AMERICAN SOFTWARE INC - Annual Report: 2022 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________
FORM 10-K
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(Mark One)
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 0-12456
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AMERICAN SOFTWARE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| Georgia | 58-1098795 | |||||||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||
| 470 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E. | Atlanta | Georgia | 30305 | |||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
(404) 261-4381
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
| None | None | |||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class A Common Shares, $0.10 Par Value
(Title of class)
_________________________
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, an emerging growth company or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “emerging growth company” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of October 31, 2021, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, 31,586,176 Class A Common Shares and 1,821,587 Class B Common Shares of the registrant were outstanding. The aggregate market value (based upon the closing price of Class A Common Shares as quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System on October 31, 2021) of the Class A Common Shares held by non-affiliates on that date was approximately $963.0 million. As of June 27, 2022, 31,827,063 Class A Common Shares and 1,821,587 Class B Common Shares of the registrant were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE; LOCATION IN FORM 10-K
Portions of the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
American Software Inc.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
1
Item 1. BUSINESS
Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our shareholders and to the public. This report contains forward-looking statements, including, in particular, statements about our goals, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations and prospects under the headings “Item 1. Business” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “could,” “grow,” “may,” “potential,” “predict,” “strive,” “will,” “seek,” “estimate,” “believe,” “expect,” and similar expressions that convey uncertainty about future events or outcomes. Any forward-looking statements herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning future:
•results of operations;
•liquidity, cash flow and capital expenditures;
•demand for and pricing of our products and services;
•viability and effectiveness of strategic alliances;
•industry and market conditions;
•acquisition activities and the effect of completed acquisitions; and
•general economic conditions.
Although we believe that the goals, plans, expectations, and prospects reflected by our forward-looking statements are reasonable based on the information currently available to us, those statements are not guarantees of performance. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from what is anticipated by statements made herein. These factors include, but are not limited to, continuing U.S. and global economic uncertainty and the timing and degree of business recovery; the irregular pattern of our revenue; dependence on particular market segments or clients; competitive pressures; market acceptance of our products and services; technological complexity; undetected software errors; potential product liability or warranty claims; risks associated with new product development; the challenges and risks associated with integration of acquired product lines, companies and services; uncertainty about the viability and effectiveness of strategic alliances; as well as a number of other risk factors that could affect our future performance. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those we discuss under the section captioned “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. of this Form 10-K as well as the cautionary statements and other factors that we discuss in other sections of this Form 10-K.
Company Overview
American Software, Inc. (“American Software” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Georgia in 1970. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with U.S. offices in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Miami and San Diego; and international offices in the United Kingdom, India, Germany, New Zealand and Australia.
We provide our software and services solutions through three major operating segments; (1) Supply Chain Management (“SCM”), (2) Information Technology Consulting (“IT Consulting”) and (3) Other. The SCM software business is our core market. We also offer technology staffing and consulting services through our wholly-owned subsidiary, The Proven Method, Inc., in the IT Consulting segment, and we continue to provide limited services to our legacy enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) clients included in the Other segment.
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American Software delivers an innovative technical platform that enables enterprises to accelerate their digital supply chain optimization from product concept to client availability via the Logility Digital Supply Chain Platform, a single platform spanning Product, Demand, Inventory, Supply and Deploy aligned with Integrated Business Planning. Our Logility Digital Supply Chain Platform includes advanced analytics and is fueled by supply chain master data, allowing for the automation of critical business processes through the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to a variety of internal and external data streams.
We believe enterprises are facing unprecedented rates of change and disruption across their operations. Increasing consumer expectations for convenience and personalization, fast and free delivery and product freshness are forcing enterprises to adapt or be left behind. Given constraints arising from a shortage of skilled supply chain talent and a desire to keep costs at a minimum, we expect enterprises to embrace digital transformation initiatives to meet these challenges. Our solution reduces the business cycle time required from product concept to client availability. Our platform allows our clients to create a digital model of their physical supply chain networks that improves the speed and agility of their operations by implementing automated planning processes. These processes continuously analyze business and market signals to better inform product design and development, increase forecast accuracy, optimize inventory across the supply chain source products sustainability and ethically, and ensure high client satisfaction.
