UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-QSB
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____________to____________
Commission File Number: 0-14793
TEKNOWLEDGE CORPORATION
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
| |
---|
Delaware | 94-2760916 |
(State of Incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1800 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, California 94303
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(650) 424-0500
(Issuer’s telephone number)
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date.
| |
---|
Class | Outstanding at May 13, 2005 |
| |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value | 5,735,754 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | | Page No. |
---|
| PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | | | |
| | | |
Item 1. | | Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements | |
| | | |
| | Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 | | 3 | |
| | | |
| | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |
| | for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 | | 4 | |
| | | |
| | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for three months ended | |
| | March 31, 2005 and 2004 | | 5 | |
| | | |
| | Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | | 6 | |
| | | |
Item 2. | | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of | |
| | Operations | | 12 | |
| | | |
Item 3. | | Controls and Procedures | | 26 | |
| | | |
| PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION | | | |
| | | |
Item 1. | | Legal Proceedings | | 27 | |
| | | |
Item 6. | | Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K | | 28 | |
| | | |
Signatures | | | | 29 | |
| | | |
---|
| | | | |
| | | |
Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 (the 302 certifications) | | | 30 | |
| | | |
Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 (the 906 certifications) | | | 32 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TEKNOWLEDGE CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| March 31, 2005 | December 31, 2004 |
---|
ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | $ | 334,486 | | $ | 161,171 | |
Receivables: | | | | | | | | |
Billed, net of allowance of $39,532 and $33,266, respectively | | | | 1,166,899 | | | 766,388 | |
Unbilled | | | | 509,980 | | | 1,095,026 | |
|
| |
|
| |
Total receivables | | | | 1,676,879 | | | 1,861,414 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Prepaids and other current assets | | | | 105,790 | | | 112,297 | |
|
| |
| |
Total current assets | | | | 2,117,155 | | | 2,134,882 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Capitalized software development costs, net of accumulated | | | | | | | | |
amortization of $7,566,623 and $7,564,692, respectively | | | | 1,982,666 | | | 1,750,620 | |
Fixed assets, at cost | | | | | | | | |
Computer and other equipment | | | | 3,631,791 | | | 3,628,055 | |
Furniture and fixtures | | | | 130,218 | | | 130,218 | |
Leasehold improvements | | | | 849,960 | | | 849,960 | |
|
| |
| |
| | | | 4,611,969 | | | 4,608,233 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | | (4,544,167 | ) | | (4,531,964 | ) |
|
| |
| |
| | | | 67,802 | | | 76,269 | |
|
| |
| |
Total assets | | | $ | 4,167,623 | | $ | 3,961,771 | |
|
| |
| |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | | $ | 1,868,194 | | $ | 1,665,209 | |
Line of credit | | | | 957,236 | | | 864,841 | |
Payroll and related liabilities | | | | 455,480 | | | 420,222 | |
Government rate reserve | | | | 2,339,475 | | | 2,335,476 | |
Other accrued liabilities | | | | 357,200 | | | 357,295 | |
|
| |
| |
Total current liabilities | | | | 5,977,585 | | | 5,643,043 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders' equity | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 2,500,000 shares | | | | | | | | |
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, none issued | | | | - | | | - | |
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 25,000,000 shares, | | | | | | | | |
5,735,754 shares issued and outstanding | | | | 57,358 | | | 57,358 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | | 1,911,986 | | | 1,904,847 | |
Accumulated deficit since January 1, 1993 | | | | | | | | |
(following quasi-reorganization) | | | | (3,779,306 | ) | | (3,643,477 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Total stockholders' deficiency | | | | (1,809,962 | ) | | (1,681,272 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | | | $ | 4,167,623 | | $ | 3,961,771 | |
|
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
TEKNOWLEDGE CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |
---|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
|
| |
| |
Revenues | | | $ | 1,631,512 | | $ | 2,159,125 | |
Cost of revenues | | | | 1,232,265 | | | 1,908,524 | |
|
| |
| |
Gross profit | | | | 399,247 | | | 250,601 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
General and administrative | | | | 469,892 | | | 549,415 | |
Sales and marketing | | | | 44,156 | | | 85,777 | |
Research and development | | | | - | | | 116,472 | |
|
| |
| |
Total operating expenses | | | | 514,048 | | | 751,664 | |
|
| |
| |
Operating income (loss) | | | | (114,801 | ) | | (501,063 | ) |
Other income (expense), net | | | | (21,028 | ) | | (13,111 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Net Income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) | | | | (135,829 | ) | | (514,174 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Diluted | | | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | | 5,735,754 | | | 5,735,732 | |
|
| |
| |
Diluted | | | | 5,735,754 | | | 5,735,732 | |
|
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
TEKNOWLEDGE CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |
---|
| | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
|
| |
| |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | | $ | (135,829 | ) | $ | (514,174 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash | | | | | | | | |
provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | 14,134 | | | 577,178 | |
Provision for doubtful accounts | | | | 6,266 | | | 4,700 | |
Issuance of warrants | | | | 8,951 | | | - | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Receivables | | | | 178,269 | | | 239,552 | |
Prepaids and other current assets | | | | 4,695 | | | (81 | ) |
Accounts payable | | | | 202,984 | | | (110,198 | ) |
Accrued liabilities | | | | 39,163 | | | (203,230 | ) |
|
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | | 318,633 | | | (6,253 | ) |
|
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Capitalization of software development costs | | | | (233,977 | ) | | (342,222 | ) |
Purchases of fixed assets | | | | (3,736 | ) | | (8,033 | ) |
|
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | | (237,713 | ) | | (350,255 | ) |
|
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock | | | | - | | | 1,065 | |
Net borrowings against line of credit | | | | 92,395 | | | - | |
Proceeds from term loan | | | | - | | | 1,000,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activites | | | | 92,395 | | | 1,001,065 | |
|
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | | 173,315 | | | 644,557 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period | | | | 161,171 | | | 1,045,402 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period | | | $ | 334,486 | | $ | 1,689,959 | |
|
| |
| |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for interest expense | | | $ | 21,034 | | $ | 13,391 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
TEKNOWLEDGE CORPORATION
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2005
1. Basis of Presentation
Teknowledge Corporation (“the Company”) has prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. In the opinion of management, these interim statements include all adjustments consisting of normal, recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of results for such periods. The results of operations for any interim period presented herein are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2005.
2. Accounts receivable
The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable are from financial services companies and the Federal Government. Credit is extended based on evaluation of a customers’ financial condition, and collateral is not generally required. Accounts receivable are due within 30 days and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes-off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company has not experienced a credit loss from a government customer nor does it anticipate such losses, and has not provided an allowance for doubtful accounts against government receivables.
3. Capitalized software development costs
Teknowledge capitalizes software development costs once technological feasibility is reached and continuing until general availability of the product. During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, software development costs of $234,000 and $342,000 were capitalized respectively. Amortization costs were $2,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and $553,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The Company’s policy is to amortize capitalized software development costs by the greater of (a) the ratio of current gross revenues for a product to anticipated gross revenues over the estimated life of that product, or (b) the straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the product, which is estimated at three years. The Company capitalizes software development costs in anticipation of future revenue principally from the sale of TekPortal licenses, maintenance, and related services. 2005 revenues from license and maintenance sales have not exceeded capitalized costs. Based on our current projections, future license revenues are expected to increase in the next twelve months, but with variable results per quarter, depending on specific sales outcomes. License sales of TekPortal product plus maintenance in the first quarter of 2005 increased to $181,000 from $176,000 in the first quarter of 2004. Management evaluates the financial performance of its TekPortal software at least quarterly to measure the performance against plan objectives and specific sales prospects. This is to ensure that these software development costs are being recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value.
4. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares of outstanding common stock plus the effect of potentially dilutive common stock securities during the period. Potentially dilutive securities consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding common stock options and warrants. All potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the calculation of the net loss per share for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
6
Diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three–month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 as well as the three–month period ended March 31, 2004 excludes the effect of out–of–the–money stock options, as their inclusion would be anti–dilutive. The number of out–of–the–money stock options excluded for the three–month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 was 921,021 and 508,878, respectively. The number of warrants to purchase common stock that were excluded from the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 were 56,750 and 30,000, respectively.
