1 EXHIBIT 99 FOR RELEASE ON JANUARY 15, 1997 1:15 PST FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Keller or Kathy Marohl (408) 325-2200 ASPECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES RECORD FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR 1996 SAN JOSE, CA, JAN. 15, 1997 -- Aspect Telecommunications Corporation (Nasdaq:ASPT) reported today record financial results including new highs for net revenues, income from operations, net income and earnings per share for the quarter and year ended December 31, 1996. Net revenues of $88.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1996 grew 46 percent compared to the same quarter of last year and grew 10 percent compared to the quarter ended September 30, 1996. Fourth quarter 1996 net income of $10.4 million increased 58 percent when compared to the same quarter last year and increased 8 percent when compared to the prior quarter of 1996. Fourth quarter results for 1995 included a $1.8 million charge ($0.04 per share) for purchased in-process technology related to the acquisition of TCS. Fully-diluted earnings per share of $0.40 for the fourth quarter of 1996 compares to $0.28 for the fourth quarter of last year and $0.38 for the prior quarter. For the twelve months ended December 31, 1996, revenues were $308.7 million, up 55 percent compared to $199.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 1995. Net income increased to $37.6 million, up 57 percent from $24.0 million for the previous year. On a fully-diluted basis, earnings per share increased to $1.48 per share in 1996 from $1.03 in 1995. "We are very pleased with these financial results, which reflect a year of exceptional growth and accomplishments for Aspect," stated James R. Carreker, the Company's chairman and chief executive officer. All financial results for 1996 have been restated to reflect the acquisitions of Envoy Holdings Limited on September 30, 1996 and Prospect Software, Inc. on October 21, 1996. Both acquisitions were accounted for as pooling of interests. Results for 1995 have not been restated since the adjustments would not be material. The 1996 financial data also include the results of TCS Management Group, Inc. (TCS), which was acquired on October 31, 1995 and accounted for as a purchase transaction. Share and per share amounts contained in this release have not been adjusted for the two-for-one stock split announced on December 20, 1996, which will be effective on January 28, 1997. Founded in 1985, Aspect Telecommunications is a global provider of comprehensive business solutions for mission-critical call centers. Aspect products include automatic call distributors, interactive response systems, management information and reporting tools, computer-telephony integration technology and call center planning and forecasting packages. Aspect also provides services vital to call center environments, including business applications consulting, systems integration and training. World headquarters are located in San Jose, California. For additional information, visit Aspect on the World Wide Web at http://www.aspect.com. Note: Aspect Telecommunications and the Aspect logo are registered trademarks of Aspect Telecommunications Corporation. - tables follow - 2 ASPECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended ------------------------------- ------------------------------- December 31, December 31, (unaudited) (unaudited) 1996 (a) 1995 (a) 1996 (a) 1995 (a) -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Net revenues: Product $64,967 $45,793 $230,539 $148,436 Customer support 23,582 14,925 78,164 50,536 -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Total net revenues 88,549 60,718 308,703 198,972 Cost of revenues: Cost of product revenues 22,527 16,036 77,374 52,007 Cost of customer support revenues 16,936 10,344 56,548 35,369 -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Total cost of revenues 39,463 26,380 133,922 87,376 -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Gross margin 49,086 34,338 174,781 111,596 Operating expenses: Research and development 9,990 6,793 34,585 23,450 Selling, general and administrative 23,596 15,700 82,478 50,726 Purchased in-process technology - 1,800 - 1,800 -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Total operating expenses 33,586 24,293 117,063 75,976 -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Income from operations 15,500 10,045 57,718 35,620 Interest income, net 1,077 449 2,110 2,461 -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Income before income taxes 16,577 10,494 59,828 38,081 Provision for income taxes 6,133 3,883 22,195 14,090 -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Net income $10,444 $ 6,611 $ 37,633 $ 23,991 ============== ============= ============= ============== Primary earnings per share: Net income per share $ 0.40 $ 0.30 $ 1.58 $ 1.10 ============== ============= ============= ============== Shares used in per share computations (b) 25,809 22,409 23,849 21,846 ============== ============= ============= ============== Fully diluted earnings per share: Net income per share $ 0.40 $ 0.28 $ 1.48 $ 1.03 ============== ============= ============= ============== Shares used in per share computations (b) 26,449 25,266 26,370 25,102 ============== ============= ============= ============== (a) Amounts for 1996 include Envoy Holdings Limited and Prospect Software, Inc., which Aspect acquired on September 30, 1996 and October 21, 1996, respectively. Amounts for 1995 have not been restated since the adjustments would not be material. (b) Does not reflect the two-for-one stock split, which will be effective January 28, 1997. ASPECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) December 31, December 31, 1996 (a) 1995 (a) -------------------- ------------- Assets Current assets: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments $115,797 $ 93,633 Accounts receivable, net 53,211 39,291 Inventories 15,485 11,051 Other current assets 14,731 8,699 -------------------- ------------- Total current assets 199,224 152,674 Property and equipment, net 51,348 28,418 Other assets 3,633 3,374 Intangible assets, net 28,888 31,405 -------------------- ------------- Total assets $283,093 $215,871 ==================== ============= Liabilities and shareholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 8,187 $ 11,142 Accrued liabilities 31,477 23,669 Customer deposits and deferred revenue 19,481 9,275 -------------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 59,145 44,086 Convertible subordinated debentures - 55,000 Note payable 4,500 4,500 Shareholders' equity 219,448 112,285 -------------------- ------------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $283,093 $215,871 ==================== ============= (a) Amounts for 1996 include Envoy Holdings Limited and Prospect Software, Inc., which Aspect acquired on September 30, 1996 and October 21, 1996, respectively. Amounts for 1995 have not been restated since the adjustments would not be material.