Our platform is highly regarded by clients and industry analysts alike. We are named a leader in multiple IDC MarketScape reports including; the September 2020 report IDC MarketScape: Worldwide PLM Applications for Apparel, Footwear, and Retail Brands 2020 Vendor Assessment; the January 2020 report IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Supply Chain Supply Planning 2019 Vendor Assessment; and the January 2020 report IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Supply Chain Demand Planning 2019 Vendor Assessment.
We have been positioned in the Challenger quadrant in Gartner, Inc.’s (“Gartner”) May 17, 2022 report, Magic Quadrant for Supply Chain Planning Solutions. We believe our platform is rated highly due to our flexible advanced analytics, underlying Software as a Service (“SaaS”) architecture, ease of integration with third-party systems, lower total cost of ownership relative to competitors and the broad scope of supply chain planning functions supported.
We serve approximately 860 clients located in approximately 80 countries, largely concentrated within key vertical markets including apparel and other soft goods, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, consumer durable goods, wholesale distribution, specialty chemical and other process manufacturing. Our solutions are marketed and sold through a direct sales team as well as an indirect global value-added reseller (“VAR”) distribution network. Our solutions may be deployed in the cloud or with existing on-premise clients who may require additional components. We further support our clients with an array of consulting, implementation, operational and training services as well as technical support and hosting.
We derive revenue from four sources: subscriptions, software licenses, maintenance and services. We generally determine SaaS subscription and software license fees based on the breadth of functionality and number of users and/or divisions. Services and other revenues consist primarily of fees from software implementation, training, consulting services, hosting and managed services. We bill for consulting services primarily under time and materials arrangements and recognize revenue as we perform services. Subscription and maintenance agreements typically are for a three- to five-year term. We generally bill these fees annually in advance and then recognize the resulting revenue ratably over the term of the agreement. Deferred revenues represent advance payments or fees for subscriptions, software licenses, services and maintenance billed in advance of the time we recognize the related revenue.
Market Opportunity
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Today’s manufacturers, distributors and retailers must respond to rising consumer expectations to buy anywhere, deliver anywhere and return anywhere, even as global economic conditions and competitive pressures force businesses to reduce costs, decrease order cycle times and improve operating efficiencies. To meet these demands, we believe businesses must dramatically improve the performance of their supply chains, which can only be achieved through automation, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics. We leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms throughout our supply chain management software platform, enabling enterprises to accelerate the cycle time from product concept to client availability.
Supply chain management refers to the process of managing the complex global network of relationships that organizations maintain with external trading partners (clients and suppliers) to design products, forecast demand, source supply, manufacture products, distribute and allocate inventory and deliver goods and services to the end client. Supply chain management involves the activities related to sourcing and supplying and merchandising products or services as well as the sales and marketing activities that influence the demand for goods and services, such as new product introductions, promotions, pricing and forecasting. Additional aspects of supply chain management include comprehensive sales and operations planning (“S&OP”) as well as product lifecycle management (“PLM”), product sourcing quality and vendor compliance, to ensure the right products are brought to market on time and in good condition. Companies that effectively communicate, collaborate and integrate with their trading partners across the multi-enterprise network or supply chain can realize significant competitive advantages in the form of lower costs, greater customer loyalty, reduced stock-outs, more efficient sourcing, reduced inventory levels, synchronized supply and demand and increased revenue.
Gartner’s December 2021 report, Forecast: Enterprise Application Software, Worldwide, 2019-2025, 4Q21 Update, predicts spending on Supply Chain Management software solutions will exceed $20 billion in 2022 and reach $31 billion by 2025. This represents a compounded annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of 14.6% through 2025. Within the Supply Chain Management software market, Gartner includes solutions for supply chain planning, supply chain execution and procurement.
