operating leases for facilities leased by our subsidiaries. |
| (2) | Severance pay relates to accrued severance obligations to our Israeli employees as required under Israeli labor law. These obligations are payable only upon termination, retirement or death of the respective employee and there is no obligation if the employee voluntarily resigns. Of this amount, $33 thousands$42 thousand is unfunded. |
ITEM 6: Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. | Directors and Senior Management |
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of our directors and executive officers as of March 1, 2017:2018:
Name | | Age | | Position |
Directors | | | | |
Yigal Jacoby(5)Jacoby(5) | | 5657 | | Chairman of the Board |
Rami HadarManuel Echanove* | | 5455 | | Director |
Itzhak Danziger (5) | | 6869 | | Director |
Nurit Benjamini(1)Benjamini (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) | | 5051 | | Director |
Steven D. Levy(1)Levy (1)(2)(4)(5) | | 6162 | | Director |
Miron (Ronnie) Kenneth (1)(2)(5) | | 6162 | | Director |
Nadav Zohar(5)*Zohar (5) | | 5152 | | Director |
| | | | |
Executive Officers | | | | |
Erez Antebi | | 5859 | | Chief Executive Officer and President |
Alberto Sessa | | 5556 | | Chief Financial Officer |
Amir HochbaumNir Perry | | 5847 | | Senior Vice President, Research and Development |
Anat Shenig | | 4849 | | Vice President, Human Resources |
Ronen Priel | | 4142 | | VP Product Management & Marketing |
Rael Kolevsohn | | 4748 | | Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Company Secretary |
Pini Gvili | | 5253 | | Vice President, Operations |
Yossi Abraham | | 45 | | Vice President, Business Development |
Shaked Levy | | 4243 | | Vice President, VP Global Business & Customer Success |
Ran Fridman | | 43 | | Executive Vice President, Global Sales |
Vered Zur | | 54 | | Vice President, Marketing |
Hagay Katz | | 58 | | VP Strategic Accounts, Cyber Security, BD |
____________
(1) | (1) | Member of our compensation and nomination committee. |
(2) | (2) | Member of our audit committee. |
(3) | (3) | Lead independent director. |
(5) | (5) | Independent director under the rules of NASDAQ. |
* Mr. Zohar servesas an interim director appointed by our Board of Directors effective February 6 2017, to serve until the date of the next Annaul | * | Mr. Echanove serves as an interim director appointed by our Board of Directors effective July 17, 2017, to serve until the date of the next Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. In the event that his nomination is not approved and he is not re-elected as a director by our shareholders at the Company's next Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, he will no longer serve on the Board, following such meeting. |
Directors
Yigal Jacoby has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since November, 2016. Mr. Jacoby co-founded our company in 1996 and served as our CEO until 2006 and as a Chairman of our board of directors until 2008. Prior to co-founding Allot, Mr. Jacoby founded Armon Networking, a manufacturer of network management solutions in 1992, and managed it until it was acquired by Bay Networks, where he served as the General Manager of its Network Management Division. From 1985 to 1992, Mr. Jacoby held various engineering and marketing management positions at Tekelec, a manufacturer of Telecommunication monitoring and diagnostic equipment. Currently, Mr. Jacoby is an active investor and director of several Israeli start-up companies, including serving as Chairman at LiveU Ltd., a provider of live cellular video transmission solutions. Mr. Jacoby has a B.A., cum laude, in Computer Science from Technion — Israel Institute of Technology and an M.Sc. in Computer Science from University of Southern California.