A summary of the earnings (loss) per share calculation for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |
---|
| | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
|
| |
| |
Basic earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | | $ | (136 | ) | $ | (514 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Weighted average common shares | | | $ | 5,736 | | $ | 5,736 | |
|
| |
| |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | | | | (0.02 | ) | | (0.09 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | | $ | (136 | ) | $ | (514 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Weighted average common shares | | | | 5,736 | | | 5,736 | |
Potentially dilutive potential | | | | | | | | |
common shares from stock options | | | | | | | | |
|
| |
| |
Diluted weighted average common shares | | | $ | 5,736 | | $ | 5,736 | |
|
| |
| |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | | | | (0.02 | ) | | (0.09 | ) |
|
| |
| |
5. Stock-Based Compensation
Teknowledge accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principle Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” as allowed by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 148, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosures, an Amendment of SFAS No. 123.” Under the intrinsic value method, Teknowledge does not recognize any compensation expense, when the exercise price of stock options issued to employees and directors is equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the time the options are granted. Had compensation expense been recognized using the fair value-based method under SFAS No. 123, Teknowledge’s pro forma consolidated earnings (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
7
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |
---|
| | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
|
| |
| |
Net income (loss), as reported | | | $ | (136 | ) | $ | (514 | ) |
Deduct: Total stock-based employee | | | | | | | | |
compensation expense determined under | | | | | | | | |
fair value based method for awards | | | | | | | | |
granted, modified or settled | | | | (13 | ) | | (136 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Pro forma net income (loss) | | | $ | (149 | ) | $ | (650 | ) |
|
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
Earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | |
Basic - as reported | | | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) |
Basic - pro forma | | | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) |
|
| |
| |
Diluted - as reported | | | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) |
Diluted - pro forma | | | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) |
6. Revenue Recognition
The Company derives revenue from research and development contracts (“Contract R&D”) with the U.S. Government and from sales of software products and services for its Financial Solutions, and Patent and Technology Licensing..
(a) Contract Revenue
The Company principally uses the percentage-of-completion method of accounting for contract revenues for both government and commercial projects. The percentage-of-completion method is based on total costs incurred to date compared with estimated total costs upon completion of contracts. The Company charges all losses on contracts to operations in the period when the loss is known. For contracts that do not meet the criteria for the percentage-of-completion method, the Company recognizes contract revenue on a completed contract basis. 15 percent of the fee for government contracts, which is approximately one percent of the total contract award, is retained and may be billed after the final indirect rates are submitted to the government. The final indirect rates are not submitted to the government until they have been reviewed and approved by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (“DCAA”). Revenue on the retained fee is recognized as earned but not billed until the final indirect rates have been approved by the DCAA. As of March 31, 2005, the Company calculated that it had approximately $300,000 of unbilled retained fees on its completed contracts that will be collected in future periods. The Company has not received final overhead rate approval from government agencies for costs incurred during the fiscal years 2001 through 2004. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a rate adjustment reserve of $2,339,000 related to potential audit agency adjustments to the Company’s indirect overhead rates.
(b) Software License and Services
The Company derives revenue as follows: (i) sale of software licenses to end users, and (ii) services which include consulting, training, and post-contract customer support (“PCS”). This policy establishes the standards for ensuring that the Company recognizes revenue consistently, and in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Statement of Position 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition (“SOP 97-2”), as amended by SOP 98-9.
Under SOP 97-2, the Company records revenue from licensing of software products to end-users when both parties sign a license agreement, the fee is fixed or determinable, collection is reasonably assured and delivery of the product has occurred. When the agreements include PCS, these amounts are recognized ratably over the period of the contracts, which is generally twelve months.
Generally, the Company provides payment terms that range from thirty to ninety days from the invoice date. Accordingly, payment terms that exceed ninety days are not considered fixed or determinable and revenue is recognized as payments become due.
8
When contracts contain multiple elements, and for which vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value exists for the undelivered elements, the Company recognizes revenue for the delivered elements based upon the residual method. VSOE is generally the price for products sold separately or the renewal rate for PCS. Undelivered elements consist primarily of PCS and other services such as consulting, mentoring and training. Services are generally not considered essential to the functionality of the software. The Company recognizes revenue allocated to PCS ratably over the period of the contracts, which is generally twelve months. For revenue related to consulting services, the Company recognizes revenue as the related services are performed. In instances where services are deemed essential to the software, both the software license fee and consulting fees are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of contract accounting as required under SOP 81-1.
The portion of fees related to either products delivered or services rendered which are not due under our Company’s standard payment terms are reflected in deferred revenue and in unbilled receivables.
Significant management judgments and estimates must be made in connection with determination of the revenue to be recognized in any accounting period. If the Company made different judgments or utilized different estimates for any period, material differences in the amount and timing of revenue recognized could result.
If the Company enters into a licensing agreement with a party as a result of a patent and IP settlement, revenue is recognized at the time the agreement is signed. Revenue will not be recognized for settlements that do not result in a licensing agreement. License revenues are established from a standard pricing structure that determines the price of the license in relation to the settlement amount. If the amount of the settlement is greater than the standard license price, then the amount of the settlement that exceeds the standard price will be included in other income.
7. Segment Reporting
The Company operates three reporting segments, Financial Solutions (formerly Financial Systems), Government R&D Contracts, and Patents and Technology Licensing (PTL). In 2004, PTL revenue merited its own separate reporting segment for the first time. The Government R&D Contracts segment includes R&D work in the following technical areas: computer software security, web-based training systems, distributed systems and knowledge systems. Technical personnel in the R&D Contracts segment are sponsored primarily by the U.S. Government, and are organized into groups that support specific technical contracts and projects. The chief decision maker, the Company’s CEO, views the operating segments as a matrix of technical personnel, management, engineering services, technology, and other resources. The Company does not account for or report to the CEO its assets or capital expenditures by operating segment. Decisions about resource allocation are based primarily on contract requirements and utilization rates of the employees. Performance assessment for managers in any operating segment is based primarily on technical performance and overall profitability of the Company.
Financial Information about segments (in thousands):
| Financial Solutions | Government R&D Contracts | Patent & Technology Licensing | Total |
---|
Three Months ended March 31, 2005: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | $ | 622 | | $ | 795 | | $ | 215 | | $ | 1,632 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenues | | | | 581 | | | 520 | | | 132 | | | 1,233 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Gross Profit | | | $ | 41 | | $ | 275 | | $ | 83 | | $ | 399 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Three Months ended March 31, 2004: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | | $ | 877 | | $ | 1,282 | | $ | - | | $ | 2,159 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenues | | | | 967 | | | 941 | | | - | | | 1,908 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Gross Profit (Loss) | | | $ | (90 | ) | $ | 341 | | $ | - | | $ | 251 | |
9
Revenues from customers in the United States represented approximately 92 percent and 97 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, approximately 42 percent of the total revenue was attributed to one agency of the Federal government. No commercial customer had greater than 10 percent of total revenues.
8. Line of Credit and Financing
Effective March 28, 2004, the Company renewed its line of credit. The new agreement extends the term of the line from one year to two years ending March 28, 2006 and increases the total credit limit from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000, and includes a $1,000,000 term loan facility. The line operates as a revolving line of credit and the Company’s intent is to repay borrowings as funds are available. Under the March 28, 2004 revolving credit arrangement, the Company may borrow a maximum of the lesser of $3,000,000 or 80 percent of eligible receivables at an initial rate of 2.0 percent over the Wall Street Journal prime interest rate (currently 4.00 percent) with a floor of 4.25 percent. The line includes select financial covenants tied principally to net income projections in the next two years. The financing provided by the lender bank is collateralized by the assets of the Company. In conjunction with the credit line, the Company requested and received a $1,000,000 term loan sub-facility. The term loan is for a two-year term ending March 27, 2006 at an initial interest rate of 3.0 percent over the Wall Street Journal prime rate with a floor of 4.25 percent. The Company borrowed $1,000,000 against the term loan facility in the first quarter of 2004 and paid it back in subsequent quarters.
Effective September 1, 2004, the financial agreement between Teknowledge and the lender bank was modified to include the following changes: 1) the interest rate on the receivables facility was increased from 2 to 3 percent over the Wall Street Journal Prime (“WSJP”), 2) the cash support level the Company is required to maintain for the term loan was raised from 75 to 100 percent, and 3) to supplement its existing cash reserves, the Company was required by the lender to secure a cash infusion of at least $1,000,000 by December 31, 2004. Subsequent to the effective date of the new agreement, Teknowledge concluded two IP licensing activities totaling $1,000,000. In addition to periodic reporting requirements, Teknowledge is also required to provide to the lender a near term quarterly income forecast that it is required to achieve with no greater than 20 percent variance to the plan.
Subsequent to quarter ending March 31, 2005, and as a result of last minute customer payments in March 2005, the Company paid down its line of credit by $184,000 to the lender bank on April 11, 2005. On March 28, 2005, the Company amended its facility with the lender and was granted a waiver for certain loan covenants violations as of December 31, 2004. Due to the Company’s risk profile, the lender increased the interest rate on the line of credit from 3 to 6 percent over WSJP. At May 3, 2005, the outstanding balance on the line of credit was $773,000 compared to $957,000 at March 31, 2005. The Company’s potential borrowing capacity fluctuates based on the amount of accounts receivable generated from revenues. At March 31, 2005, the Company had utilized all of its available borrowing capacity.
In connection with the credit facilities dated March 28, 2003 and 2004 and the amended facilities of September 1, 2004 and March 28, 2005, the Company granted four warrants totaling 56,750 shares in increments of 15,000 shares each, except for the March 28, 2005 amount of 11,750 shares, to the lender of Common Stock at exercise prices of $3.00, $7.00, $2.50, and $1.50 per share, respectively. The warrants are exercisable in whole or in part one year after the first anniversary of the grant date and until the end of the five-year term.