We focus primarily on supply chain planning processes and certain procurement and sourcing functions, which we estimate account for approximately one-third of the Supply Chain Management software market as defined by Gartner. Our platform includes more than thirty components spanning seven key supply chain planning processes that clients may adopt independently or as a comprehensive solution platform. We believe our opportunity to cross-sell and up-sell existing clients is significant, given the potential for clients to adopt additional components over time. Within the sourcing function, organizations are increasing their focus on vendor compliance and sourcing linked with supply chain planning and other enterprise applications, in order to increase the efficient and effective fulfillment of customer orders in both the business-to-business and the business-to-consumer sectors. These multi-enterprise supply chains have heightened the need for robust supply chain master data management (“MDM”) to provide an accurate digital twin of the supply chain network, allowing enterprises to quickly plan strategically and accurately respond to dynamic market conditions to take advantage of business opportunities and mitigate risk.
Company Strategy
Our goal is to deliver the fastest time to value for our clients to achieve an agile, resilient and higher velocity sustainable supply chain. Our strategy includes the following key elements:
Create Sustainable Supply Chains for Our Clients. By enabling our clients to shorten their supply chains, reduce energy consumption, reduce water usage, increase the use of recyclable material, enforce proper labor practices and track products through their entire lifecycle, we enable them to achieve more sustainable operations and improve conditions in the world in which we live.
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Expand Strategic Relationships. We are increasingly working with industry-leading consultants and other software and services providers. Our strategic partnerships help us to grow more quickly and to more efficiently deliver our products and services. We intend to continue to develop strategic relationships with systems integrators and other providers to combine our software solutions with their services and products and create joint marketing and co-development opportunities.
Acquire or Invest in Complementary Businesses, Products and Technologies. We believe that selective acquisitions or investments may offer opportunities to broaden our product offering for our target markets. We will evaluate acquisitions or investments that will provide us with complementary products and technologies, expand our geographic presence and distribution channels, penetrate additional vertical markets with challenges and requirements similar to those we currently meet, and further solidify our leadership position within the SCM market.
Products and Services
We provide a comprehensive, cloud-architected supply chain management platform that helps our clients manage seven critical planning processes, Product, Demand, Inventory, Supply, Deploy, Integrated Business Planning and Supply Chain Data Management. Within each of these process areas, we offer one or more components that clients may leverage independently, in combination, or as a comprehensive solution platform, either in the cloud or on-premise. Our supply chain MDM platform and advanced analytics capabilities enable clients to derive new insights and automate planning processes that continuously analyze demand, production, supply and distribution signals to inform product design and development, increase forecast accuracy, optimize inventory across the global supply chain and in-store, and ensure high client satisfaction.
While clients can use our software applications individually, we have designed them to be combined as integrated systems to meet specific client requirements. Clients may select virtually any combination of components to form an integrated solution for a particular business problem, from a single module to a multi-module, multiple-user solution incorporating our full range of products.
Our platform, which may be deployed as a hosted SaaS solution or on-premise, encompasses the following processes and associated components:
Product: Streamlines moving product concepts to market, rationalizes complex product lines, and drives smart assortment plans and allocation strategies. Includes merchandise and assortment planning, product lifecycle management, and traceability.
Demand: Improves prediction of true market demand, new product introductions and phase-outs, short life cycle products and promotions. Includes demand planning and optimization, demand sensing, pricing and promotion analysis, causal forecasting, life cycle planning, and proportional profile planning.
Inventory: Minimizes cost and reduces risk while meeting customer service requirements with multi-echelon inventory optimization (MEIO). Includes inventory planning and optimization.
Supply: Maximizes cost-effective throughput and satisfies market demand every day. Includes supply planning and optimization, manufacturing planning and optimization, vendor management, quality control and compliance, and sourcing management.
Deploy: Positions supply to quickly meet demand requirements with smart allocation. Includes allocation, and automated order promising.
Integrated Business Planning: Guides business resources to meet revenue, profitability and customer service goals. Includes annual planning, long-term planning, S&OP.