Rami HadarManuel Echanove has served as aan interim director since 2006July 2017. Prior to his appointment Mr. Echanove served in various management positions with the Telefonica group between 1996 and 2012. During his tenure at Telefonica, Mr. Echanove held various senior management positions as Commercial General Manager, General Director of Business Development and General Director of Multimedia and Brand Business. He also served as our Chief Executive Officer and President from 2006 to 2014.General Manager in the Corporate Strategy area of Telefónica S.A. before leaving Telefonica in 2012. Prior to joining us,Telefonica, Mr. HadarEchanove served in sales and marketing management positions at France Telecom, British Telecom, and Data General. Mr. Echanove is currently the CEO of Wetania Consulting S.L. a management consulting company, which he founded CTP Systems, a developer of cordless telephone systems in 19892013. Mr. Echanove has an Economics and served as Chief Executive Officer until its acquisition by DSP Communications in 1995. Mr. Hadar continued with DSP Communication’s executive management team for two years, and thereafter, in 1999,Business Administration degree from the company was acquired by Intel. In 1997, Mr. Hadar co-founded Ensemble Communications, a pioneer in the broadband wireless space and the WiMax standard, where he served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing until 2002. Mr. Hadar also served as Chief Executive Officer of Native Networks from 2002 to 2005, which was successfully sold and integrated to Alcatel. Mr. Hadar holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Technion — Israel Institute of Technology. Since May 2015, Mr. Hadar has served as Managing General Partner of Euclyptus Growth Capital, an Israeli growth capital fund, focusing on investing and helping late stage Israeli companies grow their business, penetrate international markets and achieve successful IPO's as part of their growth.Universidad Pontificia de Comillas.
Itzhak Danziger has served as a director since 2011. Prior to his appointment as a director, Mr. Danziger served as an observer to our Board since 2010. Itzhak Danziger serves as a member of the board of Galil Software, an Israeli software services company, and as a director of Jinni Media, a privately held technology company. From 1985 to 2007, Mr. Danziger held various executive positions at Comverse, a technology companies group that develops and markets telecommunications systems, including as president of Comverse Technology Group, as president of Comverse Network Systems and as chairman of Comverse subsidiary - Starhome. Prior to joining Comverse, Mr. Danziger held various R&D and management positions in Tadiran Telecom Division, which was later acquired by ECI Telecom. In the non-profit sector, Mr. Danziger serves as a the chairman of the Center for Educational Technology (CET), as Vice President and board member of the New Israel Fund (NIF), a director in Israel Venture Networks (IVN), a director in Israel Venture Network (IVN), a venture philanthropy NGO, in Avney Rosha, the Israel Institute for School Leadership, and in other non-governmental organizations. Mr. Danziger was also a member of the National Task Force for the Advancement of Education in Israel (Dovrat Committee) and was chairman of two of its subcommittees. Mr. Danziger holds a B.Sc. cum laude and an M.Sc. in electrical engineering from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and an M.A. cum laude in philosophy and digital culture from Tel Aviv University.
Nurit Benjamini has served as an outside director since 2007 and serves as the lead independent director on our board. Since December 2013, Ms. Benjamini has served as the Chief Financial Officer of TabTale Ltd. a company that provides mobile content .content. Ms. Benjamini served as the Chief Financial Officer of Wix.com an internet company that offers technology, which makes it easy for all users to get online and create professional and functional web presence,Ltd. (NASDAQ: WIX) from 2011 to 2013. Previously, from 2007 to 2011, Ms. Benjamini has served as the Chief Financial Officer of CopperGate Communications Ltd. that was acquired by Sigma Designs Inc. (NASDAQ:SIGM) in November 2009. Prior to her position with CopperGate Communications Ltd., Ms. Benjamini served as the Chief Financial Officer of Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ: CGEN) from 2000 to 2007. Prior to her position with Compugen Ltd., from 1998 to 2000, Ms. Benjamini served as the Chief Financial Officer of Phone-Or Ltd. Between 1993 and 1998, Ms. Benjamini served as the Chief Financial Officer of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. (formerly NASDAQ: ALDN). Ms. Benjamini serves as an outside director of BiolineRX Ltd. (NASDAQ:(NASDAQ/TASE: BLRX), a member of its compensation committee, and as a chairman of its audit committee. Ms. Benjamini serves as a director and chair-person of the audit committee of Redhill Biopharma (NASDAQ/TASE: RDHL). Ms. Benjamini holds a B.A. in Economics and Business and an M.B.A. in Finance, both from Bar Ilan University, Israel.