9. Going Concern
Due to our present financial condition and the risks associated with our business plans, there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. The Company incurred significant losses during the year ended December 31, 2004, and has an accumulated shareholders’ deficit of $3,779,306 as of March 31, 2005. The Company reported a net loss of $135,829 in the first quarter of 2005. The Company has utilized all of its available credit with the bank as of May 15, 2005. The Company currently believes that its continued negative cash flows from operations coupled with the on-going quarterly obligations would require that it obtain immediate additional financing if the bank financing facilities were to become unavailable. The Company is seeking a cash infusion from equity financing, and it is pursuing intellectual property settlements with several parties. It is also pursuing the sale of a key technology asset, patent, merger, license, or component of Financial Solutions software that would permit the Company to operate, but there can be no guarantee that any of these events will occur in time or at all, or will be in an amount sufficient to sustain continuing operations. The Company believes that working capital at March 31, 2005 will be insufficient to meet the business objectives as currently structured and without a cash infusion from any of the named sources Teknowledge’s cash reserves could be exhausted within two months of the filing of this report.
10
If the Company is not able to obtain financing, it would most likely have insufficient cash to pay its obligations, and be unable to meet its ongoing operating obligations as they come due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, it may be required to seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws. These factors among others raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
11
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
Forward Looking Statements
The following contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements made in this report relate to cash reserves required to support ongoing operations, commercial revenue increases and backlog, new business opportunities, demand for aggregation software and services, generation of revenue from intellectual property and the value of the Company’s patent portfolio, counter-terrorism applications, market acceptance of the Company’s products and services and the exchange of financial information over the Internet, demand for the Company’s products and services by the government, employees and management, patent and technology licensing, intent to broaden customer base, plans to develop new products and services, effectiveness of security measures, as well as expected revenue, cash and profitability, ability to realize backlog, recoverability of capitalized software, availability of equity capital and financing, effects of competition, research and development, consolidation in the financial services industry, government regulation, collections on customer receivables, and effects of recently-issued accounting pronouncements. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of competition, general or financial services market conditions, government agency funding limitations, other factors relating to government contracting including overhead rate determination; the ability to attract and retain technical and management personnel, commercial opportunities, financing, and other factors described in “Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results of Operations and/or Stock Price,” and in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or risk factors.
Overview of Significant Matters
Financial Position
This section updates the assessment of our opportunities included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and discusses the specific potential risks facing our business. The risks are discussed in our risk section below. We outline the opportunities by segment in this section. Most of these opportunities depend on the Company raising additional cash to continue operations or completing complex capital-raising transactions. The alternative possibilities for doing this are discussed in the Opportunities to Improve Our Cash Position section at the end of the discussion of opportunities.
The Company experienced a decline in revenue over the past months and had a net loss of $136,000 in the first quarter of 2005. The Company needs to raise cash in the near future, and we have significantly increased our activities related to additional patent related licensing revenues, pursuing technology sales or licensing, lining up equity financing, and exploring the sale of a product or business line in order to raise cash. We believe we have made significant progress on these fronts, but have no announcement or definitive agreement at this time. If we are unable to raise cash or increase revenues to a sufficient level, we may be required to cease operations and seek protection under available bankruptcy laws. As a result of these factors, our auditors report on our financial statements for the 2004 fiscal year contained an emphasis paragraph regarding uncertainties relating to our ability to continue as a going concern. These matters, and opportunities for resolving them, are discussed further in this report and in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-QSB.
12
Government R&D Contracts
Teknowledge’s Government R&D Contracts segment works in cutting edge research areas with significant application potential.. Knowledge based systems and the practice of managing knowledge systematically have progressed significantly in the past two decades, but we have a long way to go to unlock their business potential. Knowledge is still managed haphazardly in most large organizations, with rapid change and turnover taking a toll on the productivity of organizations. Today, computers mostly respond to us by executing our commands, rather than as interactive colleagues or associates that model who we are, the application domains that we work in, or the generic tasks that we perform. Teknowledge has been developing systems that address some of these features in web-based tutoring and semantic search application domains. This remains a fruitful research area, and a substantial long-term opportunity for our business.
Teknowledge won a Phase I DARPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in 2004 to develop a prototype of a deductive spreadsheet that adds symbolic or concept processing to commercial spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel®. We believe this is an exciting proposition in a society where many people are uncomfortable with math. In the near future, spreadsheets will be able to deal with nonmathematical concepts that embody nouns, verbs, plans and constraints. This is potentially a big opportunity for our business with significant application specializations and extensions. Teknowledge has already built a demonstration system, and is applying for a Phase II SBIR grant. There are opportunities to commercialize this technology as a plug-in application to Excel. Consistent with our evolving business model for leveraging selectively the software developed under R&D contracts, we would anticipate licensing the technology to one or more large companies with significant sales pull, customer base, and marketing muscle.
Some of Teknowledge’s software development is supported by competitive contracts from some of the most sophisticated R&D sponsors in the world. Specifically, Teknowledge continues to improve its software wrappers, which have many security and training applications in protecting computers from new worms and viruses that may not have a known signature in an antivirus database. The Company has developed Standard Upper Ontology and Middle Ontology. These are codified ways of expressing knowledge that can be specialized for sophisticated semantic search solutions on the web, as well as computer based problem solving and training solutions. Teknowledge continues to strengthen its model-based software capabilities, which can be used to design and configure software components to support target models of configurable products such as software radios and component software systems. Teknowledge is completing prototype training software functionality that includes probabilistic Bayesian belief networks for modeling students or game users based on an analysis of their interactions with the computer. These and other R&D software capabilities put Teknowledge in a position to utilize next-generation functionality as infrastructure for government contracts, as well as potential commercial products, licenses, and applications.
Teknowledge is planning to engage in a pilot test of its safe software wrappers at a customer site. Safe software wrappers encapsulate software modules, monitor their outputs and provide reporting and control over interfaces to other system resources. This software is more than a prototype and less mature than a product. It has many potential applications, including the ability to “lockdown” a set of corporate computers and protects them from new viruses and worms that initially have no known operational signature. This system can monitor critical resources, identify potentially harmful instructions, and lock down selectively the access to critical resources. Teknowledge developed this capability several years ago, and has been steadily improving it in new applications. If the pilot test goes well, we anticipate receiving additional contracts to deliver this system to the government and possibly to large institutions in the commercial sector. This system could be used specifically to wrap email clients such as Microsoft Outlook® and prevent attached viruses and worms from executing malicious instructions on the client machine.
Teknowledge is deploying TekPortal software in application domains that have both commercial and government applications. A customer is sponsoring a project to use TekPortal software to aggregate images from multiple photo web sites. This application also has significance for aggregating images of potential terrorists and making them available to one or more agency web sites, with a variety of tools and permissions. There are also potential opportunities to leverage TekPortal in government contract work that aggregates financial information for carefully selected targets.
13
Teknowledge generated $795,000 in government contract R&D revenue in the first quarter of 2005, compared to $1,280,000 in the first quarter of 2004. Most of this decrease was due to considerably lower backlog in 2005 and increased competition for government contracts. Replacing these large contracts immediately is difficult because of the long lead time and potential funding delays. Teknowledge continues to submit new contract proposals to the government, which may or may not result in new awards. There are some signs of long-term improvement in new software R&D opportunities going forward, including semantic web systems that utilize artificial intelligence techniques, advanced cyber security applications that leverage our software wrapper technology, and software systems that learn. In addition, we have launched a multi-year federal systems strategy to expand beyond contract R&D into integrating application solutions that can be fielded. The contract opportunities are much larger for integrated application solutions. The product potential is greater utilizing proven contract deliverables for fielded applications. In addition, there are far more government customers available for solution-oriented application integration than for R&D. The rewards may be greater in the applications solutions market, but it will take three to six months to get positioned to win new application integration contracts awards, and awards take months to turn into funded contracts. In addition, our adverse financial position may limit our ability to qualify for new prime contracts. In spite of this, we will continue to propose both prime and subcontracts, and to deliver on R&D. While there may be a current decrease in government revenues, we believe that by addressing our financial position, and writing competitive proposals, over time Teknowledge’s government contracts business could expand into a considerably larger business than can be sustained by an R&D only operation.
Financial Solutions
Even though revenues for the first quarter of 2005 were down from the previous year, Teknowledge’s Financial Solutions business is now offering a much more comprehensive suite of TekPortal products. This suite includes an aggregation platform, an OFX product to link aggregated data to Quicken and Money desktop client software, Account Opening and Identity Verification software, and an ACH Transfer product to enable user-initiated money transfers from account to account. Teknowledge has been able to add new bank customers through large financial services provider partners it won previously. These partners are now utilizing TekPortal, and have already deployed the software for several of their customers. Teknowledge’s recurring revenue stream, based on the maintenance of installed software, is expected to grow as the Company sells more licenses to this larger customer base. Teknowledge has several large and strong customer reference accounts, including two top-ten domestic banks. Adoption of new classes of software, however compelling, typically does take longer than expected. In the mean time, Teknowledge has further streamlined its operations and looked for new ways to leverage its investment in TekPortal software through partner relationships.
