UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(MARK ONE)
|
|
☑ | ANNUAL REPORT PERSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014 |
OR | |
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 333-169857
SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
|
|
Republic of Ireland | None |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
Incorporation or Organization) | Identification No.) |
107 Northeastern Boulevard | 03062 |
Nashua, New Hampshire | (Zip Code) |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
|
|
|
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (603) 324-3000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
|
|
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer ☑ | Smaller reporting company ☐ |
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
As of April 8, 2014, the registrant had 534,513,271 shares of common stock outstanding, par value $1.00 per share, all of which are owned by SSI Investments I Limited, the registrant’s parent holding company, and are not publicly traded.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED
FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PAGE |
PART I |
| |
Item 1. | Business | 2 |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 14 |
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 27 |
Item 2. | Properties | 27 |
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 27 |
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 27 |
PART II |
| |
Item 5. | Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 27 |
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 29 |
Item 7. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 30 |
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 49 |
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 50 |
Item 9 | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 50 |
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 50 |
Item 9B. | Other Information | 51 |
PART III |
| |
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 52 |
Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 55 |
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 67 |
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 70 |
Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 71 |
PART IV |
| |
Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 72 |
Signatures |
| 73 |
EX-21.1 List of Significant Subsidiaries |
| |
EX-31.1 Section 302 Certification of CEO |
| |
EX-31.2 Section 302 Certification of CFO |
| |
EX-32.1 Section 906 Certification of CEO |
| |
EX-32.2 Section 906 Certification of CFO |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
From time to time, including in this annual report on Form 10-K, we may issue forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business outlooks and prospects, strategy, plans, critical accounting policies, technological developments, new services, consolidation activities, research and development activities, regulatory, market and industry trends, expected levels of liquidity and similar matters. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will,” “target” and other words and terms of similar meaning, variations of such terms or the negative of those terms. We note that a variety of factors, including known and unknown risks and uncertainties as well as incorrect assumptions, could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of our business include those factors discussed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this annual report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
On May 26, 2010, SSI Investments III Limited ("SSI III"), a wholly owned subsidiary of SSI Investments Limited II ("SSI II"), completed its acquisition of Skillsoft PLC (the "Acquisition"), which was subsequently re-registered as a private limited company and whose corporate name changed from Skillsoft PLC (the "Predecessor") to Skillsoft Limited ("Skillsoft" or the “Successor"). Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, as used in this discussion, the terms the "Company", "we", "us", "our" and other similar terms refer to (a) prior to the Acquisition of Skillsoft, the Predecessor and its subsidiaries and (b) from and after the Acquisition of Skillsoft, SSI II and its subsidiaries. References in this annual report on Form 10-K to the Company’s fiscal year refer to the fiscal year ended January 31 of that year (e.g., fiscal 2013 is the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013). The information presented for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011 includes the results of operations for the period from February 1 to May 25, 2010 of the Predecessor and the results of operations for the period from May 26 to January 31, 2011 of the Successor.
On March 14, our indirect parent company, SSILuxco S.a.r.l., entered into a definitive agreement to sell Skillsoft to funds managed by Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP.
1
Part I
Item 1. Business
General
Skillsoft® is a pioneer in the field of learning with a long history of innovation. Skillsoft provides cloud-based learning solutions for customers worldwide, ranging from global enterprises, government, and education to mid-sized and small businesses. Skillsoft's customer support teams draw on a wealth of in-house experience and a comprehensive learning e-library to develop off-the-shelf and custom learning programs tailored to cost-effectively meet customer needs. Skillsoft's courses, books and videos have been developed by industry-leading learning experts to maximize business skills, performance and talent development.
Skillsoft currently serves over 6,000 customers and more than 19,000,000 learners around the world.
Our solutions map to a variety of broad topic areas including leadership development, business skills, personal effectiveness, IT certification, application development, security, project management and compliance, as well as more targeted areas of interest like finance and engineering. We believe all of these topics represent important skills required of employees in increasingly dynamic and complex work environments. Our compliance solution includes legal, environmental, safety & health, and food service compliance offerings, and as of 2013 is supported by a dedicated sales and product development team. Within each solution area, we offer formal and informal learning options. Our courseware, virtual practice labs and live events provide learners the ability to gain the knowledge they need to perform their jobs and prepare for many popular professional certifications. Books24x7® online reference materials and video content products offer just in time answers and on-the-job performance support. All content solutions are available via a computer and the Internet–and many via mobile devices–at any time or anywhere that you may need it.
Our platform offerings are designed to support a broad range of corporate learning needs and respond quickly to business demands. Our Skillport® learning management system (LMS) is designed to be a flexible, scalable, cloud-based platform that can be rapidly implemented to meet the needs of a variety of business enterprises, and we work actively with other LMS vendors to ensure interoperability of our content and technology with their systems. We also offer customization and authoring tools, and other platform and technology assets that allow our customers to tailor our content to better fit with their business requirements. Our Skillsoft Dialogue Design™ editor tool is focused on the rapid assembly and delivery of effective online learning sessions. Our Skillsoft Advantage and KnowledgeCenter™ portals are targeted learning access points that provide audiences instant contact to trusted, relevant content that is specific to their job role. Some of our short-form content, such as Books24x7®, and our Leadership Channel™ and “IT & Desktop” video collections, as well as our Business Skills Courseware Collection™, can be accessed and/or played on mobile devices, including tablets and smart phones.
Our major products include:
SkillChoice Multi-Modal Learning Solutions: These integrated solutions provide a rich array of resources including courseware, Books24x7® library access, online mentoring, certification practice tests and rich-media Business Impact and Challenge Series titles to support formal training and informal performance support needs. Available as four offerings (Complete, IT, Business and Desktop), SkillChoice® solutions provide the necessary depth, breadth, quality and currency to encompass a wide range of corporate learning objectives.
Skillport: Our Skillport® LMS provides an engaging, reliable, flexible, and cost-effective way for organizations to deploy and manage their elearning programs. Using our Skillport LMS, customers can leverage the benefits of the multi-modal learning approach and deploy both robust and targeted learning solutions rapidly and on a global basis. Skillport 8–our next generation of learning platform–connects formal, informal, and collaborative learning within a highly engaging and visual user experience allowing learners to manage their learning from tablets as well as key features from their smartphone. Skillport’s search and refinement capability allows learners to find relevant learning assets on the system with a single, unified search, or they can refine searches based on filters and even asset specific characteristics. Skillport’s community features, formally referred to as inGenius®, allow organizations to securely empower their employees to contribute user-generated content in the form of notes, comments and ratings, and discover knowledgeable colleagues by searching social profiles.
2
Through a variety of integration tools, Skillport can connect with other key business systems such as HRIS, Talent Management and even with other LMS products. The Skillport LMS is available as a cloud-based solution, supporting the growing demand for reliable, scalable and secure elearning with a low-cost, low IT-burden model.
Skillsoft Dialogue Design: Our Skillsoft Dialogue Design™ platform has been designed for the rapid assembly and delivery of sophisticated on-demand learning sessions. With Dialogue Design, subject matter experts can leverage existing training materials such as PowerPoint slides, Word or PDF documents, Excel spreadsheets and Flash files to rapidly create and deploy training materials. Dialogue Design allows the creation of custom recordings, including tests to validate knowledge transfer, and directly publish to Skillport. With our latest release, Dialogue Design 6.0, users are able to create content deployable, via Skillport, to their Smartphone, tablet and desktop.
Skillsoft Advantage: Our Skillsoft Advantage™ portals are pre-packaged, user-friendly learning solutions that target audiences with instant access to a trusted, highly intuitive and practical resource for building a greater understanding of key business competencies. Skillsoft Advantage products released thus far include Leadership Advantage™ with 41 leadership competencies, Professional Advantage™ with 25 business individual contributor competencies and Sales Advantage™ with 20 professional sales competencies. Skillsoft Advantage portals present compelling content from key industry thought leaders via a combination of assets designed to appeal to the respective audience for each Skillsoft Advantage product. These assets include targeted “Key Concept” articles, QuickTalk™ videos from Skillsoft's Leadership Channel™, ExecSummaries™ and ExecBlueprints™ briefs, rich-media case studies and “Challenge” activities. Skillsoft Advantage solutions also include resources designed to help learners assess their skills through a post test, as well as activities to apply their new skills. With the recent addition of Skillsoft’s inGenius® social collaboration technology, leaders can also use the Skillsoft Advantage portals to communicate and collaborate with peers within their organization. Each learning track is designed with the users’ busy schedules in mind, and while the formal path through the content is two hours, the majority of assets contained in the Skillsoft Advantage portals are 3-8 minutes in duration, and available on the go. Selected tracks within the Leadership Advantage are available in German and French. Customers often utilize the KC Editor to adapt portals in order to customize for their own specific needs by including company branding, content, and to align to the competencies defined for their organization.
Business Impact Series: The Business Impact Series™ video vignette titles are 5-10 minute audio-driven dramatizations of workplace business problems and related solutions. Innovative uses of video and Adobe Flash technology present realistic characters and scenarios that depict a wide range of business and professional development topics that learners can apply to their specific jobs.
Challenge Series: The Challenge Series™ scenario-based titles are media-rich interactive case studies focused on content analysis, problem solving and decision making. Each Challenge Series title presents learners with a specific objective or goal, along with related discovery material and multiple potential solutions. Learners are "challenged" to analyze the business problem and the discovery material, select one of several potential solutions and then defend, justify or further explain their selections by answering questions about the selected outcome.
Business Skills Courseware Collection: Business Skills Courseware Collection™ includes more than 2,430 courseware titles encompassing professional effectiveness, management/leadership, project management, sales and customer-facing skills, business strategy/operations, finance and human resources subject areas. Our courses feature strong visual design; a focus on instructional objectives at the application and analysis levels; learner interactivity; reinforcement through an interactive role playing teaching tool; case studies and transfer of learning into practice through online job aids, follow-on activities and SkillBriefs™ learning summaries. Many courses are an hour or less in length. In many of our most popular Business Skill courses, full motion video is used to enhance the realistic modeling and practice of interpersonal skills and behaviors. Blended Learning Resources have been added to many of our most popular titles to support customers who want to use our courses as part of a blended program. Customers can leverage these new resources to develop classroom activities and learning experiences based on our course material. Our Business Skills Courseware Collection also supports many popular and sought-after business certifications including PMI's PMP and CAPM certifications; PHR and SPHR certifications; ASQ's Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt certifications and IIBA's Certified Business Analysis Professional. This collection also includes our Business Impact Series and Challenge Series media-rich titles.
3
IT Skills Courseware Collection: The IT Skills Courseware™ Collection includes more than 2,200 Courseware titles encompassing software development, operating systems and server technologies, Internet and network technologies, IT security, enterprise database systems and Web design subject areas. It also supports more than 100 current IT professional certification exams. In most instances, these certification-aligned courses include access to online mentoring. Skillsoft has transitioned in more recent years from a traditional model of course development to one that capitalizes on the expertise of subject matter experts and instructors. This expert-driven model has proved particularly satisfactory to the target audience of IT professionals, largely due to the more casual presentation style along with value-add tips and experience-based insights. All IT courses continue to feature strong visual design and reinforcement of learning transfer via strategically placed practice questions, lab exercises, simulations and self-assessed exercises.
Desktop Skills Courseware Collection: Our Desktop Skills Courseware™ Collection includes more than 1,200 Courseware titles to assist professionals who rely on standard desktop applications. Our desktop solutions are designed for day-to-day performance support, as well as supporting major corporate software migrations.
Compliance Courseware Collection: Our Compliance Courseware Solution includes 5 focus areas: Legal Compliance, Federal Government Compliance, Environmental Safety and Health (“ES&H”) Compliance, Food and Alcohol Safety, and U.K. Adult Social Care and Hospitality. Our entire Legal Compliance Collection contains a total of 92 courseware titles in 15 languages. The titles in the collection address the needs of customers as they work towards maintaining compliance with various global laws, regulations and case law that govern the workplace. This year, 8 new courseware titles, including a customizable Code of Conduct solution, have been developed for the global market. Within the collection, there are 6 courseware titles localized for the U.K. (one translated into German), 4 courseware titles localized for Canada (all of which have been translated into French Canadian), and 2 courseware titles localized for Germany (2 translated into German). The Federal Government Compliance Collection, which includes 17 courseware titles, addresses legal compliance issues that are of interest to employees of U.S. federal agencies. The ES&H Compliance Collection addresses key standards mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). Our ES&H courses are designed for use by the "hardhat and safety glasses" industries. We offer over 300 ES&H courseware titles in 5 languages. Our U.S. Food and Alcohol Safety Collection is developed for use by food handlers and managers as well as alcohol beverage servers. This collection contains 3 courseware titles (12 modules) for the U.S. Foodservice Industry. Finally, the U.K. Adult Social Care and Hospitality Collection contains over 127 courseware titles for use exclusively in the U.K. Adult Social Care and Hospitality industries.
Online Mentoring: This service is offered for over 80 current certification exams for IT professionals, end-user technologies, security, ITIL, Six Sigma and project management skills. We have over 20 on-staff certified technical experts (CTEs) who average over 20 current certifications each, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24x7) for 25 of our most popular certification exams. In addition to the 25 plus exams that have 24x7 mentoring, experts are also available online Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, for more than 55 additional certification exams. Through online chats and e-mail, learners can ask questions, receive clarification and request additional information to help them get the answers and understanding they need to prepare for industry certification exams.
Books24x7: Our Books24x7® offerings include more than 34,000 unabridged professional reference books and reports from more than 780 book publisher imprints that are available to online subscribers through the Books24x7® online library. The content is made available in over a dozen English-language collections as well as German, French and Spanish collections. Some of the most popular collections include ITPro® for IT professionals, BusinessPro® for business professionals (which also contains audio books) and ExecSummaries™ (which provides access to summaries of leading business books). Specialty collections include EngineeringPro® for engineers, AnalystPerspectives™ for subscribers that need access to IT and telecommunications research, and FinancePro™ for finance and accounting professionals. Subscribers can perform multi-level searches to pinpoint information needed for on-the-job performance support and problem-solving.
Executive Content: The Books24x7® online library includes executive level offerings that give busy executives the insight they value in formats that fit their busy schedules. The ExecSummaries™ Collection provides concise summaries of today's best-selling business books. The ExecBlueprints™ executive white papers provide near-term, actionable information on key business topics and are bylined by leading C-level executives from prominent global companies. Most ExecSummaries™ and ExecBlueprints™ articles can be read on screen, printed or downloaded in MP3 format for portable listening.
4
Leadership Channel: The Leadership Channel™ offering includes a collection of more than 4,200 live and on-demand video learning presentations featuring best-selling business authors, experts and executives. The Leadership Channel™ presentations are designed to cover formal and informal learning needs of an organization through video programs covering the following topical areas including the following: management and leadership, change and innovation, communication, marketing and sales and business strategy. This collection is ideal for both individual and group learning experiences, including use as meeting starters, one-on-one coaching, integration in instructor-led training and facilitated learning sessions.
The collection also includes both action-based and story-based video formats that appeal to different types of learners and situations. The action-based video collection (formerly Leadership Development Channel) offers advice from best-selling business authors and executives in an instructional design format that is application-based to drive immediate results. The story-based videos (formerly 50 Lessons™, acquired by Skillsoft in February 2011) feature interview presentations that impart key business lessons from some of the world’s most recognized global business leaders.
Skillsoft IT and Desktop Videos: Skillsoft IT and Desktop Videos™ are short, 3-5 minute videos covering a variety of desktop and IT topics. Compliments to courseware content, the Skillsoft IT and Desktop Videos highlight specific tasks and features, and are intended for users that are familiar with the software or hardware applications. Subject matter experts from around the world present the topics in a professional and engaging manner. There are currently over 4,000 videos covering nearly 100 topics, giving learners the support they need when they need it.
Live Learning: Our Live Learning™ virtual classroom offering is a derivative of traditional instructor-led technical training. However, rather than gathering students in one physical locale, instructor lectures are broadcast to participants anywhere via the Internet. The Live Learning classes are taught over three weeks as six, three-hour Web-delivered lectures. The classes are taught by heavily-credentialed expert instructors. Hands-on labs are performed by students independently between lectures, with online mentors accessible to assist, if needed, depending on the course being taken. Recorded versions of lectures are available on-demand for review or if a learner misses any scheduled live lecture.
Virtual Practice Labs: Skillsoft Virtual Practice-Labs can mirror almost any hardware or software configuration—enabling IT professionals to build critical technology skills in safe, virtual environments.
Interskill Learning: In partnership with Interskill Learning, Skillsoft offers an extensive curriculum of Interskill mainframe courses, ensuring a convenient and engaging learning experience for mainframe computing personnel.
CrossKnowledge: In partnership with CrossKnowledge, a leading elearning solutions provider emphasizing management and leadership development, Skillsoft makes their solutions available for clients in the United States and Canada.
Our registered office is located at Belfield Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4, Ireland, and our telephone number at that address from the United States is (011) 353-1-218-1000. Our principal office in the United States is located at 107 Northeastern Boulevard, Nashua, New Hampshire 03062, USA, and our telephone number at that address is (603) 324-3000.
Available Information
We maintain a website with the address www.skillsoft.com. We are not including the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this annual report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge through our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these materials with, or otherwise furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, we provide periodic investor relations updates and our corporate governance materials on our website.
You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding the Company and other issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s Internet website address is http://www.sec.gov.
5
Industry Background
The corporate training market is large. We believe that a substantial majority of the corporate training market is comprised of business skills, IT skills and compliance training, as well as the complementary technologies and services for the development and delivery of learning programs. We believe that the growth in corporate training is being driven by:
· | the evolution of our economy to a service-based and knowledge-based economy, in which the skills of the work force often represent the most important corporate assets; |
· | the increasing recognition by businesses of the need to continually improve the skills of their employees to remain competitive; |
· | the rapidly evolving business environment, which necessitates continual training and education of employees, even as expenditures for training must be tightly controlled; |
· | the increased competition in today's economy for skilled employees and the recognition that effective training can be used to recruit and retain employees; |
· | the retirement of baby boom generation workers during the coming five to fifteen years, which will result in industries seeking technically skilled and educated workers to meet the projected shortage of qualified and trained candidates to replace those retiring workers. This phenomenon is widely projected to create a major increase in demand for training in technical and business skills; and |
· | the increased concern for environmental impact, which has caused many organizations to place limits on travel, as well as look for other ways to reduce overall waste and carbon emissions. |
Although the significant majority of corporate training has historically been and continues to be delivered through traditional classroom instruction, elearning solutions offer another choice in which business enterprises improve the skills of their work force. By providing real-time accessibility and user-focused specificity, elearning enables the training and education process to be broadened from a distinct event—often off-site and limited in scope—to a process of continuous learning for employees. Often, we find that our customers combine elearning resources with traditional classroom instruction and virtual classroom events.
These blended learning programs meet the rising need for training in increasingly complex working environments, and when properly designed and deployed, blended solutions can effectively address the needs of business organizations seeking to provide cost effective, comprehensive, enterprise-wide learning solutions to their employees. These solutions can support the planned, formal learning priorities and the day-to-day informal learning activities that comprise the primary means by which business professionals learn the skills needed to do their job and grow their careers.
We believe that elearning solutions present a significant opportunity for business organizations to cost-effectively deliver training and performance support resources for their employees while maintaining a higher level of productivity of their work force. This is especially true as organizations become more global, virtual and geographically dispersed. Elearning solutions can improve on the inefficiencies associated with classroom training, including travel costs, scheduling difficulties and the opportunity costs of employees' time. In addition, elearning provides benefits beyond other technology-based training methods that make it more flexible, effective and cost-efficient. For example, elearning solutions provide more timely and simplified deployment, the flexibility of self-directed and personalized learning, improved ease of use and enhanced product/user support and administrative functionality. Furthermore, through the use of Web-based technologies, elearning solutions provide access via computer to content anytime, anywhere over the Internet and in the exact amount required by each individual learner.
Skillsoft Instructional/Learning Design Model
The instructional design model for our business and IT skills courses is based primarily on the concepts of performance-oriented instruction, mastery and the sequencing of instructional activities and strategies. The model draws heavily from adult learning principles that emphasize learner initiative, self-management, experiential learning and transfer of learning into the workplace. The design of each of our courses starts with the definition of workplace-focused performance objectives and then proceeds to the selection and implementation of instructional strategies and learning activities appropriate for those objectives. Frequent practice questions and/or topics along with assessments measure users' achievement of those objectives. We believe this robust, yet flexible, design methodology creates an instructionally sound framework for the design and development of highly interactive, engaging and instructionally effective courses—regardless of the content focus or level of learning.
6
Our instructional design model is intended to meet the challenge of creating effective and engaging instruction that is easily deployed on our corporate customers' global computer networks or over the Internet. Our design, development and quality assurance standards and processes are all geared toward ensuring each course meets our expectations for the best instruction possible.
The model is intentionally flexible and non-technology specific, which allows for ongoing implementation of innovative strategies and features. This flexibility continues to enable ongoing product improvement and innovation without requiring significant modifications to our core underlying learning design requirements and standards.
Learning Design for Business Skills, Compliance and ES&H
Our Business Skills courses cover a broad range of business and professional effectiveness curriculum areas. Some content is factual with predictable, non-variable outcomes, such as finance. Other content areas, such as communication skills, are "softer," or more behaviorally-oriented, and have highly variable implementation options and outcomes that require a different set of instructional presentation and practice strategies. Our selection of strategies includes narrated animation, explorable graphics, case studies, and video-based scenarios and Roleplay® exercises. Sufficient practice of all tested learning objectives within the instructional topics allows learners to review or clarify key teaching points before taking a scored and tracked test. Testing most commonly occurs at the lesson or course levels, ensuring learners assess longer term memories versus quick memorization skills. In addition, we have a strong commitment to as much application and analysis level content as possible, supported by strong foundational learning at the knowledge and comprehension levels.
Learning Design for IT and Desktop Skills
Like our Business Skills courses, the instructional strategies chosen for use in IT and Desktop Skills courses are dependent on the course content and objectives. Recent trends and technology-related innovations have broadened the scope of instructional strategies available for use in elearning. For instance, we are including more video in IT and Desktop content, particularly for explanations and demonstrations of tasks and procedures. We have also expanded the use of subject matter experts as presenters and instructors in many of our IT and Desktop courses to provide a more casual presentation style and value-add tips and application advice from an experienced professional. Presentation strategies are also selected with the specific target audience characteristics and needs in mind. For instance, narrated animation is used to present conceptual content in desktop courses, while recorded audio from certified instructors drives the presentation in our highly technical IT content areas. Target audience considerations also drive the frequency and type of practice; content designed for non-technical audiences includes more reinforcing practice of foundational points while content aimed at already technically proficient IT professionals relies more on comprehensive type review exercises, like labs, for application-focused practice. In all courses, tests at topic, lesson and/or course level provide learners with an option to assess their performance across the entirety of a course, or with more focused concentration on individual topic or lesson level content and objectives.
Learning Design for Workplace Performance
We believe the use of learning assets in support of formal and informal learning is now not only expected by most of our customers, but is also a requirement. Learning organizations continue to demand a broader range of learning environments and strategies as part of their learning solutions. Formal instruction remains important, especially in support of development of foundational skills and knowledge, but additional assets are needed to support solutions such as blended learning, learning portals, performance support and communities of practice. We will continue to develop learning assets that are flexible and innovative and that enhance workplace performance.
Web-Based Architecture and Deployment Platform
Our Web-based architecture and deployment strategy enables us to provide a number of features to support users in their learning.
These features include:
7
Learning Management System: Learning management systems are key enabling technologies that permit users to access a wide variety of learning content resources over the Web, including courseware, simulations, the Books24x7® online library, video content, online mentoring, SkillBriefsTM learning summaries, job aids and TestPrepTM certification practice tests. Learning and development organizations can develop and deliver targeted learning programs to achieve specific business objectives using the Skillport® system’s learning program capabilities. Our Skillport® LMS provides a rich feature set to support a range of corporate learning needs with a high degree of reliability and scalability. Available as a cloud-based solution, the Skillport® LMS offers our customers a low-cost, low IT-burden option with fast time-to-learning. As of January 31, 2014, there were more than 3,500 active Skillport® customer sites. In addition to our Skillport® platform, we continue to strive for convenient, easy integration of our content into third-party learning management systems through ongoing support of industry standards such as SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) and AICC (Aviation Industry CBT Committee) standards.
Skillport® Search Technology: This key component of the Skillport® LMS allows users to search and access learning resources topically with a single, unified search. For example, a learner searching for resources on Cisco networks can discover the various Skillsoft courses, books, TestPrepTM practice exams and online mentoring services available to the learner with a single search query. Customer content published to, and managed by the Skillport® LMS is also included in the search results. From the identified results, the learner can then choose the resource that best meets his or her specific needs, time requirements and learning preferences.
Skillport® LMS Customer Content Support: Customer content support allows customers to track, manage and search custom courses, as well as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Adobe PDF documents. This gives organizations the ability to incorporate important information resources such as white papers, launch plans, budget templates and customized training within a comprehensive learning database. The Skillport® LMS also supports off-the-shelf and custom courseware from third-party providers, as long as the content is designed to conform to our supported open standards and meets our custom content support guidelines. Skillsoft also offers services to assist customers in creating and publishing proprietary custom courseware and other content using Skillsoft’s and third parties’ authoring technologies.
Assistive Technology Support: Assistive technology support is designed to address the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, which provides that, as of June 2001, computer software applications purchased or developed by federal agencies must be designed for accessibility by people who are blind, deaf or have poor motor skills. We have aggressively worked to adapt our online courseware, the Books24x7® online library and our Skillport® LMS platform to meet the requirements established by Section 508. This development work is consistent with our general corporate philosophy to help organizations "democratize" training and give all employees access to training and development opportunities anywhere, anytime through computers. Our Section 508-compliant products provide users in a government or commercial organization with sight, hearing and/or mobility limitations equal access to our courses through the use of leading assistive technologies such as the JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reader.
High Performance Web Technology: Our products incorporate high performing Web technologies that we believe substantially improve our product performance. Our courses and support tools are developed using cross-platform technologies such as HTML, HTML 5, XML, Java, JavaScript and Adobe Flash. Our products employ advanced compression techniques, which allow our products to deliver high-quality performance within our customers' bandwidth constraints.
Flexible Deployment Options: We offer a cloud-based learning solution for companies that prefer to have users access courses from Skillsoft-managed servers via the Internet rather than host the courses on the customer's intranet. Chosen by the large majority of Skillsoft customers, this cloud-based solution can significantly simplify and shorten the implementation process.
Open Learning Services Architecture: Open Learning Services Architecture (OLSA) is a set of Web services that enables customers to integrate our comprehensive content and content related services with their enterprise application systems, enterprise portals and third party or custom LMS systems. These services enable automation of burdensome administrative tasks and rapid deployment of Skillsoft hosted, off-the-shelf or customized, learning solutions. OLSA benefits include lower integration and operations costs as well as reduced time-to-availability of comprehensive learning resources. OLSA capabilities include fully-integrated Search & Learn® search technology; catalog management; user management; user learning data management; content launching with integrated services such as mentoring, online data synchronization; learning structure launching such as Skillsoft AdvantageTM portals and learning programs with integrated books, courses, videos, etc.
8
Product Pricing
The pricing for our courses varies based upon the number of course titles or the courseware bundle licensed by a customer, the number of users and the length of the license agreement (generally one, two, three or four years). Our license agreements permit customers to exchange course titles, generally on the contract anniversary date. Some products and features, such as the Skillport® LMS, Skillsoft AdvantageTM portals, SkillStudio® customization tool, and content hosting, are separately licensed for an additional fee.
The pricing for our SkillChoice® multi-modal learning solution license varies based on the content offering selected by the customer, the number of users within the customer's organization and the length of the license agreement. Our SkillChoice® solution license provides customers access to multiple learning products including courseware, the Books24x7® online library, mentoring, and the TestPrepTM practice exams.
The Books24x7® online library, as well as the Leadership ChannelTM video products licenses, give users access to the full library within one or more collections (ITPro™, BusinessProTM, FinanceProTM, OfficeEssentialsTM, etc.). The pricing for our Books24x7® library and Leadership Development ChannelTM products licenses varies based on the collections specified by a customer, the number of users within the customer's organization and the length of the license agreement.
Sales and Marketing
As of January 31, 2014, our products were sold in 83 countries. Our primary sales channels consist of a direct field sales force for larger accounts, a telesales group for small- to medium-sized business accounts and resellers that address certain opportunities in the United States and some international markets. We believe this strategy enables us to focus our resources on the largest sales opportunities, while simultaneously leveraging the telesales model and reseller channels to address opportunities that may not be cost-effective for us to pursue through the direct field sales organization.
In the field sales organization, each account executive reports to either a regional sales director or regional sales vice president who is responsible for revenue growth and expense control for his or her area. Our sales professionals have significant sales experience as well as extensive contacts within the corporate customers that we target. The sales process for an initial sale to a large customer typically ranges from three to 12 months and often involves a coordinated effort among a number of groups within our organization.
We use sophisticated sales force automation software to track each prospect and customer through a sales cycle covering the following seven stages: prospect, qualify, discovery, evaluation, proposal, negotiation and close.
Our senior sales executives hold review meetings throughout each quarter with our regional sales vice presidents and in some cases their account executives to assess their 90-day forecast, 120-day pipeline development and longer term territory strategy. Our regional sales vice presidents, regional sales directors and their account executives typically confer regularly throughout the quarter to review progress toward quarterly goals and longer term business objectives and for coaching sessions.
We have an office in the United Kingdom that serves as the hub of our Europe and Middle East sales operations. We also have sales personnel in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and India who support our Asia-Pacific operations. In order to accelerate our worldwide market penetration, our sales strategy includes developing relationships to access indirect sales channels such as reseller and distributor partners. Our indirect sales channels give us access to a more diverse client base, which we otherwise would not be able to reach in a cost-effective manner through our direct sales force. Our development and marketing partners also generally have the right to resell products developed under their alliances with us.
We have telesales groups in several locations globally, including Scottsdale, Arizona; Rochester, New York; Knoxville, TN, the United Kingdom, Germany and Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, which have been established to target opportunities with small- to medium-sized businesses.
9
Our marketing organization utilizes a variety of programs to support our global sales team. Our marketing programs include:
· | customer user group events; |
· | product and strategy updates with industry analysts; |
· | public relations activities resulting in press releases and articles in trade press as well as speaking engagements at industry events; |
· | print advertising in trade publications; |
· | printed promotional materials and direct mail; |
· | online marketing in the form of Web banners, content syndication, e-mail sponsorships, newsletters and key-word buying on search engines; |
· | a marketing automation system that allows us to track the effectiveness of various online marketing campaigns and website activities; and |
· | events, seminars and trade shows. |
No customer accounted for more than 2% of our revenue for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our revenue by geographic area.
Backlog
Backlog is reported at the end of each fiscal year, and as of January 31, 2014, we had a non-cancelable backlog of approximately $340.9 million, as compared to $326.8 million as of January 31, 2013. Backlog is calculated by combining the amount of deferred revenue at each fiscal year end with the amounts to be added to deferred revenue throughout the next twelve months from billings under committed customer contracts and determining how much of these amounts are scheduled to amortize into revenue during the upcoming fiscal year. The amount scheduled to amortize into revenue during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 is disclosed as "backlog" as of January 31, 2014. Amounts to be added to deferred revenue during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 include subsequent installment billings for ongoing contract periods as well as billings for committed contract renewals.
Customer Service and Support
We offer a broad range of services and support to our customers throughout their relationship with Skillsoft through our consulting service, application engineering and customer support organization. We believe that providing a high level of customer service and support is necessary to achieve rapid product implementation, full product utilization, measurable customer satisfaction and continued revenue growth.
Application Engineering. We have application engineers available to assist customers with the technical aspects of installing, deploying and integrating our products. These engineers assist in evaluating the customers' network environment and integration opportunities to ensure that our products are easily accessible to users. The application engineers assist with the integration of our products with customer portals, enterprise software systems and any third party LMS they have installed to ensure they will interoperate successfully.
Learning Consulting. We employ learning consultants to assist customers in planning and implementing best practices for elearning program success. These individuals assist with the implementation of pilot programs, aligning programs to business priorities, and offer expertise in establishing training success criteria, planning internal marketing programs and communicating with elearning end users and measuring return on investment for our products. Our learning consultants work in close coordination with our application engineers and sales representatives and are an important component of our efforts to monitor and ensure customer satisfaction and success.
Customer Support. We provide Web-based, live telephone, e-mail and chat support to our customers through our customer support organization. They are available to assist customers seven days per week, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Toll free phone numbers are provided in geographic areas where we have significant customer presence.
10
Competition
The market for corporate education and training products is fragmented and highly competitive. We expect that competition in this market will remain intense in the future for the following reasons:
· | the expected growth of this market will attract new entrants; |
· | our course content providers are often not prohibited from developing courses on similar topics for other companies, provided that they do not use our toolkit or templates; and |
· | the tremendously fragmented nature of the competitive landscape, including many competitors in each of the elearning, online reference and video segments of the market. |
One source of competition for our products is the internal educational and technology personnel of our potential customers. If an organization decides to use external providers to supply some or all of its training, our principal sources of competition in the corporate education and training market are:
· | providers of traditional classroom instruction, including American Management Association, AchieveGlobal, ESI, DDI, New Horizons, Cegos, Richardson and GlobalKnowledge. Many of the companies in this category are attempting to adapt their courses to elearning formats suitable for access via Web browsers or offer elearning courses in conjunction with their instructor-led training and, in general, compete for the same training dollars in the customer's budget; |
· | technology and certification organizations such as IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Adobe, VMware, SAP, ISC(2), CompTIA and Microsoft that offer elearning courses; |
· | suppliers of online corporate education and training courses, including: Cengage, Harvard Business Publishing, SAI Global, PDI Ninth House, Lynda.com, Pluralsight, Corpedia, Inquestra, RGI Learning, The Projects Group, NAVEX Global, LRN Compliance Solutions, Vivid Learning Systems, Kesdee, Zoologic, The Quality Group, Underwriters Laboratory, K Alliance, Kaplan, QuickCert and many more; |
· | our Books24x7® business competes with companies such as Safari Books Online, a joint venture between Pearson Technology Group and O'Reilly & Associates, which offers aggregated IT and business content primarily consisting of its own titles on a subscription basis. Other companies that compete with one or more Books24x7® library collections include EBSCO, Knovel, and getAbstract; and |
· | with our Skillport® LMS platform, we compete with other suppliers of LMS products, including talent management companies who offer LMS products, such as SumTotal, Saba, Oracle, SAP, IBM, Cornerstone OnDemand, Blackboard, CertPoint, Geometrix, LearnShare, Meridian Knowledge Solutions, NetDimensions, Operitel, RWD Technologies, SilkRoad and TechnoMedia, and many others. Skillsoft also maintains several different types of partnering and integration relationships with some of these LMS platforms. |
We believe that the principal competitive factors in the corporate education and training market include:
· | the breadth, depth, currency and instructional design quality of the course content; |
· | informal performance support and other features of the training solution; |
· | adaptability, flexibility, reliability, scalability and performance of technology platforms offered; |
· | standards compliance and ease-of-integration with third party systems and customer learning portals; |
· | the deployment options offered to customers, such as hosted and low bandwidth access; |
· | customer service and support; |
· | price/value relationship; |
· | relationship with the customer; and |
· | corporate reputation. |
Although we believe that we currently compete favorably with respect to those factors, we may not be able to maintain or improve our competitive position. Some of our current and potential competitors have greater financial resources than we do. Increased competition may result in lost sales and may force us to lower prices, which may adversely affect our business and financial performance.
11
Product Development
We believe that the development of effective technology-enabled learning solutions requires the convergence of source material, instructional design methodologies and computer technology. When developing a new learning path or product, we first obtain intellectual property (IP) from our content partners (or other subject matter experts), existing courses and product reference materials. Our design and development teams then define the user-focused performance objectives and select the content, instructional strategies, learning activities and assessments appropriate for the intended learning outcomes. This process includes the creation of design documents, scripts and, in some cases, storyboards to document the planned sequence, instructional flow and interactive presentation and practice strategies. The design and development team includes subject matter experts, learning designers, technical writers and developers, graphic designers, animators, editors and quality assurance reviewers. After final assembly or integration of all course components into a completed course, we test to ensure all functional capabilities work as designed, and deliver the desired learning experience and result.
The core element of our learning solution development process is our design and development process and the tools we use to support that process. Our design, development and production tools are comprised of our proprietary software and off-the-shelf tools. Our combination of development toolsets allows us to quickly and efficiently create and continually update modular learning events and enhance, on an ongoing basis, the multimedia content of such learning events. Our research and development goal is to further enhance our product development process and tools to facilitate the continual evolution of our offerings and ensure that our instructional products incorporate a wide variety of meaningful and effective instructional elements. We primarily use a network of content development partners to produce content for our business and IT skills curriculums. Our IP development partners use Skillsoft-defined methods and tools to develop content based on instructional design and quality standards defined by our content development team. Course IP is supplied by us, by other companies from which we have licensed content, or by our development partners, based on an outline jointly defined by our development partners and Skillsoft.
Our research and development efforts also include a focus on the design, development and integration of other key product elements, including online IT mentoring by certified content experts, task-based IT simulations and labs, Skillsoft AdvantageTM learning portals and online Books24x7® library assets for business and IT skills.
Through careful technology selection, product design and exhaustive compatibility testing, we ensure our products can be deployed on the vast majority of corporate desktop computers and without requiring the installation of specialized plug-ins whenever possible, and can be delivered over the varied and complex network infrastructures in existence today. As technologies and standards evolve, we continuously review those changes and consider adapting our products when possible to ensure compatibility.
Deployment flexibility is also achieved by adhering to industry standards such as AICC and SCORM. Our elearning courseware content is designed for integration with third party learning management systems as well as with our elearning platform products.
The majority of the content for our Books24x7® online library product offerings is licensed from third party publishers.
Certain research and development activities are conducted by internal teams located in our main product development centers in Dublin, Ireland; Nashua, New Hampshire; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Rochester, New York and Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. In addition to our internal efforts, we outsource various aspects of our content development process to third parties.
Product development expenses were approximately $55.6 million, $58.3 million, and $56.5 million, for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Proprietary Rights
We believe that proprietary technology forms an important or valuable part of most of our Business Skills and IT Skills CoursewareTM learning title offerings. We further believe that the creative skills of our personnel in developing new products and technologies, our ability to develop and introduce new products rapidly and our responsiveness to customer demands are equally important. We protect our technology by various means, including entering into agreements with employees to protect against disclosure of sensitive business information. We have 9 United States patents and 29 foreign patents relating to computer-based training technologies and methods, and 3 United States and foreign patent applications pending relating to computer-based training technologies and methods. We also have 2 nationalized Patent Cooperation Treaty applications.