Steven D. Levy has served as an outside director since 2007. Mr. Levy served as a Managing Director and Global Head of Communications Technology Research at Lehman Brothers from 1998 to 2005. Before joining Lehman Brothers, Mr. Levy was a Director of Telecommunications Research at Salomon Brothers from 1997 to 1998, Managing Director and Head of the Communications Research Team at Oppenheimer & Co. from 1994 to 1997 and a senior communications analyst at Hambrecht & Quist from 1986 to 1994. Mr. Levy has served as a director of PCTEL, a broadband wireless technology company since January 2006 and of privately held GENBAND Inc., a U.S. provider of telecommunications equipment, since August 2007. Mr. Levy holds a B.Sc. in Materials Engineering and an M.B.A., both from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Miron (Ronnie) Kennethhas served as a director since October 2014. Mr. Kenneth has more than 20 years of experience in the global high technology business, and is currently a private investor in high technology startups. He serves as the Chairman of Teridion Technologies Ltd., a privately held company specializing in overlay network technologies for service providers. From May 2011 to May 2013, Mr. Kenneth served as the CEO of Pontis Ltd., a privately-held company specializing in providing online marketing and analytics platforms for service providers. Prior to his tenure at Pontis, Mr. Kenneth was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Voltaire Technologies Ltd. (from January 2001 to 2011). In 2011 Voltaire was acquired by Mellanox Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: MLNX). Prior to his employment at Voltaire, Mr. Kenneth was a General Partner in Telos Venture Partners, a Silicon Valley based venture firm. Prior to Telos, Mr. Kenneth also held senior management positions in Cadence Design Systems Inc.’s (NASDAQ: CDN) European organization. Mr. Kenneth has an M.B.A. from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California and a B.A. in Economics and Computer Science from Bar Ilan University in Israel.
Nadav Zohar, has served as an interim director since February 2017 and as a director since April 2017. Mr. Zohar serves as the head of Business Development of Gett, an “on demand” transportation service provider. Prior to joining Gett, Mr. Zohar served as Chief Operating Officer of Delek Global Real Estate PLC between 2066 and 2009 and held several executive positions with Morgan Stanley, between 2001 and 2006, the last of which was Executive Director, Financial Sponsors Group. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Mr. Zohar served in executive roles at Lehman Brothers between 1997 and 2001. Mr. Zohar serves as a board member of Matomy Media Group Ltd. (London Stock Exchange: MTMY), a digital performance-based advertising company. Mr. Zohar holds a Masters in Finance (graduated with Merit) from the London Business School and a LLB in Law (graduated with honors) from the University of Reading.
Executive Officers
Erez Antebihas served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2017. Mr. Antebi served as the CEO of Gilat Satellite Networks (NADAQ: GILT), a satellite communications technology and services provider, between 2012 and 2015. Between 2005 and 2012 Mr. Antebi also served in several executive roles at Gilat Satellite Networks. Between 2003 and 2005 Mr. Antebi served as the CEO of Clariton Networks, a start-up company, providing services in cellular coverage. Prior to that Mr. Antebi has served in a variety of roles at Gilat Satellite Networks, Tadiran, a provider of radio communications for military applications and for Rafael, Israel Ministry of Defense. Mr. Antebi currently serves on the board and advisory boards of several companies, including Effective SapceSpace Services, NSL, HiSky, Xinow and LiveU. Mr. Antebi holds a B. Sc., Electrical Engineering (Communications), Summa Cum Laude, and a M.Sc., Electrical Engineering (Information Theory), both from the Technion, Israel.