The TekPortal Account Opening application service provider business has been increasing recently. This is due primarily to a few large banks partnered with our application service provider partners. These banks are offering aggressive interest rates that have induced people to switch from other banks and open new accounts. The banks are using TekPortal Account Opening software to sign up these new customers. It is difficult to predict future volumes for this business. Growing this business significantly will depend on additional banks signing up for the account opening service through our partners.
Offering aggregation software alone did not enable banks to easily generate revenues from aggregation. The banks might like to offer customers aggregation as a new value-added service, but they tend to treat it as an optional customer relationship management tool – unless they can link it with immediate and quantifiable return on investment (“ROI”). Our product plan is not to sell aggregation software alone, but rather, to couple aggregation software with value-added software modules that harvest the aggregated data and provide banks with potential cost reductions and a new revenue stream. Teknowledge accomplished this with its TekPortal OFX and ACH Transfers software modules. In prior years, Teknowledge conducted a web-based seminar on its OFX software with Intuit Corporation, and an ACH Transfers seminar with Celent and NetBank. Those seminars marked a change in the way Teknowledge sold its TekPortal related products. Teknowledge’s sales strategy changed from a focus on technical capabilities and features to an emphasis on solutions that enhance the customer experience and services revenues, resulting in a direct ROI to the financial institution.
Teknowledge continues to invest in its ACH Transfer software because it appears that banks and other financial institutions can generate additional revenue by installing it and offering this capability to their customers. Independent research reports by Celent and others suggest that the market is likely to be strong and growing for account-to-account funds transfer software. It is still too early to determine the future demand for our ACH Transfers product. However, the value of ACH Transfers to the banks is quantifiable, both in terms of cost savings and transaction fees that generate revenue. The penetration of OFX and ACH Transfer software is still at the early adopter stage in the financial services industry. The Company plans to release a new version of the TekPortal ACH Transfer module in the second quarter of 2005. This upgrade provides new functionality and performance. The ACH Transfers market is growing substantially, but to capture a large share of it, Teknowledge will need either to leverage its partner’s larger size, or address its balance sheet and cash position.
14
Teknowledge’s recurring maintenance revenues are now about $700,000 per year and growing. As our base of customers grows the recurring revenue base becomes amore significant part of our revenue base, and an opportunity to leverage our products, as well as cover some of the costs of development. Covering all the costs of development has been a challenging goal for several years. Closing the gap will depend on the ability to work with partners to acquire several large banks as customers.
Teknowledge’s tight cash reserves and weak balance sheet are public knowledge, and have made some potential large new bank customers hesitant to adopt our software. However, we believe we have good software, excellent services, and strong customer references that may make it possible to overcome initial new customer reluctance. Teknowledge takes customer service seriously and as a result, we now have a growing base of customers to whom we can sell additional products. This is an opportunity for us and our partners to leverage our customer base of financial institutions with an expanded ecosystem of components related to the TekPortal platform.
Patents and Technology Licensing
During the latest twelve-month period, we demonstrated the value of our patent portfolio by obtaining $1,215,000 in patent licenses as the result of settlements. Management believes that these settlement numbers were low, necessitated by Teknowledge’s cash position. However, the results speak to real value in the #6,029,175 (“Hotbox”) patent. Our patent lawsuits against Inktomi, Akamai, and Cable & Wireless were related to the information caching claims in the Hotbox patent titled: “Automatic Detection of Changed Files By A Network Software Agent.” This patent also has claims in the area of information alerts. Teknowledge sued Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL/Time Warner for infringing on the alerts related claims in the Hotbox patent. Teknowledge settled all of its extant patent lawsuits except those with Microsoft. In the first quarter of 2004, Microsoft counterclaimed Teknowledge’s patent lawsuits with two patent infringement claims, one in the area of bill payment and the other in information aggregation. Teknowledge investigated these claims and found them to be without merit. As a result, Teknowledge filed a claim for summary judgment on the Microsoft claims to accelerate the case.
Management believes that the Company’s patents are valid and have significant value. The Company believes that there are a large number of other potential infringers of the ‘175 patent. Teknowledge also has two patents pending. One is related to its safe software wrappers, and the other is related to its TekPortal software. If granted, these could prove to be valuable additions to Teknowledge’s patent portfolio. These opportunities are some of the reasons why we created a separate reporting segment for patents and technology licenses. We have taken most of the downside cost risk out of the current lawsuits by engaging the law firm of Goldstein and Faucett on a contingency payment basis. There is the risk that the patents will be invalidated and/or that legal proceedings will determine that no infringement is present for the defendants.
Opportunities to Improve Our Cash Position
Teknowledge continues to pursue actively several possibilities for improving its cash position, but most are dependent on a variety of external factors. There can be no guarantee that any of these alternatives will occur in the appropriate timeframe, or at all. Without a cash infusion from any of the named sources, Teknowledge’s cash reserves could be exhausted in a relatively short period of time; however, we are working systematically to avoid that outcome.
Teknowledge is considering the following actions to increase the Company’s cash resources and improve its balance sheet. First, excluding software write downs and the adjustment to the government rate reserve, we decreased our cash operating expenses in the first quarter of 2005 by more than $400,000 compared to the first quarter of 2004. We have continued to decrease our operating expenses in 2005, and much of this effect will take place in the second quarter of 2005. The Company is making prudent cost reductions of non-essential expenses that will preserve its core capabilities. Second, we are exploring deeper relationships with several of our partners, including potential investment, joint venture, or sale of an operating segment or the entire Company. Third, Teknowledge may sell a key technology asset, such as one or more patents, components of its Financial Solutions software, its Safe Software Wrappers technology, or other software. These sales could permit the Company to operate, and build or acquire additional new lines of business. Fourth, the Company could potentially buy a smaller private company that comes with an equity investment in the combined company. Fifth, we are open to resolving our patent litigation case with Microsoft in a manner that will result in a favorable outcome for both companies. Finally, we continue to meet with qualified investors to explore the possibility of an equity investment. Given the relatively small size of Teknowledge, any one or a combination of these actions could make a significant difference to the Company’s financial position.
15
Results of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
Revenues
Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $1,632,000, compared to $2,159,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The Company has experienced a decline in revenue from products and services performed by the government and commercial segments in 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. Revenues from Financial Solutions accounted for 38 percent of total revenues compared to 41 percent for the comparable period in 2004. Revenue from government contract R&D was 49 percent of total revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to 59 percent in the first quarter of 2004. Revenue from Patent and IP licensing was 13 percent of 2005 revenue.
Government contract R&D revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $795,000, a 38 percent decrease in revenue from $1,280,000 in the comparable quarter in 2004. The decrease in government revenue of $485,000 is attributed to a decline in government backlog from the comparable period, coupled with the termination of a government contract in the first quarter of 2005. This contract required specialized and cleared personnel to be available at a remote location. The Company is seeking new government contracts to replace the government contracts that ended in 2004 and has submitted proposals to the government that are currently under consideration.
Financial Solutions revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $622,000, representing a 29 percent or $255,000 decrease in revenues from the comparable quarter in 2004. Customer demand did not meet expectations in the first quarter. Some customers seem reluctant to sign up for new business until the Company’s financial performance improves. Financial Solutions revenues from license sales to customers were $13,000, compared to $11,000 in 2004. Based on a review of the commercial pipeline of planned license revenues, the Company believes near term license sales from customers are expected to be volatile until the Company’s financial position improves.
In addition to product license and service opportunities, the Company is actively pursuing patent and technology licensing agreements with large companies that may be infringing on the Company’s patents. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company recorded $215,000 of revenue from intellectual property licensing activity as a result of legal settlements compared to zero in the comparable quarter in 2004. Since January 1, 2004, the Company has recorded $1,215,000 of revenues from IP settlements. [See Item 1. of Part II Legal Proceedings.]
Revenues from the Financial Solutions and Patent and Licensing combined segments exceeded the revenue from the government segment in the first quarter of 2005. This trend is likely to continue unless the government backlog rebounds to pre-2005 levels with the addition of new contract work. The Company anticipates that during the fiscal year 2005 the segment with the most revenue may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, depending on the specifics of business opportunities, contract wins, market cycles, and intellectual property settlements or rulings.