12
We attempt to avoid infringing upon intellectual property and proprietary rights of third parties in our product development efforts. However, we do not conduct comprehensive patent searches to determine whether the technology used in our products infringes patents held by third parties. In addition, product development is inherently uncertain in a rapidly evolving technological environment in which there may be numerous patent applications pending, some of which are confidential when filed, with regard to similar technologies. If our products violate third-party proprietary rights, we could be liable for substantial damages. In addition, we may be required to reengineer our products or seek to obtain licenses to continue offering the products, and those efforts may not be successful.
We currently license certain technologies from third parties—including data compression technologies and tools for developing Web applications—and some course content that we incorporate into our products. We also license content for our Books24x7® online library product offerings from third party publishers. This technology and content may not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms. The loss of this technology or content could result in delays in development and introduction of new products or product enhancements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial performance. Moreover, we may face claims from others that the third-party technology or content incorporated in our products violates proprietary rights held by those claimants. We may also face claims for indemnification from our customers resulting from infringement claims against them based on the incorporation of third-party technology or content in our products. Although we are generally indemnified against such claims, in some cases the scope of that indemnification is limited. Even if we receive broad indemnification, third parties contractually obligated to indemnify us are not always well capitalized and may not be able to indemnify us in the event of infringement. In addition, such claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources in addition to potential product redevelopment costs and delays, all of which could materially adversely affect our business.
Skillsoft®, the Skillsoft logo, Books24x7®, Skillport®, SkillChoice®, RolePlay®, Express Guide®, SkillBlend®, ITPro, BusinessPro, OfficeEssentials, GovEssentials, EngineeringPro, FinancePro, AnalystPerspectives, Well-BeingEssentials, ExecSummaries, ExecBlueprints, inGenius®, Dialogue, Element K®, Quickskill, LiveEquations®, SkillStudio®, The Skillsoft Learning Growth Model®, Skillsoft Leadership Advantage, Skillsoft Professional Advantage, Skillsoft Sales Advantage, Skillsoft Advantage, Leadership Channel, Quicktalk, SkillSim, SkillBriefs, Live Learning, Business Impact Series and Search & Learn® are trademarks or registered marks of Skillsoft or its subsidiaries that are used in connection with the operation of our business. Skillsoft and its subsidiaries have registered trademarks in the United States and in various other countries.
Employees
As of January 31, 2014, we employed 1,400 people globally.
At January 31, 2014, 436 employees were engaged in sales, sales operations, sales management, marketing, sales training and telesales, 184 were in finance, administration, business applications, corporate development and IT, 341 employees were in customer service and support, application engineering, business process improvement and services and 439 were in product development, custom solutions, mentoring, product management, production and hosting.
As of January 31, 2014, 776 employees were located in the United States and 624 in our international locations. None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement and we have not experienced any work stoppages. We believe that our employee relations are good.
Our future success will depend in large part on the continued service of our key management, sales, product development and operational personnel and on our ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified employees. We also depend on writers, programmers and graphic artists. We expect to continue to hire additional product development, sales and marketing, information services, accounting staff and other resources as we deem appropriate to meet our business objectives.
13
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investors should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision with respect to our shares.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDEBTEDNESS AND CERTAIN OTHER OBLIGATIONS
OUR SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO RAISE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL TO FUND OUR OPERATIONS, LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO REACT TO CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY OR OUR INDUSTRY, EXPOSE US TO INTEREST RATE RISK TO THE EXTENT OF OUR VARIABLE RATE DEBT AND PREVENT US FROM MEETING OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER OUR SENIOR NOTES.
As a result of the Acquisition, the acquisition of Element K and the acquisition of MindLeaders, we have incurred substantial debt and we are highly leveraged. The following chart shows our level of indebtedness as of January 31, 2014:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2014 |
|
|
| (dollars in millions) |
|
Senior Credit Facilities | $ | 415.9 |
|
11.125% Senior Notes due 2018 |
| 310.0 |
|
Total | $ | 725.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Our high degree of leverage could have important consequences, including:
· | making it more difficult for us to make payments on our 11.125% Senior Notes due 2018 (“Senior Notes”); |
· | increasing our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions; |
· | requiring a substantial portion of cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities; |
· | exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates as the borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities are at variable rates of interest; |
· | restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures; |
· | limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development, debt service requirements, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; and |
· | limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who are less highly leveraged. |
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in our Senior Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes. If new indebtedness is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.
At January 31, 2014, we had approximately $415.9 million of debt outstanding under our Senior Credit Facilities, which bear interest based on a floating rate index with a minimum rate of 1.25%. A 0.125% increase to a floating rate greater than 1.25% could cause our annual interest expense to increase by approximately $0.5 million.
14
OUR DEBT AGREEMENTS CONTAIN RESTRICTIONS THAT LIMIT OUR FLEXIBILITY IN OPERATING OUR BUSINESS.
Our Senior Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes contain various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions. These covenants limit our and our restricted subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase, our capital stock, make certain acquisitions or investments, incur or permit to exist certain liens, enter into transactions with affiliates or sell our assets to, merge or consolidate with or into, another company. In addition, our Senior Credit Facilities require us to satisfy a maximum secured leverage ratio financial covenant, which becomes more restrictive over time but less restrictive in connection with certain material acquisitions. Such financial covenant is tested on the last day of each fiscal quarter (but failure to maintain the required ratio would not result in a default under the revolving credit facility so long as the revolving credit facility is undrawn at such time).
We pledged a significant portion of our assets as collateral under the Senior Credit Facilities. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Senior Credit Facilities, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the Senior Credit Facilities to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under the Senior Credit Facilities could proceed against the collateral granted to them that secure such indebtedness. If the lenders under the Senior Credit Facilities accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay the Senior Credit Facilities, as well as our other secured and unsecured indebtedness, including the Senior Notes.
OUR ABILITY TO SERVICE AND REPAY OUR DEBT, INCLUDING THE SENIOR NOTES, WILL BE ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON THE CASH FLOW GENERATED BY SKILLSOFT AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.
Skillsoft Limited and its subsidiaries own all of our operating assets and conduct all of our operations. Accordingly, repayment of our indebtedness, including the Senior Notes, is dependent on the generation of cash flow by Skillsoft Limited and its subsidiaries and their ability to make such cash available to us, by dividend, debt repayment or otherwise. Unless they are guarantors, our subsidiaries do not have any obligation to pay amounts due on the Senior Notes or to make funds available for that purpose. Our subsidiaries may not be able to, or may not be permitted to, make distributions or debt repayments to enable us to make payments in respect of our indebtedness, including the Senior Notes. Each such subsidiary is a distinct legal entity and, under certain circumstances, legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from them. While the Senior Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes limit the ability of our guarantor subsidiaries to incur consensual encumbrances and include restrictions on their ability to pay dividends or make other intercompany payments to us, these limitations are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions. In the event that we do not receive cash from our subsidiaries, we will be unable to make required principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, including the Senior Notes.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GENERATE SUFFICIENT CASH TO SERVICE ALL OF OUR INDEBTEDNESS, INCLUDING THE SENIOR NOTES, AND WE MAY BE FORCED TO TAKE OTHER ACTIONS TO SATISFY OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER OUR INDEBTEDNESS, WHICH MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flow from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including the Senior Notes. If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations and operating lease obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the Senior Notes. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. Our Senior Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from the disposition. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds that we could otherwise realize from such dispositions and any such proceeds that are realized may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due.
15
A NOTEHOLDER’S RIGHT TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS ON THE SENIOR NOTES IS EFFECTIVELY JUNIOR TO THOSE LENDERS WHO HAVE A SECURITY INTEREST IN OUR ASSETS.
Our obligations under the Senior Notes and our guarantors’ obligations under their guarantees of the Senior Notes are unsecured, but our obligations under our Senior Credit Facilities and each guarantor’s obligations under their respective guarantees of the Senior Credit Facilities are secured by a security interest in substantially all of our and our immediate parent’s tangible and intangible assets, including our stock and the stock and the assets of certain of our current and future subsidiaries. As of January 31, 2014, we had $725.9 million in outstanding debt on our consolidated balance sheet, of which $415.9 million is secured, and $40.0 million of available unused borrowing capacity under the revolving portions of our Senior Credit Facilities.
If we are declared bankrupt or insolvent, or if we default under our Senior Credit Facilities, the lenders could declare all of the funds borrowed thereunder, together with accrued interest, immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay such indebtedness, the lenders could foreclose on the pledged assets to the exclusion of holders of the Senior Notes, even if an event of default exists under the indenture governing the Senior Notes at such time. Because of the structural subordination of the Senior Notes relative to our secured indebtedness, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution, our assets will not be available to pay obligations under the Senior Notes until we have made all payments in cash on our secured indebtedness. We cannot assure you that sufficient assets will remain after all these payments have been made to make any payments on the Senior Notes, including payments of principal or interest when due.
Furthermore, if the lenders foreclose and sell the pledged equity interests in any subsidiary guarantor under the Senior Notes, then that guarantor will be released from its guarantee of the Senior Notes automatically and immediately upon such sale. In any such event, because the Senior Notes are not secured by any of our assets or the equity interests in subsidiary guarantors, it is possible that there would be no assets remaining from which a noteholder’s claims could be satisfied or, if any assets remained, they might be insufficient to satisfy such claims fully.
The indenture governing the Senior Notes permits us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including additional senior secured indebtedness.
NOTEHOLDERS’ CLAIMS TO OUR ASSETS ARE STRUCTURALLY SUBORDINATED TO ALL OF THE CREDITORS OF ANY NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES.
Not all of our subsidiaries guarantee the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to indebtedness (and other liabilities) of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor subsidiaries, the non-guarantor subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us.
The indenture governing the Senior Notes requires that each of our restricted subsidiaries (other than immaterial subsidiaries and certain other excluded subsidiaries) that guarantees the obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities or certain of our other indebtedness also become a guarantor of the Senior Notes. Our other subsidiaries are not required to become guarantors of the Senior Notes under the indenture governing the Senior Notes. The terms of the Senior Credit Facilities, including the provisions relating to which our subsidiaries guarantee the obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities, may be amended, modified or waived, and guarantees thereunder may be released, in each case at the lenders’ discretion and without the consent or approval of noteholders. Noteholders will not have a claim as a creditor against any subsidiary that is no longer a guarantor of the Senior Notes, and the indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, whether secured or unsecured, of those subsidiaries is effectively senior, in respect of the assets of such subsidiaries, to claims of noteholders. As of January 31, 2014, the non-guarantor subsidiaries have no outstanding indebtedness.
16
IF WE DEFAULT ON OUR OBLIGATIONS TO PAY OUR INDEBTEDNESS, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE SENIOR NOTES.
Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, that is not waived by the required lenders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness, could prevent us from paying principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes and could substantially decrease the market value of the Senior Notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness (including covenants in our Senior Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes), we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness, including our Senior Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under our Senior Credit Facilities could elect to terminate their commitments thereunder, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our Senior Credit Facilities to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our Senior Credit Facilities and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we would be in default under our Senior Credit Facilities, the lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPURCHASE THE SENIOR NOTES UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL.
Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events, we are required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Senior Notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. The source of funds for any such purchase of the Senior Notes will be our available cash or cash generated from our subsidiaries’ operations or other sources, including borrowings, sales of assets or sales of equity. We may not be able to repurchase the Senior Notes upon a change of control because we may not have sufficient financial resources to purchase all of the Senior Notes that are tendered upon a change of control. Further, we are contractually restricted under the terms of our Senior Credit Facilities from repurchasing all of the Senior Notes tendered by holders upon a change of control. Accordingly, we may not be able to satisfy our obligations to purchase the Senior Notes unless we are able to refinance or obtain waivers under our Senior Credit Facilities. Our failure to repurchase the Senior Notes upon a change of control would cause a default under the indenture governing the Senior Notes and a cross-default under the Senior Credit Facilities. The Senior Credit Facilities also provide that a change of control will be a default that permits lenders to accelerate the maturity of borrowings thereunder. Any of our future debt agreements may contain similar provisions.
NOTEHOLDERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN A CHANGE OF CONTROL GIVING RISE TO THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE THE SENIOR NOTES REPURCHASED BY US HAS OCCURRED FOLLOWING A SALE OF “SUBSTANTIALLY ALL” OF OUR ASSETS.
A change of control, as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, requires us to make an offer to repurchase all outstanding Senior Notes. The definition of change of control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or transfer of “all or substantially all” of our assets. There is no precisely established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of holders of the Senior Notes to require us to repurchase their notes as a result of a sale, lease or transfer of less than all of our assets to another individual, group or entity may be uncertain.
17
FEDERAL AND STATE FRAUDULENT TRANSFER LAWS MAY PERMIT A COURT TO VOID THE SENIOR NOTES OR THE GUARANTEES, AND, IF THAT OCCURS, NOTEHOLDERS MAY NOT RECEIVE ANY PAYMENTS ON THE SENIOR NOTES.
Federal and state fraudulent transfer and conveyance statutes may apply to the issuance of the Senior Notes and the incurrence of the guarantees. Under federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, which may vary from state to state, the Senior Notes or guarantees could be voided as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance if (1) we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, issued the Senior Notes or incurred the guarantees with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or (2) we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for either issuing the Senior Notes or incurring the guarantees and, in the case of (2) only, one of the following is also true at the time thereof:
· | we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, were insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the Senior Notes or the incurrence of the guarantees; |
· | the issuance of the Senior Notes or the incurrence of the guarantees left us or any of the guarantors, as applicable, with an unreasonably small amount of capital to carry on the business; |
· | we or any of the guarantors intended to, or believed that we or such guarantor would, incur debts beyond our or such guarantor’s ability to pay as they mature; or |
· | we or any of the guarantors were a defendant in an action for money damages, or had a judgment for money damages docketed against us or such guarantor if, in either case, after final judgment, the judgment is unsatisfied. |
If a court were to find that the issuance of the Senior Notes or the incurrence of the guarantee was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void the payment obligations under the Senior Notes or such guarantee or subordinate the Senior Notes or such guarantee to presently existing and future indebtedness of ours or of the related guarantor, or require the holders of the Senior Notes to repay any amounts received. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, a holder of the Senior Notes may not receive any payment on the Senior Notes. Further, the voidance of the Senior Notes could result in an event of default with respect to our and our subsidiaries’ other debt that could result in acceleration of such debt. As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or satisfied. A debtor will generally not be considered to have received value in connection with a debt offering if the debtor uses the proceeds of that offering to make a dividend payment or otherwise retire or redeem equity securities issued by the debtor.
We cannot be certain as to the standards a court would use to determine whether or not we or the guarantors were solvent at the relevant time or, regardless of the standard that a court uses, that the Senior Notes or the guarantees would not be subordinated to our or any of our guarantors’ other debt.
BECAUSE SSI II IS INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF IRELAND, IT IS SUBJECT TO THE INSOLVENCY LAWS OF THAT JURISDICTION, INCLUDING “EXAMINERSHIP.”
“Examinership” is a court procedure available under the Irish Companies (Amendment) Act 1990, as amended, to facilitate the survival of companies in financial difficulties. SSI II, its directors, a contingent, prospective or actual creditor of SSI II (including an employee), or shareholders of SSI II, at the date of presentation of the petition, not less than one-tenth of the voting share capital of SSI II are each entitled to petition the court for the appointment of an examiner.
The examiner, once appointed, has the power to set aside contracts and arrangements entered into by the company after the time of appointment and, in certain circumstances, can avoid a negative pledge given by the company prior to the time of appointment.
During the period of court protection, the examiner will compile proposals for a compromise or scheme of arrangement to assist the survival of the company as a going concern. A scheme of arrangement may be approved by the High Court of Ireland when at least one class of creditors has voted in favor of the proposals and the High Court of Ireland is satisfied that such proposals are fair and equitable in relation to any class of shareholders or creditors who have not accepted the proposals and whose interests would be impaired by implementation of the scheme of arrangement.
18
If an examiner were to be appointed with respect to SSI II:
· | the principal amount of the Senior Notes may be written down; |
· | any negative pledge in the indenture relating to the Senior Notes or other related transaction documents prohibiting the creation of a security interest or the incurrence of debt by SSI II may be set aside in order to enable the examiner to borrow on behalf of SSI II to fund SSI II during the protection period; and |
· | in the event that a scheme of arrangement is not approved and SSI II subsequently goes into liquidation, the examiner’s remuneration and expenses (including certain borrowings incurred by the examiner on behalf of SSI II and approved by the High Court of Ireland) will take priority over the claims of the noteholders. |
RISKS RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF OUR BUSINESS
OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY, LIMITING YOUR ABILITY TO EVALUATE HISTORICAL FINANCIAL RESULTS AND INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD THAT OUR RESULTS WILL FALL BELOW MARKET ANALYSTS' EXPECTATIONS.
Our operating results have historically fluctuated, and our operating results may in the future continue to fluctuate, as a result of factors, which include, without limitation:
· | the size, timing and successful closing of new/renewal agreements and upgrades; |
· | royalty rates; |
· | the announcement, introduction and acceptance of new products, product enhancements and technologies by us and our competitors; |
· | the mix of sales between our field sales force, our other direct sales channels and our telesales channels; |
· | general conditions in the U.S. and/or the international economy; |
· | the loss of significant customers; |
· | delays in availability of new products; |
· | product or service quality problems; |
· | seasonality—due to the budget and purchasing cycles of our customers, we expect order intake and billings will generally be strongest in the second half of our fiscal year and weakest in the first half of our fiscal year; |
· | the spending patterns of our customers; |
· | litigation costs and expenses; |
· | non-recurring charges related to acquisitions; |
· | growing competition that may result in price reductions and customer loss; and |
· | currency fluctuations. |
Most of our expenses, such as interest, rent and most employee compensation, do not vary directly with revenue and are difficult to adjust in the short-term. As a result, if revenue for a particular quarter is below our expectations, we could not proportionately reduce operating expenses for that quarter. Any such revenue shortfall would, therefore, have a disproportionate effect on our expected operating results for that quarter.
19
PAST AND FUTURE ACQUISITIONS MAY NOT PRODUCE THE BENEFITS WE ANTICIPATE AND COULD HARM OUR CURRENT OPERATIONS.
One aspect of our business strategy is to pursue acquisitions of businesses or technologies that will contribute to our future growth. However, we may not be successful in identifying or consummating attractive acquisition opportunities. Moreover, any acquisitions we do consummate may not produce benefits commensurate with the purchase price we pay or our expectations for the acquisition. In addition, acquisitions involve numerous risks, including:
· | difficulties in integrating the technologies, operations, financial controls and personnel of the acquired company; |
· | difficulties in retaining or transitioning customers and employees of the acquired company; |
· | diversion of management time and focus; |
· | the incurrence of unanticipated expenses associated with the acquisition or the assumption of unknown liabilities or unanticipated financial, accounting or other problems of the acquired company; and |
· | accounting charges related to the acquisition, including restructuring charges, transaction costs, write-offs of in-process research and development costs, and subsequent impairment charges relating to goodwill or other intangible assets acquired in the transaction. |
DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IS ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO GENERAL GLOBAL MARKET AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.
Weakness in the United States, the European Union and/or worldwide economy has had and could continue to have a negative effect on demand for our products and our results of operations. Companies may not view training products and services as critical to the success of their businesses. If these companies continue to experience disappointing operating results, whether as a result of adverse economic conditions, competitive issues or other factors, they may decrease or forgo education and training expenditures before limiting their other expenditures or in conjunction with lowering other expenses. In addition, during economic downturns, customers may slow the rate at which they pay vendors or may become unable to pay their debts as they become due, which would have a negative effect on our results.
INCREASED COMPETITION MAY RESULT IN DECREASED DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, WHICH MAY RESULT IN REDUCED REVENUE AND GROSS PROFITS AND LOSS OF MARKET SHARE.
The market for corporate education and training solutions is highly fragmented and competitive. We expect the market to become increasingly competitive due to the lack of significant barriers to entry. In addition to increased competition from new companies entering into the market, established companies are entering into the market through acquisitions of smaller companies, which directly compete with us, and this trend is expected to continue. We may also face competition from publishing companies, educational institutions, vendors of application software and human resource outsourcers, including those vendors with whom we have formed development and marketing alliances. Our primary sources of direct competition are:
· | third-party suppliers of instructor-led information technology, business, management and professional skills education and training; |
· | technology companies that offer learning courses covering their own technology products; |
· | suppliers of computer-based training and elearning solutions; |
· | internal education, training departments and human resources outsourcers of potential customers; |
· | value-added resellers and network integrators; and |
· | educational institutions. |
Growing competition may result in price reductions, reduced revenue and gross profits and loss of market share, any one of which would have a material adverse effect on our business. Many of our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources, as well as greater name recognition, and we expect to face increasing price pressures from competitors as managers demand more value for their training budgets. Accordingly, we may be unable to provide elearning solutions that compare favorably with new instructor-led techniques, other interactive training software or new elearning solutions.
20
WE RELY ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF THIRD PARTIES TO PROVIDE US WITH EDUCATIONAL CONTENT FOR OUR COURSES AND REFERENCEWARE, AND OUR ALLIANCES WITH THESE THIRD PARTIES MAY BE TERMINATED OR FAIL TO MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS.
We rely on a limited number of independent third parties to provide us with the educational content for a majority of our courses based on learning objectives and specific instructional design templates that we provide to them. We do not have exclusive arrangements or long-term contracts with any of these content providers. If one or more of our third party content providers were to stop working with us, we would have to rely on other parties to develop our course content. In addition, these providers may fail to develop new courses or update existing courses on a timely basis. We cannot predict whether new content or enhancements would be available from reliable alternative sources on reasonable terms. In addition, our subsidiary, Books24x7® relies on third party publishers to provide all of the content incorporated into its Referenceware products. If one or more of these publishers were to terminate their license with us, we may not be able to find substitute publishers for such content. In addition, we may be forced to pay increased royalties to these publishers to continue our licenses with them.
In the event that we are unable to maintain or expand our current development alliances or enter into new development alliances, our operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Furthermore, we will be required to pay royalties to some of our development partners on products developed with them, which could reduce our gross margins. We expect that cost of revenue may fluctuate from period to period in the future based upon many factors, including the revenue mix and the timing of expenses associated with development alliances. In addition, the collaborative nature of the development process under these alliances may result in longer development times and less control over the timing of product introductions than for elearning offerings developed solely by us. Our strategic alliance partners may from time to time renegotiate the terms of their agreements with us, which could result in changes to the royalty or other arrangements, adversely affecting our results of operations.
The independent third party strategic partners we rely on for educational content and product marketing may compete with us, harming our results of operations. Our agreements with these third parties generally do not restrict them from developing courses on similar topics for our competitors or from competing directly with us. As a result, our competitors may be able to duplicate some of our course content and gain a competitive advantage.
OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE RAPIDLY CHANGING MARKET.
The market for education and training software is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, changes in customer requirements and preferences and frequent introductions of new products and services embodying new technologies. New methods of providing interactive education in a technology-based format are being developed and offered in the marketplace, including intranet and Internet offerings. In addition, multimedia and other product functionality features are being added to educational software. Our future success will depend upon the extent to which we are able to develop and implement products which address these emerging market requirements on a cost effective and timely basis. Product development is risky because it is difficult to foresee developments in technology coordinate technical personnel and identify and eliminate design flaws. Any significant delay in releasing new products could have a material adverse effect on the ultimate success of our products and could reduce sales of predecessor products. We may not be successful in introducing new products on a timely basis. In addition, new products introduced by us may fail to achieve a significant degree of market acceptance or, once accepted, may fail to sustain viability in the market for any significant period. If we are unsuccessful in addressing the changing needs of the marketplace due to resource, technological or other constraints, or in anticipating and responding adequately to changes in customers' software technology and preferences, our business and results of operations would be materially adversely affected. We, along with the rest of the industry, face a challenging and competitive market for IT spending that has resulted in reduced contract values for our formal learning product lines. This pricing pressure has a negative impact on revenue for these product lines and may have a continued or increased adverse impact in the future.
THE ELEARNING MARKET IS A DEVELOPING MARKET, AND OUR BUSINESS WILL SUFFER IF ELEARNING IS NOT WIDELY ACCEPTED.
The market for elearning is a new and emerging market. Corporate training and education have historically been conducted primarily through classroom instruction and have traditionally been performed by a company's internal personnel. Many companies have invested heavily in their current training solutions. Although technology-based training applications have been available for several years, they currently account for only a small portion of the overall training market.
21
Accordingly, our future success will depend upon the extent to which companies adopt technology-based solutions for their training activities, and the extent to which companies utilize the services or purchase products of third-party providers. Many companies that have already invested substantial resources in traditional methods of corporate training may be reluctant to adopt a new strategy that may compete with their existing investments. Even if companies implement technology-based training or elearning solutions, they may still choose to design, develop, deliver or manage all or part of their education and training internally. If technology-based learning does not become widespread, or if companies do not use the products and services of third parties to develop, deliver or manage their training needs, then our products and service may not achieve commercial success.
NEW PRODUCTS INTRODUCED BY US MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL.
An important part of our growth strategy is the development and introduction of new products that open up new revenue streams for us. Despite our efforts, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in developing and introducing new products, or that any new products we do introduce will be met with commercial acceptance. The failure to successfully introduce new products will not only hamper our growth prospects but may also adversely impact our net income due to the development and marketing expenses associated with those new products.
THE SUCCESS OF OUR ELEARNING STRATEGY DEPENDS ON THE RELIABILITY AND CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE OF OUR INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE.
The success of our elearning strategy is highly dependent on the consistent performance of our information systems and Internet infrastructure. If our website fails for any reason or if it experiences any unscheduled downtimes, even for only a short period, our business and reputation could be materially harmed. We have in the past experienced performance problems and unscheduled downtime, and these problems could recur. We currently rely on third parties for proper functioning of computer infrastructure, delivery of our elearning applications and the performance of our destination site. Our systems and operations could be damaged or interrupted by fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquake, financial patterns of hosting providers and similar events. Any system failures could adversely affect customer usage of our solutions and user traffic results in any future quarters, which could adversely affect our revenue and operating results and harm our reputation with corporate customers, subscribers and commerce partners. The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our website and computer infrastructure are critical to our reputation and ability to attract and retain corporate customers, subscribers and commerce partners. We cannot accurately project the rate or timing of any increases in traffic to our website and, therefore, the integration and timing of any upgrades or enhancements required to facilitate any significant traffic increase to the website are uncertain. We have in the past experienced difficulties in upgrading our website infrastructure to handle increased traffic, and these difficulties could recur. The failure to expand and upgrade our website or any system error, failure or extended down time could materially harm our business, reputation, financial condition or results of operations.
BECAUSE MANY USERS OF OUR ELEARNING SOLUTIONS WILL ACCESS THEM OVER THE INTERNET, FACTORS ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE USE OF THE INTERNET OR OUR CUSTOMERS' NETWORKING INFRASTRUCTURES COULD HARM OUR BUSINESS.
Many of our customers' users access our elearning solutions over the Internet or through our customers' internal networks. Any factors that adversely affect Internet usage could disrupt the ability of those users to access our elearning solutions, which would adversely affect customer satisfaction and therefore our business.
For example, our ability to increase the effectiveness and scope of our services to customers is ultimately limited by the speed and reliability of both the Internet and our customers' internal networks. Consequently, the emergence and growth of the market for our products and services depends upon the improvements being made to the entire Internet as well as to our individual customers' networking infrastructures to alleviate overloading and congestion. If these improvements are not made, and the quality of networks degrades, the ability of our customers to use our products and services will be hindered and our revenue may suffer.
22
Additionally, a requirement for the continued growth of accessing elearning solutions over the Internet is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. Failure to prevent security breaches into our products or our customers' networks, or well-publicized security breaches affecting the Internet in general could significantly harm our growth and revenue. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments may result in a compromise of technology we use to protect content and transactions, our products or our customers' proprietary information in our databases. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary and confidential information or could cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against such security breaches or to address problems caused by security breaches. The privacy of users may also deter people from using the Internet to conduct transactions that involve transmitting confidential information.
WE DEPEND ON A FEW KEY PERSONNEL TO MANAGE AND OPERATE THE BUSINESS AND MUST BE ABLE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES.
Our success is largely dependent on the personal efforts and abilities of our senior management. Failure to retain these executives, or the loss of certain additional senior management personnel or other key employees, could have a material adverse effect on our business and future prospects. We are also dependent on the continued service of our key sales, content development and operational personnel and on our ability to attract, train, motivate and retain highly qualified employees. In addition, we depend on writers, programmers, Web designers and graphic artists. We may be unsuccessful in attracting, training, retaining or motivating key personnel. The inability to hire, train and retain qualified personnel or the loss of the services of key personnel could have a material adverse effect upon our business, new product development efforts and future business prospects.
OUR BUSINESS IS SUBJECT TO CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS THAT HAVE, AND COULD CONTINUE TO, ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATING RESULTS.
Due to our multinational operations, our operating results are subject to fluctuations based upon changes in the exchange rates between the currencies in which revenue is collected or expenses are paid. In particular, the value of the U.S. dollar against the Euro, pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar, Singapore dollar and related currencies will impact our operating results. Our expenses will not necessarily be incurred in the currency in which revenue is generated, and, as a result, we will be required from time to time to convert currencies to meet our obligations. These currency conversions are subject to exchange rate fluctuations, and changes to the value of these currencies and other currencies relative to the U.S. dollar have and could continue to adversely affect our business and results of operations.
LEGISLATION MAY BE INTRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT COULD SUBJECT US TO TAXATION AS A U.S. CORPORATION.
During the last Congress, legislation was proposed that sought to prevent U.S. companies from taking advantage of lower tax rates in foreign jurisdictions. If similar legislation is proposed and enacted, a foreign corporation will be treated, and therefore taxed, as a domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, if it is (a) either publicly traded or has gross assets of at least $50 million and (b) managed and controlled in the U.S. At this point, it is impossible to tell whether such legislation will be proposed, let alone enacted into law, or whether the provisions of any enacted legislation would apply to Skillsoft. In addition, we believe that if any such proposed legislation does become law, it would not take effect for several years. If any tax legislation of this nature is ultimately adopted, we would assess its impact on us and take steps, where appropriate, to mitigate such impact. However, it is possible that we could become subject to additional taxes as a result of the adoption of such legislation.
23
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO PROTECT OUR PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MAY RESULT IN DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES THAT COMPETE WITH OURS.
Our success depends to a degree upon the protection of our rights in intellectual property. We rely upon a combination of patent, copyright, and trademark laws to protect our proprietary rights. We have also entered into, and will continue to enter into, confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and third parties to seek to limit and protect the distribution of confidential information. However, we have not signed protective agreements in every case.
Although we have taken steps to protect our proprietary rights, these steps may be inadequate. Existing patent, copyright, and trademark laws offer only limited protection. Moreover, the laws of other countries in which we market our products may afford little or no effective protection of our intellectual property. Additionally, unauthorized parties may copy aspects of our products, services or technology or obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Other parties may also breach protective contracts we have executed or will in the future execute. We may not become aware of, or have adequate remedies in the event of, a breach. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce or to determine the validity and scope of our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Even if we were to prevail, such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources.
OUR WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS THAT COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS.
We expect that international operations will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenue and are subject to inherent risks, including:
· | difficulties or delays in developing and supporting non-English language versions of our products and services; |
· | political and economic conditions in various jurisdictions; |
· | difficulties in staffing and managing foreign subsidiary operations; |
· | longer sales cycles and account receivable payment cycles; |
· | multiple, conflicting and changing governmental laws and regulations; |
· | foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; |
· | protectionist laws and business practices that may favor local competitors; |
· | difficulties in finding and managing local resellers; |
· | potential adverse tax consequences; |
· | the absence or significant lack of legal protection for intellectual property rights; and |
· | our smaller presence in particular markets, small number of sales people and small number of products localized. |
Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our future operations outside of the United States, which could negatively impact our future operating results.
OUR SALES CYCLE MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO PREDICT OUR OPERATING RESULTS.
The period between our initial contact with a potential customer and the purchase of our products by that customer typically ranges from three to twelve months or more. Factors that contribute to our long sales cycle, include:
· | our need to educate potential customers about the benefits of our products; |
· | competitive evaluations by customers; |
· | the customers' internal budgeting and approval processes; |
· | the fact that many customers view training products as discretionary spending, rather than purchases essential to their business; |
· | the fact that we target large companies, which often take longer to make purchasing decisions due to the size and complexity of the enterprise; and |
· | the customers philosophy may not be accepting of our type of solution. |
24
These long sales cycles make it difficult to predict the quarter in which sales may occur. Delays in sales could cause significant variability in our revenue and operating results for any particular period.
OUR BUSINESS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF OUR PRODUCTS CONTAIN ERRORS.
Software products as complex as ours contain known and undetected errors or "bugs" that result in product failures. The existence of bugs could result in loss of or delay in revenue, loss of market share, diversion of product development resources, injury to reputation or damage to efforts to build brand awareness, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
WE ARE CONTROLLED BY OUR PRINCIPAL EQUITY HOLDERS, WHICH HAVE THE POWER TO TAKE UNILATERAL ACTION THAT COULD BE ADVERSE TO THE INTERESTS OF HOLDERS OF THE SENIOR NOTES.
Investment funds controlled by Berkshire Partners LLC ("Berkshire Partners"), Advent International Corporation ("Advent") and Bain Capital Partners, LLC ("Bain Capital" and, together with Berkshire Partners and Advent, the "Sponsors") generally control our affairs and policies. Circumstances may occur in which the interests of these equity holders could be in conflict with the interests of the holders of the Senior Notes. In addition, these equity holders may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures or other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to holders of the Senior Notes. On March 14, our indirect parent company, SSILuxco S.a.r.l., entered into a definitive agreement to sell Skillsoft to funds managed by Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP.
RISKS RELATED TO LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
CLAIMS THAT WE INFRINGE UPON THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS COULD RESULT IN COSTLY LITIGATION OR ROYALTY PAYMENTS TO THIRD PARTIES, OR REQUIRE US TO REENGINEER OR CEASE SALES OF OUR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.
Third parties have in the past and could in the future claim that our current or future products infringe their intellectual property rights. Any claim, with or without merit, could result in costly litigation or require us to reengineer or cease sales of our products or services, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Infringement claims could also result in an injunction barring the sale of our products or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements. Licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to the combined company or at all. From time to time we learn of parties that claim broad intellectual property rights in the elearning area that might implicate our offerings. These parties or others could initiate actions against us in the future.
WE COULD INCUR SUBSTANTIAL COSTS RESULTING FROM PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS RELATING TO OUR CUSTOMERS' USE OF OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
Many of the business interactions supported by our products and services are critical to our customers' businesses. Any failure in a customer's business interaction or other collaborative activity caused or allegedly caused in the future by our products and services could result in a claim for substantial damages against us, regardless of our responsibility for the failure. Although we maintain general liability insurance, including coverage for errors and omissions, there can be no assurance that existing coverage will continue to be available on reasonable terms or will be available in amounts sufficient to cover one or more large claims, or that the insurer will not disclaim coverage as to any future claim.
WE COULD BE SUBJECTED TO LEGAL ACTIONS BASED UPON THE CONTENT WE OBTAIN FROM THIRD PARTIES OVER WHOM WE EXERT LIMITED CONTROL.
It is possible that we could become subject to legal actions based upon claims that our course content infringes the rights of others or is erroneous. Any such claims, with or without merit, could subject us to costly litigation and the diversion of our financial resources and management personnel. The risk of such claims is exacerbated by the fact that our course content is provided by third parties over whom we exert limited control. Further, if those claims are successful, we may be required to alter the content, pay financial damages or obtain content from others.
25
IN PRIOR YEARS, SOME OF OUR INTERNATIONAL SUBSIDIARIES HAVE NOT COMPLIED WITH REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THEIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND TAX RETURNS.
We operate our business in various foreign countries through subsidiaries organized in those countries. Some of our subsidiaries in the past have been delayed in the filing of their audited statutory financial statements and have been delayed in filing their tax returns in their respective jurisdictions. As a result, some of these foreign subsidiaries may be subject to regulatory restrictions, penalties and fines and additional taxes.
OUR TAX RETURNS AND POSITIONS ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND AUDIT BY TAXING AUTHORITIES, AND ADVERSE OUTCOMES RESULTING FROM EXAMINATION OF OUR INCOME OR OTHER TAX RETURNS, INCLUDING THE ONGOING AUDIT BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE OF OUR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS FOR THE TAX YEARS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2010 AND 2011, COULD EXPOSE US TO GREATER THAN ANTICIPATED TAX LIABILITIES, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS.
We are subject to income taxes in Ireland, the United States and numerous other jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our global provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities. In the ordinary course of a global business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Our tax returns are routinely subject to audit and review by the relevant taxing authorities, and such audits and reviews may result in additional taxes, interest and penalties, which could adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
As described in Note 7 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, in August 2011 we were notified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that our U.S. federal income tax return for the tax year ended January 31, 2010 had been selected for examination, and in December 2011 the IRS added our tax return for the tax year ended January 31, 2011 to its examination.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the IRS completed its field examination of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for the tax years ended January 31, 2010 and 2011. On December 3, 2013, the IRS proposed certain adjustments relating to the value of intellectual property sold by the Company to an Irish affiliate during the Company’s tax year ended January 31, 2010. The IRS proposed adjustments to our reported tax positions would increase the Company’s cumulative tax liability, including interest and penalties by approximately $92.4 million. The Company disagrees with the proposed adjustments and on January 30, 2014 provided to the IRS its formal protest and request that the matter be heard by an IRS Appeals Officer. Based on the Company’s view of the merits of the position taken by the IRS in its proposed adjustments and on discussions with its tax advisors, the Company has concluded that recording a liability for the proposed adjustments related to the above issue is not required. The Company expects to continue to contest the proposed adjustments and is working with its outside tax advisors and the IRS to resolve this dispute in a timely and effective manner.
Although the Company believes that the estimates of income taxes payable included in its financial statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the Company will prevail in the final resolution of the proposed adjustments and, in addition, the Company may determine to settle the matter for business or other reasons for an amount in excess of any tax liability that the Company believes is owed. As a result, the actual income taxes payable by the Company may differ from what is reflected in the Company’s historical income tax provisions and accruals and such differences could be material. If the IRS prevails or the Company determines to settle the matter, a cash payment could be required, thereby negatively and adversely impacting the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Company will continue to reassess the adequacy of its existing tax reserves as the matter progresses and, through that process, the Company may determine the need to increase its existing reserves by a material amount.
We are unable to predict the outcome of this or any other tax audit or its potential impact on our operating results or financial position. Regardless of the outcome, we may incur substantial costs and the diversion of management time and attention resulting from the IRS examination, which could potentially have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We will continue to reassess the adequacy of our existing tax reserves as the examination progresses and, through that process, we may determine the need to increase our existing reserves by a material amount.