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Supply Chain Data Management: Gains access to tailored data integration, machine learning and advanced analytics without the headaches of custom development. Includes data management, machine learning and artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics.
Additional Products and Services
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, The Proven Method, Inc., we provide technology staffing and services to a diverse client base to solve business issues. These services include professional services, product management, and project management outsourcing; staff augmentation for cloud, collaboration, network and security; and social media and analytic marketing.
We also continue to provide software, support and services related to our legacy American Software ERP products, which include our e-Intelliprise solution and e-applications for various integrated business functions.
Client Support and Maintenance
We provide our clients with ongoing product support services, which are included in subscription fees. For licenses, we enter into support or maintenance contracts with clients for an initial one- to three-year term, billed annually in advance, with renewal for additional periods thereafter. Under both subscription and license contracts, we provide telephone consulting, product updates and releases of new versions of products previously purchased by the client, as well as error reporting and correction services. We provide ongoing support and maintenance services on a seven-days-a-week, 24-hours-a-day basis through telephone, email and web-based support, using a call logging and tracking system for quality assurance.
Consulting Services
Clients frequently require services beyond our standard support and maintenance. To meet those clients’ needs, our professional services team provides specialized business and software implementation consulting, development and configuration, system-to-system interfacing and extensive training and certification. We offer these services for an additional fee, usually based upon time and materials utilized. We provide the following professional services to our clients:
Cloud Hosting and Managed Services. Our clients can deploy our solutions in a hosted or on-premise environment. Companies may choose and then adjust the deployment methodology and services that best suit their individual needs as their business changes and their IT strategies evolve. Managed Services leverage our resources to assist and augment the client’s technical and operational needs on a day-to-day basis. We also have some clients for which we operate the solution on a daily basis in support of their supply chain operations.
Implementation and Training Services. We offer our clients a professional and proven program that facilitates rapid implementation of our software products. Our consultants help clients define the nature of their project and proceed through the implementation process. We establish measurable financial and logistical performance indicators and then evaluate them for conformance during and after implementation. We offer training for all users and managers. Implementation of our products typically requires three to nine months, depending on factors such as the complexity of a client’s existing systems, breadth of functionality, and number of business units and users.
We also offer our clients post-delivery professional services consisting primarily of implementation and training services, for which we typically charge on a daily basis. Clients that invest in implementation services receive assistance in integrating our solution with existing enterprise software applications and databases. Additional services may include post-implementation reviews and benchmarks to further enhance the benefits to clients, and training and user certification programs can help our clients gain even greater benefits from our robust planning platform.
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Clients
We deliver our solutions and services to clients in a variety of industries, including apparel and other soft goods, food and beverage, fast moving consumer goods, consumer durable goods and process and chemical manufacturing. A sample of companies that we have served in the past two years is as follows:
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| Consumer Goods | Berry Global | Niagara Bottling | Parker Hannifin Corporation | PVH Corp. | ||||||||||
| Ancestry.com Inc. | Birchwood Laboratories LLC | Peet's Coffee, Inc. | Pattonair Ltd. | Red Wing Shoe Company | ||||||||||
| Blue Buffalo | Bridgestone Australia Ltd | Ready Pac Foods, Inc. | Sandvik | Renfro | ||||||||||
| Bondi Sands Australia Pty Ltd | Bruni Glass S.p.A | Sauer Brands, Inc | Savant Technologies LLC (GE Lighting) | Rocky Brands, Inc. | ||||||||||