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenues was $1,233,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $1,909,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Cost of revenues were 75 percent of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to 88 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2004. In the first quarter of 2005, the Company spent $256,000 less on labor and labor related costs, $124,000 less on outside support costs on contracts, and $551,000 less on software amortization. The Company plans to contain its spending until it can improve its overall backlog. Because of a write down of unamortized software assets at December 31, 2004 of $1,753,000, amortization costs for the first quarter of 2005 were $2,000, compared to $553,000 in the first quarter of 2004. At March 31, 2005, the Company reported $1,983,000 of unamortized software development costs for TekPortal. V3.2. TekPortal V3.2 is scheduled to be available for sale in June 2005. The Company plans to start amortization of the product at that time. Excluding new software development costs, the expected non-cash amortization expenses for the next four quarters are projected to be:
| Q2-05 | Q3-05 | Q4-05 | Q1-06 |
---|
Amortization expense | | $60,000 | | $180,000 | | $180,000 | | $180,000 | |
16
General and administrative expenses were $470,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $549,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease of $80,000 in general and administrative costs is primarily the result of a decrease in labor and labor related costs. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005, were 29 percent of total revenue compared to 25 percent of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004. As revenue increases, the Company anticipates that general and administrative expenses will decline as a percentage of total revenue.
Sales and marketing expenses were $44,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $86,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The drop in overall expenses is attributed to a reduction in the amount of employee time spent on direct sales and marketing activities. Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were 3 percent of total revenue compared to 4 percent of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Sales and marketing expenses are expected to grow in proportion to the growth in commercial revenues in the future.
The Company sponsored internal R&D expenses were $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $116,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Until revenues improve, the Company intends to emphasize its revenue producing billable contract support and capitalized development efforts over R&D expenditures. In addition to the government sponsored research and development, Teknowledge invested $234,000, compared to $342,000 in 2004, in the internal development of TekPortal software that was capitalized. R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 were 0 percent and 5 percent of total revenue, respectively.
Non-operating Income and Expenses
Interest income was $6 for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $500 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $21,000 compared to $13,000 for the comparable quarter in 2004. The Company’s average borrowing interest rate increased between periods. The Company has borrowed approximately $957,000 from the bank under its credit facility on March 31, 2005 compared to $960,000 at March 31, 2004.
The effective tax rate was 0 percent for both the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. An effective tax rate of 0 percent for the current quarter is the result of the Company’s net operating loss carry forward and valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets.
The State of California recently issued a moratorium on the use of net operating losses to offset current taxable income. The Company does not believe that the moratorium will result in significant future tax liability as the Company has sufficient tax credits to offset any resulting tax liability.
Bookings and Backlog
At March 31, 2005, the expected order backlog was approximately $1.6 million, which consisted of (i) new orders for which work has not yet begun and (ii) revenue remaining to be recognized on work in progress. Of the March 31, 2005 backlog, 72 percent is from government customers, while 28 percent is from Financial Solutions customers. The commercial segment has contributed 38 percent of revenue during the three-month period ending March 31, 2005; however, the percentage contribution to backlog is lower than from government customers as commercial contracts are typically less than six months in duration. Approximately 48 percent of the backlog consists of government–sponsored programs that are awarded but not yet authorized for funding. The government normally funds a contract in incremental amounts for the tasks that are currently in production. The Company has requested additional funding on two government contracts. If the funding is not received in a timely manner, the Company may experience an interruption in its planned billing and cash collections during the hiatus period between funding increments. Excluding expected new work, the Company expects 68 percent of the current backlog to be fulfilled during 2005.
17
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2005, Teknowledge had approximately $334,000 in cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of $1,355,000 or 80 percent over the comparable result in 2004. The decrease in net cash at March 31, 2005 is attributed to a decline in revenues between the comparable periods and partially offset by the execution of a $1,000,000 term loan in March 2004. The Company generated net cash of $319,000 from its operating activities for the three-months ended March 31, 2005, compared to a decrease of $6,000 in the same period for 2004. The Company also invested $238,000 in the development of software products and the purchase of fixed assets in 2005 compared to $350,000 in 2004. In 2005, financing activities provided $92,000 compared to $1,001,000 in the first quarter of 2004.
Teknowledge’s traditional sources of cash are revenues from continuing operations including intellectual property and patent licensing, credit facilities, and outside investments. The Company is also seeking an equity investment to stimulate future growth; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to locate and obtain additional financing acceptable to the Company or at all. Based on its current cash position, available credit, and projected cash flows from operations, management believes the Company will not have sufficient funds to support operations for the next twelve-month period unless it can secure additional funding, supplemental financing, or a large legal settlement. In the event Teknowledge does not raise additional capital from increased revenues, equity financing, or intellectual property as expected, the Company will have to reduce costs further, including headcount reductions, which would materially adversely affect on-going operations and revenues; and if the Company obtains equity financing, it will likely result in a significant dilution of existing stockholders. The Company has approached some vendors about restructuring their debt through an informal work out plan. The Company is also considering the sale of an intellectual asset or business line to provide ready cash. However, if the Company is unsuccessful in restructuring its debt or obtaining additional short-term cash inside or outside the Company, it may seek alternative remedies, including seeking reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Federal bankruptcy code.
On March 28, 2004, Teknowledge renewed its line of credit with the bank. The new agreement extends the term of the line from one year to two years ending March 28, 2006 and increases the credit limit from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000, and includes a $1,000,000 term loan facility. Under the revolving credit arrangement the Company may borrow a maximum of the lesser of $3,000,000 or 80 percent of eligible receivables at an initial rate of 2.0 percent over the Wall Street Journal prime interest rate with a floor of 4.25 percent. The line includes select financial covenants tied principally to net income projections in the next two years. In conjunction with the credit line, the Company requested and received a $1,000,000 term loan sub-facility. The term loan is for a two-year term at an initial interest rate of 3.0 percent over the Wall Street Journal prime rate with a floor of 4.25 percent. Under the original agreement, the Company must maintain a minimum cash balance with the bank of 75 percent of the aggregate outstanding balance of all term loan advances and achieve pre-established minimum net income performance standards on a quarterly basis. To secure the loans, Teknowledge granted the bank a security interest in our assets, including accounts receivable.
Effective September 1, 2004, the financial agreement between Teknowledge and the lender bank was modified to include the following changes: 1) the interest rate on the receivables facility was increased from 2 to 3 percent over the Wall Street Journal Prime (“WSJP”), 2) the cash support level the Company is required to maintain for the term loan was raised from 75 to 100 percent, and 3) to supplement its existing cash reserves, the Company was required by the lender to secure a cash infusion of at least $1,000,000 by December 31, 2004. Subsequent to the effective date of the new agreement, Teknowledge concluded two IP licensing activities totaling $1,000,000. In addition to periodic reporting requirements, Teknowledge is also required to provide to the lender a near term quarterly income forecast that it is required to achieve with no greater than 20 percent variance to the plan.
Subsequent to quarter ending March 31, 2005, and as a result of last minute customer payments in March 2005, the Company paid down its line of credit by $184,000 to the lender bank on April 11, 2005. On March 28, 2005, the Company amended its facility with the lender and was granted a waiver for December 31, 2004. Due to the Company’s risk profile, the lender increased the interest rate on the line of credit from 3 to 6 percent over WSJP. At May 3, 2005, the outstanding balance on the line of credit was $773,000 compared to $957,000 at March 31, 2005. The Company’s potential borrowing capacity fluctuates based on the amount of accounts receivable generated from revenues. At March 31, 2005, the Company had utilized all of its available borrowing capacity.
18
In connection with the credit facilities dated March 28, 2003 and 2004 and the amended facilities of September 1, 2004 and March 28, 2005, the Company granted four warrants totaling 56,750 shares in increments of 15,000 shares each, except for the March 28, 2005 amount of 11,750 shares, of Common Stock at exercise prices of $3.00, $7.00, $2.50, and $1,50 per share, respectively. The warrants are exercisable in whole or in part one year after the first anniversary of the grant date and until the end of the five-year term.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Certain accounting policies are particularly important to the portrayal of the financial position and results of operations and require the application of significant judgment by our management team; as a result, they are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying those policies, management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of estimates. Those estimates are based on the Company’s historical experience, terms of existing contracts, observance of trends in the industry, information provided by its customers, and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Teknowledge’s significant accounting policies and estimates include:
| Revenue recognition; Allowance for doubtful accounts; Software development costs; and Determination of government indirect rate reserves. |
Revenue Recognition
Revenue on software licenses and services is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed and determinable, delivery has occurred, and there is a reasonable assurance of collection on the resulting receivable. Teknowledge may record license revenues as a result of legal settlements if the settlement provides for the issuance of a license as it did in 2004 in two separate cases. Teknowledge customarily obtains written purchase authorizations from customers for a specific product at a fixed price and considers delivery to have occurred at the time of shipment. The software is delivered to the customer electronically or on a CD. Revenue is typically recognized on shipment of product software; however, if the software is subject to customer acceptance or contract terms that do not satisfy all of the above-mentioned criteria, revenue is recognized upon customer acceptance or when all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Occasionally, customer contracts contain refund or warranty clauses that could affect revenue recognition. Teknowledge evaluates these clauses carefully; however, the Company has not experienced a refund or warranty recall and the likelihood of such an event is not predictable nor is it judged material at this time. Revenue from software consulting services is generally recognized on a time and materials basis; however, depending on the terms of the contract, the service element may be recognized on a percentage-of-completion basis. Revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion basis requires the use of project cost estimates. Project cost estimates are revised periodically and changes affecting the amount of revenue recognized are recorded when they become known. Revenue from research and development contracts is generally recognized over applicable contractual periods as specified by each contract and as costs related to the contracts are incurred.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Teknowledge provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical payment experience for its nongovernmental customers, age of unpaid amounts, and a review of significant past due accounts. Estimates of uncollectible amounts are revised each period and changes are recorded when they become known. The Company generally does not provide an allowance for receivables from government customers because the Company has historically experienced virtually no collection issues.