Alberto Sessahas served as our Chief Financial Officer since January 2017. Prior to joining Allot, since 2009, Mr. Sessa served as the CFO of Flash Networks, a leading provider of optimization solutions. Prior to joining Flash, between 2007 and 2009 Mr. Sessa served as the CFO of ARA Minerals. He also served as Vice President, Finance at Amdocs Management Ltd. between 2000 and 2007. Between 1996 and 1999, Mr. Sessa served as Group Corporate CFO at a privately held international group of companies. Mr. Sessa holds a B.A. in Statistics and Economics and an M.B.A., both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Amir Hochbaum has served as our Vice President—Research and Development since 2008. Before joining Allot, Mr. Hochbaum served as the Chief Operating Officer of Axerra Networks. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Hochbaum was Senior Vice President, Research, Development and Operations of Vyyo Israel (NASDAQ: VYYO) where he also served as a member of Vyyo’s executive management team. Prior to Vyyo, between 1994 and 2005, Mr. Hochbaum held a succession of management positions at Avaya (formerly Lucent, Madge and Lannet) including Managing Director and Vice President of R&D. Between 1984 and 1994, Mr. Hochbaum held a succession of management positions at ServiceSoft, including management of engineering, product development, product management and customer service . Mr. Hochbaum holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science and an M.S. in Computer Science, both from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Anat Shenig joined our company in 2000 and has served as our Vice President—Human Resources since 2007. Ms. Shenig is responsible for human resources recruiting, welfare policy and employees’ training. Prior to joining us, Ms. Shenig served as Human Resource Manager for Davidoff insurance company and as an organizational consultant for Aman Consulting. Ms. Shenig holds a B.A. in Psychology and Economics from Tel Aviv University and an M.B.A. in organizational behavior from Tel Aviv University.
Ronen Prielhas served as Vice President—Product Management & Marketing, since August 2016. Prior to joining Allot, Mr. Priel served as VP Business Management and Strategy, Video Intelligence Solutions (VIS) Division of Verint (NADAQ: VRNT), a global leader in Actionable Intelligence® solutions with a focus on customer engagement optimization, security intelligence, and fraud, risk and compliance, since 2014. Between 2008 and 2014 Mr. Priel served in a number of executive roles in Verint. Between 2006 and 2008 he served as Senior Director of Products Marketing at Pontis Ltd. and between 1999 and 2004 Mr. Priel served as Product Line Manager & Director of Marketing at ECtel Ltd. Mr. Priel holds a BA in computer science from the Israeli Open University and an M.B.A. from Insead, France.
Rael Kolevsohn joined our company in 2014 and serves as our Vice President—Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Company Secretary. Prior to joining us, he served as Vice President and General Counsel of Radvision Ltd. from 2007 to 2014. From 1998 to 2007, Mr. Kolevsohn served as General Counsel and Vice President of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. after joining Gilat as Legal Counsel. From 1994 to 1998, he completed his legal internship and worked as an Associate at the Tel Aviv law firm of Yossifof, Amir Cohen & Co. Mr. Kolevsohn is a member of the Israel Bar Association and holds an LL.B. degree, with honors, from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Pini Gvili has served as our Vice President—Operations since 2006. Prior to joining us, from 2004 to 2006, he served as Vice President Operations for Celerica, a start-up company specializing in solutions for cellular network optimization. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Gvili was the Vice President—Operations and IT at Terayon Communication Systems, and from 1998 to 2000, held the position of Manager of Integration and Final Testing at Telegate. Mr. Gvili was also a hardware/software engineer at Comverse/Efrat, a world leader of voice mail and digital recording systems, from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Gvili has a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Champlain University and was awarded a practical electronics degree from ORT Technical College.
Yossi Abraham serves as our Vice President—Business Development since August 2015. Mr. Abraham is responsible for leading global business development initiatives. Prior to joining us, between 2014 and 2015, Mr. Abraham served as Chief Marketing Officer of Excelacom Inc., services and solutions company, providing consulting, professional services and products elements to communications and media providers. Before that, Mr. Abraham held various positions in Comverse Inc., between 2000 and 2014. His last position with Comverse Inc. was Vice President, Global Services Sales and Marketing. Mr. Abraham holds a B.A. in Logistics and Economics from the Bar Ilan University (Cum Laude) and a M.B.A. in marketing from the Tel Aviv University (Magna Cum Laude).
Shaked Levy has served as our Vice President—Customer Success and Growth since February 2016. Prior to joining us Mr. Levy held various managerial positions between 2002 and 2016 at Verint Ltd., a provider of actionable intelligence solutions, most recently as a Senior Vice President – Customer Care & R&D Group, Communications & Cyber Intelligence solutions.Mr. Levy holds an M.B.A. from the Bar Ilan University, a B.A. in Social Sciences, Business Management, from the Open University and a Computers and Electronics Technician diploma, from the Mosinzon college.