| CooperVision | BWAY Corporation | Sazerac Company | The Starco Group | SPANX | ||||||||||
| Dometic Group AB | Croda Europe Limited | Sunny Delight Beverages Company | Thermo Fisher Scientific | Stichd B.V. | ||||||||||
| GOJO Industries, Inc. | Empresa Siderúrgica del Peru SAA | Taylor Fresh Foods | Thermos LLC | Techstyle | ||||||||||
| Griffith Laboratories Worldwide | HollyFrontier Corporation | The J.M. Smucker Company | Timken | The Collected Group | ||||||||||
| Hamilton Beach | Huhtamaki | The Spice Tailor Limited | Walzcraft | Town & Country Living | ||||||||||
| Hasbro, Inc | Infineum | Tillamook County Creamery Association | WEG Equipamentos Elétricos S.A. | Urban Outfitters | ||||||||||
| Heli Biotech, LLC | Insmed Incorporated | Whitebridge Pet Brands, LLC | Zagg Inc. | Wohali Outdoors | ||||||||||
| Herbalife International of America, Inc. | Intertape Polymer Group | Workwear Outfitters, LLC | ||||||||||||
| Irish Breeze Unlimited Company | Kelly Moore Paint Company, Inc | Durable Goods | Apparel | |||||||||||
| Jeneil Biotech, Inc. | Norbrook Laboratories | A.O. Smith | 5.11 Tactical | Wholesale Distribution / Retail | ||||||||||
| L'Oreal USA, Inc | ORBIS Corporation | Apex Tools Group, LLC | Aeropostale | American Hotel Register Company | ||||||||||
| MGA Entertainment | Petrobras Distribuidora S.A. | Ashley Furniture | AGS Sports, Inc. | Argosy Trading Company, Ltd | ||||||||||
| Mizuno USA | Plastic Packaging Technologies, LLC | Bio-Medical Devices International | Ariela & Associates International | Balkamp, Inc. | ||||||||||
| New Chapter, Inc | Societe Philadelphia | Briggs & Stratton | Bernard Cap Co., Inc. | Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. | ||||||||||
| Novartis Pharma Services | Sonoco Products | Clarios | Broder Brothers | Bellamy's Organic Pty Ltd | ||||||||||
| Nutracom, LLC | Trinseo S.A. | Columbus McKinnon Corporation | C&A Mexico | Big Lots! | ||||||||||
| Omega Pharma International NV | Universal Fiber Systems | Conduit Del Ecaudor | Canada Goose | Bobs Discount Furniture | ||||||||||
| Reckitt Benckisen | Cooper Lighting, LLC | Color Image Apparel, Inc. | ChemPoint | |||||||||||
| Reynolds Consumer Products LLC | Food & Beverage | CQMS Razer Pty. Ltd. | Converse, Inc | CHF Industries | ||||||||||
| Rockline Industries | Black Rifle Coffee Company | Electrical Home-Aids Pty Limited (Godfrey's) | Delta Apparel | Dealer Tire | ||||||||||
| Rodan & Fields, LLC | Caribou Coffee Company | Glen Raven, Inc. | Destination XL | Fastenal Company | ||||||||||
| Specialty Pharmaceutical/ Cardinal | Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. | Global Resources International, Inc | Dyehard Fan Supply, LLC | Fintyre S.p.A. | ||||||||||
| Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Ficosota Ltd., Ital Food S.A. | Husqvarna AB | Finish Line | Groupe Seb Holdings | ||||||||||
| TBC DE MÉXICO S.A. DE C.V. | FoodScience Corporation | Interlock USA, Inc. | Foot Locker, Inc. | Hancocks Wine, Spirits and Beer | ||||||||||
| Tetrosyl Group Limited | Founders Brewing Company | Johnson Controls | Hunkemoller International BV | Helzberg Diamonds | ||||||||||
| Vitalize, LLC | Freddy Hirsch | Johnson Controls Hitachi AC Europe SAS | Hunter Boot Ltd | Johnstone Supply | ||||||||||
| Vitalus Nutrition, Inc. | Freedom Foods Group Ltd | Le Creuset Group AG | Jockey International | Mayoreo Ferreteria y Acabados S.A | ||||||||||
| Groupo Herdez | Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. | Joseph Ribkoff | Screwfix | |||||||||||
| Process & Chemical | Hostess Brands | Lifetech Resources, LLC | Jump Design Group, Inc. | Standard Motor Products | ||||||||||
| Allnex | J. R. Simplot Company | LINDSAY CORPORATION | Kontoor Brands, Inc | The Foschini Group Pty | ||||||||||
| Amcor Rigid Plastics USA, LLC | J.D. Irving, Limited | Moen | Lacoste | The Gem Group, Inc. | ||||||||||
| Ansell Limited | Jackson Family Wines | Mustad Netherlands B.V. | Lacrosse Footwear | The Home Depot | ||||||||||
| Avery Dennison Corporation | Marquez Brothers International | OFS Fitel, LLC | Manhattan Beachwear, LLC | Trelleborg Wheel Systems | ||||||||||
| BERICAP Holding GMBH | Mazoon Dairy Company SAOC | One World Technologies, Inc. | Neatfreak | US Autoforce | ||||||||||
| Berlin Packaging LLC | Mondelez International | Otter Products, LLC | Patagonia | Woolworths Group Ltd | ||||||||||
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No client accounted for more than 10% of fiscal 2022 revenue. We typically experience a slight degree of seasonality, reflected in a slowing of services revenue during the winter holiday season, which occurs in the third quarter of our fiscal year. We are not reliant on government-sector clients.