Software Development Costs
The eligible costs incurred in the development of our commercial software are capitalized. Teknowledge periodically reviews these costs to ensure they are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined using estimated future cash flows related to sales of the underlying technology. Had different assumed cash flows been used, materially different amounts of the carrying amount of these costs could have been reported.
19
Teknowledge evaluates the expected future revenues from software products before undertaking software development. Only those projects that are considered potentially profitable after including the costs to develop the software are pursued beyond the planning stage. The Company capitalizes software development costs from the point of technological feasibility and after completion of the detail program design. All costs incurred prior to determination of technological feasibility are expensed. Teknowledge solicits feedback from its customers to help identify potential enhancements that add value to key products such as TekPortal. The Company in turn evaluates these potential enhancements to determine which, if any, will be incorporated into the next version. The software development process proceeds from module to module until the product manager determines that an adequate number of functionalities have accumulated to earn release status. A typical version may encompass up to a dozen functional modules, most of which could be used separately, but which are not practical to market individually because of cost and market constraints. The Company may add high-value, low-risk development modules to address particular customer needs, but only after assessing technical risk and program design issues. These optional features are considered low-risk development enhancements to the original functionality.
The Company is nearly complete with V3.2 of TekPortal, which it plans to release to customers late in the second quarter in 2005. Amortization is expected to begin at that time of approximately $60K a month. Capitalized costs include direct and indirect labor costs and applicable overhead, but exclude general and administrative costs. The Company regularly examines its procedures for accumulating economic life of the product, which is estimated at three years. Capitalized software development costs are reviewed and evaluated periodically to determine recoverability. Should the Company determine that all or part of its capitalized software development costs are not recoverable, an adjustment to the capitalized software costs would be charged to income in the period such determination is made. Management evaluated the performance of its TekPortal product through December 31, 2004, and determined that an adjustment to the net realizable value of the development asset was required because the licenses, maintenance, and related services revenues, net of future costs of completing and disposing of the product, including maintenance and required customer support, did not meet management’s financial objectives. As a consequence, the unamortized value of previously capitalized software development costs at December 31, 2004 was reduced by $1,753,000. The remaining unamortized amount of capitalized software development costs on the books at March 31, 2005 is $1,983,000.
Determination of Government Indirect Rate Reserves
The Company’s revenues, costs, and earnings on government contracts are determined based on direct cost and estimated overhead “indirect” rates derived from forecasted annual costs. The Company’s actual experience in headcount growth, billable efficiency, and costs typically vary from original estimates and necessitate periodic adjustments to overhead rates and revenues. Such adjustments are made on a cumulative basis whereas the resulting revenue and income effects are recognized in the period of the adjustments. The Company is also subject to periodic reviews of prior year costs and expenses by audit agencies of the Federal Government. As a result of these audits, the Company may be exposed to annual cost adjustments that are applied on a retroactive basis to the government contracts completed in prior years. These adjustments can have a negative or positive effect on the results of operations and cash reserves in the period in which the adjustment is realized. In order to address the possible exposure to rate adjustments in prior years, Teknowledge established a rate adjustment reserve for potential government cost recovery for the open and unaudited years of 2001-2004. The cumulative reserve, excluding earned retained fee of $300,000, is $2,339,000 at March 31, 2005.
On September 30, 2004, the government suspended payment on three of Teknowledge’s contracts pending repayment of projected differences between the “actual” overhead rates used in the billings and the proposed overhead rates submitted to the government for the years 2001-2003. Based on the original rate data Teknowledge provided to the government for those years, the government audit agency, DCAA, indicated that Teknowledge owes $813,000 in gross charges. Prior to this, Teknowledge requested a review of the treatment of subcontractor costs in the previously submitted overhead cost proposals. Teknowledge believes the prior treatment unfairly allocated substantial amounts of internal G&A expenses to outside subcontractors and has requested an equitable redistribution of these costs to a separate pool for the unaudited years. A similar treatment has already been approved for 2004, but the government has so far denied Teknowledge’s request to make the change effective for all the unaudited years. The change in the treatment of subcontractor costs, if accepted by the government, could reduce the overall exposure to the Company by $750,000. On October 5, 2004, the government released for payment the three contracts that were on suspension, contingent on the establishment of a long-term payment schedule between the two parties. The payment terms and conditions will be determined after a review of the Company’s financial viability; and its cash reserves and forecast cash flows from all sources through 2005. The Company believes it could have adequate cash resources to establish a mutually workable payment schedule, depending on the agreements reached, and the Company’s financial position at that time. Until the matter is resolved, the Company expects to make good faith payments while it negotiates for the successful resolution of the treatment of the subcontractor costs and any related rate issues. These payments would be charged against the rate reserve and not earnings.
20
During the fourth quarter of 2004, the government issued a preliminary audit report and findings for the overhead costs incurred in 2001. The government questioned the Company’s treatment of amortization on previously capitalized software development costs for the Company’s dual-use TekPortal product. The Company allocated approximately 30 percent of 2001 amortization costs to the government segment, which the Company believed was a fair allocation to the government for the benefit from the technology developed in 2000. The government subsequently rejected this argument, denying any allocation to the government either directly or indirectly because of the products short history of largely commercial sales and other technical issues. At the time the product V1.0 was originally developed in 2001, the Company intended to sell its product to commercial and government customers. As evidence of this intent, the Company provided copies of two 2001 proposals to the auditors. In addition, the Company has a long history, going back to the 1980s, of selling previously developed products like M.4 to the government. Therefore, the Company believes it was reasonable to assume that the government would benefit in the development of Teknowledge products and allocating 30 percent of the development costs was a realistic consideration based on Teknowledge’s long history of product development. This is consistent with the government’s pledge to encourage government contractors to develop commercial products from internal R&D. The government excluded 100 percent of the development costs claiming TekPortal is not a final cost objective for government contracts. The Company believes this attitude discourages contractors from commercializing their products developed from internal R&D and Teknowledge intends to contest the government’s acceptance of these costs.
The Company evaluated its exposure from the government’s suggested cost treatment of software development costs for the unaudited years of 2001-2003, assuming all amortization costs were included in the G&A base pool. After consulting with outside counsel, and given the relative absence of court precedent in this area, management determined there was a potential estimated cost exposure, as a result of a negative outcome from the aforementioned issue, of $1,500,000. The Company believes that a considerably lower amount is entirely possible and it plans to negotiate with the government for the most favorable result. The final results may vary from the predicted outcome and are likely to be costly and time consuming if litigation is required to resolve the matter. At this early date, it is impossible to determine the ultimate outcome of negotiations, but management believes it is possible the Company will be successful in defending its position at which time it will reduce the current reserve from $2,339,000 and take the difference to income. Because this matter is based on the specific treatment of generally allowable costs, no penalties or interest charges are anticipated.
Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results of Operations and/or Stock Price
Current cash flow may be insufficient to support current and future operations
To support current and future operations, the Company is dependent upon revenues, credit facilities, and its ability to obtain financing. Revenues decreased by 24 percent in the first quarter of 2005 to $1,632,000, compared to $2,159,000 in 2004. The ability of the Company to grow its revenues will depend on the Company’s success in winning new government R&D and applications contracts and selling commercial products and services, including TekPortal Aggregation, OFX, ACH Transfer; and New Online Account Opening facility, product licenses and maintenance support. As of March 31, 2005, Teknowledge had approximately $334,000 in cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of $1,355,000 or 80 percent over the comparable result in 2004. The decrease in net cash at March 31, 2005 is attributed to a decline in revenues between the comparable periods and partially offset by the execution of a $1,000,000 term loan in March 2004. The Company generated net cash of $319,000 from its operating activities for the three-months ended March 31, 2005, compared to a decrease of $6,000 in the same period for 2004. The Company also invested $238,000 in the development of software products and the purchase of fixed assets in 2005 compared to $350,000 in 2004. In 2005, financing activities provided $92,000 compared to $1,001,000 in 2004. Teknowledge has a credit line of $3,000,000. The Company has utilized all of its available credit with the bank as of May 15, 2005, based on the level of its accounts receivable, which fluctuates up and down.. The Company needs to raise cash in the near future, and estimates that if the bank facilities remain in place but revenues remained at current levels and no new cash infusion were received, the current cash would support existing operations for approximately two to three months. If the bank facilities were to become unavailable, we would be required to obtain immediate additional financing. If revenues do not increase as anticipated and the Company does not obtain additional cash from operations, outside financing, or a legal settlement, its ability to support its current and future operations will be adversely affected, which may include our ability to continue as a going concern.