26
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties
Our United States headquarters are located in Nashua, New Hampshire where we lease an aggregate of 69,382 square feet. We have one lease for 43,982 square feet of space and a second for 25,400 square feet of space. The leases for both locations have been extended to June 2019 and September 2014, respectively. In addition to our United States headquarters, our other primary facilities are located in Dublin, Ireland; Norwood, Massachusetts; Knoxville, Tennessee; Rochester, New York; Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada; and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Our worldwide headquarters are located in Dublin, Ireland, where we currently lease and occupy a 20,458 square foot facility, which primarily houses our main content development center.
In Norwood, Massachusetts, we currently lease and occupy 6,570 square feet. This facility houses the operations of our Books24x7® product development team under a lease that expires in May 2016.
In Knoxville, Tennessee, we currently lease and occupy 9,025 square feet. This facility houses our compliance team under a lease that expires in February 2016.
In Rochester, New York, we currently lease a 94,800 square foot facility and occupy a portion of such facility under a lease that expires in December 2017. This facility primarily houses product development resources and a part of our inside sales organization. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, we consolidated and reorganized this facility, including entering into a sublease with respect to a portion of the facility.
In Canada, we currently lease a total of 47,906 square feet in two buildings in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Fredericton facility primarily houses our mentoring operations, telesales and certain customer service and support personnel under a lease that expires in August 2017.
In Scottsdale, Arizona, where part of our telesales operation is located and where our Live Learning® virtual classroom team is based, we currently lease a total of 18,153 square feet. The lease for this location expires in March 2018.
We also lease sales offices in a number of other countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, India, Singapore and Australia, and we lease a development office in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
We believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet our current needs and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available on commercially reasonable terms when needed, including with respect to our Nashua locations.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are not a party to any material legal proceedings.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
There is no public trading market for our ordinary shares.
27
Shareholders
There was one owner of record of our ordinary shares as of January 31, 2014.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to fund the growth of our business, make payments on our outstanding debt obligations and/or repurchase shares. Dividends may only be declared and paid out of profits available for distribution determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Ireland and applicable Irish Company Law.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchases
None.
28
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of January 31, 2013 and 2014 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2010 and the period from February 1, 2010 through May 25, 2010, the period from May 26, 2010 through January 31, 2011, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of January 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, have been derived from other audited consolidated financial statements not included herein. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PREDECESSOR |
| SUCCESSOR (1) | ||||||||||||||
|
| Year Ended January 31, 2010 |
|
| February 1, to May 25, 2010 |
|
| May 26, 2010 to January 31, 2011 |
|
| Year Ended January 31, 2012 |
|
| Year Ended January 31, 2013 |
|
| Year Ended January 31, 2014 |
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 314,968 |
| $ | 97,538 |
| $ | 149,673 |
| $ | 329,129 |
| $ | 379,949 |
| $ | 413,588 |
Cost of revenues |
| 29,436 |
|
| 9,226 |
|
| 19,618 |
|
| 31,989 |
|
| 38,010 |
|
| 38,186 |
Cost of revenues - amortization of intangible assets |
| 128 |
|
| 40 |
|
| 43,678 |
|
| 66,050 |
|
| 60,603 |
|
| 54,748 |
Gross profit |
| 285,404 |
|
| 88,272 |
|
| 86,377 |
|
| 231,090 |
|
| 281,336 |
|
| 320,654 |
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
| 43,764 |
|
| 17,131 |
|
| 31,887 |
|
| 55,626 |
|
| 58,260 |
|
| 56,467 |
Selling and marketing |
| 95,594 |
|
| 40,378 |
|
| 61,407 |
|
| 119,575 |
|
| 140,864 |
|
| 136,271 |
General and administrative |
| 34,724 |
|
| 21,828 |
|
| 22,478 |
|
| 33,418 |
|
| 48,062 |
|
| 41,388 |
Amortization of intangible assets |
| 8,117 |
|
| 1,137 |
|
| 29,347 |
|
| 66,350 |
|
| 63,137 |
|
| 54,746 |
Acquisition related expenses |
| - |
|
| 15,063 |
|
| 22,639 |
|
| 3,500 |
|
| 4,010 |
|
| 1,445 |
Merger and integration related expenses |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 4,516 |
|
| 13,193 |
|
| 2,933 |
Restructuring |
| 49 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 2,723 |
|
| 4,497 |
|
| 2,931 |
Total operating expenses |
| 182,248 |
|
| 95,537 |
|
| 167,758 |
|
| 285,708 |
|
| 332,023 |
|
| 296,181 |
Operating income (loss) |
| 103,156 |
|
| (7,265) |
|
| (81,381) |
|
| (54,618) |
|
| (50,687) |
|
| 24,473 |
Other (expense) income, net |
| (943) |
|
| 385 |
|
| (1,619) |
|
| (1,419) |
|
| (131) |
|
| (505) |
Interest income |
| 269 |
|
| 95 |
|
| 66 |
|
| 154 |
|
| 906 |
|
| 893 |
Interest expense |
| (7,553) |
|
| (3,723) |
|
| (48,834) |
|
| (62,006) |
|
| (65,771) |
|
| (64,061) |
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes |
| 94,929 |
|
| (10,508) |
|
| (131,768) |
|
| (117,889) |
|
| (115,683) |
|
| (39,200) |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
| 23,561 |
|
| (1,894) |
|
| (12,678) |
|
| (17,550) |
|
| (18,565) |
|
| (9,797) |
Net income (loss) before discontinued operations | $ | 71,368 |
| $ | (8,614) |
| $ | (119,090) |
| $ | (100,339) |
| $ | (97,118) |
| $ | (29,403) |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 192 |
|
| (165) |
|
| 1 |
Net income (loss) | $ | 71,368 |
| $ | (8,614) |
| $ | (119,090) |
| $ | (100,147) |
| $ | (97,283) |
| $ | (29,402) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Consolidated statement of operations information for the period from May 26, 2010 through January 31, 2011, the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are not comparable to preceding periods due to the acquisition of Skillsoft PLC on May 26, 2010. |
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PREDECESSOR |
| SUCCESSOR (2) | |||||||||||
|
| As of January 31, 2010 |
|
| As of January 31, 2011 |
|
| As of January 31, 2012 |
|
| As of January 31, 2013 |
|
| As of January 31, 2014 |
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | $ | 80,241 |
| $ | 35,199 |
| $ | 28,908 |
| $ | 39,048 |
| $ | 75,936 |
Working capital (deficit) |
| 30,065 |
|
| (56,285) |
|
| (70,999) |
|
| (91,365) |
|
| (43,672) |
Long-term investments, deferred tax assets, net & other assets |
| 58,962 |
|
| 26,048 |
|
| 25,430 |
|
| 32,535 |
|
| 17,678 |
Total assets |
| 586,231 |
|
| 1,392,987 |
|
| 1,430,566 |
|
| 1,392,428 |
|
| 1,321,487 |
Long-term debt |
| 83,500 |
|
| 622,973 |
|
| 712,309 |
|
| 755,034 |
|
| 717,156 |
Shareholder's equity |
| 251,160 |
|
| 427,823 |
|
| 328,987 |
|
| 245,400 |
|
| 218,122 |
(2) Balance sheet data as of January 31, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are not comparable to preceding periods due to the acquisition of Skillsoft PLC on May 26, 2010 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
From time to time, including in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we may make forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, such matters as anticipated financial performance, business outlook and prospects, strategy, plans, regulatory, market and industry trends, expected levels of liquidity and similar matters. We note that a variety of factors, including known and unknown risks and uncertainties as well as incorrect assumptions, could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. The factors that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of our business include those discussed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
On May 26, 2010, SSI Investments III Limited ("SSI III"), a wholly owned subsidiary of SSI Investments II Limited ("SSI II"), completed its acquisition of Skillsoft PLC (the "Acquisition"), which was subsequently re-registered as a private limited company and whose corporate name changed from Skillsoft PLC to Skillsoft Limited ("Skillsoft"). Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, as used in this discussion, the terms the "Company", "we", "us", "our" and other similar terms refer to (a) prior to the Acquisition of Skillsoft, Skillsoft and its subsidiaries (the "Predecessor") and (b) from and after the Acquisition of Skillsoft, SSI II and its subsidiaries including Skillsoft (the "Successor").
On October 14, 2011, we announced that our indirect subsidiaries, Skillsoft Corporation and Skillsoft Ireland Limited, completed their acquisition of Element K from NIIT Ventures, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of NIIT Limited (the “Element K acquisition”). Element K was acquired for approximately $110 million in cash.
The Element K acquisition adds to our existing offerings in learning content and learning platform technology through the addition of Element K's complementary offerings in elearning content, virtual labs, ILT print materials and custom development services. Also, the addition of Element K employees in sales, customer support and product development strengthens our long-term ability to compete for a greater share of the approximately $48 billion global corporate training market that includes many larger players with more comprehensive product offerings.
On September 25, 2012, Skillsoft Ireland Limited (the "Buyers"), an indirect subsidiary of SSI II, completed the first closing of the cash offer (the “Offer”) for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of ThirdForce Group Limited Company (“MindLeaders”), at which time it received acceptances from approximately 91.3% of the issued and outstanding shares of MindLeaders. The Offer remained open for acceptance until October 11, 2012 for any remaining shareholders to accept the Offer and receive their funds. For the remaining 1.8% of shareholders, which did not accept the Offer by that time, the Buyers served notice on those shareholders of its intention to compulsorily acquire their shares as allowed under Irish securities law, based on the same terms of the initial Offer. All remaining shares were legally acquired during November 2012.
30
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Acquisition
On March 31, 2010, Skillsoft and SSI III announced an agreement on the terms of the proposed revised recommended acquisition of Skillsoft by SSI III for cash at the increased price of $11.25 per Skillsoft share to be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement under Irish law (the "Scheme"). Skillsoft and SSI III had previously announced on February 12, 2010 that they had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended acquisition of Skillsoft by SSI III for cash at a price of $10.80 per Skillsoft share.
The Acquisition valued the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Skillsoft at approximately $1.1 billion. The Scheme was approved by shareholders on May 3, 2010, sanctioned by the High Court of Ireland on May 20, 2010, and became effective on May 26, 2010. At the time of the Acquisition, pursuant to the Scheme, the shares of Skillsoft were cancelled or transferred to SSI III in accordance with Irish law. Skillsoft then issued new Skillsoft shares to SSI III in place of those shares cancelled pursuant to the Scheme, and SSI III paid consideration to former Skillsoft shareholders and option holders in consideration for the Acquisition. As a result of the Scheme, Skillsoft became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SSI III. The Acquisition closed on May 26, 2010.
On June 23, 2010, Skillsoft PLC re-registered under the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 as a private limited company and its corporate name changed from Skillsoft PLC to Skillsoft Limited.
Overview
We are a pioneer in the field of learning with a long history of innovation. We provide cloud based learning solutions for our customers worldwide, ranging from global enterprises, government, and education to mid-sized and small businesses. Our customer support teams draw on a wealth of in-house experience and a comprehensive learning e-library to develop off-the-shelf and custom learning programs tailored to cost-effectively meet customer needs. Our courses, books and videos have been developed by industry leading learning experts to ensure that they maximize business skills, performance, and talent development.
We generate revenue primarily from the licensing of our products, the provision of professional services and the provision of hosting and application services. The pricing for our courses varies based upon the content offering selected by a customer, the number of users within the customer's organization and the length of the license agreement (generally one, two or three years). Our agreements permit customers to exchange course titles, generally on the contract anniversary date. Hosting services can be sold separately for an additional fee, but are predominately bundled within our product offerings.
Cost of revenue includes the cost of materials (such as storage media), packaging, shipping and handling, CD duplication, custom content development, hosting services, royalties, certain infrastructure and occupancy expenses and share-based compensation. We generally recognize these costs as incurred. Also included in cost of revenue is amortization expense related to capitalized software development costs and intangible assets related to developed software and courseware acquired in business combinations.
We account for software development costs by capitalizing certain computer software development costs incurred after technological feasibility is established. No software development costs incurred during each of the three fiscal years in the period ending January 31, 2014 met the requirements for capitalization.
Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits, share-based compensation, certain infrastructure and occupancy expenses, fees to consultants and course content development fees. Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits, share-based compensation, commissions, advertising and promotion expenses, travel expenses and certain infrastructure and occupancy expenses. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits, share-based compensation, consulting and service expenses, legal expenses, audit and tax preparation costs, regulatory compliance costs and certain infrastructure and occupancy expenses.
Amortization of intangible assets for the period following the Acquisition represents the amortization of customer value, trademarks and tradenames and backlog from the Acquisition, the acquisition of the Element K business (“Element K”), the acquisition of ThirdForce Group, plc (“MindLeaders”) and the acquisition of 50 Lessons Limited (“50 Lessons”). The amortization of intangible assets for the period prior to the Acquisition represents amortization of similar intangible asset categories from the Predecessor's acquisitions of NETg, Targeted Learning Corporation (“TLC”), Books24x7® and GoTrain Corp. and the Predecessor's merger with Skillsoft Corporation (the “SmartForce Merger”).
31
Acquisition related expenses primarily consist of transaction fees, legal, accounting and other professional services related to our acquisitions.
Merger and integration related expenses primarily consist of salaries paid to Element K and MindLeaders employees for transitional work assignments and facility costs for leased space only expected to be utilized for a short term during the transition period. These costs are being incurred to support systems and process integration activities.
Restructuring expenses primarily consist of charges associated with the management approved and initiated plans to integrate Element K and MindLeaders into our operations and to eliminate redundant facilities and headcount.
We record tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations under the purchase method of accounting. Amounts paid for each acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the dates of acquisition. We then allocate the purchase price in excess of net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets based on detailed valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management. We allocate any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed to goodwill.
Significant management judgments and assumptions are required in determining the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, particularly acquired intangible assets. The valuation of purchased intangible assets is based upon (i) estimates of the future performance and cash flows from the acquired business (income approach) and (ii) estimates of the cost to purchase or replace an asset adjusted for obsolescence (cost approach). We have used the income approach to determine the estimated fair value of certain other identifiable intangible assets including tradenames, customer relationships, backlog, and deferred revenue. This approach determines fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to an identified asset over its useful life and then discounting these after-tax cash flows back to a present value. Tradenames represent acquired product names that we intend to continue to utilize. Customer contracts and relationships represent established relationships with customers to whom we believe we may sell additional content and services. Backlog represents contracts that have been signed that represent a future projected revenue stream and deferred revenue represents billed customer contracts that will amortize into revenue at a future date. We have used the cost approach to determine the estimated fair value of our acquired technology, content, and publishing rights. Our technology represents patented and unpatented technology and know-how. Our content includes electronic media, text, video and executive summaries on various topics which is delivered online to our customers. Our publishing rights represent long term contractual relationships with certain publishers with the rights to digitize and offer textbook and referenceware material within our course library.
Business Outlook
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, we generated revenue of $413.6 million as compared to $379.9 million in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013. We reported a net loss in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 of $29.4 million as compared to a net loss of $97.3 million in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013.
32
The net loss for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014 was primarily driven by the activities resulting from, and related to, the Acquisition, the acquisition of Element K and the acquisition of MindLeaders. The significant components related to the Acquisition, the acquisition of Element K and the acquisition of MindLeaders include the following as of January 31, 2012 , January 31 2013 and January 31, 2014 (amounts in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Impact to reductions to deferred revenue in purchase accounting | $ | 16.5 |
| $ | 15.9 |
| $ | 6.6 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets related to content and technology |
| 66.1 |
|
| 60.6 |
|
| 54.7 |
|
Impact to reductions to prepaid commissions in purchase accounting |
| (1.4) |
|
| (1.3) |
|
| (0.3) |
|
Impact to reductions to prepaid royalties in purchase accounting |
| (2.0) |
|
| (2.0) |
|
| (0.2) |
|
Amortization of intangible assets |
| 66.4 |
|
| 63.1 |
|
| 54.7 |
|
Acquisition related expenses |
| 3.5 |
|
| 4.0 |
|
| 1.4 |
|
Merger and integration related expenses |
| 4.5 |
|
| 13.2 |
|
| 2.9 |
|
Restructuring |
| 2.7 |
|
| 4.5 |
|
| 2.9 |
|
Interest expense from borrowings |
| 62.0 |
|
| 65.8 |
|
| 64.1 |
|
Total of acquisition and acquisition related activities | $ | 218.3 |
| $ | 223.8 |
| $ | 186.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We continue to experience a cautious customer spending environment due to the current global economic climate. In addition, we continue to find ourselves in a challenging business environment due to (i) budgetary constraints on training and information technology (IT) spending by our current and potential customers, (ii) price competition and value-based competitive offerings from a broad array of competitors in the learning market and (iii) the relatively slow overall market adoption rate for elearning solutions. The challenging U.S. and global economic environment has placed further constraints on our customers' and potential customers' training budgets and spending. We have not yet seen signs of an improving customer environment, but we are also not experiencing continued deterioration. We continue to encounter sales cycles that include the impact of additional customer scrutiny on deals. This has given us less visibility into the overall timing of our sales cycles with new customers; and to a lesser extent, with our existing and renewing customers. Despite these challenges, our core business this fiscal year has performed generally with our expectations. In response to the cautious spending environment, we will continue to expand our sales resources to augment our customer base and increase our product and technology assets to enhance our value proposition.
During the fiscal year ending January 31, 2015, we will continue to focus on revenue generation primarily by:
· | cross selling and up selling; |
· | evaluating new markets and expansion in existing markets; |
· | acquiring new customers; |
· | carefully managing our spending; |
· | continuing to execute on our new product and technologies and telesales distribution initiatives; |
· | continuing to evaluate merger and acquisition and possible partnership opportunities that could contribute to our long-term objectives; |
· | focusing more and improving on retaining existing customers; and |
· | making incremental investments in our infrastructure and products to support our customer base. |
33
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are more fully described under the heading “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Note 2 of the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements. However, we believe the accounting policies described below are particularly important to the portrayal and understanding of our financial position and results of operations and require application of significant judgment by our management. In applying these policies, management uses its judgment in making certain assumptions and estimates.
Revenue Recognition
We generate revenue primarily from the licensing of our products, providing professional services and from providing hosting/application service provider (ASP) services.
We follow the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 985-605 Software – Revenue Recognition and Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 to account for revenue derived pursuant to license agreements under which customers license our products and services. The pricing for our courses varies based upon the content offering selected by a customer, the number of users within the customer's organization and the term of the license agreement (generally one, two or three years). License agreements permit customers to exchange course titles, generally on the contract anniversary date. Hosting services are sold separately for an additional fee. A license can provide customers access to a range of learning products including courseware, Referenceware®, simulations, mentoring and prescriptive assessment.
We offer discounts from our ordinary pricing, and purchasers of licenses for a larger number of courses, larger user bases or longer periods of time generally receive discounts. Generally, customers may amend their license agreements, for an additional fee, to gain access to additional courses or product lines and/or to increase the size of the user base. We also derive revenue from hosting fees for customers that use our solutions on an ASP basis and from the provision of professional services. In selected circumstances, we derive revenue on a pay-for-use basis under which some customers are charged based on the number of courses accessed by their users.
For arrangements subject to ASC 985-605 Software – Revenue Recognition, we recognize revenue ratably over the license period if the number of courses that a customer has access to is not clearly defined, available, or selected at the inception of the contract, or if the contract has additional undelivered elements for which we do not have vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of the fair value of the various elements. This may occur if the customer does not specify all licensed courses at the outset, the customer chooses to wait for future licensed courses on a when and if available basis, the customer is given exchange privileges that are exercisable other than on the contract anniversaries, or the customer licenses all courses currently available and to be developed during the term of the arrangement.
Arrangements which include extranet hosting/ASP services are generally accounted for under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104. Revenue from these arrangements is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the services are provided. Upfront professional service fees are recorded as revenue over the contract period in multiple element arrangements or over the expected customer relationship periods in arrangements where there is otherwise one unit of accounting.
Revenue from nearly all of our contractual arrangements is recognized on a subscription or straight-line basis over the contractual period of service.
We generally bill the annual license fee for the first year of a multi-year license agreement in advance and license fees for subsequent years of multi-year license arrangements are billed on the anniversary date of the agreement. Occasionally, we bill customers on a quarterly basis. In some circumstances, we offer payment terms of up to six months from the initial term commencement date or anniversary date for multi-year license agreements to our customers. To the extent that a customer is given extended payment terms (defined by us as having a significant portion of an annual installment fee due greater than six months from the initial term commencement date or anniversary date for multi-year license agreements), revenue is recognized as payments become due, assuming all of the other elements of revenue recognition have been satisfied.
34
We typically recognize revenue from resellers over the commitment period when both the sale to the end user has occurred and the collectability of cash from the reseller is probable. With respect to reseller agreements with minimum commitments, we recognize revenue related to the portion of the minimum commitment that exceeds the end user sales at the expiration of the commitment period provided we have received payment. If a definitive service period can be determined, revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the minimum commitment period, provided that payment has been received or collectability is probable.
We provide professional services, including instructor led training, customized content development, website development/hosting and implementation services.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company prospectively adopted the guidance of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2009-13 Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, specifically for multiple element arrangements which are not accounted for under ASC 985-605 Software – Revenue Recognition (this is normally due to the inclusion of extranet hosting/ASP services). ASU No. 2009-13 affects accounting and reporting for all multiple-deliverable arrangements.
ASU No. 2009-13 establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable in a sale arrangement. The selling price for each deliverable is based on vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) if available, third-party evidence (TPE) if VSOE is not available, or the Company's best estimated selling price (BESP) if neither VSOE nor TPE are available. The amendments in ASU No. 2009-13 eliminate the residual method of price allocation and require that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price allocation method. The relative selling price method allocates any discount in the arrangement proportionately to each deliverable on the basis of the deliverable's estimated fair value.
For transactions entered into subsequent to the adoption of ASU No. 2009-13 that include multiple elements, arrangement consideration is allocated to each element based on the relative selling prices of all of the elements in the arrangement using the fair value hierarchy as required by ASU No. 2009-13. We limit the amount of revenue recognition for the software and content licenses and extranet hosting services (as a bundled unit) to the amount that is not contingent on the future delivery of products or services or future performance obligation. That amount is then recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term. Professional services, including instructor led training, customized content development, website development/hosting and implementation services, are sometimes included in the arrangements. If we determine that the professional services are not separable from an existing customer arrangement, revenue from these services is recognized over the existing contractual terms with the customer; otherwise we typically recognize professional service revenue as the services are performed. We do not have VSOE for our professional service offerings. Therefore, fair value for these elements is based on TPE, which is determined based on competitor prices for similar elements when sold separately, or the BESP. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the product or service were sold on a stand-alone basis. We determine BESP for a product or service by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, pricing practices, geographies, customer classes and distribution channels.
Multiple contracts with a single customer or amendments to existing contracts with the same customer are evaluated as to whether they should be recognized as separate accounting arrangements from other contracts with the customer, based on an evaluation of several factors including, but not limited to the timing of when contracts were negotiated and executed, whether the software is interdependent in terms of design, technology or function and whether payment terms coincide. If contracts are considered linked for accounting purposes and accounted for as one arrangement, fees are recognized over the longest service periods. If contracts are considered separable, fees in each arrangement are recognized over their respective service period.
We record reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses in both revenue and as a direct cost of revenue, as applicable. Out-of-pocket expenses were immaterial for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.
We record revenue net of applicable sales tax collected. Taxes collected from customers are recorded as part of accrued expenses on the balance sheet and are remitted to state and local taxing jurisdictions based on the filing requirements of each jurisdiction.
We record as deferred revenue amounts that have been billed in advance for products or services to be provided. Deferred revenue includes the unamortized portion of revenue associated with license fees for which we have received payment or for which amounts have been billed and are due for payment in 90 days or less for resellers and 180 days or less for direct customers.
35
Our contracts often include an uptime guarantee for solutions hosted on our servers whereby customers may be entitled to credits in the event of non-performance. We also retain the right to remedy any non-performance event prior to issuance of any credit. Furthermore, our contracts contain standard warranty and indemnification coverage to our customers. Historically, we have not incurred substantial costs relating to this guarantee and we currently accrue for such costs as they are incurred. We review these costs on a regular basis as actual experience and other information becomes available; and, should these costs become substantial, we would accrue an estimated exposure and consider the potential related effects of the timing of recording revenue on our license arrangements. We have not accrued any costs related to these warranties in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount under these indemnification agreements due to the Company’s limited and infrequent history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement.
Amortization of Intangible Assets and Impairment of Goodwill
Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are evaluated for impairment annually and upon the occurrence of any events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Furthermore intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are reviewed for indicators that a remaining useful period is now determinable. We record intangible assets at cost.
Amortization for finite lived intangible assets is recorded over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We amortize our intangible assets that have finite lives using either the straight-line method or based on estimated future cash flows to approximate the pattern in which the economic benefit of the asset will be utilized. We review these intangible assets at least annually to determine if any adverse conditions exist or a change in circumstances has occurred that would indicate impairment or a change in their remaining useful life.
We use estimates in determining the value of goodwill and intangible assets, including estimates of useful lives of intangible assets, discounted future cash flows and fair values of the related operations. We test goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year for impairment, or more frequently if certain indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. The Company has determined that it is comprised of one reporting unit for purposes of evaluating potential impairment of goodwill. In the annual goodwill assessment, we rely on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, and transactions and market place data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment. Since judgment is involved in performing goodwill valuation analyses, there is risk that the carrying value of our goodwill may be overstated or understated. The enterprise valuation analysis utilizes a combination of the discounted cash flow method and the guideline company method. For the discounted cash flow method, we prepare detailed annual projections of future cash flows over a period of six fiscal years, or the “Projected Financials.” We estimate the total value of the cash flow beyond the final fiscal year by applying a multiple to the final projected fiscal year EBITDA, or the “Terminal Year.” The cash flows from the Projected Financials and the Terminal Year are discounted at an estimated weighted-average cost of capital. The estimated weighted-average cost of capital is derived, in part, from the median capital structure of comparable companies within similar industries. We believe that our procedures for estimating discounted future cash flows, including the Terminal Year valuation, are reasonable and consistent with accepted valuation practices. For the guideline company method, we perform an analysis to identify a group of publicly-traded companies that are comparable to our Company or that we believe operate in industries similar to our own. We calculate an implied EBITDA multiple (enterprise value/EBITDA) and an implied revenue multiple (enterprise value/Revenue) and apply a weighted average of the two for each of the guideline companies and select the appropriate multiple to apply to our EBITDA and revenue depending on the facts and circumstances. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the respective carrying value of the reporting unit’s assigned assets and liabilities, no impairment is recorded and no further analysis is performed. Based upon our fiscal 2014 annual impairment testing analysis, including our consideration of reasonably likely adverse changes in assumptions, we determined our reporting unit’s estimated fair value is substantially in excess of the carrying value and management has concluded that the reporting unit is not at risk of failing step one of the goodwill impairment analysis. In addition, management believes it is not reasonably likely that an impairment will occur over the next twelve months.
36
Share-Based Compensation
On November 16, 2010, the Manager of SSILuxco II S.A. (“Luxco II”), a Luxembourg entity which is an indirect parent of the Company, adopted the SSILuxco II S.A. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) to advance the interests of Luxco II and its subsidiaries by providing Luxco II with the right to grant equity-based awards to eligible participants (i.e., key employees and directors of, and consultants and advisors to, Luxco II and/or its subsidiaries). Options granted under the 2010 Plan become exercisable based on a combination of service-, performance- and market-based vesting conditions. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on service-based option grants over the requisite service period. In the fourth quarter fiscal 2013, we recognized $14.2 million of share-based compensation expense within research and development, selling and marketing and general and administrative expenses, which includes $8.1 million of share-based compensation attributable to services performed in prior periods, which should have been recognized in those periods. The correction of the cumulative expense to date in the current period was not considered material to our current or prior consolidated financial statements. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, we recognized $6.1 million of share-based compensation expense within research and development, selling and marketing and general and administrative expenses.
The fair value of the options with service-based conditions is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Key assumptions used in estimating the grant date fair value of these options are as follows: interest yield, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected term and forfeiture rate. The expected term of the time vesting options are based on the “simplified” methodology, the mathematical mean of the average vesting period and the contractual life of the options, as allowed by the guidance, because with no public market for our shares, we do not currently have a reasonable basis to estimate post Acquisition exercise patterns. We review the historical and implied volatility of publicly traded companies within our industry and utilize the implied volatility to calculate the fair value of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield for a U.S. Treasury security having a maturity similar to the expected life of the related grant. The forfeiture rate is based on recent employee termination observations.
The fair value of the options with performance- and market-based vesting conditions are estimated on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo Simulation Approach. Key assumptions used include those described above for determining the fair value of options with service-based conditions only and in addition the simulation utilizes a range of possible future stock values to construct a distribution of where future stock prices might be. The simulations and resulting distributions will give a statistically acceptable range of future stock prices. We also have to assume a time horizon to when the performance conditions of the options will be met.
The fair value of the Luxco II shares determined for the valuation of share-based payment awards for the period from May 26, 2010 through January 31, 2011 was based on the purchase price paid for the Company in the Acquisition. The Board of Directors, in conjunction with the compensation committee of the general partner of our ultimate parent, SSI Pooling, L.P., and SSILuxco II, felt this most accurately represented fair market value due to the close timing proximity between the issuance of the share-based payments and the Acquisition. This assertion was supported by a contemporaneous valuation to estimate the fair value of our ordinary shares in connection with the issuance of share-based payment awards. We performed a valuation of the ordinary shares of the Company in connection with the issuance of the share-based payment awards during each of the three fiscal years in the period ending January 31, 2014 using a similar methodology that was used in the previous periods following the Acquisition. We relied on this valuation analysis in determining the fair value of the share-based payment awards. The assumptions required by these valuation analyses involve the use of significant judgments and estimates on the part of management.
The valuation analysis of our ordinary shares utilizes a combination of the discounted cash flow method and the guideline company method in a similar manner as the enterprise value is calculated for our annual goodwill impairment analysis. The enterprise value is then reduced by the Company’s outstanding borrowings and the net equity value is then allocated to the Company’s ordinary shares. In addition, we apply a marketability and lack of control discount to the implied value of equity. We believe that the overall approach is consistent with the principles and guidance set forth in the 2004 AICPA Practice Aid on Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.
Deferral of Commissions
We defer the recognition of commission expense until such time as the revenue related to the customer contract for which the commission was paid is recognized. Deferred commissions for each contract are amortized to expense in a manner consistent with how revenue is recognized for such contract, often resulting in straight-line recognition of expense over the contractual term.
37
Restructuring Charges
Liabilities related to an exit or disposal activity are recognized at fair value in the period in which they are incurred. Costs include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) one-time involuntary termination benefits provided to employees under the terms of a benefit arrangement that, in substance, are not an ongoing benefit arrangement or a deferred compensation contract, (2) certain contract termination costs, including operating lease termination costs and (3) other associated costs. As such, when we identify restructuring charges that fulfill the requirements, we record the charges in our statement of operations.
Income Taxes
We recognize a net deferred tax asset for future benefits of tax loss and tax credit carry forwards to the extent that it is “more likely than not” that these assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. In determining the realizability of these assets, we considered numerous factors, including historical profitability, estimated future taxable income and the industry in which we operate.
Business Combinations
We record tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations under the purchase method of accounting. Amounts paid for each acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the dates of acquisition. We then allocate the purchase price in excess of net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets based on detailed valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management. We allocate any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed to goodwill.
Significant management judgments and assumptions are required in determining the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, particularly acquired intangible assets. The valuation of purchased intangible assets is generally based upon estimates of the future performance and cash flows from the acquired business. We have used the income approach to determine the estimated fair value of certain other identifiable intangible assets including customer relationships and tradenames. This approach determines fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to an identified asset over its useful life and then discounting these after-tax cash flows back to a present value. Customer contracts and relationships represent established relationships with customers to whom we believe we may sell additional content and services. Tradenames represent acquired product names that we intend to continue to utilize. We have used a cost approach to determine the estimated fair value of certain other identifiable intangible assets including developed technology and content. This approach determines fair value by estimating the cost to replace or reproduce an asset at current prices and is reduced for functional and economic obsolescence. Developed technology represents patented and unpatented technology and know-how.
Related Party Transactions
Upon completion of the Acquisition, certain of our parent and subsidiary entities entered into a management agreement with entities affiliated with the Sponsors, pursuant to which such entities provide management services to us and certain of our parent and subsidiary entities until the tenth anniversary of the consummation of the Acquisition, with evergreen one year extensions thereafter. Pursuant to such agreement, entities affiliated with the Sponsors receive an aggregate annual management fee equal to $1.5 million, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them or their respective affiliates in connection with the provision of services pursuant to the agreement. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recognized $1.5 million, $1.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of management fees in our statement of operations.
The management agreement provides that entities affiliated with the Sponsors are entitled to receive fees in connection with certain subsequent financing, acquisition, disposition and change of control transactions of 1% of the gross transaction value of any such transaction. The management agreement includes customary exculpation and indemnification provisions in favor of the Sponsors and their respective affiliates. The management agreement may be terminated, respectively, by the Company and the Sponsors at any time and will terminate automatically upon an initial public offering or a change of control unless we and the counterparty(s) determine otherwise. Upon termination, each provider of management services will be entitled to a termination fee calculated based on the present value of the annual fees due during the remaining period from the date of termination to the tenth anniversary of the date of the completion of the Acquisition or the then-applicable scheduled date for termination of the management agreement.
38
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2013 and 2014
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States | $ | 294,321 |
|
| $ | 311,645 |
|
| $ | 17,324 |
|
|
| 6% |
|
International |
| 101,504 |
|
|
| 108,579 |
|
|
| 7,075 |
|
|
| 7% |
|
Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue |
| (15,876) |
|
|
| (6,636) |
|
|
| 9,240 |
|
|
| (58%) |
|
Total | $ | 379,949 |
|
| $ | 413,588 |
|
| $ | 33,639 |
|
|
| 9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in revenue for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was primarily the result of additional revenue we realized as a result of the MindLeaders acquisition of approximately $20.8 million (including approximately $1.6 million of revenue generated from product offerings that will not be replaced). In addition, the increase in domestic and international revenue was also related to a higher level of subscription-based revenue from deferred revenue at the beginning of fiscal 2014 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2013.
Costs and Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue | $ | 38,010 |
|
| $ | 38,186 |
|
| $ | 176 |
|
|
| 0% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 10% |
|
|
| 9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue – amortization of intangible assets |
| 60,603 |
|
|
| 54,748 |
|
|
| (5,855) |
|
|
| (10%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 16% |
|
|
| 13% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in cost of revenue for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 reflects incremental royalties paid on increased revenue which were largely offset by transitional costs associated with Element K which were included in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013.
The decrease in cost of revenue - amortization of intangible assets for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was primarily due to certain intangible assets related to the Acquisition becoming fully amortized, which was partially offset by the amortization of intangible assets acquired in the MindLeaders acquisition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development | $ | 58,260 |
|
| $ | 56,467 |
|
| $ | (1,793) |
|
|
| (3%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 15% |
|
|
| 14% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in research and development expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was primarily due to a reduction in outsourced software and content development costs of $4.4 million. This decrease was partially offset by increased compensation and benefits expense of $2.3 million.
39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling and marketing | $ | 140,864 |
|
| $ | 136,271 |
|
| $ | (4,593) |
|
|
| (3%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 37% |
|
|
| 33% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in selling and marketing expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was primarily due to decreased compensation and benefits expense of $3.3 million, including a reduction in the recognition of share-based compensation of $2.0 million. A change in the level of marketing initiatives reduced costs by $1.9 million and consulting fees were reduced by $1.1 million as a result of certain initiatives concluding in the prior period. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in commission expense of $3.0 million.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative | $ | 48,062 |
|
| $ | 41,388 |
|
| $ | (6,674) |
|
|
| (14%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 13% |
|
|
| 10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in general and administrative expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was primarily due to a reduction in the recognition of share-based compensation of $5.3 million, a decrease in legal and tax services of $1.0 million and a decrease in sales and use tax of $0.6 million. This decrease was partially offset by increased other compensation and benefits expense of $0.8 million.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of intangible assets | $ | 63,137 |
|
| $ | 54,746 |
|
| $ | (8,391) |
|
|
| (13%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 17% |
|
|
| 13% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition related expenses |
| 4,010 |
|
| $ | 1,445 |
|
|
| (2,565) |
|
|
| (64%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 1% |
|
|
| 0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merger and integration related expenses |
| 13,193 |
|
|
| 2,933 |
|
|
| (10,260) |
|
|
| (78%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 3% |
|
|
| 1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring |
| 4,497 |
|
|
| 2,931 |
|
|
| (1,566) |
|
|
| (35%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 1% |
|
|
| 1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in amortization of intangible assets for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was primarily due to reductions in amortization expense related to intangible assets acquired in the Acquisition being amortized based on expected pattern of economic benefit as well as certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized. This decrease was partially offset by the amortization of intangible assets acquired in the Element K and MindLeaders acquisitions.
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, we incurred approximately $1.4 million of acquisition related expenses primarily due to the cost associated with entering into a definitive agreement to sell Skillsoft to funds managed by Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, we incurred approximately $4.0 million of acquisition related expenses primarily due to activity related to the MindLeaders and Element K acquisitions.
40
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, we incurred approximately $2.9 million of merger and integration related expenses as a result of efforts undertaken to integrate MindLeaders’ operations into ours. Included in these costs are salary and benefits for MindLeaders employees conducting transitional activities, consulting fees associated with the MindLeaders acquisition and transitional systems and process integration activities. The MindLeaders integration efforts have now been materially completed. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, we incurred approximately $13.2 million of merger and integration related expenses as a result of efforts undertaken to integrate Element K’s and MindLeaders’ operations into ours. The Element K integration efforts have now been completed.
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, we initiated a plan to consolidate and reorganize the space utilized by MindLeaders in their United Kingdom and Ireland operations. This consolidation of utilized space is a result of the workforce reduction plan we initiated in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013. We accrued $1.3 million in accrued expense and other long term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, representing the cost of vacated space less estimated future sub-lease assumptions. In addition, we committed to an organizational change and a workforce reduction plan as a result of the recent acquisitions in an effort to eliminate redundancies and positions not required by the combined business and to reduce the overall cost structure of the acquired business to better align our operating expenses with existing economic conditions, business requirements and our operating model. As a result of this reduction in force, we incurred restructuring charges in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 of $1.6 million, which related primarily to one-time termination benefits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other (expense) income, net | $ | (131) |
|
| $ | (505) |
|
| $ | (374) |
|
|
| 285% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| (0%) |
|
|
| (0%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
| 906 |
|
| $ | 893 |
|
|
| (13) |
|
|
| (1%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 0% |
|
|
| 0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
| (65,771) |
|
|
| (64,061) |
|
|
| 1,710 |
|
|
| (3%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| (17%) |
|
|
| (15%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in other (expense), net for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 as compared the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was primarily due to foreign currency fluctuations.