B. | Compensation of Officers and Directors |
Ran Fridman has served as our Executive Vice President, Global Sales since April 2017. Prior to joining us, Mr. Fridman served as Chief Business Officer of eVolution Networks, a provider of Deep Learning AI based energy efficiency solution for mobile operators and data centers. Between 2013 and 2015 Mr. Fridman served as SVP of Sales and Customer Services, worldwide, of Flash Networks, a provider of mobile optimization and monetization solutions. Prior to that, Mr. Fridman held various executive sales positions at Nokia Siemens Networks. Mr. Fridman holds a B.A. in computer science from the Academic College of Tel-Aviv Jaffa.
Vered Zur has served as our Vice President, Marketing since April 2017. Prior to joining us, Ms. Zur served as CMO of Electra Ltd. (TASE: ELECTRA), a leading supplier of electric appliances. Between 2011 and 2014, Ms. Zur served as VP global Sales Operations and Business enablement of Amdocs (NASDAQ: DOX), a provider of software and services to communications and media companies. Between 2005 and 2011 Ms. Zur served as VP Customer Marketing of Comverse (Xura), a company that provided telecommunications software. Prior to that Ms. Zur served in various marketing roles at telecommunications companies and advertising agencies. Ms. Zur holds a B.A. in Behavioral Science from the Ben-Gurion University and a M.B.A from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University. )
Hagay Katz has served as our VP Strategic Accounts, Cyber Security, BD since July 2017. Prior to joining us Mr. Katz served as Head of VSAT line of business at Gilat Satellite Networks (NASDAQ/TASE: GILT), a provider of satellite communication, systems between 2010 and 2017. Between 2006 and 2010 Mr. Katz served as Director of Products at Modu Mobile, a provider of cellular handsets and consumer electronics. Between 2000 and 2006 Mr. Katz served as Co-Founder and VP Marketing and Business Development of PacketLight Networks, a developer of broadband access/transport system to operator networks and a range of optical transport systems for storage applications, which was acquired by the RAD group. Prior to that, Mr. Katz served as Regional VP Sales – APAC and Scandinavia of Teledata and as a project manager in Telstra. Mr. Katz also serves as a member of the advisory boards of several technological companies. Mr. Katz holds a BSc and a MSc in Electronic Engineering from the Tel-Aviv University and a MBA in Marketing and Finance of Monash University; Melbourne.
Nir Perry has served as our SVP Research and Development since September 24, 2017. Prior to joining us, Mr. Perry has served in various research and development and managerial roles of increasing responsibilities, in Verint Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: VRNT), an analytics company, providing actionable intelligence solutions in the areas of customer engagement and cyber intelligence, between the years 1996 and 2017, most recently, serving as SVP Product House and ISL Site Manager, Enterprise Intelligence Solutions, between 2015 and 2017, as SVP Global R&D, Video Intelligence Solutions, between 2011 and 2014, and as VP TLV R&D, Witness Action Solution, between 2008 and 2010. Mr. Perry holds a B.Sc. cum laude, in Electrical and Electronical Engineering from the Tel-Aviv University and a MBA from the Tel-Aviv University.
B. Compensation of Officers and Directors
The aggregate compensation paid to or accrued on behalf of our directors and executive officers as a group during 20162017 consisted of approximately $3$4.0 million in salary, fees, bonus, commissions and directors’ fees, including amounts we expended for automobiles made available to our officers, but excluding equity based compensation, dues for professional and business associations, business travel and other expenses, and other benefits commonly reimbursed or paid by companies in Israel. This amount includes approximately $0.6 million set aside or accrued to provide pension, severance, retirement or similar benefits or expenses.