21
Teknowledge is actively pursuing patent and technology licenses as well as outside equity investment to fund growth and to provide operating working capital. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all, or that the Company will generate significant revenue from licensing its patents and technology. If the Company cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, the Company may not be able to continue to support its existing operations or to develop new products and services, take advantage of future opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements. The Company may be required to eliminate costs by reducing headcount further, which could result in less sales or development activities and adversely impact operations. In the event the Company raises capital by issuing equity securities from authorized shares, such financing will decrease the percentage equity ownership of existing stockholders, and depending on the price at which the equity securities are sold, may result in significant economic dilution. The Board of Directors is also authorized under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to issue preferred stock with preferences and privileges senior to those of the common stockholders without common stockholder approval, though subject to applicable NASDAQ stockholder approval rules. If the Company issues preferred stock in a financing, the rights of existing stockholders could be adversely impacted.
The financial software market is highly competitive and changing rapidly
The market for account aggregation, OFX, ACH Transfers, and Online Account Opening and Funding capability software continues to evolve rapidly and is populated by substantial competitors who are continuously developing competing software products and services. As is typical for a new and rapidly evolving industry, demand and market acceptance for account aggregation products and services are subject to a high level of uncertainty. As a result, many competitors have merged or dropped out of the market. Further, aspects of the business (including security, privacy, reliability, cost, ease of use, and quality of services) are undergoing rapid changes and review that may affect the use of information aggregation software in particular. The Company is exposed to a higher risk of default and slower collections from small Financial Solutions clients, compared to relatively reliable government customers. Teknowledge is addressing this difference by broadening its aggregation customer base and targeting larger financial institutions.
Teknowledge plans to grow its TekPortal business by selling through large aggregation partners and by expanding into additional value-added capabilities or service offerings. Teknowledge’s OFX, ACH Transfers and Online Account Opening and Funding modules are examples of recent deliveries on these plans. Additional product expansion will require incremental additional investments and that could strain technical, financial, and operational resources. New competitors can enter the market for TekPortal and other financial solutions. The Company’s gross margins in new business areas may be lower than in its government contract business, and it may not be able to expand or maintain operations in a cost-effective or timely manner. If customers do not receive new products or services favorably, it could hurt the Company’s reputation and delay future expansion.
Within the financial services industry, Teknowledge believes some companies are consolidating, creating larger competitors with greater resources and a broader range of products. The Company also competes with businesses delivering financial services through Internet portals, banks marketing their own Internet-based financial services, and non-bank financial service providers such as brokerages and insurance companies seeking to expand the breadth of their Internet product and services offerings. In addition, the Company’s customers may develop competing products. For example, a bank or financial institution may choose to develop its own software platform for Internet-based financial services. Several of the vendors offering data processing services to financial institutions also offer Internet banking solutions that may compete with the Company’s solutions. Some of the Company’s competitors and potential competitors may have significant advantages over the Company, including more extensive name recognition and marketing power, preferred vendor status with the Company’s existing and potential customers, and significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources, giving them the ability to offer free products or services to gain market share or to respond more quickly to new or changing opportunities, technologies, and customer requirements. The Company’s competitors may also highlight public disclosures of the Company’s adverse financial position, or package their products in a manner that may discourage potential customers from purchasing the Company’s products. Existing and potential competitors may establish cooperative relationships with each other or with first parties, or adopt unsustainable or aggressive pricing policies to gain market share. Security, privacy, reliability, cost, ease of use, and quality of service are the key competitive factors, and competitors are changing the way in which they are developing these factors; these changes may adversely affect cost of sales or the market acceptance of information aggregation software.
22
The demand for account aggregation, OFX and Transfers software will depend upon broad acceptance of new methods of accessing and utilizing financial information over the Internet. The unstable economy and resulting uncertainty resulted in the deferral of purchasing decisions by some financial institutions in 2004 for aggregation products like TekPortal, and there can be no assurance that these conditions will improve or that demand will return to previous levels. TekPortal licenses have already been sold to over 80 banking customers. However, the continuing demand for specific products developed by the Company cannot be determined, nor can the long-term viability of these products be determined at this time. As the market continues to change, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to recruit or retain the technical staff to develop and bring products to market, that these products will gain market acceptance, or generate significant revenue or profits. If TekPortal or Teknowledge’s other products and services markets develop more slowly than expected, become saturated with competitors, or if the Company’s products do not achieve market acceptance, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Teknowledge’s customers in the Financial Solutions segment are in the financial services industry, which is subject to economic changes that could reduce demand for the Company’s products and services. Consolidation in the financial services industry and unforeseen events, recession, inflation, or acts of terrorism could occur and reduce consumer use of bank services. Any event of this kind, or implementation for any reason by banks of cost reduction measures, could result in significant decreases in demand for our products and services. Mergers and acquisitions are pervasive in today’s banking industry. Teknowledge’s existing customers may be acquired by or merged into other financial institutions, which already have their own financial Internet software solution or which decide to terminate their relationship with the Company for other reasons. As a result, the Company’s revenue from licensing of aggregation software could decline if an existing customer is merged into or acquired by another company.
Outsourcing may affect demand for domestic software services
Most of Teknowledge’s software professionals have very specialized skills that are hard to replace. Some have U.S. government security clearances that are only open to U.S. citizens who are willing to undergo an extensive multi-year background investigation. Others have very specialized backgrounds in development and integration of complex Financial Solutions software. Still others have very deep R&D backgrounds in artificial intelligence, training, or security. Teknowledge places a high value on employee loyalty, making it possible to develop trust with employees over a long period of time. None of these advantages are currently operating in the outsourcing market for software development. This appears to be a bigger risk on the Commercial segment; however, the factors above, combined with increasing concern about information security risks in the financial industry may serve to minimize the use of outsourcing for mission critical and security sensitive banking applications.
Increasing government regulation of the Internet and financial services industry could adversely affect the Company’s business
Numerous federal agencies have recently adopted rules and regulations protecting consumer privacy and establishing guidelines for financial institutions to follow in selecting technology vendors for solutions such as TekPortal. The Company believes its business does not currently subject it to any of these rules or regulations that would adversely affect its business. However, these rules and regulations are new and may be interpreted to apply to the Company’s business in a manner that could make its business more onerous or costly. Moreover, financial institutions must generally comply with these laws and regulations, which may adversely impact demand for TekPortal. As the Internet continues to evolve, the Company expects federal, state, and foreign governments to adopt more laws and regulations covering issues such as user privacy, taxation of goods and services provided over the Internet, pricing, content, and quality of products and services. If enacted, these laws and regulations could limit the market for Internet-based financial services. The Company is also subject to delisting from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market due its negative shareholders’ equity and recent financial performance. The Company has submitted a Plan to Nasdaq to comply with the Nasdaq maintenance requirements; however, there is no guarantee the Company will be able to comply with the listing requirements in time to prevent a possible delisting of the Company’s stock.
23
Teknowledge’s products must integrate with complex data processing systems
Teknowledge’s solutions must integrate with complex data processing systems at our customer’s facilities. The Company generally recognizes revenue on a percentage-of-completion basis, so its revenue is often dependent on its ability to complete implementations within the time periods that are established for its projects. Teknowledge relies on a combination of internal implementation teams and outsourced implementation teams for its implementations. If these teams encounter significant delays in implementing the Company’s solutions for a customer or fail to implement the solutions effectively or at all at a customer’s facility, the Company may not be able to recognize any revenue from the contract or be required to recognize a loss from the contract, if revised project cost estimates exceed revenue from the contract. In addition, Teknowledge may incur monetary damages or penalties if we are not successful in completing projects on schedule.
Teknowledge’s products may contain undetected errors or defects
Teknowledge has a quality assurance program to test its complex software products, but its software could still contain undetected errors or defects that may be discovered at any point in the life of the product. The Company has in the past discovered and corrected software errors in its products. After implementation, errors may be found from time to time in the Company’s new or enhanced products or services, or in products or services it resells for strategic partners. These errors could cause the Company to lose revenues or cause a delay in market acceptance of its solutions or could result in liability for damages or injury to its reputation. The Company’s products are often used in transaction processing systems that include other vendors’ products and, as a result, its products must integrate successfully with these existing systems. System errors, whether caused by the Company’s products or those of another vendor, could adversely affect the market acceptance of its financial software products, and any necessary modifications could cause the Company to incur significant expenses. Since the Company’s products are used to deliver services that are integral to its customers’ businesses, errors, defects, or other performance problems could result in financial or other damages to its customers. This could become a particular concern if there were problems with the Company’s ACH Transfers software. The Company and its partners do conduct extensive tests of financial products, but any product liability litigation arising from errors, defects, or problems, even if it were unsuccessful, would be time-consuming and costly to defend. Existing or future laws or unfavorable judicial decisions could negate any limitation of liability provisions that are included in the Company’s license agreements.