The decrease in interest expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 as compared the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was primarily due to receiving the benefit for a full annual period from the repricing of our Senior Credit Facilities during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 and principal payments made on our Senior Credit Facilities, including a voluntary pre-payment of $35.0 million made in September 2013. This was partially offset by incremental interest expense on borrowings related to the MindLeaders acquisition.
Provision for Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit for income taxes | $ | (18,565) |
|
| $ | (9,797) |
|
| $ | 8,768 |
|
|
| (47%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| (5%) |
|
|
| (2%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 and for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, our effective tax rates were 16.0% and 25.0%, respectively. The tax benefit we recorded for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 is primarily attributable to the loss from operations, adjusted for certain permanently non-deductible expenses which were incurred in connection with the Acquisition. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, our effective tax rate differed from the Irish statutory rate of 12.5% due primarily to the tax benefit of losses reported in tax jurisdictions outside of Ireland and the impact of certain non-deductible expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, our effective tax rate differed from the Irish statutory rate due primarily to certain permanently non-deductible expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition.
Income from Discontinued Operations
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, we recorded an immaterial loss from discontinued operations. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 we recorded a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $0.2 million. In December 2011, we decided to sell the TCE business acquired in the Element K acquisition due to the fact that we did not believe this product was consistent with our strategy and our profit model. We do not feel the discontinued operations will have a material impact on our financial condition or liquidity through the date when risks associated with the operations will be transferred or otherwise terminated. In addition, we do not feel there will be any material contingent liabilities that remain after the sale or disposal of the operations.
On March 21, 2012, we entered into an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which we agreed to sell to Logical Operations Inc. certain of the TCE assets. The closing of the sale of the TCE assets occurred on March 31, 2012.
Comparison of the Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2012 and 2013
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2012 |
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States | $ | 252,700 |
|
| $ | 294,321 |
|
| $ | 41,621 |
|
|
| 16% |
|
International |
| 92,890 |
|
|
| 101,504 |
|
|
| 8,614 |
|
|
| 9% |
|
Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue |
| (16,461) |
|
|
| (15,876) |
|
|
| 585 |
|
|
| (4%) |
|
Total | $ | 329,129 |
|
| $ | 379,949 |
|
| $ | 50,820 |
|
|
| 15% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in revenue for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily the result of additional revenue as a result of the Element K acquisition and the MindLeaders acquisition of approximately $26.3 million and $8.5 million, respectively. The remaining increase in revenue was primarily related to a higher level of subscription based revenue from deferred revenue at the beginning of the fiscal year as compared to the same prior year period.
Costs and Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2012 |
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue | $ | 31,989 |
|
| $ | 38,010 |
|
| $ | 6,021 |
|
|
| 19% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 10% |
|
|
| 10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue – amortization of intangible assets |
| 66,050 |
|
|
| 60,603 |
|
|
| (5,447) |
|
|
| (8%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 20% |
|
|
| 16% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in cost of revenue for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to a $4.3 million increase in cost of sales attributed to consulting fees, headcount, royalties and hosting expenses related to the Element K acquisition. In addition, we incurred incremental royalties paid on increased revenue (which excludes the fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in purchase accounting related to the Acquisition, the Element K acquisition and the MindLeaders acquisition).
42
The decrease in cost of revenue - amortization of intangible assets for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to certain intangible assets related to the Acquisition becoming fully amortized, which was partially offset by the full year amortization of intangible assets acquired in the Element K acquisition and the 50 Lessons acquisition, as well as amortization of intangible assets acquired in the MindLeaders acquisition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2012 |
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development | $ | 55,626 |
|
| $ | 58,260 |
|
| $ | 2,634 |
|
|
| 5% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 17% |
|
|
| 15% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in research and development expense in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to increased compensation and benefits expense of $5.2 million as a result of stock compensation recognized in fiscal 2013 of $1.5 million, as well as an increase in headcount. This was partially offset by a reduction in outsourced software and content development costs of $2.8 million.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2012 |
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling and marketing | $ | 119,575 |
|
| $ | 140,864 |
|
| $ | 21,289 |
|
|
| 18% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 36% |
|
|
| 37% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in selling and marketing expense in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to increased compensation and benefits expense of $13.6 million as a result of stock compensation recognized in fiscal 2013 of $3.8 million as well as an increase in headcount (of which approximately $5.0 million and $0.3 million was a result of the Element K acquisition and the MindLeaders acquisition, respectively). We also incurred an increase in commission expense of $4.1 million (of which approximately $2.1 million was a result of the Element K acquisition). The increase in headcount also contributed to an increase in travel and office expenses of $1.1 million. Furthermore, we incurred incremental marketing costs of $2.3 million to support our sales growth initiatives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2012 |
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative | $ | 33,418 |
|
| $ | 48,062 |
|
| $ | 14,644 |
|
|
| 44% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 10% |
|
|
| 13% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in general and administrative expense in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to increased compensation and benefits expense of $9.7 million as a result of stock compensation recognized in fiscal 2013 of $9.0 million. We also incurred a $2.9 million increase in professional service costs which was primarily driven by incremental legal costs associated with the refinancing of certain of our debt. In addition, we incurred an increase in sales and use tax of $0.7 million.
43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2012 |
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of intangible assets | $ | 66,350 |
|
| $ | 63,137 |
|
| $ | (3,213) |
|
|
| (5%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 20% |
|
|
| 17% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition related expenses |
| 3,500 |
|
| $ | 4,010 |
|
|
| 510 |
|
|
| 15% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 1% |
|
|
| 1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merger and integration related expenses |
| 4,516 |
|
|
| 13,193 |
|
|
| 8,677 |
|
|
| 192% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 1% |
|
|
| 3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring |
| 2,723 |
|
|
| 4,497 |
|
|
| 1,774 |
|
|
| 65% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 1% |
|
|
| 1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in amortization of intangible assets in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 versus the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to accelerated amortization in earlier years related to the timing of the expected utilization of intangible assets which resulted from the Acquisition. This was partially offset by amortization incurred from intangible assets related to the Element K acquisition and MindLeaders acquisition.
The increase in acquisition related expenses for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 as compared to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to activity related to the MindLeaders acquisition (which was $3.4 million in fiscal 2013) as well as costs incurred in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 as a result of the Element K acquisition.
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 we incurred approximately $13.2 million of merger and integration related expenses as a result of efforts undertaken to integrate Element K’s and MindLeaders’ operations into ours. Included in these costs are salary and benefits for Element K and MindLeader employees conducting transition activities, consulting fees associated with the Element K acquisition and MindLeaders acquisition and transitional systems and process integration activities. We expect these integration efforts to be materially completed in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 we incurred approximately $4.5 million of merger and integration related expenses as a result of efforts undertaken to integrate Element K’s operations into ours.
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, we initiated a plan to consolidate and reorganize the space utilized in our Rochester facility. This consolidation of utilized space is a result of the workforce reduction plan we executed during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 related to the Element K acquisition. We accrued $0.9 million in accrued expense and other long term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets representing the loss incurred on a sublease with a new tenant which was executed in the first quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 for a portion of the space in the Rochester facility. In addition, we committed to a workforce reduction plan as a result of the acquisition of MindLeaders in an effort to eliminate redundancies and positions not required by the combined business and to reduce the overall cost structure of the acquired business to better align our operating expenses with existing economic conditions, business requirements and our operating model. As a result of this reduction in force, we incurred restructuring charges in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 of $3.6 million which related primarily to one-time termination benefits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2012 |
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other (expense) income, net | $ | (1,419) |
|
| $ | (131) |
|
| $ | 1,288 |
|
|
| (91%) |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| (0%) |
|
|
| (0%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
| 154 |
|
| $ | 906 |
|
|
| 752 |
|
|
| 488% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| 0% |
|
|
| 0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
| (62,006) |
|
|
| (65,771) |
|
|
| (3,765) |
|
|
| 6% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| (19%) |
|
|
| (17%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in other (expense), net for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 as compared to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to foreign currency fluctuations.
44
The decrease in interest income for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 as compared to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to interest income recognized in conjunction with the contractual payment terms of the sale of the Training Channel Enablement (TCE).
The increase in interest expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 as compared to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 was primarily due to incremental interest expense on borrowings related to the Element K acquisition and MindLeaders acquisition and partially offset by the repricing of our Senior Credit Facilities during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013.
Provision for Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
|
| Dollar Increase/(Decrease) |
|
|
| Percent Change |
| |||||
|
| 2012 |
|
|
| 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit for income taxes | $ | (17,550) |
|
| $ | (18,565) |
|
| $ | (1,015) |
|
|
| 6% |
|
As a percentage of revenue |
| (5%) |
|
|
| (5%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 and the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, our effective tax rates from continuing operations were 14.9% and 16.0%, respectively. The increase in the benefit for income taxes that we recorded for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 as compared to the benefit for income taxes recorded in the previous period is primarily attributable to the loss from operations, adjusted for certain permanently non-deductible expenses, which were incurred in connection with the Acquisition. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, our effective tax rate differed from the Irish statutory rate of 12.5% due primarily to the tax benefit of losses reported in tax jurisdictions outside of Ireland and the impact of certain non-deductible expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, our effective tax rate differed from the Irish statutory rate due primarily to certain permanently non-deductible expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition.
Income from Discontinued Operations
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 we recorded a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax of $0.2 million as compared to income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $0.2 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012. In December 2011, we decided to sell the TCE business acquired in the Element K acquisition due to the fact that we did not believe this product was consistent with our strategy and our profit model. We do not feel the discontinued operations will have a material impact on our financial condition or liquidity through the date when risks associated with the operations will be transferred or otherwise terminated. In addition, we do not feel there will be any material contingent liabilities that remain after the sale or disposal of the operations.
On March 21, 2012, we entered into an asset purchase agreement pursuant to which we agreed to sell to Logical Operations Inc. certain of the TCE assets. The closing of the sale of the TCE assets occurred on March 31, 2012.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| |||||||
| 2012 |
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
| ||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 30,361 |
| $ | 35,860 |
| $ | 85,886 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (119,103) |
|
| (68,701) |
|
| (9,187) |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 80,940 |
|
| 43,496 |
|
| (39,314) |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
| 1,511 |
|
| (515) |
|
| (497) |
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (6,291) |
| $ | 10,140 |
| $ | 36,888 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45
At January 31, 2014, our principal source of liquidity was our cash and cash equivalents, which totaled $75.9 million, as compared to $39.0 million at January 31, 2013. In addition, we have $40.0 million available to borrow under the revolving credit line facility of our Senior Credit Facilities.
Net cash provided by operating activities of $85.9 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 reflects both our operating results and changes in working capital. Our net loss for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 was $29.4 million, which reflects the impact of non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $116.8 million, share-based compensation of $6.1 million, and non-cash interest expense of $6.7 million, which was partially offset by a non-cash tax benefit of $22.8 million. Net cash provided by operating activities also includes an increase in deferred revenue of $16.8 million and an increase in accrued expenses of $1.5 million during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. This was partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $8.6 million and prepaid expenses and other current assets of $2.3 million. The increase in deferred revenue was primarily the result of an increase in order intake and billings in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 as compared to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013. The increase in accounts receivable of $8.6 million compares to a decrease in accounts receivable of $1.8 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013. This change period over period is primarily due to collections during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 on accounts receivables assumed from the Element K acquisition in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 as compared to an increase in accounts receivable during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 as well as the general timing of collections.
Net cash used in investing activities was $9.2 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, which includes purchases of property and equipment of $9.2 million.
Net cash used financing activities was $39.3 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, which is primarily due to principal payments made on our debt including a voluntary pre-payment of $35.0 million made in September 2013.
We had a working capital deficit of approximately $43.7 million as of January 31, 2014 as compared to a working capital deficit of approximately $91.4 million as of January 31, 2013. The decrease in the working capital deficit was primarily due to our net loss of $29.4 million, which reflects the impact of non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $116.8 million, share-based compensation of $6.1 million, non-cash interest expense of $6.7 million and a non-cash tax benefit of ($22.8) million. This decrease in the working capital deficit was partially offset by $39.7 million of principal payments made on our Senior Credit Facilities, including a voluntary pre-payment of $35.0 million made in September 2013.
We lease our facilities and certain equipment and furniture under operating lease agreements that expire at various dates through June 2019. In addition, we have Senior Credit Facilities which will be paid out over the next three years and Senior Notes due in four years. Further, we have service and licensing agreements with minimum commitments that expire at various dates through the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017. Future minimum commitments and lease payments, net of estimated sub-rentals, under these agreements and the debt repayments schedule are as follows at January 31, 2014 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Payments Due by Period |
| |||||||||||||
Contractual Obligation |
|
| Total |
|
| Less Than 1 Year |
|
| 1 – 3 Years |
|
| 3 – 5 Years |
|
| More Than 5 Years |
|
Debt obligations principal |
| $ | 725,850 |
| $ | 4,650 |
| $ | 9,300 |
| $ | 711,900 |
| $ | - |
|
Debt obligations interest (1) |
|
| 225,661 |
|
| 55,480 |
|
| 110,309 |
|
| 59,872 |
|
| - |
|
Contractual minimums |
|
| 5,400 |
|
| 1,500 |
|
| 2,700 |
|
| 1,200 |
|
| - |
|
Operating lease obligations |
|
| 14,714 |
|
| 4,114 |
|
| 6,955 |
|
| 3,362 |
|
| 283 |
|
Total obligations |
| $ | 971,625 |
| $ | 65,744 |
| $ | 129,264 |
| $ | 776,334 |
| $ | 283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Represents the contractually required interest payments on the debt obligations in existence as of January 31, 2014 in accordance with the required payment schedule. Cash flows associated with the next interest payment to be made subsequent to January 31, 2014 on the variable rate debt were calculated using the interest rates in effect as of the latest interest rate reset date prior to January 31, 2014, plus the applicable spread. |
We do not have any contingent considerations related to the Acquisition, the Element K acquisition, or the MindLeaders acquisition, nor do we have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules, such as relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, which are often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, established for the purpose of facilitating transactions that are not required to be reflected on our balance sheet.
46
Cash provided by operating activities is our main source of liquidity. We plan to rely on a combination of our available cash and cash equivalents and cash provided by operating activities, supplemented as necessary from time to time by borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities and other financing transactions, to service our cash requirements. Management expects our cash flows from operations, combined with availability under our Senior Credit Facilities, to provide sufficient liquidity to fund our current obligations, projected working capital requirements, debt service requirements and capital spending for a period that includes the next 12 months.
As a result of the Acquisition, the Element K acquisition and the MindLeaders acquisition, we are highly leveraged. As of January 31, 2014, we have outstanding $725.9 million in aggregate indebtedness, with an additional $40.0 million of borrowing capacity available under our revolving credit facility. As of January 31, 2014, the revolving credit line facility was undrawn. Interest expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 was $64.1 million.
Senior Credit Facilities
Our Senior Credit Facilities consist of a $465.0 million term loan facility and a $40.0 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and for borrowings on same-day notice, referred to as the “swingline loans”. The revolving credit facility is available for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, subject to certain conditions.
The term loans under the Senior Credit Facilities bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company's election, (i) a base rate plus a margin of 2.75%, provided that the base rate is not lower than 2.25% or (ii) adjusted LIBOR, provided that adjusted LIBOR is not lower than 1.25% plus a margin of 3.75%. As of January 31, 2014, the applicable base rate was 3.25% and adjusted LIBOR was 1.25%. On December 31, 2013, we elected our interest calculation to be based on adjusted LIBOR. The applicable margin percentage for the revolving credit facility is 2.50% per annum for base rate loans and 3.50% per annum for LIBOR rate loans.
Our Senior Credit Facilities require us to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with:
· | a percentage initially expected to be 50% (subject to reduction to 25% and 0% based upon our leverage ratio) of our annual excess cash flow; |
· | 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and casualty and condemnation events, subject to reinvestment rights and certain other exceptions; and |
· | 100% of the net cash proceeds of any incurrence of certain debt, other than debt permitted under our Senior Credit Facilities. |
The foregoing mandatory prepayments are applied to installments of the term loan facility in direct order of maturity.
We may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under our Senior Credit Facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary "breakage" costs with respect to LIBOR loans and, with respect to outstanding term loans, a premium during the first three years following the closing date for voluntary prepayments, repricings or effective repricings of such term loans. The premium for voluntary prepayments, repricings or effective repricings of term loans is 2% in the second year and 1% in the third year, with a customary make-whole premium for prepayments during the first year of the term loan facility. Voluntary prepayments may be applied as directed by the borrower.
Our Senior Credit Facilities require scheduled quarterly payments on the term loan facility equal to 0.25% of the initial aggregate principal amount of the term loans made on the closing date, with the balance due at maturity.
The Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for foreign subsidiaries of U.S. subsidiaries), each of our existing and future material wholly owned subsidiaries and our immediate parent. All obligations under our Senior Credit Facilities, and the guarantees of those obligations, will be secured by substantially all of our, our subsidiary guarantors' and our parent's existing and future property and assets and by a pledge of our capital stock and the capital stock of, subject to certain exceptions, each of our material wholly owned restricted subsidiaries (or up to 65% of the capital stock of material first-tier foreign wholly owned restricted subsidiaries of our U.S. subsidiaries).
47
Our Senior Credit Facilities include negative covenants that, subject to significant exceptions, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; create liens on assets; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets (including pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions); pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock; make investments, loans or advances; repay certain indebtedness (including the Senior Notes); engage in certain transactions with affiliates; amend material agreements governing certain indebtedness (including the Senior Notes); and change our lines of business.
Our Senior Credit Facilities include certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy, certain events under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), material judgments, the invalidity of material provisions of the Senior Credit Facilities documentation, actual or asserted failure of the guarantees or security documents for our Senior Credit Facilities, and a change of control. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under our Senior Credit Facilities will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of all amounts due under our Senior Credit Facilities and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor.
In addition, our Senior Credit Facilities require us to comply on a quarterly basis with a single financial covenant for the benefit of the revolving credit facility only. The financial covenant requires us to maintain a maximum secured leverage ratio tested on the last day of each fiscal quarter (but failure to maintain the required ratio would not result in a default under the revolving credit facility so long as the revolving credit facility is undrawn at such time). The maximum secured leverage ratio will reduce over time, subject to increase in connection with certain material acquisitions. As of January 31, 2014, we were in compliance with this financial covenant and all nonfinancial covenants under our Senior Credit Facilities.
On September 25, 2012, SSI Investments I Limited (“Holdings”) and Skillsoft Corporation (“Borrower”) entered into an amendment, (the “Incremental Amendment”), to that certain amended and restated credit agreement, dated as of May 26, 2010, among Holdings, Borrower (as successor in interests and obligations to Skillsoft Limited, as successor in interests and obligations to SSI Investments II Limited), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., the lenders party thereto, and the other agents named therein (as so amended and as previously amended, the “Credit Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Incremental Amendment, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. agreed to provide an additional $50 million in new term loans (the “Additional Term Loans”) conditioned upon, among other things, the acquisition by Skillsoft Ireland Limited, an Irish private limited company and an indirect subsidiary of SSI Investments II Limited, of at least 80% of the outstanding capital stock of ThirdForce Group PLC (the “MindLeaders Acquisition”), substantially concurrently with the borrowing of such Additional Term Loans. The Incremental Amendment restricts the use of proceeds from such Additional Term Loans solely (i) to finance the MindLeaders Acquisition, (ii) repay any existing debt of MindLeaders and its subsidiaries and (iii) to pay fees and expenses in connection with the Incremental Amendment and the MindLeaders Acquisition. The Additional Term Loans have the same terms as the original term loans, including with respect to interest rate (including applicable margins), amortization, maturity date and optional and mandatory prepayments. In addition, prior to the MindLeaders Acquisition and the Incremental Amendment, Holdings, the Borrower and the lenders party thereto amended the Credit Agreement to permit the MindLeaders Acquisition under the Credit Agreement.
In addition, on September 28, 2012, Holdings and the Borrower completed a re-pricing of the Credit Agreement. The new interest rate on the term loans, including the Additional Term Loans, is LIBOR plus 3.75%, compared to the previous interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.75%. The new interest rate on the revolving loans is LIBOR plus 3.50%, compared to the previous interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.50%. The new LIBOR floor on the term loans, including the Additional Term Loans, and revolving loans is 1.25%, compared to the previous LIBOR floor of 1.75%.
48
Senior Notes
We have outstanding $310.0 million principal amount of 11.125% Senior Notes due 2018. Cash interest on the Senior Notes accrues and is payable semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year at a rate of 11.125% per annum. The first cash interest payment was made on December 1, 2010. The Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations of SSI II and SSI Co-Issuer LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SSI II, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by SSI III Limited and the restricted subsidiaries of Skillsoft (other than immaterial subsidiaries and certain other excluded subsidiaries) that guarantee our Senior Credit Facilities. The guarantees of the Senior Notes are joint and several and will terminate upon the following customary circumstances: (i) the sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of all of the capital stock of a Guarantor, or all or substantially all of its assets; (ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee of the other indebtedness which resulted in the creation of the guarantee by such Guarantor under the Indenture; (iii) the proper designation of a Guarantor as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and (iv) the legal defeasance, covenant defeasance, or satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture, in each such case specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above in accordance with the requirements therefore set forth in the Indenture.
We may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 1, 2014, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes plus a premium declining ratably to par plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any). We may also redeem any of the Senior Notes at any time prior to June 1, 2014 at a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest (if any).
If we experience certain kinds of changes of control, we must offer to purchase the Senior Notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any). If we sell certain assets and do not reinvest the net proceeds as specified in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, we must offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any).
The indenture governing the Senior Notes contain covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability to: incur additional debt; pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock; issue preferred stock of subsidiaries; make certain investments; create liens on our assets to secure debt; enter into transactions with affiliates; merge or consolidate with another company; and sell or otherwise transfer assets. Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture governing the Senior Notes permits us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness. As of January 31, 2014, we were in compliance with these nonfinancial covenants contained in the indenture governing the Senior Notes.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Our general investing policy is to limit the risk of principal loss and to ensure the safety of invested funds by limiting market and credit risk. All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. Based on the short-term nature and investment grade quality of our investments, we have concluded that there is no significant market risk exposure.
As a result of the Acquisition, the acquisition of Element K and the acquisition of MindLeaders, we incurred debt and we are highly leveraged. The following chart shows our level of indebtedness as of January 31, 2014:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2014 |
|
|
| (dollars in millions) |
|
Senior Credit Facilities | $ | 415.9 |
|
11.125% Senior Notes due 2018 |
| 310.0 |
|
Total | $ | 725.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
At January 31, 2014, our outstanding debt under our Senior Credit Facilities bears interest based on a floating rate index with a minimum rate of 1.25%. A 0.125% increase to a floating rate greater than 1.25% could cause our annual interest expense to increase by approximately $0.5 million. Interest expense is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates; however, the current rate index is well below 1.25%. If circumstances were to change we would take any necessary steps to mitigate potential risk.
49
Foreign Currency Risk
Due to our multinational operations, our business is subject to fluctuations based upon changes in the exchange rates between the currencies in which we collect revenue or pay expenses and the U.S. dollar. Our expenses are not necessarily incurred in the currency in which revenue is generated, and, as a result, we are required from time to time to convert currencies to meet our obligations. These currency conversions are subject to exchange rate fluctuations, in particular changes to the value of the Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar, Singapore dollar, and British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar, which could adversely affect our business and our results of operations. During the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 gains (losses) arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than an entity’s functional currency were approximately $(1.5) million, $0.3 million and $(0.4) million, respectively. As of January 31, 2014, we were not party to any derivative financial instruments with respect to our exposure to foreign currency rates.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Incorporated by reference from Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Quarterly Operating Results” and our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls & Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of January 31, 2014. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of January 31, 2014, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control
No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
50
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
•Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
•Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
•Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known risks of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2014. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992 Framework).
Based on this assessment, our management believes that, as of January 31, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.
51
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Officers and Directors
Below is a list of the names, ages as of March 31, 2014 and positions, and a brief account of the business experience, of the individuals who serve as the executive officers and directors of the Company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
| Age |
| Position |
|
Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Moran |
| 59 |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
| 64 |
| Chief Financial Officer |
|
Jerald A. Nine Jr. |
| 56 |
| Chief Operating Officer |
|
Mark A. Townsend |
| 61 |
| Co-Chief Product Officer |
|
Colm M. Darcy |
| 50 |
| Co-Chief Product Officer |
|
Anthony P. Amato |
| 49 |
| Chief Accounting Officer |
|
Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael C. Ascione |
| 42 |
| Director |
|
John Maldonado |
| 38 |
| Director |
|
David W. Humphrey |
| 36 |
| Director |
|
Imelda Shine |
| 44 |
| Director |
|
Ferdinand von Prondzynski |
| 59 |
| Director |
|
Eugene Regan |
| 62 |
| Director |
|
Thomas Murray |
| 58 |
| Director |
|
Lelia O'Hea |
| 37 |
| Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Moran, age 59, has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2010. Mr. Moran was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Skillsoft Limited in November 2006 and has served as a director and has held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Skillsoft Limited since Skillsoft Limited’s merger with Skillsoft Corporation in September 2002. Mr. Moran is a founder of Skillsoft Corporation and served as its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer from January 1998 until Skillsoft Limited’s merger with Skillsoft Corporation in September 2002.
Thomas J. McDonald, age 64, has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since May 2010, and has served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Skillsoft Limited since Skillsoft Limited’s merger with Skillsoft Corporation in September 2002. Mr. McDonald also served as Skillsoft Limited’s Assistant Secretary from September 2002 until April 2010, and has served as Skillsoft Limited’s Secretary since April 2010. Mr. McDonald is a founder of Skillsoft Corporation and served as its Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Operations, Treasurer and Secretary from February 1998 until Skillsoft Limited’s merger with Skillsoft Corporation in September 2002.
Jerald A. Nine, Jr., age 56, has served as our Chief Operating Officer since May 2010, and has served as Chief Operating Officer of Skillsoft Limited since February 2004. Mr. Nine served as Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing and General Manager, Content Solutions Division from September 2002, the time of Skillsoft Limited’s merger with Skillsoft Corporation, until February 2004. Mr. Nine is a founder of Skillsoft Corporation and served as its Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing and General Manager, Books Division from December 2001 until Skillsoft Limited’s merger with Skillsoft Corporation in September 2002.
Mark A. Townsend, age 61, has served as a Co-Chief Product Officer since February 2013, and served as our Executive Vice President, Technology from May 2010 to February 2013. Mr. Townsend served as Executive Vice President, Technology of Skillsoft Limited from Skillsoft Limited’s merger with Skillsoft Corporation in September 2002 until May 2010. Mr. Townsend is a founder of Skillsoft Corporation and served as its Vice President, Product Development from January 1998 until our merger with Skillsoft Corporation in September 2002.
52
Colm M. Darcy, age 50, has served as a Co-Chief Product Officer since February 2013, and served as our Executive Vice President, Content Development from May 2010 to February 2013. Mr. Darcy served as Executive Vice President, Content Development of Skillsoft Limited from Skillsoft Limited’s merger with Skillsoft Corporation in September 2002 until May 2010. From April 2002 to September 2002, Mr. Darcy served as Skillsoft Limited’s Executive Vice President, Research and Development and from January 2002 to April 2002, Mr. Darcy served as Vice President of Solutions Management. Mr. Darcy also held various positions with Skillsoft Limited from 1995 to January 2002, most recently as Vice President, Strategic Alliances. Prior to joining Skillsoft Limited, Mr. Darcy held positions in Finance, Human Resources, Training and Information Technology in the Republic of Ireland’s Department of Health and Child Welfare.
Anthony P. Amato, age 49, has served as our Chief Accounting Officer since May 2010, and has served as Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer of Skillsoft Limited since August 2006. From May 2005 until August 2006, Mr. Amato served as Vice President of Finance Operations and Treasury for Skillsoft Limited. From May 2003 to May 2005, Mr. Amato served as Director of International Finance/Corporate Treasurer for Skillsoft Limited. Prior to joining Skillsoft Limited, Mr. Amato served as the Director of Finance of CMGI, Inc., a provider of technology and e-commerce solutions, from May 2002 to December 2002.
Michael C. Ascione, age 42, has served as a director since June 2010. Mr. Ascione is currently a Managing Director at Berkshire Partners LLC, a Boston-based private equity firm, having joined the firm in 2001. Mr. Ascione also serves on the Board of Directors of several private companies. Before joining Berkshire Partners, Mr. Ascione was director of business development at an IT services firm, a senior associate at a private equity firm and started his career in the Corporate Finance and Principal Investment Area at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Mr. Ascione holds a B.S. from Boston College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Ascione’s private equity, financial and business experience qualify him to serve as a director.
John Maldonado, age 38, has served as a director since May 2010. Mr. Maldonado is currently a Managing Director at Advent International, having joined the firm in 2006. Mr. Maldonado also serves on the board of directors of several private companies and Vantiv, Inc., a company which provides electronic payment processing services to merchants and financial institutions throughout the United States. Prior to joining Advent International, Mr. Maldonado was at Parthenon Capital from 2004-2006, at Bain Capital from 2000 to 2002 and a consultant with the Parthenon Group from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Maldonado received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. Mr. Maldonado’s private equity, consulting, business services and financial experience qualify him to serve as a director.
David Humphrey, age 36, has served as a director since May 2010. Mr. Humphrey is currently a Managing Director in the Private Equity group of Bain Capital, having joined the firm in 2001. Mr. Humphrey also serves on the board of directors of Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc., Genpact Limited, BMC Software and Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. Prior to joining Bain Capital, Mr. Humphrey was an investment banker in the mergers and acquisitions group at Lehman Brothers from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Humphrey received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Harvard University. Mr. Humphrey’s private equity, mergers and acquisitions and investment banking experience qualify him to serve as a director.
Imelda Shine, age 44, has served as a director since February 2010. Ms. Shine is currently the Managing Director of Intertrust Management Ireland Limited, having established Intertrust’s Irish operation in February 2009. Ms. Shine is a director of several private companies. Prior to joining Intertrust, Ms. Shine served as Portfolio Manager at Davy Private Clients from October 2006 until September 2008, as Associate Director of Bank of Ireland Asset Management from January 2003 until September 2006, Vice President & Director Global Product Management (Global Equities) for OppenheimerFunds from September 1998 until January 2003 and Product Manager with LGT Asset Management (Formerly GT Global) from March 1993 until August 1998. Ms. Shine holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and Masters in Marketing Practice from the Smurfit Graduate School of Business. Ms. Shine’s education, international financial services and business experience qualify her to serve as a director.
Ferdinand von Prondzynski, age 59, has served as a director since June 2010, and served as a director of Skillsoft Limited from November 2001 to May 2010. Dr. von Prondzynski currently serves as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Dr. von Prondzynski served as the President of Dublin City University (DCU), one of Ireland’s leading higher education institutions, from July 2000 until July 2010. From January 1991 to July 2000, Dr. von Prondzynski served as Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Social Services, the University of Hull, UK. Dr. von Prondzynski has been a member of Ireland’s National Competitiveness Council since 2002. Dr. von Prondzynski is also a director of Knockdrin Estates Ltd. and several private companies. Dr. von Prondzynski’s leadership role at DCU, his 10 years on the Board of Directors of Skillsoft Limited and his legal, financial and business experience qualify him to serve as a director.
53
Eugene Regan, age 62, an economist and lawyer, has served as a director since December 2010. Since entering private legal practice in 1995, Mr. Regan has been a practising barrister at the Irish Bar in Dublin. Prior to 1995, Mr. Regan was a Director and General Manager of Agra Trading Ltd, an international trading company. Mr. Regan also served as a member of the Cabinet of an Irish Commissioner at the European Commission in Brussels and was also Chief Executive of the Irish Meat Exporters Association. Mr. Regan is currently a director of a number of companies in the Mutual Funds area. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in economics from University College Dublin, an M.A. in International and European law from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium, and a diploma in Applied Finance from the Irish Management Institute in Dublin. Mr. Regan was a Senator in the Irish Senate, from July 2007 - April 2011 (the Upper House of the Irish Parliament). Mr. Regan’s legal, political, financial and business experience qualify him to serve as a director.
Thomas G. Murray, age 58, has served as a director since June 2011. Mr. Murray currently serves as a non-executive director of several companies and regulated funds including UCITs, QIFs and several hedge funds. He is also on the boards of several investment companies including entities managed by Barclays, Deutsche and Old Mutual. Mr. Murray is also a director of Touax Rail Ltd., an international leasing operation. Mr. Murray also served as a director of Merion Finance Ltd, a corporate finance firm, from November 2003 to December 2008. Mr. Murray is a graduate of University College Dublin and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand in 1980. Mr. Murray was a member of the National Futures Association between 1990 and 1992, and in 2011 obtained a diploma in Directors Duties and Responsibilities from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. Mr. Murray’s financial services, accounting and business experience qualify him to serve as a director.
Lelia O’Hea, age 37, has served as a director since September 2011. Ms. O’Hea is currently a Relationship Manager with Intertrust Management Ireland Limited, and has served in this capacity since May, 2010. Ms. O’Hea is a qualified solicitor who was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Ireland in 2008 and is also an AITI (Associate of the Irish Tax Institute) Chartered Tax Adviser since November, 2013. Prior to joining Intertrust, Ms. O’Hea served from July 2006 to April 2010 as a solicitor with P.J. O’Driscolls, Solicitors, a general practice law firm with a focus on both private client and commercial business. Ms. O’Hea also currently serves as a non-executive director for several private limited companies. Ms. O’Hea’s legal background and experience serving as a director of several private limited companies and, previously, two public limited companies, qualify her to serve as a director.
There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. We have posted a current copy of the code on our website, www.skillsoft.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.
Audit Committee
The board of directors of SSI Pooling GP, Inc. (“SSI Pooling GP”), a Cayman Islands exempted company and the general partner of our parent company, (“Parent Board”), maintains an audit committee. The members of the Parent Board’s audit committee are Messrs. Michael C. Ascione, John Maldonado and David Humphrey, each of whom were appointed on November 12, 2010. The Parent Board has not determined whether or not any of its members who serve on the audit committee is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. The Parent Board has determined, however, that the absence from its audit committee of a person who would qualify as an audit committee financial expert does not impair the ability of its audit committee to provide effective oversight of the Company’s financial reporting and internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, the Parent Board does not intend to add a person to its membership solely for the purpose of adding an audit committee financial expert. In reaching its determination that the members of the Parent Board’s audit committee, as it is presently constituted, have sufficient knowledge and experience to exercise effective oversight without the addition of an audit committee financial expert, the Parent Board considered the knowledge gained by the current members of its audit committee in connection with their prior experience.
54
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consisted of Michael Ascione, David Humphrey and John Maldonado (the “Compensation Committee”). The Compensation Committee operates under the authority established in the Compensation Committee charter approved by the Board of Directors in June 2011. Prior to adoption of the Compensation Committee charter, the Compensation Committee operated in a manner that was consistent with the authority established under the charter. The Compensation Committee’s primary responsibility is to oversee the compensation relating to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and our three most highly compensated executive officers (our “Named Executive Officers”). In this role, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves compensation decisions relating to our Named Executive Officers. In addition, the Compensation Committee has responsibilities related to our incentive compensation plans (which our Named Executive Officers do not participate in) and the SSILuxco II S.A., 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). SSILuxco II S.A. is a Luxembourg entity which is an indirect parent of the Company (“Luxco II”).
Objectives and Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Program
The primary objectives of the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers are to:
· | ensure that a significant part of such compensation is tied to the achievement of corporate and individual performance objectives, which both promotes and rewards the achievement of those objectives; |
· | align long-term executive incentives with the creation of shareholder value; and |
· | attract, retain and motivate the best possible talent. |
To achieve those objectives, the Compensation Committee evaluates and implements our Named Executive Officer compensation program with the goal of setting compensation at levels the Compensation Committee believes are competitive with those of other companies in our industry and similar industries that compete with us for executive talent. In addition, our Named Executive Officer compensation program ties a substantial portion of each Named Executive Officer’s overall compensation to our financial performance as measured by metrics such as adjusted EBITDA, cash flow and bookings. In addition, a percentage of total cash compensation may be paid by the Compensation Committee on a discretionary basis tied to activities such as achievement of strategic initiatives. The Compensation Committee works in conjunction with the compensation committee of SSI Pooling GP, the general partner of our ultimate parent, SSI Pooling L.P. (“Parent”), to provide a portion of the Named Executive Officer compensation in the form of share options in Luxco II granted pursuant to the 2010 Plan. Share options in Luxco II granted to our Named Executive Officers are subject to time-based and performance and market-based vesting conditions. We believe these grants help to retain our Named Executive Officers and align their interests with those of our Parent’s shareholders by allowing them to participate in the longer term success of our company as reflected in share price appreciation and the performance based vesting requirements.
In making compensation decisions for the Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee received input from an independent compensation consulting firm engaged by the Compensation Committee, Compensia. For fiscal 2014, Compensia provided the Compensation Committee with data on executive compensation paid by a peer group of publicly traded companies in the software, education and training industries. This peer group consisted of companies the Compensation Committee believed were generally comparable to our company in terms of size (based on revenue, market capitalization, profitability and/or number of employees) or industry and/or against which the Compensation Committee believed we could compete for executive talent. The peer group used for purposes of presenting information to the Compensation Committee for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 was comprised of the following 23 companies: Active Network, Advent Software, The Advisory Board, ANSYS, Blackbaud, Bottomline Technologies, Capella Education, Concur Technologies, Constant Contact, The Corporate Executive Board, Digital River, ExactTarget, Informatica, j2 Global Communications, K12, Microstrategy, Morningstar, RealPage, Strayer Education, Synchronoss Technologies, The Ultimate Software Group, ValueClick and Websense (the “Peer Group”). In addition, in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, Compensia provided the Compensation Committee with information on market trends and developments in executive compensation and ideas for structuring executive compensation arrangements.
55
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, following its review of the information and data provided by Compensia, the Compensation Committee elected not to make any changes to the base salaries or incentive cash compensation for the Named Executive Officers. Furthermore, no changes were made to the general structure of the compensation plans for the Named Executive Officers. In addition, in establishing the compensation plans for fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee considered data with respect to the amount of compensation paid to each Named Executive Officer by particular compensation element in prior periods. This enabled the Compensation Committee to evaluate historical compensation changes and the amount of incentive compensation earned as a percentage of base pay against historical company performance.