In 2016,2017, we paid or accrued to the chairman of the board of directors, Mr. Yigal Jacoby, an annual fee of ILS 146,880358,200 (approximately $38,200)$103,317). During such time we also paid and accrued an annual fee of ILS 251,735 (approximately $65,470) to our former chairman of the board of directors, Mr. Shraga Katz. In addition, we paid our directors, Itzhak Danziger, Nadav Zohar and Rami Hadar ILS 79,440 (approximately $20,660) andManuel Echanove ILS 81,690 (approximately $21,250)$23,562), ILS 77,940 (approximately $22,481) and ILS 63,690 (approximately $18,370), respectively, and we paid or accrued to each of our outside directors, Nurit Benjamini, Steven Levy and Ronnie Keneth, as permitted by the Companies Law, an annual fee of ILS 119,190124,440 (approximately $31,000)$35,893), ILS 117,690116,940 (approximately $30,610)$33,729) and ILS 123,690119,940 (approximately $32,170)$34,595), respectively. The above fees for each of our directors (other than Yigal Jacoby) have included a per meeting attendance fee of ILS 3,750 (approximately $975)$1,082) for any meeting he or she attended in person, and ILS 2,250 (approximately $585)$649) for any meeting he or she attended by conference call or similar means, and ILS 1,875 (approximately $488) for any written resolution of the Board executed by such director.means. Our directors are also typically granted upon election an agreed amount of equity based awards, which vest over a period of not less than three years, and 10,000 RSUs, as of every third annual general meeting following the respective director's initial election.
In 2016,2017, we paid or accrued to our former President and Chief Executive Officer,director, Mr. Andrei Elefant,Hadar, an annual salary of ILS 1,731,66240,470 (approximately $450,370)$11,673).
During 2016,2017, our officers and directors received, in the aggregate, options and RSUs to purchase 340,900740,000 ordinary shares under our equity incentive plans. The options (excluding RSUs) have a weighted average exercise price of approximately $5.34$4.93 and expire sevenup to ten years after the date the options were granted.
Compensation of our Five Most Highly Compensated Office Holders
Summary Compensation Table
The table and summary below outline the compensation granted to our five most highly compensated office holders during or with respect to the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. We refer to the five individuals for whom disclosure is provided herein as our “Covered Executives.”
For purposes of the table and the summary below, “compensation” includes base salary, discretionary and non-equity incentive bonuses, equity-based compensation, payments accrued or paid in connection with retirement or termination of employment, and personal benefits and perquisites such as car, phone and social benefits paid to or earned by each Covered Executive during the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Name and Principal Position (1) | | Salary ($) | | | Bonus ($) (2) | | | Equity-Based Compensation ($) (3) | | | All Other Compensation ($) (4) | | | Total ($) | |
Andrei Elefant, Former President and Chief Executive Officer | | | 180,139 | | | | - | | | | 478,487 | | | | 31,824 | | | | 690,450 | |
Gianmarco Boggio, Regional VP Sales, EMEA | | | 398,076 | | | | 16,899 | | | | 40,534 | | | | 113,131 | | | | 568,540 | |
Erez Antebi, President and Chief Executive Officer | | | 266,476 | | | | 68,289 | | | | 134,542 | | | | 82,463 | | | | 551,770 | |
Rael Kolevsohn, Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Company Secretary | | | 217,881 | | | | 27,657 | | | | 126,760 | | | | 59,688 | | | | 431,986 | |
Shaked Levy, Vice President, VP Customer Success | | | 215,894 | | | | 29,877 | | | | 87,613 | | | | 73,065 | | | | 406,449 | |
Name and Principal Position (1) | | Salary ($) | | | Bonus ($) (2) | | | Equity-Based Compensation ($) (3) | | | All Other Compensation ($) (4) | | | Total ($) | |
Andrei Elefant, Former President and Chief Executive Officer | | | 233,963 | | | | 20,000 | | | | 625,876 | | | | 123,904 | | | | 1,003,743 | |
Gary Drutin, former Chief Customer Officer | | | 242,766 | | | | | | | | 438,496 | | | | 69,616 | | | | 750,878 | |
Amir Hochbaum, VP R&D | | | 202,453 | | | | | | | | 191,243 | | | | 67,312 | | | | 461,008 | |
Tomas Gomez, Regional VP Sales EMEA South | | | 346,578 | | | | | | | | 50,898 | | | | | | | | 397,476 | |
Shmuel Arvatz, former CFO | | | 217,101 | | | | | | | | 109,985 | | | | 46,903 | | | | 373,989 | |
| (1) | Unless otherwise indicated herein, all Covered Executives are full-time employees of Allot. |
| (2) | Amounts reported in this column represent annual incentive bonuses granted to the Covered Executives based on performance-metric based formulas set forth in their respective employment agreements. |