Teknowledge’s network infrastructure could be vulnerable to security breaches
Despite the Company’s security measures, the core of its network infrastructure could be vulnerable to unforeseen computer problems and security breaches. Network or Internet security problems could harm the Company’s reputation and business. Although the Company has taken steps to mitigate much of the risk, it may in the future experience interruptions in service as a result of the accidental or intentional actions of Internet users, current and former employees, or others. Unknown security risks may result in liability to the Company and also may deter financial organizations from licensing its software and services. Although the Company intends to continue to implement and establish security measures, there can be no assurance that measures it has implemented will not be circumvented in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, or results of operations. The occurrence of any of these problems could reduce product demand from potential customers and cause existing customers to terminate their license or data center contracts with the Company. These problems could also require the Company to spend significant capital to remedy any failure and could subject it to costly litigation with clients or their end users.
Teknowledge may not adequately defend against unauthorized use of its proprietary technology
The Company’s success depends upon its proprietary technology and information. The Company relies on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, and confidentiality procedures to protect its proprietary technology and information. It is difficult to police unauthorized use of software and litigation is costly and time consuming. The steps the Company has taken to protect its services and products may not prevent misappropriation of its technology. Any misappropriation of the Company’s proprietary technology or information could reduce any competitive advantages it may have or result in costly litigation. The Company also has established international presence and plans to continue its global expansion. The laws of some foreign countries may not protect the Company’s proprietary technology as well as the laws of the United States. The Company’s ability to protect its proprietary technology abroad may not be adequate.
24
Service revenue is dependent on government-sponsored contract R&D
The majority of Teknowledge’s service revenue was derived from government-sponsored contract R&D projects, and the Company has historically been profitable in that business. However, current backlog is low, and dependence on R&D contracts can be risky because the contracts are subject to administrative, legislative, and political interruptions, which may jeopardize the flow of funds. There can be no assurance that the government will continue to seek services at the current level in the future. Although the Company expected an increase in proposals related to homeland security in 2004, the level of requests for software R&D proposals was lower than expected. There can be no assurance there will be an increase in software R&D proposals in 2005. The Company faces increased competition for government projects and this may continue until the general economy improves.
The typical cost-type government contract that Teknowledge performs has a regulated fixed-fee, which limits the Company from improving profit margins on these contracts. In addition, Federal Acquisition Regulations exclude from reimbursement “unallowable” expenses, which the Company considers a regular part of the business, such as advertising expense. In addition, almost all of Teknowledge’s government contracts contain termination clauses which permit contract termination if the Company defaults or at the contracting party’s discretion.
Periodic rate adjustments and audits may cause cost adjustments
The Company’s revenues, costs, and earnings on government contracts are determined based on estimated overhead rates derived from forecasted annual costs. The Company’s actual experience in headcount growth, billable efficiency, and costs may vary from original estimates and necessitate periodic adjustments to overhead rates and revenues. Such adjustments are made on a cumulative basis whereby the resulting revenue and income effects are recognized in the period of the adjustments. The Company is also subject to periodic reviews of prior year costs and expenses by audit agencies of the Federal Government. As a result of these audits, the Company may be exposed to cost adjustments, which are applied on a retroactive basis to the government contracts completed in those years. These adjustments can have a negative or positive effect on the business. In order to address the possible exposure from prior years, the Company has established a rate adjustment reserve for such contingencies, and the amount of the rate adjustment reserve is reviewed and adjusted periodically.
Loss of a large customer may affect financial results
The Company has in the past, and probably will in the future, rely on large sales to certain customers. Loss of a single large customer could have a material impact on the sales revenue and profitability of the Company.
Teknowledge’s success depends on retaining sufficient technical staff and attracting additional technical staff
The Company recognizes that the loss of one or more key management and technical personnel, who are employed on an at-will basis, could adversely affect aspects of the Company’s business. The Company relies on its executives and business managers for the acquisition and negotiation of new business, the management of services contracts and product development, and the management of ongoing operations. A proportion of the technical support base for operations is provided by outside consultants, and it is anticipated that this trend will continue in the future. The Company spent approximately $175,000 on billable subcontractors in the first quarter of 2005 compared to $256,000 in 2004. The use of outside consultants allows the Company to expand or constrict its operations quickly both inside and outside the U.S.
25
Teknowledge will incur increased costs as a result of the implementation of new rules, regulations, and pronouncements from the SEC and NASDAQ, including the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Recently enacted and proposed changes in the laws and regulations affecting public companies, including the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, rules adopted or proposed by the SEC and by the NASDAQ Stock Market and new accounting pronouncements, will result in increased costs to us as we evaluate the implications of these laws, regulations and standards and respond to their requirements. To maintain high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure, we intend to invest substantial resources to comply with evolving standards. This investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and divert management time and attention from strategic revenue generation and cost management activities. In addition, these new laws and regulations could make it more difficult or more costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher premiums to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified personal to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers. We are taking steps to comply with the recently enacted laws and regulations in accordance with the deadlines by which compliance is required, but cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of additional costs that we may incur to respond to their requirements.
Item 3. Controls And Procedures
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods.
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) identified in connection with the evaluation of our internal control performed during the quarter ended March 31, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
26
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Teknowledge has an active patent licensing program, which includes the necessity of legal enforcement of its patent rights in the marketplace. On August 19, 2002, Teknowledge entered into a Contingency Fee Agreement and Power of Attorney in Damage Suit (the “Fee Agreement”) with Goldstein & Faucett, L.L.P. (the “Attorneys”) for the enforcement of its intellectual property rights, specifically U.S. Patent No. 6,029,175 entitled “Automatic Retrieval of Changed Files by a Network Software Agent” (“the ‘175 patent”). Under the terms of the Fee Agreement, the Attorneys agreed to pursue damages, compensation, and relief to which Teknowledge may be entitled related to any infringement of the ‘175 patent, and Teknowledge will pay the Attorneys’ fees and direct expenses out of any money collected from such efforts.
Pursuant to the Fee Agreement, the Attorneys filed a Complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on August 29, 2002 and named Akamai Technologies, Inc., Inktomi Corporation, and Cable & Wireless Internet Services, Inc. as defendants. On November 22, 2002, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Northern California. The Complaint stated a claim for patent infringement of the ‘175 patent and sought reasonable royalties. The claims asserted in this complaint concern the network cache technology features of the ‘175 patent, which can be utilized to reduce latency and communication costs for members of a group with interests in similar objects on a network.
The Attorneys subsequently filed a Complaint on July 16, 2003 in the United States District Court for the District of Northern California and named Yahoo! Inc., Microsoft Corporation, and AOL Time Warner, Inc as defendants. The Complaint stated a claim for patent infringement of the ‘175 patent and sought reasonable royalties. The claims asserted in this complaint concern the alert and notification features of the ‘175 patent, which can be utilized to deliver alerts to users concerning changes to data items of interest on a web page or availability of software updates.
On December 12, 2003, the District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the two cases be consolidated into a single action. Microsoft filed a counterclaim on February 3, 2004, claiming that Teknowledge infringed on two of its patents, one for electronic bill payments, and the other for information aggregation. Teknowledge considers these counterclaims to be without merit. The claim construction hearing was held on December 8, 2004, but the judge has not yet ruled. Teknowledge has settled with all but one of the defendants, as has been disclosed in the previous SEC Form 8-K filed October 4, 2004, SEC form 8-K/A filed October 12, 2004, SEC form 8-K filed November 3, 2004, and SEC form 8-K filed February 22, 2005.
The Company may also be subject to other legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted, which arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.
27
Item 6.Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
Set forth below is a list of all exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10–QSB.
| 31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to rule 13a-14(a) and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 16, 2005. |
| 31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to rule 13a-14(a) and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 16, 2005. |
| 32.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 16, 2005. |
| 32.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated May 16, 2005. |
28
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| | |
---|
| | |
| | |
Dated: May 16, 2005 | | Teknowledge Corporation |
| | (Registrant) |
| | |
| | |
---|
| | |
| | By: /s/ Neil A. Jacobstein |
| | Neil A. Jacobstein |
| | Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| | Chief Executive Officer and President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated on May 16, 2005.
| | |
---|
| | |
/s/ Neil A. Jacobstein | | | Chairman of the Board of Directors, | | | May 16, 2005 | | |
Neil A. Jacobstein | | | Chief Executive Officer and President | | |
| | | (Principal Executive Officer) | | |
| | | | | |
| | |
/s/ Dennis A. Bugbee | | | Vice President Finance, | | | May 16, 2005 | | |
Dennis A. Bugbee | | | Chief Financial Officer | | |
| | | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | | |
| | |
29