The Compensation Committee also considers input from our chief executive officer and the compensation committee of SSI Pooling GP. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, SSI Pooling GP’s compensation committee included Richard Lubin, Steven Tadler, and Ian Loring, representatives of Berkshire Partners LP, Advent International and Bain Capital, LP, respectively, and Mr. Michael Fleisher, who was added to the Compensation Committee of SSI Pooling GP in April 2012. Mr. Lubin, Mr. Loring, Mr. Tadler and Mr. Fleisher are also members of the SSI Pooling GP board of directors. Input from these sources is communicated to the Compensation Committee at its request and at meetings of the Compensation Committee, which our chief executive officer attends, and includes information with respect to the performance and contributions of other members of the executive management team. Our chief executive officer is not present during the executive session conducted by the Compensation Committee at its meetings. When asked by the Compensation Committee, our chief executive officer provides recommendations with respect to financial and operational objectives and offers his view regarding the overall structure of the plans.
The Compensation Committee has the authority under its charter to engage the services of outside advisors, experts and others to assist the Compensation Committee and to discontinue such services. In accordance with this authority, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 as an independent compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee on matters related to executive compensation. The Company assessed the independence of Compensia pursuant to Item 407(e)(3)(iv) of Regulation S-K and concluded that no conflict of interest existed that would prevent Compensia from independently representing the Compensation Committee. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, Compensia provided the Compensation Committee with data on executive compensation paid by a peer group of publicly traded companies in the software, education and training industries. The study was provided to the Compensation Committee in March 2013.
The Compensation Committee has established the following guidelines to assist it in making compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers. These guidelines are expressed, for a particular element of compensation, as the target percentile of the range of that compensation element paid to similarly situated executives of the companies in the Peer Group. Consistent with the fiscal years ended January 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, we kept total target cash compensation for our Named Executive Officers at approximately the 75th percentile of the Peer Group. In establishing this general guideline, the Compensation Committee considered the Peer Group data provided by Compensia, the performance of the executive management team over an extended period of time and its desire to enhance the retentive value of the cash compensation program. Also, in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the Compensation Committee maintained its philosophy with respect to the establishment of base salaries for our Named Executive Officer cash compensation program. The Compensation Committee kept base salaries for our Named Executive Officers at or below the 75th percentile of the Peer Group.
In summary, the Compensation Committee targets our Named Executive Officer compensation program elements as follows:
· | base salaries are targeted at approximately the 75th percentile of our Peer Group; and |
· | total cash compensation (base salary and target bonus) is targeted at the 75th percentile of our Peer Group. |
Variations to these guidelines may occur due to factors such as the experience levels of particular individuals, their performance, their relative importance within the organization and market factors. The Compensation Committee believes that this approach ties a significant percentage of incentive compensation to company performance and provides market competitive pay to our Named Executive Officers in the short-term when performance merits it and above median compensation when long-term performance merits it.
56
Components of our Named Executive Officer Compensation Program
The primary elements of our Named Executive Officer compensation program are:
· | base salary; |
· | cash incentive bonuses; |
· | share option awards in Luxco II; |
· | employee benefits; and |
· | severance benefits. |
Base Salary
Base salary is used to compensate our Named Executive Officers for the general performance of their duties, in light of their experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities. In establishing base salaries for our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee considers data from our Peer Group, as well as a variety of other factors, including any contractual commitments to that individual, the seniority of the individual, the level of the individual’s responsibility, our ability to replace the individual, and the base salary of the individual at his prior employment, if applicable. Each of our Named Executive Officers has an employment agreement dating from either 1998 or 2002 that provides for a minimum annual base salary (see “Employment Agreements and Potential Termination Payments” below). The current base salaries of those Named Executive Officers are in excess of their minimum base salaries as provided for in their employment agreements, and those employment agreements are not a significant factor in the Compensation Committee’s base salary decisions. Base salaries are reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee.
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, the Compensation Committee adopted a new philosophy and practice with respect to the setting of base salaries for our Named Executive Officers. Previously, base salaries had been targeted at the 25th percentile of the benchmarking data. In fiscal 2012, in the context of broader structural changes to our Named Executive Officers cash compensation program implemented in the first full fiscal year following the Acquisition by our Sponsors, the Compensation Committee aligned base salaries with the 75th percentile of the benchmarking data presented by Compensia in fiscal 2012.
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, following its review of the information and data provided by Compensia, no changes were made to the base salaries for the Named Executive Officers.
Cash Incentive Bonuses
The Compensation Committee establishes an incentive compensation program for our Named Executive Officers on an annual basis. Historically, this program provided for quarterly and annual cash bonuses that were tied to the achievement of company specific objectives. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, the Compensation Committee eliminated the quarterly cash bonus opportunities and put in place incentive cash bonus opportunities tied solely to annual objectives – and this philosophy and practice was continued in the fiscal years ended January 31, 2013 and 2014. The annual cash incentive bonuses are generally intended to compensate our Named Executive Officers for the achievement of corporate strategic and financial objectives. Each Named Executive Officer is assigned a target bonus under this incentive compensation program, with more senior executives typically having a higher target bonus as a percentage of such executive’s base salary. The financial targets measured pursuant to the incentive compensation program generally conform to the financial metrics contained in the internal operating plan adopted by the board of directors at the beginning of each fiscal year. The Compensation Committee approves the objectives on which bonus payments are based, the allocation of the target bonus among the various performance objectives, and the formula for determining potential bonus amounts based on the achievement of those objectives using budgeted or plan objectives established at the beginning of the relevant fiscal year.
The amounts of the target bonuses were set by the Compensation Committee based in large part on the benchmarking data provided by Compensia in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 (which was further supported by the FY14 data) and the Compensation Committee’s philosophy of setting total cash compensation (base salary and target bonus) at approximately the 75th percentile of the Peer Group. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the target bonuses for the cash incentive element of our Named Executive Officer Compensation Program were the same as those set in the prior fiscal year.
57
The table below shows the target bonuses for the Named Executive Officers, both as a percentage of annual base salary and in dollars, for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
| As a Percentage of Base Salary |
|
| Target Amount |
|
Charles E. Moran |
| 100% |
| $ | 616,000 |
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
| 75% |
| $ | 264,000 |
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
| 75% |
| $ | 308,250 |
|
Mark A. Townsend |
| 65% |
| $ | 190,450 |
|
Colm M. Darcy |
| 65% |
| $ | 190,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For each Named Executive Officer, 100% of his target bonus was allocated to the annual bonus opportunities. The annual bonuses were based on adjusted EBITDA objectives (15% of annual target bonus), free cash flow (15% of annual target bonus) and bookings objectives (40% of annual target bonus), with the remaining 30% of the annual target bonus being discretionary. For the discretionary component, the Compensation Committee discussed that it would review the ongoing status and implementation of growth initiatives undertaken by the Company, review the status of strategic opportunities considered and completed by the Company and perform a general assessment of the organizational structure and changes made thereto based on our long-term objectives. These performance metrics were selected by the Compensation Committee because the Compensation Committee believes these are the key operating metrics that are the basis for driving long term shareholder value. For purposes of this incentive compensation program, financial performance targets are set, and performance is measured, with amounts payable to the Named Executive Officers.
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the maximum bonus that could be earned, based on annual bonus metrics described above, was 250% of the target bonus and the minimum was 0%. For adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and bookings, three levels of targets were set, with 100% of the allocated target bonus payable if the second performance level target (level 2) was attained and 150% of the allocated target bonus payable if the third performance level target (level 3) was attained. Between the level 1 and the level 2 targets, a pro rata percentage of the level 2 target is earned based on achievement between the level 1 and level 2 targets. A similar pro rata percentage is earned for adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow or bookings between level 2 and level 3. No bonus is earned for performance below the level 1 target. For the discretionary component, the Compensation Committee set only level 2 and level 3 bonus opportunities, with no bonus being paid below level 2.
When adopting the program for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the Compensation Committee set the annual targets for each category of performance objectives based on the Company’s internal operating plan. The objectives included in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 incentive compensation program for our Named Executive Officers were set at levels that were designed to be attainable if the Company had what we consider to be a successful year, but were by no means certain or even probable of being attained.
The bonuses actually paid under the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 incentive compensation program for our Named Executive Officers, based on the annual bonus metrics described above, were approximately 197% of the executive’s target bonus. For adjusted EBITDA, our performance was above level 3, with 100% of the level 2 and level 3 opportunities being paid. For bookings, our performance was between level 2 and level 3, with 100% of the level 2 opportunity being paid and approximately 26.3% of the level 3 opportunity being paid. For free cash flow, our performance was between level 2 and level 3, with 100% of the level 2 opportunity being paid and approximately 84.0% of level 3 opportunity being paid. Based on the Compensation Committee’s review of the achievements and activities undertaken by the Company in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved paying 100% of the maximum discretionary bonus opportunity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Metric |
| Level 2 Target |
| Level 3 Target |
| Actual Result |
|
FY14 Adjusted EBITDA-B |
| n/a |
| $162.2 million |
| $171.4 million |
|
FY14 Free Cash Flow |
| $79.7 million |
| $84.7 million |
| $83.9 million* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Adjusted to reflect the impact of certain items not contemplated by the operating plan when established.
For purposes of the Named Executive Officer compensation plans, the adjusted EBITDA targets and actual results set forth above do not include incentive compensation payable to the Named Executive Officers.
58
We do not publicly disclose our bookings or bookings targets. We consider our actual and targeted bookings to be confidential information and we believe that disclosure of that information could be used by others in a manner that could cause us competitive harm. The bookings objectives included in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 executive incentive compensation program were set at levels that were designed to be attainable, but were by no means certain or even probable of being attained.
Share Options
Our share option program is the primary vehicle for offering long-term incentives to our executives generally. We believe that option grants provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance, create an ownership culture and help to align the interests of our executives and our shareholders. All awards have been approved by the board of directors or the compensation committee of SSI Pooling GP.
On November 16, 2010, the Manager of Luxco II adopted the “2010 Plan” to advance the interests of Luxco II and its subsidiaries by providing Luxco II with the right to grant equity-based awards to eligible participants (i.e., key employees and directors of, and consultants and advisors to, Luxco II and/or its subsidiaries). In addition, Luxco II delegated administration of the 2010 Plan to the board of directors of SSI Pooling. Awards under the 2010 Plan are intended to align the incentives of the executives of Luxco II and its subsidiaries with those of Luxco II’s direct and indirect shareholders.
Stock options granted to date are subject to time-based and performance-based vesting conditions, based on the return received (or deemed received) by the Sponsors on their initial equity investment in Parent and upon the occurrence of certain events, including, a change in control of Parent or its subsidiaries. Shares of Luxco II acquired upon the exercise of such stock options are subject to both transfer restrictions and repurchase rights following a termination of employment. The stock options expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
A summary of stock option activity under the 2010 Plan for the period from May 26, 2010 to January 31, 2014 is contained in Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. No options were granted to our Named Executive Officers in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. It is possible that Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP will grant options or other incentive equity awards to our Named Executive Officers following the anticipated closing of the sale of Skillsoft.
Employee Benefits and Other Compensation
We maintain broad-based benefits that are provided to all employees, including health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance and a 401(k) plan. Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case on the same basis as other employees. Under our 401(k) plan, we match 100% of the employees’ 401(k) contributions up to 3% of eligible compensation, subject to various limitations (including a limit of $2,400 per employee annually). This match is available to all employees who participate in our 401(k) plan.
In addition, our chief financial officer, Thomas McDonald, does not reside in New England. Consequently, we make available to him housing and a car when he is in New Hampshire. We also reimburse Mr. McDonald for the expenses associated with his travel to and from New Hampshire. For additional information regarding these benefits, please refer to the Summary Compensation Table below and the narrative description that follows it.
Severance Benefits:
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. The employment agreements provide that the executive is entitled to specified severance benefits in the event his employment is terminated by us without “Cause” or by the Named Executive Officer for “Good Reason” (each as defined in the employment agreement). We have provided more detailed information about these arrangements, along with estimates of their value, under the section “Employment Agreements and Potential Termination Payments” below. We believe that providing these severance benefits helps us compete for and retain executive talent.
59
Tax Considerations
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), generally disallows a tax deduction for compensation for publicly traded companies in excess of $1.0 million paid to chief executive officers and three other executive officers (other than the chief financial officer) whose compensation is required to be disclosed to the shareholders by reason of being among our most highly compensated officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not subject to the deduction limitation if specified requirements are met. While we were a publicly traded company, we structured our share option awards and other incentive compensation to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) so that the compensation remained tax deductible to us. Following the Acquisition, since the equity securities of the Company are no longer publicly traded, Section 162(m) no longer applies to the Company. In making decisions about executive compensation, the Compensation Committee takes into account certain tax and accounting considerations, including Sections 409A and 280G of the Code.
60
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the total compensation for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 for our Named Executive Officers who were serving as executive officers on January 31, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
| Fiscal Year |
| Salary |
| Bonus |
| Stock Awards |
| Option Awards |
| Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation |
| All Other Compensation |
| Total |
|
|
|
|
| ($) |
| ($) |
| ($) |
| ($) |
| ($)1 |
| ($)2 |
| ($) |
|
Charles E. Moran |
| 2014 |
| 616,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 1,211,379 |
| 14,462 |
| 1,841,841 |
|
President & CEO |
| 2013 |
| 616,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 1,109,763 |
| 14,462 |
| 1,740,225 |
|
|
| 2012 |
| 616,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 1,415,774 |
| 14,462 |
| 2,046,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
| 2014 |
| 352,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 519,163 |
| 65,790 |
| 936,953 |
|
CFO |
| 2013 |
| 352,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 475,613 |
| 73,450 |
| 901,063 |
|
|
| 2012 |
| 352,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 606,760 |
| 65,340 |
| 1,024,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
| 2014 |
| 411,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 606,183 |
| 10,520 |
| 1,027,703 |
|
COO |
| 2013 |
| 411,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 555,332 |
| 10,520 |
| 976,852 |
|
|
| 2012 |
| 411,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 708,462 |
| 10,520 |
| 1,129,982 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark A. Townsend |
| 2014 |
| 293,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 374,527 |
| 8,250 |
| 675,777 |
|
Co-Chief Product Officer |
| 2013 |
| 293,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 343,108 |
| 8,250 |
| 644,358 |
|
|
| 2012 |
| 293,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 437,718 |
| 8,250 |
| 738,968 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colm Darcy |
| 2014 |
| 293,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 374,527 |
| 8,250 |
| 675,777 |
|
Co-Chief Product Officer |
| 2013 |
| 293,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 343,108 |
| 8,250 |
| 644,358 |
|
|
| 2012 |
| 293,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 437,718 |
| 8,250 |
| 738,968 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | The amounts in this column reflect cash bonus awards earned by our Named Executive Officers for performance under our executive incentive compensation program. |
61
(2) | All Other Compensation is comprised of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
| Fiscal Year |
| Personal Benefits |
| Life Insurance Premiums |
| Defined Contribution Plans |
| Vacation |
| Cancellation of Options |
|
|
|
|
| ($) (a) |
| ($) (b) |
| ($) (c) |
| ($)1 (d) |
| ($) |
|
Charles E. Moran |
| 2014 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 11,846 |
| - |
|
|
| 2013 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 11,846 |
| - |
|
|
| 2012 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 11,846 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
| 2014 |
| 56,405 |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 6,769 |
| - |
|
|
| 2013 |
| 64,065 |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 6,769 |
| - |
|
|
| 2012 |
| 55,955 |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 6,769 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
| 2014 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 7,904 |
| - |
|
|
| 2013 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 7,904 |
| - |
|
|
| 2012 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 7,904 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark A. Townsend |
| 2014 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 5,634 |
| - |
|
|
| 2013 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 5,634 |
| - |
|
|
| 2012 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 5,634 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colm Darcy |
| 2014 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 5,634 |
| - |
|
|
| 2013 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 5,634 |
| - |
|
|
| 2012 |
| - |
| 216 |
| 2,400 |
| 5,634 |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)The personal benefits for Thomas J. McDonald include $10,152, $10,680 and $10,848 for use of an apartment leased by us for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, $3,240, $3,024 and $3,084 for use of a company-leased vehicle for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, $28,652, $33,334 and $26,383 for personal travel for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and $13,912, $17,026 and $16,089 for reimbursement of tax obligations related to such personal benefits for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
(b)Represents premiums paid by us for life insurance for which the Named Executive Officer is the named beneficiary.
(c)Reflects amounts paid by us pursuant to our 401(k) matching program, with limits of $100 per pay period, up to a maximum of $2,400 per year.
(d)Includes amounts paid for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 as accrued and unused vacation time per our policy.
62
The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to a Named Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 under our non-equity incentive plan.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Name |
| Grant Date |
| Threshold |
| Target |
| Maximum |
| All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Units |
| All Other Stock Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Option |
| Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards |
| Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Options Awards |
|
|
|
|
| ($) (2) |
| ($) (3) |
| ($) (4) |
|
|
|
|
| ($/Sh) |
|
|
|
Charles E. Moran |
| 2/1/13 |
| 5,495 |
| 616,000 |
| 1,540,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
| 2/1/13 |
| 2,355 |
| 264,000 |
| 660,000 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
| 2/1/13 |
| 2,750 |
| 308,250 |
| 770,625 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark A. Townsend |
| 2/1/13 |
| 1,699 |
| 190,450 |
| 476,125 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colm Darcy |
| 2/1/13 |
| 1,699 |
| 190,450 |
| 476,125 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)Reflects the threshold, target and maximum cash award amounts under our executive incentive compensation program for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014 effective as of February 1, 2013. The amounts actually paid to the named executive officers under our fiscal year 2014 executive incentive compensation program are shown above in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)Reflects the total minimum amount that could have been earned if all of the minimum targets for all of the annual metrics had been achieved.
(3)Reflects the total amount that could have been earned if all of the targeted annual metrics had been achieved.
(4)Reflects the total maximum amount that could have been earned if the maximum targets for all of the annual metrics had been achieved.
63
Information Relating to Equity Awards and Holdings
The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding share options and equity incentive plan awards for each of the Named Executive Officers as of January 31, 2014. The Named Executive Officers do not hold any restricted shares.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2014 FISCAL YEAR-END
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Option Awards |
|
| ||||||||
Name |
| Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
| Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
| Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexcerised Unearned Options (#) |
| Option Exercise Price ($) |
| Option Expiration Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Moran |
| 60,137 |
| 180,395 | (1) | - |
| 100 |
| 11/16/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
| 25,693 |
| 77,073 | (1) | - |
| 100 |
| 11/16/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
| 35,718 |
| 107,144 | (1) | - |
| 100 |
| 11/16/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark A. Townsend |
| 9,112 |
| 27,334 | (1) | - |
| 100 |
| 11/16/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colm Darcy |
| 9,112 |
| 27,334 | (1) | - |
| 100 |
| 11/16/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)These options were granted on November 16, 2010. The options with service based conditions vest as to 1/5th of the shares subject to that portion of the option at the end of each successive one year period following the Acquisition date over 60 months. The options with performance based vesting conditions vest based on the return received (or deemed received) by the Sponsors on their initial equity investment in Parent and upon the occurrence of certain events including a change in control of Parent or its subsidiaries.
Employment Agreements and Potential Termination Payments
We have entered into employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers that provide for termination payments under certain circumstances.
Charles E. Moran’s Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with Skillsoft Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of completion of the merger, with Charles E. Moran, to employ Mr. Moran as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Moran’s employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of $225,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by our Board of Directors. Mr. Moran’s current base salary is $616,000. In addition, Mr. Moran will be entitled to receive an annual performance bonus based on performance metrics established by the Board of Directors. Mr. Moran’s employment is at-will, but if Mr. Moran’s employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, each as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to receive a payment equal to the sum of his base salary and maximum performance bonus for a period of one year after the date of termination. If Mr. Moran’s termination is voluntary (other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause, the covenant not to solicit employees and the covenant not to compete will extend for a period of one year after the termination of his employment.
64
Thomas J. McDonald’s Employment Agreement. Thomas J. McDonald is a party to an employment agreement dated February 2, 1998 with our predecessor corporation, Skillsoft Corporation. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. McDonald is entitled to receive a base salary of $135,000, which may be increased in accordance with our regular salary review practices. Mr. McDonald’s current base salary is $352,000. Mr. McDonald is also entitled to participate in any bonus plans that Skillsoft may establish for its senior executives. Either we or Mr. McDonald may terminate the employment agreement at will for any reason upon three months prior notice in the case of termination by us, or upon two months prior notice in the case of termination by Mr. McDonald. If Mr. McDonald’s employment is terminated for any reason or if he resigns with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to continuation of salary and benefits for a period of six months after the date of termination. In addition, in the event of such a termination, Mr. McDonald’s stock options will continue to vest and be exercisable if he performs consulting services for us of up to ten hours per week during the six months following termination.
Jerald A. Nine Jr.’s Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with Skillsoft Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of completion of the merger, with Jerald A. Nine, to employ Mr. Nine as our Executive Vice-President, Content Solutions and General Manager Books Division. Mr. Nine’s employment agreement provides for a cash compensation plan that reflects the level established by our Board of Directors for the then current fiscal year. Mr. Nine’s employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of $200,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by the Board of Directors. Mr. Nine’s current base salary is $411,000. In addition, Mr. Nine will be entitled to receive an annual performance bonus based on performance metrics established by the Board of Directors. Mr. Nine’s employment is at-will, but if Mr. Nine’s employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to receive a payment equal to the sum of his base salary plus the then maximum performance bonus for a period of one year. If Mr. Nine’s termination is voluntary (other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause, the covenant not to solicit employees and the covenant not to compete will extend for a period of one year after the termination of his employment.
Mark A. Townsend’s Employment Agreement. Mark A. Townsend is a party to an employment agreement dated January 12, 1998 with our predecessor corporation, Skillsoft Corporation. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Townsend is entitled to receive a base salary of $145,000, which may be increased in accordance with our regular salary review practices. Mr. Townsend’s current base salary is $293,000. Mr. Townsend is also entitled to participate in any bonus plans that Skillsoft may establish for its senior executives. Either we or Mr. Townsend may terminate the employment agreement at will for any reason upon three months prior notice in the case of termination by us, or upon two months prior notice in the case of termination by Mr. Townsend. If Mr. Townsend’s employment is terminated for any reason or if he resigns with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to continuation of salary and benefits for a period of six months after the date of termination. In addition, in the event of such a termination, Mr. Townsend’s stock options will continue to vest and be exercisable if he performs consulting services for us of up to ten hours per week during the six months following termination.
Colm M. Darcy’s Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with Skillsoft Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of completion of the merger, with Mr. Darcy, to employ him as our Executive Vice President, Content Development. Mr. Darcy’s employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of $200,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by the Board of Directors and that his participation in Skillsoft’s benefit plans shall be at Skillsoft’s expense. Mr. Darcy’s current base salary is $293,000. Pursuant to the employment agreement, on September 6, 2002, we granted Mr. Darcy an option to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $4.25 per share. The option grant vested as to 25% of the shares on September 6, 2003 and vests thereafter in 48 equal monthly installments on each monthly anniversary of the date of the grant. Mr. Darcy will also be reimbursed for certain supplemental travel expenses for him and his wife. In addition, Mr. Darcy will be entitled to receive relocation expense reimbursement in the event Mr. Darcy either relocates to Ireland at our request or returns there within three months after his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, each as defined in his employment agreement. Mr. Darcy’s employment is at-will, but if his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, he will be entitled to receive a payment equal to the sum of $75,000 plus his base salary for a period of six months after the date of termination. The employment agreement also includes a covenant not to solicit employees and a covenant not to compete for a period extending until the later of six months after the termination of his employment and September 6, 2006, if Mr. Darcy’s termination is voluntary (other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause.
The table below shows the benefits potentially payable to each of our Named Executive Officers if he were terminated without cause or resigned for good reason, or in the case of Messrs. McDonald and Townsend, if he were terminated for any reason or resigned for good cause. These amounts are calculated on the assumption that the employment termination took place on January 31, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
| Severance Payments |
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Name |
| Base Salary |
| Bonus (1) |
| Benefits |
| Total |
| ||
Charles E. Moran |
| 616,000 |
| 1,540,000 |
| - |
| 2,156,000 |
| ||
Thomas J. McDonald |
| 176,000 |
| - |
| 3,976 |
| 179,976 |
| ||
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
| 411,000 |
| 770,625 |
| - |
| 1,181,625 |
| ||
Mark A. Townsend |
| 146,500 |
| - |
| 10,749 |
| 157,249 |
| ||
Colm Darcy |
| 221,500 |
| - |
| - |
| 221,500 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)Represents maximum performance bonus for a one year period.
Compensation of Non-Executive Directors
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the Board of Directors established a compensation program for those directors of the Company who were (i) not nominees of any party interested in shares of the Company; (ii) not nominees of any party providing professional services to the Company; and (iii) not holding any executive office with the Company or any of its subsidiaries (such a director being a “Non-Executive Director”). Under the program, each Non-Executive Director receives cash compensation as follows:
· | an annual payment of $25,000; |
· | in respect of the fifth and each succeeding Board of Directors meeting held in person (i.e. excluding any meeting of the Board held by means of conference telephone, video-conferencing or other telecommunications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the Board of Directors meeting can hear each other speak) in each fiscal year, a payment of $1,500 for each such meeting, the aggregate of such additional payments in any one fiscal years not to exceed $15,000; and |
· | reimbursement of all reasonable vouched out of pocket expenses incurred in the performance of duties as a Non-Executive Director. |
Any director who is in office only for a portion of a fiscal year shall only be entitled to be paid a pro-rated portion of such remuneration reflecting such portion of the year during which he held office.
We currently have three Non-Executive Directors, each of whom is eligible for cash remuneration as described above: Dr. Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Eugene Regan and Thomas G. Murray.
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our Non-Executive Directors for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
| Fees Earned Or Paid in Cash ($) |
|
Ferdinand von Prondzynski |
| 26,500 |
|
Eugene Regan |
| 26,500 |
|
Thomas Murray |
| 26,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
We have entered into a corporate secretarial services agreement with Intertrust Management Ireland Limited (“Intertrust”), Ms. Shine and Ms. O’Hea, pursuant to which Intertrust, Ms. Shine and Ms. O’Hea have agreed to provide director services to us and certain of our parent and subsidiary entities. Pursuant to such agreement, we have agreed to pay Ms. Shine and Ms. O'Hea $3,000 for each entity upon whose board of directors that each of Ms. Shine and Ms. O’Hea serves. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, we paid $33,000 and $12,000 to each of Ms. Shine and Ms. O’Hea, respectively, for their service on our and our affiliate entities’ boards.
In addition, for fiscal 2014, we paid Intertrust $98,611, inclusive of VAT, for related corporate secretarial services.
66
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors are Messrs. Ascione, Humphrey and Maldonado, each of whom became members of the Compensation Committee in October 2010. None of our executive officers have served as a director or member of the compensation committee of any other entity whose executive officers served as a director or member of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Ascione is a Managing Director at Berkshire Partners LLC, and its affiliates are beneficial shareholders of the Company. Mr. Maldonado is a Managing Director at Advent International, and its affiliates are beneficial shareholders of the Company. Mr. Humphrey is a Managing Director at Bain Capital, and its affiliates are beneficial shareholders of the Company. See “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”
Upon completion of the Acquisition, certain of our parent and subsidiary entities entered into a management agreement with entities affiliated with the Sponsors, pursuant to which such entities provide management services to us and certain of our parent and subsidiary entities until the tenth anniversary of the consummation of the Acquisition, with evergreen one year extensions thereafter. Pursuant to such agreement, entities affiliated with the Sponsors receive an aggregate annual management fee equal to $1.5 million, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them or their respective affiliates in connection with the provision of services pursuant to the agreement. After satisfaction of certain Irish regulatory requirements, Skillsoft became a party to the management agreement.
The management agreement provides that entities affiliated with the Sponsors are entitled to receive fees in connection with certain subsequent financing, acquisition, disposition and change of control transactions of 1% of the gross transaction value of any such transaction. The management agreement includes customary exculpation and indemnification provisions in favor of the Sponsors and their respective affiliates. The management agreement may be terminated, respectively, by the Company and the Sponsors at any time and will terminate automatically upon an initial public offering or a change of control unless we and the counterparty(s) determine otherwise. Upon termination, each provider of management services will be entitled to a termination fee calculated based on the present value of the annual fees due during the remaining period from the date of termination to the tenth anniversary of the date of the completion of the Acquisition or the then-applicable scheduled date for termination of the management agreement.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above with management and, based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2014.
Compensation Committee
Michael Ascione
David Humphrey
John Maldonado
Compensation-Related Risk
As part of its oversight and administration of the Company's compensation programs, the Compensation Committee considered the impact of the Company's compensation policies and programs for its employees, including its executive officers, to determine whether they present a significant risk to the Company or encourage excessive risk taking by Company employees. Based on its review, the Compensation Committee concluded that the Company's compensation programs do not encourage excessive risk taking and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
All of the outstanding stock of SSI Investments II Limited is held by SSI Investments I Limited. SSILuxCo II S.A. holds all of the outstanding stock of SSI Investments I Limited. SSILuxCo S.à r.l. holds all of the outstanding stock of SSILuxCo II S.A. SSI Pooling, L.P., referred to herein as Parent, holds all of the outstanding stock of SSILuxCo S.à r.l.
67
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2014, the number and percentage of securities beneficially owned by each person known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Parent (“Units”)/as-exercised shares of Luxco II (collectively, the “Securities”), each director and named executive officer of SSI Investments II Limited and all directors and executive officers of SSI Investments II Limited as a group. The beneficial ownership percentages reflected in the table below are based on 5,349,883 Units outstanding as of March 31, 2014. Notwithstanding the beneficial ownership of Units presented below, the rights of the holders of Units are governed by certain agreements, including an agreement of exempted limited partnership of Parent, a shareholders’ agreement of SSI Pooling GP, the general partner of Parent, and a management stockholders agreement between Luxco II and the managers party thereto. The parties to the shareholders’ agreement of SSI Pooling GP have agreed to vote their shares to elect the board of directors of SSI Pooling GP as set forth therein. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Except as described in the agreements referred to above or as otherwise indicated in a footnote, each of the beneficial owners listed has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the following Units.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Amount and Nature of Beneficially Owned |
| ||||||
Name if Beneficial Owner |
| Units (a) |
| Shares Subject to Options Currently Exercisable or Exercisable within 60 Days |
| Total Number of Units |
| Percent of Class |
|
Berkshire Unit Holders (1) |
| 2,130,955.72 |
| - |
| 2,130,955.72 |
| 39.8% |
|
Advent Investments (2) |
| 1,581,346.52 |
| - |
| 1,581,346.52 |
| 29.6% |
|
Bain Unit Holders (3) |
| 1,581,346.52 |
| - |
| 1,581,346.52 |
| 29.6% |
|
Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael C. Ascione (4) |
| 2,130,955.72 |
| - |
| 2,130,955.72 |
| 39.8% |
|
David W. Humphrey (5) |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
John Maldonado |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
Imelda Shine |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
Ferdinand von Prondzynski |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
Eugene Regan |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
Thomas Murray |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
Lelia O'Hea |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
|
Named Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles. Moran (6) |
| 24,992.99 |
| 80,182.40 |
| 105,175.39 |
| 1.9% |
|
Thomas J. McDonald (7) |
| 4,998.60 |
| 34,257.60 |
| 39,256.20 |
| * |
|
Jerald A. Nine Jr. (8) |
| 9,997.20 |
| 47,624.00 |
| 57,621.20 |
| 1.1% |
|
Mark A. Townsend (9) |
| 4,998.60 |
| 12,149.60 |
| 17,148.20 |
| * |
|
Colm M. Darcy (10) |
| 2,499.30 |
| 12,149.60 |
| 14,648.90 |
| * |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (14 persons) |
| 3,761,788.37 |
| 187,423.20 |
| 3,949,211.57 |
| 71.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) These unit numbers are based on a purchase price of $100 per Unit. These Units were originally issued at a purchase price of $1 per Unit but have been converted to a purchase price of $100 per Unit for purposes of comparing such Units to the number of shares underlying options of Luxco II, which options have an exercise price of $100 per share.
68
|
|
* (1) | Less than 1% Represents 1,727,437.66 Units beneficially held by Berkshire Fund VII (OS), L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Berkshire VII (OS)”), 322,949.51 Units beneficially held by Berkshire Fund VII-A (OS), L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Berkshire VII-A (OS)”) and 80,568.54 Units beneficially held by Berkshire Investors (OS), L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Berkshire Investors (OS)” and, collectively with Berkshire VII (OS) and Berkshire VII-A (OS), the “Berkshire Unit Holders”). Seventh Berkshire Associates (OS), L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Seventh BA (OS)”) is the general partner of each of the Berkshire Unit Holders. Seventh Berkshire Associates GP (OS), Ltd., a Cayman Islands limited share company (“Seventh BA GP (OS)”), is the general partner of Seventh BA (OS). By virtue of these relationships, Seventh BA (OS) and Seventh BA GP (OS) may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the 2,130,955.72 Units beneficially held by the Berkshire Unit Holders. Seventh BA (OS) and Seventh BA GP (OS) expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of any securities owned beneficially or of record by any person or persons other than themselves for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) and Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of any such securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The business address of each of the Berkshire Unit Holders, Seventh BA (OS) and Seventh BA GP (OS) is c/o Berkshire Partners LLC, 200 Clarendon Street, 35th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. |
(2) | The funds managed by Advent International Corporation own 100% of Advent SS Investments (Cayman) Limited Shareholding which ultimately has a 29.6% ownership of SSI Investments II Limited. The indirect beneficial ownership of the funds managed by Advent International Corporation consists of 6,828,197 units beneficially held by Advent International GPE VI Limited Partnership, 4,565,719 units beneficially held by Advent International GPE VI-A Limited Partnership, 344,938 units beneficially held by Advent International GPE VI-B Limited Partnership, 351,209 units beneficially held by Advent International GPE VI-C Limited Partnership, 321,419 units beneficially held by Advent International GPE VI-D Limited Partnership, 849,801 units beneficially held by Advent International GPE VI-E Limited Partnership, 1,284,109 units beneficially held by Advent International GPE VI-F Limited Partnership, 809,035 units beneficially held by Advent International GPE VI-G Limited Partnership, 249,296 units beneficially held by Advent Partners GPE VI 2008 Limited Partnership, 9,407 units beneficially held by Advent Partners GPE VI 2009 Limited Partnership, 20,383 units beneficially held by Advent Partners GPE VI 2010 Limited Partnership, 23,518 units beneficially held by Advent Partners GPE VI-A Limited Partnership and 21,951 units beneficially held by Advent Partners GPE VI-A 2010 Limited Partnership. Advent International Corporation is the manager of Advent International LLC, which in turn is the general partner of GPE VI GP Limited Partnership and GPE VI GP (Delaware) Limited Partnership. GPE VI GP Limited Partnership is the general partner of Advent International GPE VI Limited Partnership, Advent International GPE VI-A Limited Partnership, Advent International GPE VI-B Limited Partnership, Advent International GPE VI-F Limited Partnership and Advent International GPE VI-G Limited Partnership. GPE VI GP (Delaware) is the general partner of Advent International GPE VI-C Limited Partnership, Advent International GPE VI-D Limited Partnership and Advent International GPE VI-E Limited Partnership. Advent International Corporation is the manager of Advent International LLC, which in turn is the general partner of Advent Partners GPE VI 2008 Limited Partnership, Advent Partners GPE VI 2009 Limited Partnership, Advent Partners GPE VI 2010 Limited Partnership, Advent Partners GPE VI-A Limited Partnership and Advent Partners GPE VI-A 2010 Limited Partnership. Limited partners of Advent Partners GPE VI 2008 Limited Partnership, Advent Partners GPE VI 2009 Limited Partnership, Advent Partners GPE VI 2010 Limited Partnership, Advent Partners GPE VI-A Limited Partnership and Advent Partners GPE VI-A 2010 Limited Partnership are individuals affiliated with Advent. Advent International Corporation exercises voting and investment power over the shares held by each of these entities and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of these shares. With respect to the shares held by the funds managed by Advent International Corporation, a group of individuals currently composed of David M. McKenna, David M. Mussafer and Steven M. Tadler exercises voting and investment power over the shares beneficially owned by Advent International Corporation. Each of Mr. McKenna, Mr. Mussafer and Mr. Tadler disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the funds managed by Advent International Corporation, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interest therein. The address of Advent International Corporation and each of the funds listed above is c/o Advent International Corporation, 75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. |
69
(3) | Represents 1,571,443.31 Units held by Bain Capital Fund X, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Bain Capital Fund X”), 5,606.53 Units held by BCIP Associates IV, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“BCIP IV”), 2,562.35 Units held by BCIP Trust Associates IV, L.P. a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“BCIP Trust IV”), 1,184.64 Units held by BCIP Associates IV-B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“BCIP IV-B”), and 549.69 Units held by BCIP Trust Associates IV-B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“BCIP Trust IV-B” and, collectively with Bain Capital Fund X, BCIP IV, BCIP Trust IV and BCIP IV-B, the “Bain Unit Holders”). Bain Capital Partners X, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Bain Capital Partners X”) is the general partner of Bain Capital Fund X. Bain Capital Investors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Bain Capital Investors” and together with Bain Capital Partners X and the Bain Unit Holders, the “Bain Capital Entities”) is the general partner of each of Bain Capital Partners X, BCIP IV, BCIP Trust IV, BCIP IV-B and BCIP Trust IV-B. As a result of the relationships described above, the Bain Capital Entities may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the 1,581,346.52 Units beneficially held by the Bain Unit Holders.. The governance, investment strategy and decision-making process with respect to investments held by the Bain Unit Holders is directed by Bain Capital Investors’ Global Private Equity Board (“GPEB”), which is comprised of the following individuals: Steven Barnes, Joshua Bekenstein, John Connaughton, Paul Edgerley, Stephen Pagliuca, Michel Plantevin, Dwight Poler, Jonathan Zhu and Steven Zide. Because of the relationships described in this footnote, GPEB may be deemed to exercise voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by the Bain Unit Holders. Each of the members of GPEB disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares to the extent attributed to such member solely by virtue of serving on GPEB. The business address of each of the Bain Capital Entities is c/o Bain Capital Partners, LLC, John Hancock Tower, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA, 02116. |
70
|
71
(4) | Includes 2,130,955.72 Units beneficially held by the Berkshire Unit Holders. Mr. Ascione is a Managing Director at Berkshire Partners LLC, and by virtue of this and the relationships described in footnote (1) above, he may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect to the 2,130,955.72 Units beneficially held by the Berkshire Unit Holders. Mr. Ascione disclaims beneficial ownership of all such units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
(5) | Does not include Units beneficially held by the Bain Unit Holders. Mr. Humphrey is a Managing Director of Bain Capital Investors, and by virtue of the relationships described in footnote 3 above, Mr. Humphrey may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the 1,583,346.52 Units held by the Bain Unit Holders. The business address for Mr. Humphrey is c/o Bain Capital Partners, LLC, John Hancock Tower, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. |
(6) | Represents 19,994.40 Units beneficially held by various family trusts, of which Mr. Moran’s wife is a trustee and 4,998.60 Units beneficially owned by Mr. Moran’s wife, as trustee of the Susan M. Moran Revocable Trust. Also includes 80,182.40 shares of Luxco II subject to options which he will have the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2014, upon the exercise of share options held by Mr. Moran. |
(7) | Includes 34,257.60 shares of Luxco II subject to options which he will have the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2014, upon the exercise of share options held by Mr. McDonald. |
(8) | Includes 47,624.00 shares of Luxco II subject to options which he will have the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2014, upon the exercise of share options held by Mr. Nine. |
(9) | Includes 12,149.60 shares of Luxco II subject to options which he will have the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2014, upon the exercise of share options held by Mr. Townsend. |
(10) | Includes 12,149.60 shares of Luxco II subject to options which he will have the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2014, upon the exercise of share options held by Mr. Darcy. |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Policies and Procedures Regarding Review, Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions
Arrangements with our Investors
Simultaneously with the consummation of the Acquisition, we entered into equityholder agreements with those persons and entities that became equityholders of us or Parent after the completion of the Acquisition. These equityholder agreements contain agreements among the parties with respect to election of directors, participation rights, right of first refusal upon disposition of shares, permitted transferees, registration rights and other actions requiring the approval of equityholders.
Management Agreement
Upon completion of the Acquisition, certain of our parent and subsidiary entities entered into a management agreement with entities affiliated with the Sponsors, pursuant to which such entities provide management services to us and certain of our parent and subsidiary entities until the tenth anniversary of the consummation of the Acquisition, with evergreen one year extensions thereafter. Pursuant to such agreement, entities affiliated with the Sponsors receive an aggregate annual management fee equal to $1.5 million, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them or their respective affiliates in connection with the provision of services pursuant to the agreement. After satisfaction of certain Irish regulatory requirements, Skillsoft became a party to the management agreement.
72
The management agreement provides that entities affiliated with the Sponsors are entitled to receive fees in connection with certain subsequent financing, acquisition, disposition and change of control transactions of 1% of the gross transaction value of any such transaction. The management agreement includes customary exculpation and indemnification provisions in favor of the Sponsors and their respective affiliates. The management agreement may be terminated, respectively, by the Company and the Sponsors at any time and will terminate automatically upon an initial public offering or a change of control unless we and the counterparty(s) determine otherwise. Upon termination, each provider of management services will be entitled to a termination fee calculated based on the present value of the annual fees due during the remaining period from the date of termination to the tenth anniversary of the date of the completion of the Acquisition or the then-applicable scheduled date for termination of the management agreement.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance
Our current directors and officers and those of our subsidiaries are entitled under the agreement covering the Acquisition to continued indemnification and insurance coverage.
Corporate Governance; Director Independence
Our securities are not listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system that has requirements as to board composition. As our securities are not listed, the board of directors has made no determination as to whether or not any of its managers are independent directors as defined in the regulations of NASDAQ or the NYSE. We do not maintain a nominating/corporate governance committee or Audit Committee and our Compensation Committee does not include any independent directors.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services; Auditors’ Fees
The following table summarizes the fees of Ernst & Young, our registered public accounting firm, billed to us for each of the last two fiscal years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fee Category |
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2014 |
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2013 |
|
Audit Fees (1) |
| $ | 1,738,000 |
| $ | 1,622,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
|
| 35,000 |
|
| 611,000 |
|
Tax Fees (3) |
|
| 1,666,000 |
|
| 1,449,000 |
|
Total Fees |
| $ | 3,439,000 |
| $ | 3,682,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of our financial statements, the audit of our internal control over financial reporting, the review of the interim financial statements in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other professional services provided or accrued for in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014 and January 31, 2013.
(2)Audit-related fees consist of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit and the review of our financial statements and which are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services relate to employee benefit plan audits and accounting consultation services performed in connection with due diligence reviews in connection with the Element K acquisition and MindLeaders acquisition.
(3)Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. Tax advice and tax planning services relate to a transfer pricing analysis, tax advice, assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, employee benefit plans and requests for rulings or technical advice related to matters concerning various taxing authorities.
73
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
From time to time, our Board of Directors may pre-approve specified types of services that are requested to be provided to us by our registered independent public accounting firm during the next 12 months. Any such pre-approval is based on review of a detailed description of the particular service or type of services to be provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount. All services performed by our registered independent public accounting firm are pre-approved prior to commencement of the services.
Our Board of Directors has delegated to Mr. Ascione the authority to approve audit or non-audit services to be provided to us by our registered public accounting firm up to $100,000. Any approval of services by Mr. Ascione pursuant to this delegated authority is reported on and ratified at the next meeting of the Board of Directors. Service for fees in excess of that amount require pre-approval from all members of the Board of Directors.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents Filed as a Part of this Report:
1. Financial Statements. The following documents are filed herewith and are included as part of this annual report on Form 10-K:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedules. All Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included in this report.
3. Exhibits. The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such Exhibits are filed as part of and incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K.
74
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED |
| |
|
|
| (Registrant) |
| |
|
|
| By: | /s/ CHARLES E. MORAN |
|
|
|
|
| Charles E. Moran |
|
|
|
|
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Date: April 8, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been duly signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date set forth below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
| Title |
| Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ CHARLES E. MORAN |
| President and Chief Executive Officer and Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Charles E. Moran |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ THOMAS J. MCDONALD |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ ANTHONY P. AMATO |
| Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Anthony P. Amato |
| (Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ MICHAEL C. ASCIONE |
| Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Michael C. Ascione |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JOHN MALDONADO |
| Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
John Maldonado |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ DAVID W. HUMPHREY |
| Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
David W. Humphrey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ IMELDA SHINE |
| Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Imelda Shine |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ FERDINAND VON PRONDZYNSKI |
| Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Ferdinand von Prondzynski |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ EUGENE REGAN |
| Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Eugene Regan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ TOM MURRAY |
| Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Tom Murray |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ LELIA O'HEA |
| Director |
| April 8, 2014 |
|
Lelia O'Hea |
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PAGE NO. |
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 75 |
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2013 and 2014 | 76 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 | 77 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 | 78 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for the Years Ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 | 79 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 | 80 |
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 81 |
|
|
|
|
76
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Shareholder of SSI Investments II Limited:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SSI Investments II Limited as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of SSI Investments II Limited at January 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 8, 2014
77
SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2013 |
|
| January 31, 2014 |
ASSETS | |||||
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 39,048 |
| $ | 75,936 |
Restricted cash |
| 136 |
|
| 101 |
Accounts receivable, less reserves of approximately $486 and $462 as of January 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively |
| 188,682 |
|
| 195,405 |
Deferred tax assets |
| 1,360 |
|
| 7,943 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| 34,741 |
|
| 35,829 |
Total current assets |
| 263,967 |
|
| 315,214 |
Property and equipment, net |
| 13,654 |
|
| 14,916 |
Goodwill |
| 637,524 |
|
| 634,448 |
Intangible assets, net |
| 444,748 |
|
| 339,231 |
Deferred tax assets |
| 10,090 |
|
| 23 |
Other assets |
| 22,445 |
|
| 17,655 |
Total assets | $ | 1,392,428 |
| $ | 1,321,487 |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY | |||||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
Current maturities of long term debt | $ | 3,311 |
| $ | 3,439 |
Accounts payable |
| 11,650 |
|
| 13,010 |
Accrued compensation |
| 23,456 |
|
| 22,324 |
Accrued expenses |
| 39,310 |
|
| 42,408 |
Deferred tax liabilities |
| 15,153 |
|
| 905 |
Deferred revenue |
| 262,452 |
|
| 276,800 |
Total current liabilities |
| 355,332 |
|
| 358,886 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long term debt |
| 755,034 |
|
| 717,156 |
Deferred tax liabilities |
| 26,646 |
|
| 14,719 |
Other long term liabilities |
| 10,016 |
|
| 12,604 |
Total long-term liabilities |
| 791,696 |
|
| 744,479 |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) |
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder's equity |
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares, $1.00 par value: 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 534,513,271 shares issued at January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014 |
| 534,513 |
|
| 534,513 |
Additional paid-in capital |
| 14,574 |
|
| 20,667 |
Accumulated deficit |
| (316,520) |
|
| (345,922) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
| 12,833 |
|
| 8,864 |
Total shareholder's equity |
| 245,400 |
|
| 218,122 |
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity | $ | 1,392,428 |
| $ | 1,321,487 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
78
SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Years Ended January 31, | |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
Revenues | $ | 329,129 |
| $ | 379,949 |
| $ | 413,588 |
Cost of revenues (1) |
| 31,989 |
|
| 38,010 |
|
| 38,186 |
Cost of revenues - amortization of intangible assets |
| 66,050 |
|
| 60,603 |
|
| 54,748 |
Gross profit |
| 231,090 |
|
| 281,336 |
|
| 320,654 |
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development (1) |
| 55,626 |
|
| 58,260 |
|
| 56,467 |
Selling and marketing (1) |
| 119,575 |
|
| 140,864 |
|
| 136,271 |
General and administrative (1) |
| 33,418 |
|
| 48,062 |
|
| 41,388 |
Amortization of intangible assets |
| 66,350 |
|
| 63,137 |
|
| 54,746 |
Acquisition related expenses |
| 3,500 |
|
| 4,010 |
|
| 1,445 |
Merger and integration related expenses |
| 4,516 |
|
| 13,193 |
|
| 2,933 |
Restructuring |
| 2,723 |
|
| 4,497 |
|
| 2,931 |
Total operating expenses |
| 285,708 |
|
| 332,023 |
|
| 296,181 |
Operating (loss) income |
| (54,618) |
|
| (50,687) |
|
| 24,473 |
Other expense, net |
| (1,419) |
|
| (131) |
|
| (505) |
Interest income |
| 154 |
|
| 906 |
|
| 893 |
Interest expense |
| (62,006) |
|
| (65,771) |
|
| (64,061) |
Loss before benefit for income taxes |
| (117,889) |
|
| (115,683) |
|
| (39,200) |
Benefit for income taxes |
| (17,550) |
|
| (18,565) |
|
| (9,797) |
Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (100,339) |
| $ | (97,118) |
| $ | (29,403) |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of an income tax provision of $96 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 and an income tax benefit of $110 and $0 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively |
| 192 |
|
| (165) |
|
| 1 |
Net loss | $ | (100,147) |
| $ | (97,283) |
| $ | (29,402) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) The following summarizes the allocation of share-based compensation (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Years Ended January 31, | |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
Cost of revenues | $ | - |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
Research and development |
| - |
|
| 1,467 |
|
| 672 |
Selling and marketing |
| - |
|
| 3,752 |
|
| 1,737 |
General and administrative |
| - |
|
| 9,030 |
|
| 3,684 |
79
SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Years Ended January 31, | |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
Comprehensive loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss | $ | (100,147) |
| $ | (97,283) |
| $ | (29,402) |
Other comprehensive (loss) income — Foreign currency adjustment, net of tax |
| 986 |
|
| (553) |
|
| (3,969) |
Comprehensive loss | $ | (99,161) |
| $ | (97,836) |
| $ | (33,371) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
80
SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
(In thousands except number of shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ordinary Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
| Number of Shares |
|
| Par Value |
|
| Additional Paid-In Capital |
|
| Accumulated Deficit |
|
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income(Loss) |
|
| Total Shareholder's Equity |
|
|
BALANCE JANUARY 31, 2011 |
| 534,513,271 |
| $ | 534,513 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (119,090) |
| $ | 12,400 |
| $ | 427,823 |
|
|
Issuance of ordinary shares |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 325 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 325 |
|
|
Translation adjustment |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 986 |
|
| 986 |
|
|
Net loss |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (100,147) |
|
| - |
|
| (100,147) |
|
|
BALANCE JANUARY 31, 2012 |
| 534,513,271 |
|
| 534,513 |
|
| 325 |
|
| (219,237) |
|
| 13,386 |
|
| 328,987 |
|
|
Share-based compensation |
| - |
| $ | - |
| $ | 14,249 |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
| $ | 14,249 |
|
|
Translation adjustment |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (553) |
|
| (553) |
|
|
Net loss |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (97,283) |
|
| - |
|
| (97,283) |
|
|
BALANCE JANUARY 31, 2013 |
| 534,513,271 |
|
| 534,513 |
|
| 14,574 |
|
| (316,520) |
|
| 12,833 |
|
| 245,400 |
|
|
Share-based compensation |
| - |
| $ | - |
| $ | 6,093 |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
| $ | 6,093 |
|
|
Translation adjustment |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (3,969) |
|
| (3,969) |
|
|
Net loss |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (29,402) |
|
| - |
|
| (29,402) |
|
|
BALANCE JANUARY 31, 2014 |
| 534,513,271 |
| $ | 534,513 |
| $ | 20,667 |
| $ | (345,922) |
| $ | 8,864 |
| $ | 218,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
81
SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended January 31, | |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss | $ | (100,147) |
| $ | (97,283) |
| $ | (29,402) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation |
| - |
|
| 14,249 |
|
| 6,093 |
Depreciation and amortization |
| 4,182 |
|
| 5,504 |
|
| 7,264 |
Amortization of intangible assets |
| 132,400 |
|
| 123,740 |
|
| 109,494 |
Change in bad debt reserve |
| 152 |
|
| 38 |
|
| (20) |
Benefit for income taxes - non-cash |
| (21,524) |
|
| (24,504) |
|
| (22,774) |
Non-cash interest expense |
| 4,657 |
|
| 4,909 |
|
| 6,662 |
Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt |
| - |
|
| 254 |
|
| - |
Loss on disposition of assets |
| - |
|
| 175 |
|
| 277 |
Changes in current assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
| (27,075) |
|
| 1,842 |
|
| (8,589) |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| (5,689) |
|
| (160) |
|
| (2,253) |
Accounts payable |
| (3,608) |
|
| (7,510) |
|
| 812 |
Accrued expenses, including long-term |
| 9,938 |
|
| (4,179) |
|
| 1,517 |
Deferred revenue |
| 37,075 |
|
| 18,785 |
|
| 16,805 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
| 30,361 |
|
| 35,860 |
|
| 85,886 |
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
| (5,786) |
|
| (6,437) |
|
| (9,222) |
Proceeds on disposition of assets |
| - |
|
| 96 |
|
| - |
Acquisition of Mindleaders, net of cash received |
| - |
|
| (62,332) |
|
| - |
Acquisition of Element K, net of cash received |
| (109,448) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
Acquisition of 50 Lessons, net of cash received |
| (3,820) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash, net |
| (49) |
|
| (28) |
|
| 35 |
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (119,103) |
|
| (68,701) |
|
| (9,187) |
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contribution |
| 325 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Credit Facilities, net of issuance costs and original issue discount |
| 85,434 |
|
| 45,712 |
|
| - |
Payment received on note for sale of TCE |
| - |
|
| 840 |
|
| 336 |
Principal payments on Senior Credit Facilities |
| (4,819) |
|
| (3,056) |
|
| (39,650) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
| 80,940 |
|
| 43,496 |
|
| (39,314) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
| 1,511 |
|
| (515) |
|
| (497) |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
| (6,291) |
|
| 10,140 |
|
| 36,888 |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
| 35,199 |
|
| 28,908 |
|
| 39,048 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 28,908 |
| $ | 39,048 |
| $ | 75,936 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest | $ | 56,778 |
| $ | 60,649 |
| $ | 57,035 |
Cash paid for income taxes, net of cash refunds | $ | 3,690 |
| $ | 4,480 |
| $ | 14,609 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
82
83
SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) | The Company |
On May 26, 2010, SSI Investments III Limited (“SSI III”), a wholly owned subsidiary of SSI Investments Limited II (“SSI II”), completed its acquisition of Skillsoft PLC (the “Acquisition”), which was subsequently re-registered as a private limited company and whose corporate name changed from Skillsoft PLC to Skillsoft Limited (“Skillsoft”). Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, as used in this discussion, the terms the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our” and other similar terms refers to SSI II and its subsidiaries, including Skillsoft. References in this Form 10-K to the Company’s fiscal year refer to the fiscal year ended January 31 of that year (e.g., fiscal 2014 is the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014).
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the application of certain significant accounting policies, as described in this note and elsewhere in these notes.
(a) Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
(b) Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates if past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate.
(c) Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenue primarily from the licensing of its products, providing professional services and from providing hosting/application service provider (ASP) services.
The Company follows the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 985-605 Software – Revenue Recognition and Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 to account for revenue derived pursuant to license agreements under which customers license the Company's products and services. The pricing for the Company's courses varies based upon the content offering selected by a customer, the number of users within the customer's organization and the term of the license agreement (generally one, two or three years). License agreements permit customers to exchange course titles, generally on the contract anniversary date. Hosting services are sold separately for an additional fee. A license can provide customers access to a range of learning products including courseware, Referenceware®, simulations, mentoring and prescriptive assessment.
84
The Company offers discounts from its ordinary pricing, and purchasers of licenses for a larger number of courses, larger user bases or longer periods of time generally receive discounts. Generally, customers may amend their license agreements, for an additional fee, to gain access to additional courses or product lines and/or to increase the size of the user base. The Company also derives revenue from hosting fees for customers that use its solutions on an ASP basis and from the provision of professional services. In selected circumstances, the Company derives revenue on a pay-for-use basis under which some customers are charged based on the number of courses accessed by its users.
For arrangements subject to ASC 985-605 Software – Revenue Recognition, the Company recognizes revenue ratably over the license period if the number of courses that a customer has access to is not clearly defined, available, or selected at the inception of the contract, or if the contract has additional undelivered elements for which the Company does not have vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of the fair value of the various elements. This may occur if the customer does not specify all licensed courses at the outset, the customer chooses to wait for future licensed courses on a when and if available basis, the customer is given exchange privileges that are exercisable other than on the contract anniversaries, or the customer licenses all courses currently available and to be developed during the term of the arrangement.
Arrangements which include extranet hosting/ASP services are generally accounted for under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104. Revenue from these arrangements is recognized ratably over the period the services are provided. Upfront professional service fees are recorded as revenue over the contract period in multiple element arrangements or over the expected customer relationship periods in arrangements where there is only one unit of accounting.
Revenue from nearly all of the Company's contractual arrangements is recognized on a subscription basis over the contractual period of service.
The Company generally bills the annual license fee for the first year of a multi-year license agreement in advance and license fees for subsequent years of multi-year license arrangements are billed on the anniversary date of the agreement. Occasionally, the Company bills customers on a quarterly basis. In some circumstances, the Company offers payment terms of up to six months from the initial term commencement date or anniversary date for multi-year license agreements to its customers. To the extent that a customer is given extended payment terms (defined by the Company as having a significant portion of an annual installment fee due greater than six months term commencement date or anniversary date for the multi-year license agreements), revenue is recognized as payments become due, assuming all of the other elements of revenue recognition have been satisfied.
The Company typically recognizes revenue from resellers over the commitment period when both the sale to the end user has occurred and the collectability of cash from the reseller is probable. With respect to reseller agreements with minimum commitments, the Company recognizes revenue related to the portion of the minimum commitment that exceeds the end user sales at the expiration of the commitment period provided the Company has received payment. If a definitive service period can be determined, revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the minimum commitment period, provided that payment has been received or collectability is probable.
The Company provides professional services, including instructor led training, customized content development, website development/hosting and implementation services.
The Company applies Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2009-13 Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, specifically for multiple element arrangements which are not accounted for under ASC 985-605 Software – Revenue Recognition (this is normally due to the inclusion of extranet hosting/ASP services). ASU No. 2009-13 affects accounting and reporting for all multiple-deliverable arrangements.
85
ASU No. 2009-13 establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable in a sale arrangement. The selling price for each deliverable is based on vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) if available, third-party evidence (TPE) if VSOE is not available, or the Company's best estimated selling price (BESP) if neither VSOE nor TPE are available. The amendments in ASU No. 2009-13 eliminate the residual method of allocation and require that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price allocation method. The relative selling price method allocates any discount in the arrangement proportionately to each deliverable on the basis of the deliverable's estimated fair value.
For transactions entered into subsequent to the adoption of ASU No. 2009-13 that include multiple elements, arrangement consideration is allocated to each element based on the relative selling prices of all of the elements in the arrangement using the fair value hierarchy as required by ASU No. 2009-13. The Company limits the amount of revenue recognition for the software and content licenses and extranet hosting services (as a bundled unit) to the amount that is not contingent on the future delivery of products or services or future performance obligation. That amount is then recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term. Professional services, including instructor led training, customized content development, website development/hosting and implementation services, are sometimes included in the arrangements. If the Company determines that the professional services are not separable from an existing customer arrangement, revenue from these services is recognized over the existing contractual terms with the customer; otherwise the Company typically recognizes professional service revenue as the services are performed. The Company does not have VSOE for its professional service offerings. Therefore, fair value for these elements is based on TPE, which is determined based on competitor prices for similar elements when sold separately, or the BESP. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the product or service were sold on a stand-alone basis. The Company determines BESP for a product or service by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, pricing practices, geographies, customer classes and distribution channels.
Multiple contracts with a single customer or amendments to existing contracts with the same customer are evaluated as to whether they should be recognized as separate accounting arrangements from other contracts with the customer, based on an evaluation of several factors including, but not limited to, the timing of when contracts were negotiated and executed, whether the software is interdependent in terms of design, technology or function and whether payment terms coincide. If contracts are considered linked for accounting purposes and accounted for as one arrangement, fees are recognized over the longest service periods. If contracts are considered separable, fees in each arrangement are recognized over their respective service period.
The Company records reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses in both revenue and as a direct cost of revenue as applicable. Out-of-pocket expenses were immaterial for each of the three fiscal years in the period ending January 31, 2014.
The Company records revenue net of applicable sales tax collected. Taxes collected from customers are recorded as part of accrued expenses on the balance sheet and are remitted to state and local taxing jurisdictions based on the filing requirements of each jurisdiction.
The Company records as deferred revenue amounts that have been billed in advance for products or services to be provided. Deferred revenue includes the unamortized portion of revenue associated with license fees for which the Company has received payment or for which amounts have been billed and are due for payment in 90 days or less for resellers and 180 days or less for direct customers.
86
The Company’s contracts often include an uptime guarantee for solutions hosted on the Company's servers whereby customers may be entitled to credits in the event of non-performance. The Company also retains the right to remedy any non-performance event prior to issuance of any credit. Furthermore, the Company’s contracts contain standard warranty and indemnification coverage to its customers. Historically, the Company has not incurred substantial costs relating to this guarantee and the Company currently accrues for such costs as they are incurred. The Company reviews these costs on a regular basis as actual experience and other information becomes available; and, should these costs become substantial, the Company would accrue an estimated exposure and consider the potential related effects of the timing of recording revenue on its license arrangements. The Company has not accrued any costs related to these warranties in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
(d) Deferred Commissions
The Company defers the recognition of commission expense until such time as the revenue related to the arrangement for which the commission was paid is recognized. Deferred commissions for each contract are amortized in a manner consistent with how revenue is recognized for such contract, often resulting ratable recognition of expense over the contractual term. Unamortized commission expense of $19.3 million and $ 18.0 million is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets at January 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
(e) Foreign Currency Translation
The reporting currency for the Company is the U.S. dollar and the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, Singapore and India are the currencies of those countries. The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries in Ireland and the Grand Cayman is the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities are translated to the U.S. dollar from the local functional currency at current exchange rates, and income and expense items are translated to the U.S. dollar using the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Gains and losses arising from translation are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Foreign currency gains or losses on transactions denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency are recorded in the results of the operations. During the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, gains (losses) arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies other than an entity’s functional currency were approximately $(1.5) million, $0.3 million and $ (0.4) million, respectively.
(f) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. At January 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company did not have any cash equivalents or available for sale investments.
At January 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company had approximately $0.1 million of restricted cash held in certificates-of-deposits with a commercial bank pursuant to terms of certain facilities lease agreements.
(g) Property and Equipment
The Company records property and equipment at cost. Depreciation and amortization is charged to operations based on the cost of property and equipment over their respective estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis using the half year convention, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Estimated Useful Lives |
|
Computer equipment |
| 2 - 3 years |
|
Furniture and fixtures |
| 5 years |
|
Leasehold improvements |
| Lesser of estimated useful life or life of lease |
|
|
|
|
|
87
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Expenditures for renewals or betterments are capitalized.
The Company evaluates the carrying amount of our property and equipment whenever changes in circumstances or events indicate that the value of such assets may not be recoverable.
As of January 31, 2014, the Company believes the carrying amounts of our property and equipment are recoverable and no impairment exists.
(h) Research and Development Expenses
The Company expenses all research and development costs, which include course content development fees, to operations as incurred, except for costs of internally developed or externally purchased software that qualify for capitalization. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires the capitalization of certain computer software development costs incurred after certain criteria are met depending on the nature and intended use of the software being developed or purchased. No software development costs incurred during each of the fiscal years in the period ending January 31, 2014 met the requirements for capitalization; however, developed software and courseware was added through the acquisition of Skillsoft PLC, the acquisition of the Element K business (Element K) from NIIT Ventures, Inc. and the acquisition of ThirdForce Group PLC (MindLeaders).
The Company enters into agreements with content providers for published content. The Company’s policy is to expense these costs to research and development in proportion to services being completed.
Capitalized software development costs (including acquired software development costs), net of accumulated amortization, were approximately $97.7 million and $42.9 million as of January 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognized approximately $66.1 million, $60.6 million and $54.7 million of amortization expense related to capitalized software development costs in the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
(i) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. The carrying amount of accounts receivable is net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is based on historical collections and known credit risks. The Company believes the fair value of its variable rate debt approximates its carrying value based on comparable market terms and conditions. The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt is disclosed in Note 16.
(j) Deferred Financing Costs
The Company amortizes deferred debt financing costs as interest expense over the terms of the underlying obligations using the effective interest method.
(k) Concentrations of Credit Risk and Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
For each of the three fiscal years in the period ending January 31, 2014, no customer individually comprised greater than 10% of revenue or accounts receivable.
The Company performs continuing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral.
88
The Company maintains a reserve for an allowance for doubtful accounts and sales credits that is the Company’s best estimate of potentially uncollectible trade receivables. Provisions are made based upon a specific review of all significant outstanding invoices that are considered potentially uncollectible in whole or in part. For those invoices not specifically reviewed or considered uncollectible, provisions are provided at different rates, based upon the age of the receivable, historical experience, and other currently available evidence. The reserve estimates are adjusted as additional information becomes known or payments are made.
The Company has no significant off-balance-sheet arrangements nor concentration of credit risks such as foreign exchange contracts, option contracts or other foreign hedging arrangements.
(l) Amortization and Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company records intangible assets at cost and amortizes its finite-lived intangible assets including customer contracts and internally developed software. The Company reviews intangible assets subject to amortization at least annually to determine if any adverse conditions exist or a change in circumstances has occurred that would indicate impairment or a change in remaining useful life. Conditions that would indicate impairment and trigger a more frequent impairment assessment include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal factors or business climate that could affect the value of an asset, or an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. In addition, the Company reviews its indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill and certain trademarks, during the fourth quarter of each year for impairment, or more frequently if certain indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist and reassesses their classification as indefinite-lived assets.
(m) Restructuring Charges
Liabilities related to an exit or disposal activity should be recognized at fair value in the period in which it is incurred. Costs include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) one-time involuntary termination benefits provided to employees under the terms of a benefit arrangement that, in substance, are not an ongoing benefit arrangement or a deferred compensation contract, (2) certain contract termination costs, including operating lease termination costs and (3) other associated costs. As such, when the Company identifies restructuring charges that fulfill the requirements, it records the charges in its statement of operations.
(n) Merger and Integration Related Costs
Certain former Element K and MindLeaders employees continued employment during a transition period and certain former Element K and MindLeaders facilities to be vacated were used as the Company transitioned operations to other locations. These costs were expensed as incurred and included in merger and integration related expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.
(o) Acquisition Related Expenses
Acquisition related expenses primarily consist of transaction fees, legal, accounting and other professional services related to the acquisitions. These costs were expensed as incurred and included in acquisition related expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.
(p) Business Combinations
The Company records tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in recent business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Amounts paid for each acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the dates of acquisition. The Company then allocates the purchase price in excess of net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets based on detailed valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management. Excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.
89
Significant management judgments and assumptions are required in determining the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, particularly acquired intangible assets. The valuation of purchased intangible assets is generally based upon estimates of the future performance and cash flows from the acquired business. The Company uses the income approach to determine the estimated fair value of certain other identifiable intangible assets including customer relationships and tradenames. This approach determines fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to an identified asset over its useful life and then discounting these after-tax cash flows back to a present value. Customer contracts and relationships represent established relationships with customers, which provide a ready channel for the sale of additional content and services. Tradenames represent acquired product names that the Company intends to continue to utilize. The Company uses a cost approach to determine the estimated fair value of certain other identifiable intangible assets including developed technology and content. This approach determines fair value by estimating the cost to replace or reproduce an asset at current prices and is reduced for functional and economic obsolescence. Developed technology represents patented and unpatented technology and know-how.
(q) Advertising Costs
Costs incurred for production and communication of advertising initiatives are expensed when incurred. Advertising expenses amounted to approximately $0.3 million, $0.8 million and $0.2 million for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
(r) Accounting for Share-Based Compensation
On November 16, 2010, the Manager of SSILuxco II S.A. (“Luxco II”), a Luxembourg entity which is an indirect parent of the Company, adopted the SSILuxco II S.A. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) to advance the interests of Luxco II and its subsidiaries by providing Luxco II with the right to grant equity-based awards to eligible participants (i.e., key employees and directors of, and consultants and advisors to, Luxco II and/or its subsidiaries). Options granted under the 2010 Plan become exercisable based on a combination of service, performance and market based vesting conditions.
The fair value of the options with service based vesting conditions are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Key assumptions used in estimating the grant date fair value of these options are as follows: interest yield, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, value of underlying shares, expected term and forfeiture rate. The expected term of the time vesting options are based on the “simplified” methodology, the mathematical mean of the average vesting period and the contractual life of the options, as allowed by the guidance, because with no public market for the Company’s shares, management does not currently have a reasonable basis to estimate post Acquisition exercise patterns. The Company reviews the historical and implied volatility of publicly traded companies within its industry and utilizes the implied volatility to calculate the fair value of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield for a U.S. Treasury security having a maturity similar to the expected life of the related grant. The forfeiture rate is based on historical forfeiture data.
The fair value of the Luxco II shares determined for the valuation of share-based payment awards for the period from May 26, 2010 through January 31, 2011 was based on the purchase price paid for the Company in the Acquisition. The board of directors of Luxco II, in conjunction with the compensation committee of the general partner of SSI Pooling, L.P., the Company’s ultimate parent, and SSILuxco II, felt this most accurately represented fair market value due to the close timing proximity between the issuance of the share-based payments and the Acquisition. This assertion was supported by a contemporaneous valuation to estimate the fair value of its ordinary shares in connection with the issuance of share-based payment awards. The Company performed a valuation of the ordinary shares of the Company in connection with the issuance of the share-based payment awards during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 using a similar methodology that was used in the previous periods following the Acquisition. The assumptions required by these valuation analyses involve the use of significant judgments and estimates on the part of management.
90
The valuation analysis of the ordinary shares of the Company utilizes a combination of the discounted cash flow method and the guideline company method. For the discounted cash flow method, detailed annual projections of future cash flows were prepared over a period of six fiscal years, or the “Projected Financials.” The total value of the cash flow beyond the final fiscal year is estimated by applying a multiple to the final projected fiscal year EBITDA, or the “Terminal Year.” The cash flows from the Projected Financials and the Terminal Year are discounted at an estimated weighted-average cost of capital. The estimated weighted-average cost of capital is derived, in part, from the median capital structure of comparable companies within similar industries. The Company believes that its procedures for estimating discounted future cash flows, including the Terminal Year valuation, are reasonable and consistent with accepted valuation practices. For the guideline company method, an analysis was performed to identify a group of publicly-traded companies that are comparable to the Company or is believed to operate in industries similar to the Company. The Company calculated an implied EBITDA multiple (enterprise value/EBITDA) and an implied Revenue multiple (enterprise value/Revenue) and applied a weighted average of the two for each of the guideline companies and selected the appropriate multiple to apply to the EBITDA and revenue depending on the facts and circumstances. In addition, the Company applied a marketability discount to the implied value of equity. The Company believes that the overall approach is consistent with the principles and guidance set forth in the 2004 AICPA Practice Aid on Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.
The fair value of the options with performance and market based vesting conditions are estimated on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo Simulation Approach. Key assumptions used include those described above for determining the fair value of options with service based vesting. In addition, the simulation utilizes a range of possible future share values to construct a distribution of where future share prices might be. The simulations and resulting distributions will give a statistically acceptable range of future share prices. The Company also has to assume a time horizon with respect to when the performance conditions of the options would be met.
(s) Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes utilizing an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. A tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained before being recognized in the financial statements. The interpretation also requires the accrual of interest and penalties as applicable on unrecognized tax positions.
(t) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Under this standard, entities are required to disclose additional information with respect to changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) balances by component and significant items reclassified out of AOCI. Expanded disclosures for presentation of changes in AOCI involve disaggregating the total change of each component of other comprehensive income as well as presenting separately for each such component the portion of the change in AOCI related to (1) amounts reclassified into income and (2) current-period other comprehensive income. Additionally, for amounts reclassified into income, disclosure in one location is required, based upon each specific AOCI component, of the amounts impacting individual income statement line items. Disclosure of the income statement line item impacts is required only for components of AOCI reclassified into income in their entirety. ASU No. 2013-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this amendment in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The adoption did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.
91
(3) Acquisitions
(a)ThirdForce Group PLC (“MindLeaders”)
On September 25, 2012, Skillsoft Ireland Limited (the "Buyers"), an indirect subsidiary of SSI II, completed the first closing of the cash offer (the “Offer”) for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of MindLeaders, at which time it received acceptances from approximately 91.3% of the issued and outstanding shares of MindLeaders. The Offer remained open for acceptance until October 11, 2012 and 6.9% of the remaining shareholders accepted the Offer. For the remaining 1.8% of shareholders, which did not accept the Offer by that time, the Buyers served notice on those shareholders of its intention to compulsorily acquire their shares as allowed under Irish securities law, based on the same terms of the initial Offer. This notice represented a forward contract to purchase the remaining shares of MindLeaders at a fixed price which was recorded as a liability and resulted in the determination for accounting purposes that the Company controlled 100% of MindLeaders as of October 31, 2012. Accordingly, no non-controlling interest was recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
All remaining shares were legally acquired during November 2012 and the aforementioned liability was extinguished.
The acquisition of MindLeaders was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, the results of MindLeaders have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.
The cash purchase price of $64.3 million was allocated based upon the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition using available information and certain assumptions management believed reasonable. This allocation was finalized in January of 2014 and there were no material adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation. The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
| Amount |
|
Current assets | $ | 7,927 |
|
Property and equipment |
| 513 |
|
Goodwill |
| 40,931 |
|
Amortizable intangible assets |
| 27,703 |
|
Long term assets |
| 575 |
|
Current liabilities |
| (7,863) |
|
Deferred revenue |
| (1,484) |
|
Long term liabilities |
| (3,986) |
|
Total | $ | 64,316 |
|
|
|
|
|
The acquisition of MindLeaders resulted in allocations of the purchase price to goodwill and identified intangible assets of $40.9 million and $27.7 million, respectively. Intangible assets and their estimated useful lives consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
| Amount |
|
| Life |
|
Proprietary development software and courseware | $ | 3,258 |
|
| 3 years |
|
Customer relationships |
| 23,225 |
|
| 8 years |
|
Backlog |
| 1,220 |
|
| 4 years |
|
Total | $ | 27,703 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Values and useful lives assigned to intangible assets were based on estimated value and use of these assets by a market participant. The customer relationships were valued using the income approach and the proprietary developed software and courseware was valued using the cost approach.
92
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company determined that the acquisition of MindLeaders resulted in the recognition of goodwill primarily because the acquisition is expected to help the Company to meet its long term operating profitability objectives through significant cost and service synergies. Goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.
The acquired intangible assets and goodwill are subject to review for impairment if indicators of impairment develop and otherwise at least annually.
The Company assumed certain liabilities in the acquisition of MindLeaders, including deferred revenue that was ascribed a fair value of $1.5 million using a cost-plus profit approach. The Company is amortizing deferred revenue over the period for which it is incurring costs to support the assumed customer obligations. In allocating the preliminary purchase price, the Company recorded an adjustment to reduce the carrying value of MindLeaders’ deferred revenue by $9.2 million. Approximately $0.1 million of acquired MindLeaders deferred revenue remained unamortized at January 31, 2014.
The Company incurred acquisition related expenses, which primarily consisted of transaction fees and legal, accounting and other professional services, that are included in “Acquisition related expenses” in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, MindLeaders contributed approximately $15.3 million of revenue to the operations of the Company and net income of approximately $2.4 million. For the period subsequent to the acquisition of MindLeaders (September 26, 2012 through January 31, 2013), MindLeaders contributed approximately $2.5 million of revenue to the operations of the Company and contributed losses of approximately $6.0 million. The losses were impacted by certain fair market value adjustments related to the purchase accounting, including a reduction in deferred revenue (and therefore related revenue amortization in the above period), as well as amortization of intangible assets valued as part of the acquisition.
The Company concluded that the acquisition of MindLeaders represented a material business combination for purposes of disclosure under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated results of operations of the Company and MindLeaders for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, as if the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the annual period preceding the acquisition of MindLeaders, with pro forma adjustments to give effect to amortization of intangible assets, an increase in interest expense on acquisition financing, and certain other adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| |||
|
| (Unaudited) |
| |||
|
| 2012 |
| 2013 |
| |
Revenue |
| 383,306 |
| $ | 404,530 |
|
Net loss |
| (114,852) |
|
| (96,252) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company’s only significant non-recurring pro-forma adjustments impacting the periods shown above relate to purchase accounting adjustments to deferred revenue.
The unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results that the Company would have attained had the acquisition of MindLeaders occurred as of February 1, 2011.
93
(b)Element K
On October 14, 2011, Skillsoft Corporation and Skillsoft Ireland Limited (the "Buyers"), indirect subsidiaries of SSI II, entered into a purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"), dated as of October 14, 2011, among the Buyers, NIIT Ventures, Inc. ("NIIT Ventures") and NIIT (USA), Inc., subsidiaries of NIIT Limited, to acquire the Element K business (“Element K”) from NIIT Ventures for approximately $109.7 million in cash. The combined entity offers a more robust multi-modal solution that includes online courses, simulations, digitized books and an online video library as well as complementary learning technologies. The acquisition supports Skillsoft’s mission to deliver comprehensive and high quality learning solutions and positions the Company to serve the demands of this highly competitive and growing marketplace.
The acquisition of Element K was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, the results of Element K have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.
The Purchase Agreement provides for an adjustment to the purchase price for changes in working capital. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, goodwill was adjusted by $0.7 million to reflect the final purchase price.
The cash purchase price of $109.7 million was allocated based upon the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition using available information and certain assumptions management believed reasonable. The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
| Amount |
|
Current assets | $ | 19,906 |
|
Property and equipment |
| 2,605 |
|
Goodwill |
| 38,734 |
|
Amortizable intangible assets |
| 81,570 |
|
Current liabilities |
| (21,276) |
|
Deferred revenue |
| (8,304) |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
| (3,562) |
|
Total | $ | 109,673 |
|
|
|
|
|
The acquisition of Element K resulted in allocations of the purchase price to goodwill and identified intangible assets of $38.7 million and $81.6 million, respectively. Intangible assets and their estimated useful lives consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
| Amount |
|
| Life |
|
Non-compete agreement | $ | 4,070 |
|
| 5 years |
|
Trademark/tradename |
| 440 |
|
| 5 years |
|
Courseware |
| 12,950 |
|
| 3 years |
|
Proprietary delivery and development software |
| 3,290 |
|
| 18 months |
|
Customer relationships |
| 48,140 |
|
| 8 years |
|
Backlog |
| 12,680 |
|
| 4 years |
|
Total | $ | 81,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Values and useful lives assigned to intangible assets were based on estimated value and use of these assets by a market participant. The trademark/tradename and customer relationships were valued using the income approach and the proprietary developed software and courseware was valued using the cost approach.
94
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company determined that the acquisition of Element K resulted in the recognition of goodwill primarily because the acquisition is expected to help the Company to reach critical mass and shorten its timeframe to achieve its long term operating profitability objectives through incremental scalability and significant cost synergies. Goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.
The acquired intangible assets and goodwill are subject to review for impairment if indicators of impairment develop and otherwise at least annually.
The Company assumed certain liabilities in the acquisition of Element K including deferred revenue that was ascribed a fair value of $8.3 million using a cost-plus profit approach. The Company is amortizing deferred revenue over the period for which it is incurring costs to support the assumed customer obligations. In allocating the purchase price, the Company recorded an adjustment to reduce the carrying value of Element K's deferred revenue by $18.3 million, which was fully amortized as of January 31, 2014.
The Company incurred acquisition related expenses, which primarily consisted of transaction fees, legal, accounting and other professional services, that are included in “Acquisition related expenses” in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
The Company concluded that the acquisition of Element K represents a material business combination for purposes of disclosure under ASC 805, Business Combinations. The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated results of operations of the Company and Element K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, as if the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the annual period preceding the acquisition of Element K, with pro forma adjustments to give effect to amortization of intangible assets, an increase in interest expense on acquisition financing, and certain other adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2012 |
|
Revenue |
|
|
| $ | 404,470 |
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
| (107,059) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Significant non-recurring pro-forma adjustments impacting these figures include the deferred revenue valuation adjustments which increased pro-forma revenues by $5.1 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012.
(c) 50 Lessons Limited
On February 15, 2011, the Company acquired certain assets of 50 Lessons Limited (“50 Lessons”), a provider of leadership video content that helps organizations around the world develop their employees by leveraging the power of story-based lessons, for approximately $3.8 million in cash plus liabilities assumed of $0.2 million.
The acquisition of 50 Lessons was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, Business Combinations, using the purchase method. Accordingly, the results of 50 Lessons have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and were immaterial to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
The acquisition resulted in an allocation of the purchase price to goodwill and identified tangible and intangible assets. Intangible assets consist of internally developed software, which is mainly comprised of learning content, customer contracts and relationships and the 50 Lessons tradename. Values and useful lives assigned to intangible assets will be based on estimated value and use of these assets by a market participant. The Company has concluded that the acquisition of 50 Lessons does not represent a material business combination and therefore no pro forma financial information has been provided herein.
95
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company determined that the acquisition of 50 Lessons resulted in the recognition of goodwill primarily because the acquisition allowed the Company to quickly acquire and integrate a library of video courses that complimented the Company’s current product offerings. Goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
(4) Discontinued Operations
In connection with the Element K acquisition, the Company decided to sell the Training Channel Enablement (“TCE”) business acquired as part of the Element K acquisition because the Company did not believe this business to be consistent with the Company’s strategy and profit model. As a result, the assets and liabilities of TCE were classified as held for sale at January 31, 2012.
On March 21, 2012, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement pursuant to which it agreed to sell to Logical Operations Inc. (“Logical Operations”) certain TCE assets. The closing of the sale of the TCE assets occurred on March 31, 2012. The Company also entered into a transitional services agreement with Logical Operations. Services provided under this agreement were completed within a year and the cash flows from the agreement were not significant.
When TCE was classified as held for sale, the assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value less costs to sell the business. The assets held for sale included allocated goodwill of $5.1 million. The business was sold for $8.1 million, payable in installments as outlined in the agreement. There was no gain or loss recognized on the sale.
The Company has accounted for TCE as discontinued operations. The components of discontinued operations are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended January 31, |
| |||||||
Statement of operations: |
| 2012 |
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
| |
Revenue from discontinued operations | $ | 8,143 |
| $ | 5,660 |
| $ | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes |
| 288 |
|
| (275) |
|
| 1 |
|
Income tax (provision) benefit |
| (96) |
|
| 110 |
|
| - |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | 192 |
| $ | (165) |
| $ | 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has concluded it has a variable interest in the operations of TCE but lacks the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the TCEs economic performance, accordingly the Company has concluded it is not the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity and TCE financial results are not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s financial exposure related to this variable interest is limited to the outstanding note receivable which is secured by guarantees of the TCE owner and security interests in the assets of the business. The gross balance of the note receivable due from TCE at January 31, 2013 and 2014 was $7.2 million and $6.8 million, respectively. The present value of note receivable is allocated among prepaid and other current assets and other assets, based on scheduled payments and imputed interest is recognized as earned.
(5) Restructuring
In connection with the acquisitions of Element K and MindLeaders, the Company’s management approved and initiated plans to integrate the businesses into its operations and to eliminate redundant headcount, reduce cost structure and better align operating expenses with existing economic conditions and the Company’s operating model. The Company recorded a $4.5 million and $2.9 million restructuring charge during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014, respectively, which is included in the statement of operations as restructuring. Substantially all of this charge represents the severance costs of terminated employees.
96
Activity in the Company’s restructuring accrual was as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Employee Severance and Related Costs |
|
| Contractual Obligations |
|
| Total |
|
Restructuring accrual as of January 31, 2012 | $ | 1,213 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 1,213 |
|
Restructuring charges incurred |
| 3,557 |
|
| 940 |
|
| 4,497 |
|
Payments made |
| (3,933) |
|
| (62) |
|
| (3,995) |
|
Restructuring accrual as of January 31, 2013 |
| 837 |
|
| 878 |
|
| 1,715 |
|
Restructuring charges incurred |
| 1,623 |
|
| 1,308 |
|
| 2,931 |
|
Payments made |
| (2,169) |
|
| (1,001) |
|
| (3,170) |
|
Restructuring accrual as of January 31, 2014 | $ | 291 |
| $ | 1,185 |
| $ | 1,476 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2013 |
| January 31, 2014 |
| ||||||||||||||
|
| Gross Carrying Amount |
|
| Accumulated Amortization |
|
| Net Carrying Amount |
|
| Gross Carrying Amount |
|
| Accumulated Amortization |
|
| Net Carrying Amount |
|
Internally developed software/ courseware | $ | 238,078 |
| $ | 140,333 |
| $ | 97,745 |
| $ | 234,151 |
| $ | 191,232 |
| $ | 42,919 |
|
Customer contracts/ relationships |
| 297,109 |
|
| 102,839 |
|
| 194,270 |
|
| 295,285 |
|
| 147,695 |
|
| 147,590 |
|
Non-compete agreement |
| 4,070 |
|
| 1,052 |
|
| 3,018 |
|
| 4,070 |
|
| 1,865 |
|
| 2,205 |
|
Trademarks and trade names |
| 15,220 |
|
| 5,449 |
|
| 9,771 |
|
| 20,220 |
|
| 7,256 |
|
| 12,964 |
|
Backlog |
| 59,000 |
|
| 48,956 |
|
| 10,044 |
|
| 59,000 |
|
| 55,347 |
|
| 3,653 |
|
Skillsoft trademark |
| 129,900 |
|
| - |
|
| 129,900 |
|
| 129,900 |
|
| - |
|
| 129,900 |
|
| $ | 743,377 |
| $ | 298,629 |
| $ | 444,748 |
| $ | 742,626 |
| $ | 403,395 |
| $ | 339,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer relationships represent a source of repeat business for the Company. The information contained in such relationships usually includes the preferences of the customer, along with the history of services or products provided to the customer. The Company amortizes the fair value of customer relationships on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful life of 60 to 120 months with a weighted average useful life of 116 months. The internally developed software relates to the collaboration platform software, the content software and the learning platform software. Courseware includes courses in both the business skills and information technology skills subject areas. All courseware is deployable via the Internet or corporate intranets. The Company amortizes internally developed or purchased software/courseware over their estimated useful lives ranging from 36 to 72 months with a weighted average useful life of 48 months. Trademarks and tradenames relate to the Books 24x7 tradename and have an estimated useful life of 116 months. The weighted average useful life for all finite-lived intangible assets is 57 months.
97
98
Amortization expense related to the existing finite-lived intangible assets is expected to be as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
| Amortization Expense |
|
2015 | $ | 80,918 |
|
2016 |
| 42,678 |
|
2017 |
| 27,653 |
|
2018 |
| 21,564 |
|
2019 |
| 17,312 |
|
2020 |
| 13,912 |
|
2021 |
| 3,794 |
|
2022 |
| 500 |
|
2023 |
| 500 |
|
2024 |
| 500 |
|
Total | $ | 209,331 |
|
|
|
|
|
In connection with the Acquisition, the Company concluded that its “Skillsoft” brand name is an indefinite lived intangible asset, as the brand has been in continuous use since 1999 and the Company has no plans to discontinue using the Skillsoft name.
The change in goodwill at January 31, 2014 from the amount recorded at January 31, 2013 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross carrying amount of goodwill, January 31, 2012 | $ | 597,395 |
|
Change in fair value assessment of Element K |
| (967) |
|
Acquisition of MindLeaders |
| 40,983 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| 113 |
|
Gross carrying amount of goodwill, January 31, 2013 | $ | 637,524 |
|
Change in fair value assessment of MindLeaders |
| (50) |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| (3,026) |
|
Gross carrying amount of goodwill, January 31, 2014 | $ | 634,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company conducted its annual impairment test of goodwill for fiscal 2014 in the fourth quarter. There were no indicators of impairment as of January 31, 2014.
(7) Income Taxes
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Ireland | $ | (79,724) |
| $ | (62,924) |
| $ | 35,507 |
|
United States |
| (30,387) |
|
| (41,022) |
|
| (34,707) |
|
Rest of World |
| (7,778) |
|
| (11,737) |
|
| (40,000) |
|
| $ | (117,889) |
| $ | (115,683) |
| $ | (39,200) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
99
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ireland | $ | 48 |
| $ | 174 |
| $ | 715 |
|
United States |
| 3,312 |
|
| 6,189 |
|
| 11,045 |
|
Rest of World |
| 262 |
|
| 436 |
|
| 709 |
|
| $ | 3,622 |
| $ | 6,799 |
| $ | 12,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ireland | $ | (4,700) |
| $ | (3,467) |
| $ | 4,763 |
|
United States |
| (13,321) |
|
| (19,142) |
|
| (22,913) |
|
Rest of World |
| (3,151) |
|
| (2,755) |
|
| (4,116) |
|
| $ | (21,172) |
| $ | (25,364) |
| $ | (22,266) |
|
Tax benefit | $ | (17,550) |
| $ | (18,565) |
| $ | (9,797) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, |
| ||||
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | 34,024 |
| $ | 29,410 |
|
Nondeductible expenses and reserves |
| 9,961 |
|
| 9,984 |
|
Tax credits |
| 9,290 |
|
| 1,367 |
|
Other intangibles |
| 11,940 |
|
| 14,205 |
|
Gross deferred tax assets | $ | 65,215 |
| $ | 54,966 |
|
Less: Valuation allowance |
| (6,614) |
|
| (8,325) |
|
Net deferred tax assets | $ | 58,601 |
| $ | 46,641 |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer relationships |
| (54,839) |
|
| (45,423) |
|
Deferred installment gain |
| (26,268) |
|
| (5,377) |
|
APB 23 |
| (98) |
|
| (94) |
|
Unrealized exchange gain |
| (22) |
|
| (22) |
|
Deferred revenue |
| (1,086) |
|
| (109) |
|
Fixed assets |
| (1,667) |
|
| (1,299) |
|
Other |
| (241) |
|
| (1,326) |
|
Other intangibles |
| (4,729) |
|
| (649) |
|
Gross Deferred tax liabilities | $ | (88,950) |
| $ | (54,299) |
|
Total net deferred tax assets (liabilities) | $ | (30,349) |
| $ | (7,658) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
Deferred Taxes
The Company recognizes a deferred tax asset to the extent that it is “more likely than not” that these assets will be realized. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its past operating results, changes in the business and projected reversals of existing deferred tax liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Based on results of operations for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and with consideration given to anticipated future reversals of temporary differences, the Company believes that a portion of its deferred tax asset related to certain tax loss carryforwards and certain deductible temporary differences will not be realized. In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the Company recorded a net increase to its valuation allowance of $1.7 million, which was primarily related to a reduction in the reliability of certain U.S. deferred tax assets.
The Company generally considers the excess of its financial reporting over its tax basis in its investment in foreign subsidiaries to be essentially permanent in duration, and as such historically has not computed or recorded taxes on repatriations of the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries. However, during the prior fiscal year the Company determined that with respect to a recently-acquired foreign subsidiary, the permanence of the investment is not certain, and therefore recorded a deferred tax liability with respect to the eventual expected repatriation of the taxable earnings of this subsidiary.
A reconciliation of the Ireland statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Income tax provision (benefit) at Irish statutory rate |
| (12.5) | % |
| (12.5) | % |
| (12.5) | % |
Increase (decrease in tax resulting from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. state tax provision, net of U.S. federal benefit |
| (1.2) |
|
| (1.5) |
|
| (3.1) |
|
Foreign rate differential, primarily U.S. |
| (6.8) |
|
| (9.3) |
|
| (11.9) |
|
Nondeductible items |
| 4.3 |
|
| 5.3 |
|
| 2.7 |
|
Unrecognized tax benefit |
| (0.9) |
|
| 0.2 |
|
| (1.2) |
|
Research and development credits |
| (0.2) |
|
| 0.1 |
|
| (0.5) |
|
Section 453A interest |
| 1.1 |
|
| 0.6 |
|
| 0.3 |
|
Provision to return true-ups |
| 0.2 |
|
| 0.3 |
|
| (3.7) |
|
Other |
| 0.2 |
|
| (0.2) |
|
| 0.5 |
|
Change in valuation allowance |
| 0.9 |
|
| 1.0 |
|
| 4.4 |
|
Effective tax rate |
| (14.9) | % |
| (16.0) | % |
| (25.0) | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of January 31, 2014, the Company had $120.2 million in tax loss carryforwards and $0.5 million in tax credit carryforwards. Approximately $72.8 million of the loss carryforwards are not subject to expiration while the remainder, if not utilized, will substantially expire at various dates through 2025. Tax credit carryforwards of $0.5 million relate to U.S. federal taxes. Included in the consolidated loss carryforward total are $45.2 million of U.S. federal tax loss carryforwards, $57.5 million of Irish tax loss carryforwards and $17.5 million of tax loss carryforwards in all other tax jurisdictions. The aforementioned figures represent the gross carrying value of the tax loss carryforwards, unreduced by related valuation allowances.
As of January 31, 2013, the Company had $169.8 million in tax loss carryforwards and $9.3 million of tax credit carryforwards, which were available to reduce future income tax payments, if any. Approximately $124.6 million of the loss carryforwards were not subject to expiration while the remainder, if not utilized, will substantially expire at various dates through 2025.
101
The Company completed several financings since its inception and has incurred ownership changes as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, most recently at May 26, 2010, when the Company was purchased by a private investment group. The incremental Section 382 limitation arising from that change will not have a material impact on the Company’s ability to use its tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. However, the Company’s U.S. loss carryforwards are subject to Section 382 limitations from prior ownership changes. The Company recorded a valuation allowance against its U.S. federal loss carryforwards of $1.3 million at both January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014 to reflect expected expirations of the U.S. federal losses due to Section 382 limitations.
The Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits, including related accrued interest and penalties, of $11.2 million and $7.5 million at January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014, respectively, all of which, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company does not anticipate significant changes in the amount of its unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months. The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of its provision for income taxes. The Company has $1.0 million, net of federal benefit, accrued for interest and penalties at January 31, 2014. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, $0.7 million, net of federal benefit, of accrued interest and penalties were recognized in the consolidated statement of income. The total amount of interest and penalties recognized, net of federal benefit, in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year 2012 was ($0.4) million.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, |
| |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning balance | $ | 8,435 |
| $ | 8,739 |
| $ | 10,420 |
|
Increases for tax positions taken during the current period |
| 1,678 |
|
| 734 |
|
| - |
|
Increases (decreases) for tax positions taken during a prior period |
| (134) |
|
| 1,480 |
|
| (779) |
|
Decrease related to settlements |
| (165) |
|
| - |
|
| (2,642) |
|
Decreases resulting from the expiration of statute of limitations |
| (1,075) |
|
| (533) |
|
| (502) |
|
Unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance | $ | 8,739 |
| $ | 10,420 |
| $ | 6,497 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities in major jurisdictions including Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years before 2010 in these major jurisdictions.
102
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012, the Company was notified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that its U.S. federal income tax return for the tax years ended January 31, 2010 and 2011 had been selected for examination. The IRS completed its field examination during the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2013, and on December 3, 2013 proposed certain adjustments relating to the value of intellectual property sold by the Company to an Irish affiliate during the Company’s tax year ended January 31, 2010. The IRS’ proposed adjustments to the Company’s reported tax position would increase the Company’s cumulative tax liability, including interest and penalties, by approximately $92.4 million. The Company disagrees with the proposed adjustments and on January 30, 2014 provided to the IRS its formal protest and request that the issue be heard by an IRS Appeals Officer. Based on the Company’s view of the merits of the position taken by the IRS in its proposed adjustments and on discussions with its tax advisors, the Company has concluded that recording a liability for these proposed adjustments related to the above issue is not currently required. The Company intends to contest the proposed adjustments and is working with its outside tax advisors and the IRS Appeals Office to resolve this dispute in a timely and effective manner.
Although the Company believes that the estimates of income taxes payable included in its financial statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that the Company will prevail in the final resolution of the proposed adjustments and, in addition, the Company may determine to settle the matter for business or other reasons for an amount in excess of any tax liability that the Company believes is owed. As a result, the actual income taxes payable by the Company may differ from what is reflected in the Company’s historical income tax provisions and accruals and such differences could be material. If the IRS prevails or the Company determines to settle the matter, a cash payment could be required, thereby negatively and adversely impacting the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Company will continue to reassess the adequacy of its existing tax reserves as the matter progresses and, through that process, the Company may determine the need to increase its existing reserves by a material amount.
(8) Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Leases
The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment and furniture under operating lease agreements that expire at various dates through June 2019. Included in the accompanying statements of operations is rent expense for leased facilities and equipment of approximately $4.6 million, $4.9 million and $ 4.4 million for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. For operating leases that contain predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rent, the Company recognizes the total related rent expense on a straight-line basis over its life, with a deferred asset or liability reported on the balance sheet for the difference between expense and cash paid.
None of the Company’s operating leases contain contingent rent provisions. The amortization period for all leasehold improvements is the lesser of the estimated useful life of the assets or the related lease term.
Future minimum lease payments under the operating lease agreements are approximately as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Facilities |
|
| Other |
|
| Total |
|
Fiscal year ended January 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015 | $ | 3,708 |
| $ | 407 |
| $ | 4,115 |
|
2016 |
| 3,543 |
|
| 110 |
|
| 3,653 |
|
2017 |
| 3,288 |
|
| 14 |
|
| 3,302 |
|
2018 |
| 2,743 |
|
| - |
|
| 2,743 |
|
2019 |
| 618 |
|
| - |
|
| 618 |
|
Thereafter |
| 283 |
|
| - |
|
| 283 |
|
| $ | 14,183 |
| $ | 531 |
| $ | 14,714 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103
(b) Litigation
From time to time, the Company is a party to or may be threatened with litigation in the ordinary course of its business. The Company regularly analyzes current information, including, as applicable, the Company's defense and insurance coverage and, as necessary, provides accruals for probable and estimable liabilities for the eventual disposition of these matters. The Company is presently not a party to any material legal proceedings.
(c) Guarantees
The Company's software license arrangements and hosting services are typically warranted to perform in a manner consistent with general industry standards that are reasonably applicable and substantially in accordance with the Company's product documentation under normal use and circumstances. The Company's arrangements also include certain provisions for indemnifying customers against liabilities if its products or services infringe a third party's intellectual property rights.
The Company has entered into service level agreements with some of its hosted application customers warranting certain levels of uptime reliability and such agreements permit those customers to receive credits against monthly hosting fees or terminate their agreements in the event that the Company fails to meet those levels for an agreed upon period of time.
To date, the Company has not incurred any material costs as a result of such indemnifications or commitments and has not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating existing contracts as a result of the continued Element K and MindLeaders integration efforts.
(9) Shareholders’ Equity
(a)Share-Based Compensation
On November 16, 2010, the Manager of SSILuxco II S.A. (“Luxco II”), a Luxembourg entity which is an indirect parent of the Company, adopted the SSILuxco II S.A. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) to advance the interests of Luxco II and its subsidiaries by providing Luxco II with the right to grant equity-based awards to eligible participants (i.e., key employees and directors of, and consultants and advisors to, Luxco II and/or its subsidiaries). Awards under the 2010 Plan are intended to align the incentives of (i) the executives of Luxco II and its subsidiaries and (ii) its direct and indirect shareholders.
Share options granted to date become exercisable based on service- based conditions or a combination of service-, performance- and market-based conditions. Performance conditions include the receipt of a dividend or sale of share by the equity sponsors, an initial public offering or a change in control. Market conditions are based on the return received (or deemed received) by the equity sponsors on their initial equity investment in Luxco II and upon the occurrence of certain events, including a change in control of Luxco II. Options are priced at the fair market value on the date of grant, supported by a contemporaneous valuation of the ordinary shares of the Company using a combination of the discounted cash flow method and the guideline company method. Shares of Luxco II acquired upon the exercise of such share options are subject to both transfer restrictions and repurchase rights following a termination of employment. The share options expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
Any share-based compensation recognized in relation to options granted under the 2010 Plan will be recorded in the statement of operations for the subsidiaries for which those persons who received grants are employed.
No tax deduction was realized during the period as no share options were exercised.
104
Share Options
A summary of share option activity under the 2010 Plan for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Options |
| Shares |
|
| Exercise Price |
|
| Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) |
|
Outstanding, January 31, 2013 |
| 639,747 |
|
| 100.00 - 117.00 |
|
| 7.8 |
|
Granted |
| 1,908 |
|
| 142.00 |
|
| - |
|
Exercised |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
Forfeited |
| (2,857) |
|
| 100.00 - 117.00 |
|
| - |
|
Expired |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
Outstanding, January 31, 2014 |
| 638,798 |
|
| 100.00 - 142.00 |
|
| 6.8 |
|
Exercisable, January 31, 2014 |
| 158,595 |
|
| 100.00 - 142.00 |
|
| 6.8 |
|
Vested and expected to vest, January 31, 2014 |
| 638,798 |
|
| 100.00 - 142.00 |
|
| 6.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SSILUXCO II S.A. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan
Under this plan, participants were granted 647,398 options.
Service-Based Vesting Options
Grants of options which become exercisable based on service conditions vest over a period of 5 years (20% of the shares subject to the options vest on each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date) provided that the optionee is continuously employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and vest immediately upon a change in control. The options expire 10 years from the date of grant.
Share options with service based vesting were valued on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Key assumptions used in estimating the grant date fair value of these service based share options were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
| |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
|
Expected term (years) |
| 6.16 |
|
| 6.32 |
|
| 6.0 |
|
|
Expected volatility |
| 56.96 | % |
| 53.04 | % |
| 42.9 | % |
|
Risk-free interest rate |
| 2.38 | % |
| 1.41 | % |
| 1.3 | % |
|
Dividend yield |
| 0 | % |
| 0 | % |
| 0 | % |
|
Fair value of underlying shares | $ | 100.00 |
| $ | 117.00 |
| $ | 142.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The expected term of the options with service conditions was based upon the “simplified” methodology as allowed by the guidance. The expected term is determined by computing the mathematical mean of the average vesting period and the contractual life of the options. The Company reviews the historical and implied volatility of publicly traded companies within its industry and utilizes the implied volatility to calculate the fair value of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield for a U.S. Treasury security having a maturity similar to the expected life of the related grant. The forfeiture rate is based on historical forfeiture data. The dividend yield is based on judgment and input from the Board of Directors.
105
The Company performed a valuation of the Luxco II ordinary shares in connection with the issuance of the share-based payment awards during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 using a similar methodology that was used in the previous periods following the Acquisition.
The valuation analysis of the Luxco II ordinary shares utilizes a combination of the discounted cash flow method and the guideline company method. For the discounted cash flow method, detailed annual projections of future cash flows were prepared over a period of six fiscal years, or the “Projected Financials.” The total value of the cash flow beyond the final fiscal year is estimated by applying a multiple to the final projected fiscal year EBITDA, or the “Terminal Year.” The cash flows from the Projected Financials and the Terminal Year are discounted at an estimated weighted-average cost of capital. The estimated weighted-average cost of capital is derived, in part, from the median capital structure of comparable companies within similar industries. The Company believes that its procedures for estimating discounted future cash flows, including the Terminal Year valuation, are reasonable and consistent with accepted valuation practices.
For the guideline company method, an analysis was performed to identify a group of publicly-traded companies that are comparable to the Company or is believed to operate in industries similar to the Company. The Company calculated an implied EBITDA multiple (enterprise value/EBITDA) and an implied Revenue multiple (enterprise value/revenue) and applied a weighted average of the two for each of the guideline companies and selected the appropriate multiple to apply to the EBITDA and revenue depending on the facts and circumstances. In addition, the Company applied a marketability discount to the implied value of equity. The Company believes that the overall approach is consistent with the principles and guidance set forth in the 2004 AICPA Practice Aid on Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.
The weighted average grant date fair value of the share options with service conditions granted during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was $55.50 per share, $60.55 per share and $60.06 per share, respectively.
Performance and Market Condition Based Vesting Options
Luxco II also granted options to purchase ordinary shares of Luxco II that vest based on the completion of a liquidity event that results in specified returns on the equity sponsors’ investment in Luxco II.
Such liquidity events would include, but not be limited to, an initial public offering of Luxco II, or a change-in-control transaction under which the investor group disposes of or sells more than 50 percent of the total voting power or economic interest in Luxco II to one or more third independent parties. These share options expire 10 years from the date of grant.
The fair value of the share options with market and performance conditions was estimated on the grant date using the Monte Carlo Simulation Approach. Key assumptions used in estimating the grant date fair value of these share options were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
|
| |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
|
Expected term (years) |
| 4.1 |
|
| 3.2 |
|
| 2.0 |
|
|
Expected volatility |
| 58.48 | % |
| 50.86 | % |
| 35.14 | % |
|
Risk-free interest rate |
| 1.17 | % |
| 0.56 | % |
| 0.30 | % |
|
Dividend yield |
| 0 | % |
| 0 | % |
| 0 | % |
|
Fair value of underlying shares | $ | 100.00 |
| $ | 117.00 |
| $ | 142.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company reviews the historical and implied volatility of publicly traded companies within its industry and utilizes the implied volatility to calculate the fair value of the share options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield for a U.S. Treasury security having a maturity similar to the expected life of the related grant. The forfeiture rate is based on historical forfeiture data. The assumed time to liquidity event and dividend yield is based on judgment and input from the Board of Directors of Luxco II.
106
The weighted average grant date fair values of share options with vesting subject to performance and market conditions granted during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was $33.66 per share, $27.88 per share and $14.61 per share, respectively.
Recognition of Share Based Compensation Expense
Any shares exercised by the option holders are subject to a repurchase feature by Luxco II in the event of termination of employment. The repurchase would generally be at fair value at the date of termination of employment in all instances except termination for cause or voluntary termination of employment by the employee without “good reason”. In those instances the repurchase would be at the lower of cost or fair market value as defined in the 2010 Plan. The repurchase feature would lapse only in the event of an initial public offering or change in control. The Company had previously concluded that this repurchase feature represented an additional performance condition and had not recorded any share-based compensation, as the performance condition was not deemed probable.
The Company subsequently re-evaluated the accounting for its share options and determined that for all service-based vesting options, share-based compensation expense should be recorded over the shorter of the vesting period or the earliest period to retirement (for certain executive option holders who can voluntarily terminate their employment at a specified retirement age). In addition, the Company determined that for performance and market-based awards to certain executive option holders who can voluntarily terminate their employment at a specified retirement age and be considered having resigned for “good reason”, the share options may vest prior to a liquidity event if specified returns on the equity sponsors’ investment are achieved at the time of retirement. As a result the Company determined that these awards do not include performance conditions and expense associated with these share options is recognized over the shortest requisite service date which is typically the period from the date of grant through the earliest eligible retirement date.
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the Company recognized $6.1 million of share-based compensation expense, respectively. Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense associated with all share options as of January 31, 2014 was $8.6 million.
In the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013, the Company recognized $14.2 million of share-based compensation expense, which includes $2.1 million and $6.0 million of share-based compensation attributable to services performed in prior periods which should have been recognized in the period from May 26, 2010 to January 31, 2011 and the year ended January 31, 2012, respectively. The error correction of cumulative expense to date in the current period was not considered material to the Company’s current or prior consolidated financial statements.
(b)Share Capital
As of January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014, the Company's authorized share capital consisted of 1,000,000,000 ordinary shares of par value $1.00 each. As of January 31, 2013 and 2014, 534,513,271 ordinary shares were issued and outstanding.
Subject to the Articles of Association of the Company, at a general meeting of the Company, on a show of hands every holder of ordinary shares who (being an individual) is present in person or by proxy or (being a body corporate) is present by proxy or by a representative shall have one vote, and on a poll every holder of ordinary shares who is present in person or by a proxy or (being a body corporate) by proxy or by a representative shall have one vote for every ordinary share of which he is the holder. However, if and for so long as the Company is a single member company, all matters requiring a resolution of the Company in general meeting (except the removal of the auditors of the Company from office) may be validly dealt with by a decision of the sole member.
Subject to the Articles of Association of the Company, sums legally available to be distributed by the Company in or in respect of any financial period may (to the extent so resolved or recommended by the board of directors) be distributed amongst the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to the number of ordinary shares held by them.
107
(10) Credit Facilities and Debt
SENIOR CREDIT FACILITIES
On September 25, 2012, SSI Investments I Limited (“Holdings”) and Skillsoft Corporation (“Borrower”) entered into an amendment, (the “Incremental Amendment”), to that certain amended and restated credit agreement, dated as of May 26, 2010, among Holdings, Borrower (as successor in interests and obligations to Skillsoft Limited, as successor in interests and obligations to SSI Investments II Limited), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., the lenders party thereto, and the other agents named therein (as so amended and as previously amended, the “Credit Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Incremental Amendment, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. agreed to provide an additional $50 million in new term loans (the “Additional Term Loans”) conditioned upon, among other things, the acquisition by Skillsoft Ireland Limited, an Irish private limited company and an indirect subsidiary of the Company, of at least 80% of the outstanding capital stock of MindLeaders (the “MindLeaders Acquisition”), substantially concurrently with the borrowing of such Additional Term Loans. The Incremental Amendment restricts the use of proceeds from such Additional Term Loans solely (i) to finance the MindLeaders Acquisition, (ii) repay any existing debt of MindLeaders and its subsidiaries and (iii) to pay fees and expenses in connection with the Incremental Amendment and the MindLeaders Acquisition. The Additional Term Loans have the same terms as the original term loans, including with respect to interest rate (including applicable margins), amortization, maturity date and optional and mandatory prepayments. In addition, prior to the MindLeaders Acquisition and the Incremental Amendment, Holdings, the Borrower and the lenders party thereto amended the Credit Agreement to permit the MindLeaders Acquisition under the Credit Agreement.
In addition, on September 28, 2012, Holdings and the Borrower completed a re-pricing of the Credit Agreement. The new interest rate on the term loans, including the Additional Term Loans, is LIBOR plus 3.75%, compared to the previous interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.75%. The new interest rate on the revolving loans is LIBOR plus 3.50%, compared to the previous interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.50%. The new LIBOR floor on the term loans, including the Additional Term Loans, and revolving loans is 1.25%, compared to the previous LIBOR floor of 1.75%. On December 31, 2012, the Company elected its interest calculation to be based on adjusted LIBOR.
The re-pricing was primarily accounted for as a modification for accounting purposes. Accordingly, unamortized deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts of $13.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively, and $4.0 million of fees paid to lenders in connection with the re-pricing, will be amortized as additional interest expense over the revised term of the Senior Credit Facilities. Furthermore, $2.4 million in third party costs incurred were recognized as general and administrative expense in the accompanying statement of operations for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 and $0.3 million was recognized as a loss on extinguishment of debt and included in the statement of operations as other (expense) income, net.
As of January 31, 2014, under the Credit Agreement, the Company had a $505 million senior secured credit facility comprised of a $465 million term loan facility and a $40 million revolving credit facility (collectively the “Senior Credit Facilities”). The revolving credit facility includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and for borrowings on same-day notice, referred to as the swingline loans. The revolving credit facility is available for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, subject to certain conditions. As of January 31, 2014, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
Availability of the revolving credit facility is subject to the absence of any default under the Senior Credit Facilities, compliance with the financial covenant in certain circumstances and the accuracy in all material respect of certain representations and warranties. The revolving credit facility, including the letter of credit and swingline subfacilities, terminates on May 26, 2015, at which time all outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility are due.
108
The Company’s Senior Credit Facilities require it to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with:
· | 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and casualty and condemnation events, subject to reinvestment rights and certain other exceptions; and |
· | 100% of the net cash proceeds of any incurrence of certain debt, other than debt permitted under the Company’s Senior Credit Facilities. |
The foregoing mandatory prepayments are applied to installments of the term loan facility in direct order of maturity.
The Company may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under its Senior Credit Facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans and, with respect to outstanding term loans, a premium during the first three years following the closing date for voluntary prepayments, repricings or effective repricings of such term loans. The premium for voluntary prepayments, repricings or effective repricings of term loans is 2% in the second year and 1% in the third year, with a customary make-whole premium for prepayments during the first year of the term loan facility. Voluntary prepayments may be applied as directed by the borrower.
The Company’s Senior Credit Facilities require scheduled quarterly payments on the term loan facility equal to 0.25% of the initial aggregate principal amount of the term loans made on the closing date, with the balance due at maturity. The Company’s scheduled quarterly payments are subject to change based on excess cash flow provisions as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities.
The Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for foreign subsidiaries of U.S. subsidiaries), each of the Company’s existing and future material wholly owned subsidiaries and its immediate parent. All obligations under the Company’s Senior Credit Facilities, and the guarantees of those obligations, will be secured by substantially all of the Company’s, its subsidiary guarantors' and its parent's existing and future property and assets and by a pledge of the Company’s capital stock and the capital stock of, subject to certain exceptions, each of its material wholly owned restricted subsidiaries (or up to 65% of the capital stock of material first-tier foreign wholly owned restricted subsidiaries of its U.S. subsidiaries).
In addition, the Company’s Senior Credit Facilities require it to comply on a quarterly basis with a single financial covenant for the benefit of the revolving credit facility only. Such covenant requires the Company to maintain a maximum secured leverage ratio tested on the last day of each fiscal quarter (but failure to maintain the required ratio would not result in a default under the revolving credit facility so long as the revolving credit facility is undrawn at such time). The maximum secured leverage ratio will reduce over time, subject to increase in connection with certain material acquisitions. At January 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with this financial covenant.
In addition, the Company’s Senior Credit Facilities include negative covenants that, subject to significant exceptions, limit the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; create liens on assets; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets (including pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions); pay dividends and distributions or repurchase its capital stock; make investments, loans or advances; repay certain indebtedness (including the Senior Notes defined below); engage in certain transactions with affiliates; amend material agreements governing certain indebtedness (including the Senior Notes); and change its lines of business.
109
The Company’s Senior Credit Facilities include certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy, certain events under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), material judgments, the invalidity of material provisions of the Senior Credit Facilities documentation, actual or asserted failure of the guarantees or security documents for the Company’s Senior Credit Facilities, and a change of control. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the Company’s Senior Credit Facilities will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of all amounts due under the Company’s Senior Credit Facilities and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. At January 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
The Company recorded $3.0 million, $3.9 million and $5.5 million of amortized interest expense related to the capitalized debt financing costs associated with this debt during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. As of January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014, total unamortized debt financing costs of $3.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively, and $9.8 million and $6.3 million, respectively, are recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets and non-current other assets based on scheduled future amortization.
During the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company paid approximately $22.3 million, $26.1 million and $22.5 million in interest related to this debt, respectively.
Future scheduled minimum payments, including estimated mandatory prepayments under the Senior Credit Facilities, are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2015 | $ | 4,650 |
|
Fiscal 2016 |
| 4,650 |
|
Fiscal 2017 |
| 4,650 |
|
Fiscal 2018 |
| 401,900 |
|
Total | $ | 415,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
SENIOR NOTES
On May 26, 2010, Senior Notes ("Senior Notes") were issued under an indenture among the Company, as issuer, SSI Co-Issuer LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SSI II, as co-issuer, Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee, and the Guarantors in an aggregate principal amount of $310.0 million. The Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2018. Interest is payable semiannually (at 11.125% per annum) in cash to holders of Senior Notes of record at the close of business on the May 15 or November 15 immediately preceding the interest payment date, on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2010. Interest is paid on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
110
The Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations of SSI II and SSI Co-Issuer LLC and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by SSI III Limited and the restricted subsidiaries of Skillsoft (other than immaterial subsidiaries and certain other excluded subsidiaries) that guarantee the Company’s Senior Credit Facilities. The guarantees of the Senior Notes are joint and several and will terminate upon the following customary circumstances: (i) the sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of all of the capital stock of a Guarantor, or all or substantially all of its assets; (ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee of the other indebtedness which resulted in the creation of the guarantee by such Guarantor under the Indenture; (iii) the proper designation of a Guarantor as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and (iv) the legal defeasance, covenant defeasance, or satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture, in each such case specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above in accordance with the requirements therefore set forth in the Indenture.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 1, 2014, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes plus a premium declining ratably to par plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any).
The Company may also redeem any of the Senior Notes at any time prior to June 1, 2014 at a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest (if any). This option is required to be bifurcated for accounting purposes as an embedded derivative in the Company’s Senior Notes. The Company has estimated the value of this option to be nominal as of January 31, 2013 and January 31, 2014. This call feature will be marked to market over the period it is active.
If the Company experiences certain kinds of changes of control, it must offer to purchase the Senior Notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any). If the Company sells certain assets and does not reinvest the net proceeds as specified in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, it must offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any).
The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains covenants that, among other things, restricts, subject to certain exceptions, the Company’s ability to: incur additional debt; pay dividends or distributions on its capital stock or repurchase its capital stock; issue preferred stock of subsidiaries; make certain investments; create liens on its assets to secure debt; enter into transactions with affiliates; merge or consolidate with another company; and sell or otherwise transfer assets. Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture governing the Senior Notes permits the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness. At January 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
In connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, the Company incurred debt financing costs of $11.5 million. The Company capitalized these fees and is amortizing them to interest expense over the term of the loans. The Company recorded $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $1.7 million of amortized interest expense related to the capitalized debt financing costs during both the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
As of January 31, 2013 and 2014, total unamortized debt financing costs of $1.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and $6.2 million and $4.8 million, respectively are recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets and non-current other assets based on scheduled future amortization.
The Company paid approximately $34.5 million in interest during each of the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
111
(11) Employee Benefit Plan
The Company has a 401(k) plan covering all US-based employees of the Company who have met certain eligibility requirements. Under the terms of the 401(k) plan, the employees may elect to make tax-deferred contributions to the 401(k) plan. In addition, the Company may match employee contributions, as determined by the Board of Directors of Skillsoft Corporation, and may make a discretionary contribution to the 401(k) plan. Under this plan, contributions of approximately $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $1.3 million were made for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
In addition, the Company has various retirement and post-employment plans covering certain international employees. Certain of the plans allow the Company to match employee contributions up to a specified percentage as defined by the plans. Under these plans, contributions of approximately $1.1 million, $1.1 million and $1.2 million were made for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
(12) Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise
Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s chief operating decision makers are the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. The Company views its operations and manages its business as one segment, providing multi-modal, on-demand elearning and performance support solutions for global enterprises, government, education and small to medium-sized businesses.
The Company attributes revenue to different geographical areas on the basis of the location of the customer. Revenues by geographical area were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| |||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States | $ | 252,700 |
| $ | 294,321 |
| $ | 311,645 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom |
| 32,389 |
|
| 36,107 |
|
| 39,552 |
|
Canada |
| 17,843 |
|
| 21,729 |
|
| 22,074 |
|
Europe, excluding United Kingdom |
| 16,885 |
|
| 18,346 |
|
| 19,586 |
|
Australia/New Zealand |
| 17,482 |
|
| 16,059 |
|
| 15,481 |
|
Other (Countries less than 5% individually, by region) |
| 8,291 |
|
| 9,263 |
|
| 11,886 |
|
Purchase accounting adjustments |
| (16,461) |
|
| (15,876) |
|
| (6,636) |
|
Total revenue | $ | 329,129 |
| $ | 379,949 |
| $ | 413,588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-lived tangible assets at international locations are not significant.
(13) Other Assets
Other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2013 |
|
| January 31, 2014 |
|
Debt financing cost – long term (See Note 16) | $ | 15,982 |
| $ | 11,008 |
|
Other |
| 2,013 |
|
| 1,502 |
|
Note receivable |
| 4,450 |
|
| 5,145 |
|
Total other assets | $ | 22,445 |
| $ | 17,655 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112
(14) Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2013 |
|
| January 31, 2014 |
|
Professional fees | $ | 3,602 |
| $ | 3,918 |
|
Accrued sales tax/VAT |
| 7,350 |
|
| 8,235 |
|
Accrued royalties |
| 2,568 |
|
| 2,185 |
|
Accrued tax |
| 4,815 |
|
| 3,377 |
|
Accrued interest |
| 7,772 |
|
| 7,596 |
|
Other accrued liabilities |
| 13,203 |
|
| 17,097 |
|
Total accrued expenses | $ | 39,310 |
| $ | 42,408 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15) Other Long Term Liabilities
Other long term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2013 |
|
| January 31, 2014 |
|
Uncertain tax positions; including interest and penalties – long term | $ | 7,619 |
| $ | 6,704 |
|
Unfavorable lease commitments assumed in the acquisition of Element K |
| 898 |
|
| 682 |
|
Other |
| 1,499 |
|
| 5,218 |
|
Total other long-term liabilities | $ | 10,016 |
| $ | 12,604 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16) Fair Value Measurements
FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820 in order of priority are as follows:
· | Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. |
· | Level 2: Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
· | Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available. |
113
The Company currently invests excess cash balances primarily in cash deposits held at major banks. The carrying amounts of cash deposits, trade receivables, trade payables and accrued liabilities, as reported on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2014, approximate their fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The carrying value of borrowings outstanding on the Senior Credit Facilities bear interest at a variable rate and are considered to approximate fair value.
Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value
The carrying values and fair values of financial instruments not recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as of January 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 31, 2014 |
| |||||
|
| Current Value |
|
|
| Fair Value |
|
Senior Notes | $ | 310,000 |
|
| $ | 336,158 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value of the Senior Notes is determined by its trading price on January 31, 2014, representing a Level 1 fair value measurements.
(17) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| ||||
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Computer equipment | $ | 21,968 |
| $ | 32,686 |
|
Furniture and fixtures |
| 61 |
|
| 215 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
| 88 |
|
| 172 |
|
Construction in progress |
| 2,846 |
|
| 309 |
|
|
| 24,963 |
|
| 33,382 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
| (11,309) |
|
| (18,466) |
|
| $ | 13,654 |
| $ | 14,916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $4.2 million, $5.5 million and $7.3 million for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
114
(18) Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
| Balance at Beginning of Period |
|
| Net Provision Added/(Credited without Utilization) |
|
| Write-offs |
|
| Balance at End of Period |
|
January 31, 2012 | $ | 298 |
| $ | 163 |
| $ | (19) |
| $ | 442 |
|
January 31, 2013 |
| 442 |
|
| 238 |
|
| (194) |
|
| 486 |
|
January 31, 2014 |
| 486 |
|
| 143 |
|
| (167) |
|
| 462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets (amounts in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
| Balance at Beginning of Period |
|
| Charged to Costs and Expenses |
|
| Charged to Goodwill |
|
| Write Down of Fully Valued Assets |
|
| Deductions |
|
| Balance at End of Period |
|
January 31, 2012 | $ | 7,555 |
| $ | 1,021 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (405) |
| $ | - |
| $ | 8,171 |
|
January 31, 2013 |
| 8,171 |
|
| 921 |
|
| - |
|
| (2,478) |
|
| - |
|
| 6,614 |
|
January 31, 2014 |
| 6,614 |
|
| 1,677 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 8,291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19) Concentration of Suppliers
The Company relies on a limited number of independent third parties to provide educational content for a majority of its courses based on learning objectives and specific instructional design templates that the Company provides to them. The failure to maintain or expand the current development alliances or enter into new development alliances could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and financial condition.
(20) Related Party Transactions
The table below presents total fees paid to the Sponsors during the identified periods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| ||||||
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2013 |
|
| 2014 |
|
Sponsor fees paid | $ | 1,530 |
| $ | 1,555 |
| $ | 1,538 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115
Management Agreement
Upon completion of the Acquisition, certain of the Company’s parent and subsidiary entities entered into a management agreement with entities affiliated with the Sponsors, pursuant to which such entities provide management services to the Company and certain of its parent and subsidiary entities until the tenth anniversary of the consummation of the Acquisition, with evergreen one year extensions thereafter. Pursuant to such agreement, entities affiliated with the Sponsors receive an aggregate annual management fee equal to $1.5 million, and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them or their respective affiliates in connection with the provision of services pursuant to the agreement.
The management agreement provides that entities affiliated with the Sponsors are entitled to receive fees in connection with certain subsequent financing, acquisition, disposition and change of control transactions of 1% of the gross transaction value of any such transaction. The management agreement includes customary exculpation and indemnification provisions in favor of the Sponsors and their respective affiliates. The management agreement may be terminated, respectively, by the Company and the Sponsors at any time and will terminate automatically upon an initial public offering or a change of control unless the Company and the counterparty(s) determine otherwise. Upon termination, each provider of management services will be entitled to a termination fee calculated based on the present value of the annual fees due during the remaining period from the date of termination to the tenth anniversary of the date of the completion of the Acquisition or the then-applicable scheduled date for termination of the management agreement.
116
(21) Guarantors
On May 26, 2010, in connection with the Acquisition, the Company completed an offering of $310.0 million aggregate principal amount of 11.125% Senior Notes due 2018 as described in Note 10. The Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Company and SSI Co-Issuer LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by SSI III and the restricted subsidiaries of Skillsoft (other than immaterial subsidiaries and certain other excluded subsidiaries) that guarantee our Senior Credit Facilities described in Note 10. Each of the Guarantors is 100 percent owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company. The Guarantors also unconditionally guarantee the Senior Credit Facilities. All other subsidiaries of the Company, either direct or indirect, do not guarantee the Senior Notes (“Non-Guarantors”). The guarantees of the Senior Notes are joint and several and will terminate upon the following customary circumstances: (i) the sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of all of the capital stock of a Guarantor, or all or substantially all of its assets; (ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee of the other indebtedness which resulted in the creation of the guarantee by such Guarantor under the Indenture; (iii) the proper designation of a Guarantor as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and (iv) the legal defeasance, covenant defeasance, or satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture, in each such case specified in clauses (i) through (iv) above in accordance with the requirements therefore set forth in the Indenture.
The following consolidated financial statements are presented for the information of the holders of the Senior Notes and present the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2014. The Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss and the Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, which is the issuer of the Senior Notes, the Guarantors, the Non-Guarantors, the elimination entries necessary to consolidate and combine the issuer with the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor subsidiaries and the Company on a consolidated and combined basis.
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method for purposes of the consolidated and combined presentation. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions. Separate financial statements and other disclosures with respect to the subsidiary guarantors have not been provided as management believes the following information is sufficient, as the guarantor subsidiaries are 100 percent owned by the parent and all guarantees are full and unconditional, subject to the customary automatic release provisions described above.
117
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
JANUARY 31, 2014
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
ASSETS |
| |||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ | 77 |
| $ | 59,046 |
| $ | 16,813 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 75,936 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
| - |
|
| 6 |
|
| 95 |
|
| - |
|
| 101 |
|
Accounts receivable, less reserves of approximately $486 and $462 as of January 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively |
|
| - |
|
| 172,020 |
|
| 23,385 |
|
| - |
|
| 195,405 |
|
Intercompany receivables |
|
| - |
|
| 451,788 |
|
| - |
|
| (451,788) |
|
| - |
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
| - |
|
| 7,610 |
|
| 333 |
|
| - |
|
| 7,943 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
| 1,441 |
|
| 29,475 |
|
| 4,375 |
|
| 538 |
|
| 35,829 |
|
Total current assets |
|
| 1,518 |
|
| 719,945 |
|
| 45,001 |
|
| (451,250) |
|
| 315,214 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
| - |
|
| 14,606 |
|
| 310 |
|
| - |
|
| 14,916 |
|
Goodwill |
|
| - |
|
| 610,480 |
|
| 23,968 |
|
| - |
|
| 634,448 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
| - |
|
| 328,014 |
|
| 11,217 |
|
| - |
|
| 339,231 |
|
Investment in subsidiaries |
|
| 967,084 |
|
| 1,368,808 |
|
| 4,167 |
|
| (2,340,059) |
|
| - |
|
Investment in, and advances to, nonconsolidated affiliates |
|
| - |
|
| 538 |
|
| - |
|
| (538) |
|
| - |
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 23 |
|
| - |
|
| 23 |
|
Other assets |
|
| 4,752 |
|
| 12,364 |
|
| 539 |
|
| - |
|
| 17,655 |
|
Total assets |
| $ | 973,354 |
| $ | 3,054,755 |
| $ | 85,225 |
| $ | (2,791,847) |
| $ | 1,321,487 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
| |||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current maturities of long term debt |
| $ | - |
| $ | 3,439 |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
| $ | 3,439 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
| - |
|
| 12,764 |
|
| 246 |
|
| - |
|
| 13,010 |
|
Accrued compensation |
|
| - |
|
| 20,243 |
|
| 2,081 |
|
| - |
|
| 22,324 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
| 5,816 |
|
| 32,670 |
|
| 4,322 |
|
| (400) |
|
| 42,408 |
|
Intercompany payable |
|
| 440,726 |
|
| 821,576 |
|
| 51,604 |
|
| (1,313,906) |
|
| - |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
| - |
|
| 880 |
|
| 25 |
|
| - |
|
| 905 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
| - |
|
| 249,011 |
|
| 27,789 |
|
| - |
|
| 276,800 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
| 446,542 |
|
| 1,140,583 |
|
| 86,067 |
|
| (1,314,306) |
|
| 358,886 |
|
Long term debt |
|
| 308,690 |
|
| 408,466 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 717,156 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
| - |
|
| 12,218 |
|
| 2,501 |
|
| - |
|
| 14,719 |
|
Other long term liabilities |
|
| - |
|
| 11,605 |
|
| 999 |
|
| - |
|
| 12,604 |
|
Total long-term liabilities |
|
| 308,690 |
|
| 432,289 |
|
| 3,500 |
|
| - |
|
| 744,479 |
|
Total shareholder's equity |
|
| 218,122 |
|
| 1,481,883 |
|
| (4,342) |
|
| (1,477,541) |
|
| 218,122 |
|
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity |
| $ | 973,354 |
| $ | 3,054,755 |
| $ | 85,225 |
| $ | (2,791,847) |
| $ | 1,321,487 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
JANUARY 31, 2013
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
ASSETS |
| |||||||||||||||
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
| $ | 85 |
| $ | 22,543 |
| $ | 16,420 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 39,048 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
| - |
|
| 6 |
|
| 130 |
|
| - |
|
| 136 |
|
Accounts receivable, less reserves of approximately $486 and $462 as of January 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively |
|
| - |
|
| 164,053 |
|
| 24,629 |
|
| - |
|
| 188,682 |
|
Intercompany receivables |
|
| - |
|
| 410,573 |
|
| - |
|
| (410,573) |
|
| - |
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
| - |
|
| 967 |
|
| 393 |
|
| - |
|
| 1,360 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
| 1,454 |
|
| 29,063 |
|
| 3,799 |
|
| 425 |
|
| 34,741 |
|
Total current assets |
|
| 1,539 |
|
| 627,205 |
|
| 45,371 |
|
| (410,148) |
|
| 263,967 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
| - |
|
| 13,652 |
|
| 2 |
|
| - |
|
| 13,654 |
|
Goodwill |
|
| - |
|
| 611,192 |
|
| 26,332 |
|
| - |
|
| 637,524 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
| - |
|
| 428,637 |
|
| 16,111 |
|
| - |
|
| 444,748 |
|
Investment in subsidiaries |
|
| 954,971 |
|
| 1,364,497 |
|
| 4,167 |
|
| (2,323,635) |
|
| - |
|
Investment in, and advances to, nonconsolidated affiliates |
|
| - |
|
| 425 |
|
| - |
|
| (425) |
|
| - |
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
| - |
|
| 10,008 |
|
| 82 |
|
| - |
|
| 10,090 |
|
Other assets |
|
| 6,192 |
|
| 15,543 |
|
| 710 |
|
| - |
|
| 22,445 |
|
Total assets |
| $ | 962,702 |
| $ | 3,071,159 |
| $ | 92,775 |
| $ | (2,734,208) |
| $ | 1,392,428 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
| |||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current maturities of long term debt |
| $ | - |
| $ | 3,311 |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
| $ | 3,311 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
| - |
|
| 11,557 |
|
| 93 |
|
| - |
|
| 11,650 |
|
Accrued compensation |
|
| - |
|
| 21,310 |
|
| 2,146 |
|
| - |
|
| 23,456 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
| 5,798 |
|
| 29,444 |
|
| 4,468 |
|
| (400) |
|
| 39,310 |
|
Intercompany payable |
|
| 403,038 |
|
| 864,535 |
|
| 48,197 |
|
| (1,315,770) |
|
| - |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
| - |
|
| 15,125 |
|
| 28 |
|
| - |
|
| 15,153 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
| - |
|
| 233,084 |
|
| 29,368 |
|
| - |
|
| 262,452 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
| 408,836 |
|
| 1,178,366 |
|
| 84,300 |
|
| (1,316,170) |
|
| 355,332 |
|
Long term debt |
|
| 308,466 |
|
| 446,568 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 755,034 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
| - |
|
| 22,506 |
|
| 4,140 |
|
| - |
|
| 26,646 |
|
Other long term liabilities |
|
| - |
|
| 8,593 |
|
| 1,423 |
|
| - |
|
| 10,016 |
|
Total long-term liabilities |
|
| 308,466 |
|
| 477,667 |
|
| 5,563 |
|
| - |
|
| 791,696 |
|
Total shareholder's equity |
|
| 245,400 |
|
| 1,415,126 |
|
| 2,912 |
|
| (1,418,038) |
|
| 245,400 |
|
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity |
| $ | 962,702 |
| $ | 3,071,159 |
| $ | 92,775 |
| $ | (2,734,208) |
| $ | 1,392,428 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
119
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
| $ | - |
| $ | 396,869 |
| $ | 44,792 |
| $ | (28,073) |
| $ | 413,588 |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
| - |
|
| 38,104 |
|
| 28,155 |
|
| (28,073) |
|
| 38,186 |
|
Cost of revenues - amortization of intangible assets |
|
| - |
|
| 54,748 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 54,748 |
|
Gross profit |
|
| - |
|
| 304,017 |
|
| 16,637 |
|
| - |
|
| 320,654 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
| - |
|
| 56,467 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 56,467 |
|
Selling and marketing |
|
| - |
|
| 121,338 |
|
| 14,933 |
|
| - |
|
| 136,271 |
|
General and administrative |
|
| 223 |
|
| 39,529 |
|
| 1,636 |
|
| - |
|
| 41,388 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets |
|
| - |
|
| 51,120 |
|
| 3,626 |
|
| - |
|
| 54,746 |
|
Acquisition related expenses |
|
| 14 |
|
| 1,431 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 1,445 |
|
Merger and integration related expenses |
|
| - |
|
| 2,914 |
|
| 19 |
|
| - |
|
| 2,933 |
|
Restructuring |
|
| - |
|
| 2,931 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 2,931 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
| 237 |
|
| 275,730 |
|
| 20,214 |
|
| - |
|
| 296,181 |
|
Operating (loss) income |
|
| (237) |
|
| 28,287 |
|
| (3,577) |
|
| - |
|
| 24,473 |
|
Other expense, net |
|
| (2) |
|
| 42,548 |
|
| 215 |
|
| (43,266) |
|
| (505) |
|
Interest income |
|
| 1 |
|
| 886 |
|
| 6 |
|
| - |
|
| 893 |
|
Interest expense |
|
| (39,153) |
|
| (24,919) |
|
| (3) |
|
| 14 |
|
| (64,061) |
|
(Loss) income before benefit for income taxes |
|
| (39,391) |
|
| 46,802 |
|
| (3,359) |
|
| (43,252) |
|
| (39,200) |
|
Equity in (losses) earnings of subsidiaries before taxes |
|
| 192 |
|
| (2,369) |
|
| - |
|
| 2,177 |
|
| - |
|
(Benefit) provision for income taxes |
|
| (9,797) |
|
| (8,807) |
|
| (990) |
|
| 9,797 |
|
| (9,797) |
|
Net loss from continuing operations |
| $ | (29,402) |
| $ | 53,240 |
| $ | (2,369) |
| $ | (50,872) |
| $ | (29,403) |
|
Income from discontinued operations |
|
| - |
|
| 1 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 1 |
|
Net (loss) income |
| $ | (29,402) |
| $ | 53,241 |
| $ | (2,369) |
| $ | (50,872) |
| $ | (29,402) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
| $ | - |
| $ | 363,823 |
| $ | 45,002 |
| $ | (28,876) |
| $ | 379,949 |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
| - |
|
| 38,008 |
|
| 28,878 |
|
| (28,876) |
|
| 38,010 |
|
Cost of revenues - amortization of intangible assets |
|
| - |
|
| 60,603 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 60,603 |
|
Gross profit |
|
| - |
|
| 265,212 |
|
| 16,124 |
|
| - |
|
| 281,336 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
| - |
|
| 57,894 |
|
| 366 |
|
| - |
|
| 58,260 |
|
Selling and marketing |
|
| - |
|
| 126,191 |
|
| 14,673 |
|
| - |
|
| 140,864 |
|
General and administrative |
|
| 202 |
|
| 46,021 |
|
| 1,839 |
|
| - |
|
| 48,062 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets |
|
| - |
|
| 59,138 |
|
| 3,999 |
|
| - |
|
| 63,137 |
|
Acquisition related expenses |
|
| - |
|
| 3,989 |
|
| 21 |
|
| - |
|
| 4,010 |
|
Merger and integration related expenses |
|
| - |
|
| 13,080 |
|
| 113 |
|
| - |
|
| 13,193 |
|
Restructuring |
|
| - |
|
| 4,468 |
|
| 29 |
|
| - |
|
| 4,497 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
| 202 |
|
| 310,781 |
|
| 21,040 |
|
| - |
|
| 332,023 |
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
| (202) |
|
| (45,569) |
|
| (4,916) |
|
| - |
|
| (50,687) |
|
Other (expense) income, net |
|
| - |
|
| 42,595 |
|
| 346 |
|
| (43,072) |
|
| (131) |
|
Interest income |
|
| - |
|
| 874 |
|
| 32 |
|
| - |
|
| 906 |
|
Interest expense |
|
| (37,868) |
|
| (27,912) |
|
| 9 |
|
| - |
|
| (65,771) |
|
Loss before benefit for income taxes |
|
| (38,070) |
|
| (30,012) |
|
| (4,529) |
|
| (43,072) |
|
| (115,683) |
|
Equity in (losses) earnings of subsidiaries before taxes |
|
| (77,778) |
|
| (3,579) |
|
| - |
|
| 81,357 |
|
| - |
|
(Benefit) provision of income taxes |
|
| (18,565) |
|
| (17,927) |
|
| (638) |
|
| 18,565 |
|
| (18,565) |
|
Net loss from continuing operations |
| $ | (97,283) |
| $ | (15,664) |
| $ | (3,891) |
| $ | 19,720 |
| $ | (97,118) |
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of an income tax benefit of $110 |
|
| - |
|
| (477) |
|
| 312 |
|
| - |
|
| (165) |
|
Net (loss) income |
| $ | (97,283) |
| $ | (16,141) |
| $ | (3,579) |
| $ | 19,720 |
| $ | (97,283) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2012
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
| $ | - |
| $ | 312,603 |
| $ | 42,520 |
| $ | (25,994) |
| $ | 329,129 |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
| - |
|
| 32,069 |
|
| 25,914 |
|
| (25,994) |
|
| 31,989 |
|
Cost of revenues - amortization of intangible assets |
|
| - |
|
| 66,050 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 66,050 |
|
Gross profit |
|
| - |
|
| 214,484 |
|
| 16,606 |
|
| - |
|
| 231,090 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
| - |
|
| 54,836 |
|
| 790 |
|
| - |
|
| 55,626 |
|
Selling and marketing |
|
| - |
|
| 106,176 |
|
| 13,399 |
|
| - |
|
| 119,575 |
|
General and administrative |
|
| 253 |
|
| 31,955 |
|
| 1,210 |
|
| - |
|
| 33,418 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets |
|
| - |
|
| 62,273 |
|
| 4,077 |
|
| - |
|
| 66,350 |
|
Acquisition related expenses |
|
| - |
|
| 3,451 |
|
| 49 |
|
| - |
|
| 3,500 |
|
Merger and integration related expenses |
|
| - |
|
| 4,428 |
|
| 88 |
|
| - |
|
| 4,516 |
|
Restructuring |
|
| - |
|
| 2,082 |
|
| 641 |
|
| - |
|
| 2,723 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
| 253 |
|
| 265,201 |
|
| 20,254 |
|
| - |
|
| 285,708 |
|
Operating (loss) income |
|
| (253) |
|
| (50,717) |
|
| (3,648) |
|
| - |
|
| (54,618) |
|
Other income (expense), net |
|
| (7) |
|
| 42,931 |
|
| (1,271) |
|
| (43,072) |
|
| (1,419) |
|
Interest income |
|
| - |
|
| 105 |
|
| 49 |
|
| - |
|
| 154 |
|
Interest expense |
|
| (36,630) |
|
| (25,376) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (62,006) |
|
Loss before benefit for income taxes |
|
| (36,890) |
|
| (33,057) |
|
| (4,870) |
|
| (43,072) |
|
| (117,889) |
|
Equity in (losses) earnings of subsidiaries before taxes |
|
| (80,710) |
|
| (3,044) |
|
| - |
|
| 83,754 |
|
| - |
|
(Benefit) provision for income taxes |
|
| (17,453) |
|
| (16,230) |
|
| (1,320) |
|
| 17,453 |
|
| (17,550) |
|
Net loss from continuing operations |
| $ | (100,147) |
| $ | (19,871) |
| $ | (3,550) |
| $ | 23,229 |
| $ | (100,339) |
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of an income tax provision of $96 |
|
| - |
|
| (139) |
|
| 506 |
|
| (175) |
|
| 192 |
|
Net (loss) income |
| $ | (100,147) |
| $ | (20,010) |
| $ | (3,044) |
| $ | 23,054 |
| $ | (100,147) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
Comprehensive loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income |
| $ | (29,402) |
| $ | 53,241 |
| $ | (2,369) |
| $ | (50,872) |
| $ | (29,402) |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) - Foreign currency adjustment |
|
| - |
|
| (9) |
|
| (5,771) |
|
| 1,811 |
|
| (3,969) |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income |
| $ | (29,402) |
| $ | 53,232 |
| $ | (8,140) |
| $ | (49,061) |
| $ | (33,371) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
Comprehensive loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income |
| $ | (97,283) |
| $ | (16,141) |
| $ | (3,579) |
| $ | 19,720 |
| $ | (97,283) |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) - Foreign currency adjustment |
|
| - |
|
| 261 |
|
| (814) |
|
| - |
|
| (553) |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income |
| $ | (97,283) |
| $ | (15,880) |
| $ | (4,393) |
| $ | 19,720 |
| $ | (97,836) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2012
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
Comprehensive loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income |
| $ | (100,147) |
| $ | (20,010) |
| $ | (3,044) |
| $ | 23,054 |
| $ | (100,147) |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) - Foreign currency adjustment |
|
| - |
|
| (339) |
|
| 1,682 |
|
| (357) |
|
| 986 |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income |
| $ | (100,147) |
| $ | (20,349) |
| $ | (1,362) |
| $ | 22,697 |
| $ | (99,161) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2014
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
| $ | (37,696) |
| $ | 167,757 |
| $ | (921) |
| $ | (43,254) |
| $ | 85,886 |
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
| - |
|
| (8,909) |
|
| (313) |
|
| - |
|
| (9,222) |
|
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash, net |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 35 |
|
| - |
|
| 35 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
| - |
|
| (8,909) |
|
| (278) |
|
| - |
|
| (9,187) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from intercompany investment in subsidiaries |
|
| - |
|
| 873 |
|
| - |
|
| (873) |
|
| - |
|
Payment received on note for sale of TCE |
|
| - |
|
| 336 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 336 |
|
Proceeds from payments (on) intercompany loans |
|
| 37,688 |
|
| (84,421) |
|
| 2,492 |
|
| 44,241 |
|
| - |
|
Principal payments on Senior Credit Facilities |
|
| - |
|
| (39,650) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (39,650) |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
| 37,688 |
|
| (122,862) |
|
| 2,492 |
|
| 43,368 |
|
| (39,314) |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
| - |
|
| 517 |
|
| (900) |
|
| (114) |
|
| (497) |
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
| (8) |
|
| 36,503 |
|
| 393 |
|
| - |
|
| 36,888 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
|
| 85 |
|
| 22,543 |
|
| 16,420 |
|
| - |
|
| 39,048 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
| $ | 77 |
| $ | 59,046 |
| $ | 16,813 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 75,936 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2013
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
| $ | (36,408) |
| $ | 116,186 |
| $ | (846) |
| $ | (43,072) |
| $ | 35,860 |
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
| - |
|
| (6,437) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (6,437) |
|
Proceeds on disposition of assets |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 96 |
|
| - |
|
| 96 |
|
Acquisition of Mindleaders, net of cash received |
|
| - |
|
| 1,306 |
|
| 678 |
|
| (64,316) |
|
| (62,332) |
|
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash, net |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (28) |
|
| - |
|
| (28) |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
|
| - |
|
| (5,131) |
|
| 746 |
|
| (64,316) |
|
| (68,701) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from intercompany investment in subsidiaries |
|
| - |
|
| (65,021) |
|
| - |
|
| 65,021 |
|
| - |
|
Proceeds from payments (on) intercompany loans |
|
| 36,466 |
|
| (85,907) |
|
| 6,504 |
|
| 42,937 |
|
| - |
|
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Credit Facilities, net of issuance costs and original issue discount |
|
| - |
|
| 45,712 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 45,712 |
|
Payment received on note for sale TCE |
|
| - |
|
| 840 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 840 |
|
Principal payments on Senior Credit Facilities |
|
| - |
|
| (3,056) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (3,056) |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
| 36,466 |
|
| (107,432) |
|
| 6,504 |
|
| 107,958 |
|
| 43,496 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
| - |
|
| 213 |
|
| (158) |
|
| (570) |
|
| (515) |
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
| 58 |
|
| 3,836 |
|
| 6,246 |
|
| - |
|
| 10,140 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
|
| 27 |
|
| 18,707 |
|
| 10,174 |
|
| - |
|
| 28,908 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
| $ | 85 |
| $ | 22,543 |
| $ | 16,420 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 39,048 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2012
(IN THOUSANDS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Issuer |
|
| Guarantor |
|
| Non-Guarantor |
|
| Eliminations |
|
| Consolidated |
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
| $ | (35,284) |
| $ | 110,162 |
| $ | (1,445) |
| $ | (43,072) |
| $ | 30,361 |
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
| - |
|
| (5,783) |
|
| (3) |
|
| - |
|
| (5,786) |
|
Acquisition of Element K, net of cash received |
|
| - |
|
| (65,635) |
|
| 396 |
|
| (44,209) |
|
| (109,448) |
|
Acquisition of 50 Lessons, net of cash received |
|
| - |
|
| (3,820) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (3,820) |
|
Decrease in restricted cash |
|
| - |
|
| (6) |
|
| (43) |
|
| - |
|
| (49) |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
|
| - |
|
| (75,244) |
|
| 350 |
|
| (44,209) |
|
| (119,103) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from intercompany investment in subsidiaries |
|
| - |
|
| (44,209) |
|
| - |
|
| 44,209 |
|
| - |
|
Capital contributions |
|
| 325 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 325 |
|
Proceeds from payments (on) intercompany loans |
|
| 34,983 |
|
| (72,741) |
|
| (5,561) |
|
| 43,319 |
|
| - |
|
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Credit Facilities, net of issuance costs and original issue discount |
|
| - |
|
| 85,434 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 85,434 |
|
Principal payments on Senior Credit Facilities |
|
| - |
|
| (4,819) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (4,819) |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
| 35,308 |
|
| (36,335) |
|
| (5,561) |
|
| 87,528 |
|
| 80,940 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
| - |
|
| 405 |
|
| 1,353 |
|
| (247) |
|
| 1,511 |
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
| 24 |
|
| (1,012) |
|
| (5,303) |
|
| - |
|
| (6,291) |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
|
| 3 |
|
| 19,719 |
|
| 15,477 |
|
| - |
|
| 35,199 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
| $ | 27 |
| $ | 18,707 |
| $ | 10,174 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 28,908 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
126
(22) Quarterly Statement of Operations Information
Quarterly Operating Results for Fiscal Years Ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain financial data of the Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Q1 2014 |
|
| Q2 2014 |
|
| Q3 2014 |
|
| Q4 2014 |
|
Revenues | $ | 100,519 |
| $ | 101,603 |
| $ | 105,025 |
| $ | 106,441 |
|
Gross Profit |
| 76,933 |
|
| 78,833 |
|
| 81,753 |
|
| 83,135 |
|
Net loss before discontinued operations |
| (10,528) |
|
| (8,945) |
|
| (4,458) |
|
| (5,472) |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of an income tax benefit (provision) |
| 4 |
|
| (186) |
|
| - |
|
| 183 |
|
Net loss | $ | (10,524) |
| $ | (9,131) |
| $ | (4,458) |
| $ | (5,289) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Q1 2013 |
|
| Q2 2013 |
|
| Q3 2013 |
|
| Q4 2013 |
|
Revenues | $ | 89,304 |
| $ | 93,755 |
| $ | 95,733 |
| $ | 101,157 |
|
Gross Profit |
| 61,208 |
|
| 70,171 |
|
| 72,780 |
|
| 77,177 |
|
Net loss before discontinued operations |
| (26,041) |
|
| (20,239) |
|
| (18,217) |
|
| (32,621) |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of an income tax benefit (provision) |
| (655) |
|
| 118 |
|
| (48) |
|
| 420 |
|
Net loss | $ | (26,696) |
| $ | (20,121) |
| $ | (18,265) |
| $ | (32,201) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23) Subsequent Events
On March 14, 2014, SSILuxco S.a.r.l., an indirect parent company of Skillsoft announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its subsidiaries to funds managed by Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP.
127
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
Exhibit No. | Title |
2.1 | Transaction Agreement, dated February 12, 2010, between Skillsoft PLC and SSI Investments III Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Skillsoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2010 (File No. 000-25674)). |
3.1 | Certificate of Incorporation of SSI Investments II Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
3.2 | Memorandum and Articles of Association of SSI Investments II Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)).
|
4.1 | Form of 11.125% Senior Note due 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)).
|
4.2 | Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2010, by and among SSI Investments II Limited and SSI Co-Issuer LLC, as issuers, the guarantors named therein, as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)).
|
4.3 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 25, 2010, by and among SSI Investments II Limited and SSI Co-Issuer LLC, as issuers, the guarantors named therein, as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
4.4 | Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 14, 2011, by and among SSI Investments II Limited and SSI Co-Issuer LLC, as issuers, the guarantors named therein, as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2011 (File No. 333-169857)). |
10.1 | Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2010, by and among SSI Investments I Limited, as Holdings, SSI Investments II Limited, as Initial Borrower, the lenders party thereto, as lenders, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and Barclays Capital, as joint lead arrangers and joint book-runners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
10.2 | Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2010, by and among SSILuxco II S.à r. l., as guarantor, SSI Investments I Limited, SSI Investments II Limited, SSI Investments III Limited, and the subsidiaries of SSI Investments III Limited party thereto, as guarantors and grantors, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
128
|
|
Exhibit No. | Title |
10.3 | First Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2010, by and between SSI Investments I Limited, SSI Investments II Limited, and SSI Investments III Limited, as grantors, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
10.4 | Assumption Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2010, by and between Books 24x7.com, Inc., Skillsoft Corporation, Skillsoft Canada, Ltd., Skillsoft Finance Limited, Skillsoft U.K. Limited, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
10.5 | Novation and Assumption Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2010, by and between SSI Investments II Limited, Skillsoft Limited, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
10.6 | Novation and Assumption Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2010, by and between Skillsoft Limited, Skillsoft Corporation, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
10.7 | Assumption Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2010, by and between Skillsoft Limited, Skillsoft Ireland Limited, CBT (Technology) Limited, Stargazer Productions, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
10.8 | Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2010 (File No. 333-169857)). |
10.9 | Employment Agreement dated June 10, 2002, between Skillsoft Limited (f/k/a Skillsoft PLC) and Charles E. Moran, as amended December 23, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Skillsoft Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)). |
10.10 | Employment Agreement dated as of June 10, 2002, between Skillsoft Limited (f/k/a Skillsoft PLC) and Jerald A. Nine, Jr., as amended December 23, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Skillsoft Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)). |
10.11 | Employment Agreement dated January 12, 1998, between Skillsoft Corporation and Mark A. Townsend, as amended December 29, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Skillsoft Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)). |
10.12 | Employment Agreement dated January 12, 1998, between Skillsoft Corporation and Thomas J. McDonald, as amended December 23, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Skillsoft Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)). |
129
|
| |
Exhibit No. | Title | |
10.13 | Employment Agreement dated effective September 6, 2002 between Skillsoft Limited (f/k/a Skillsoft PLC) and Colm M. Darcy, as amended December 23, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Skillsoft Limited’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)). | |
10.14 | Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 26, 2010, dated as of October 14, 2011, among SSI Investments I Limited and Skillsoft Corporation (as successor in interests and obligations to Skillsoft Limited, as successor in interests and obligations to SSI Investments II Limited), Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., the lenders party thereto, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2011 (File No. 333-169857)). | |
10.15 | Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 26, 2010, dated as of August 31, 2012, among SSI Investments I Limited and Skillsoft Corporation (as successor in interests and obligations to Skillsoft Limited, as successor in interests and obligations to SSI Investments II Limited) and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012 (File No. 333-169857)). | |
10.16 | Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 26, 2010, dated as of September 25, 2012, among SSI Investments I Limited and Skillsoft Corporation (as successor in interests and obligations to Skillsoft Limited, as successor in interests and obligations to SSI Investments II Limited), the lenders party thereto, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. as administrative agent and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012 (File No. 333-169857)). | |
10.17 | Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 26, 2010, dated as of September 28, 2012, among SSI Investments I Limited and Skillsoft Corporation (as successor in interests and obligations to Skillsoft Limited, as successor in interests and obligations to SSI Investments II Limited), the lenders party thereto, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. as administrative agent and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SSI Investments II Limited’s Registration Statement on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012 (File No. 333-169857)). | |
21.1† | List of Significant Subsidiaries. | |
31.1† | Certification of SSI Investments II Limited’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. | |
31.2† | Certification of SSI Investments II Limited’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. | |
32.1† | Certification of SSI Investments II Limited’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(b)/Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.2† | Certification of SSI Investments II Limited’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(b)/Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
__________
|
|
† | Filed herewith. |
|
|
130