Competition
Our competitors are diverse and offer a variety of solutions targeted at various aspects of the supply chain, retail and general enterprise application markets. Our existing competitors include, but are not limited to:
•Large ERP application software vendors such as SAP, Oracle and Infor, each of which offers sophisticated ERP solutions that currently, or may in the future, incorporate supply chain management, advanced planning and scheduling, warehouse management, transportation, collaboration or S&OP software components;
•Vendors focusing on the supply chain application software market, including, but not limited to, Blue Yonder, o9 Solutions, Kinaxis and OM Partners;
•Other business application software vendors that may broaden their product offerings by internally developing, acquiring or partnering with independent developers of supply chain management software; and
•Internal development efforts by corporate information technology departments.
We also expect to face additional competition as other established and emerging companies enter the market for advanced retail planning and supply chain management software and/or introduce new products and technologies. In addition, current and potential competitors have made and may continue to make strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties.
The principal competitive factors in the target markets in which we compete include product functionality and quality, domain expertise, integration technologies, product suite integration, breadth of products, and related services such as client support, training and implementation. Other factors important to clients and prospects include:
•customer service and satisfaction;
•ability to provide relevant client references;
•compliance with industry-specific requirements and standards;
•flexibility to adapt to changing business requirements;
•ability to generate business benefits;
•rapid payback and measurable return on investment;
•vendor financial stability and company and product reputation; and
•initial price, cost to implement and long term total cost of ownership.
We believe that our principal competitive advantages are our comprehensive, end-to-end solution platform, the ability of our solutions to quickly generate business benefits for our clients, our substantial investment in product development, our deep domain expertise, the ease of use of our software products, our client support and professional consulting services, our ability to deploy quickly, and our ability to deliver rapid return on investment for our clients.
Sales and Marketing
We sell our products globally through direct and indirect sales channels. We conduct our principal sales and marketing activities from our corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and have North American sales and/or support offices in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Miami and San Diego. We manage sales and/or support outside of North America from our international offices in the United Kingdom, India, Germany, New Zealand and Australia.
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In addition to our direct sales force, we have developed a network of VARs who assist in selling our products globally. We will continue to utilize these and future relationships with software and service organizations to enhance our sales and marketing position. Currently located in North America, South America, Mexico, Europe, South Africa, and the Asia/Pacific region, these independent distributors and resellers distribute our product lines domestically and in foreign countries. These vendors typically sell their own consulting and systems integration services in conjunction with contracts for our products. Our global distribution channel consists of 20 organizations with sales, implementation and support resources serving clients in approximately 80 countries.
Marketing and communications contribute significantly to our growth and the demand for our products and services in the market. We made significant changes in the last year to modernize the marketing department and increase focus on digital promotion. We raise market awareness of our brands and engage with the prospective market through concentrated marketing and communications programs. The consolidation of resources supporting the entire SCM business that has occurred over the last year will provide the Company with an opportunity to amplify a unique and market leading value proposition. We do this through a variety of marketing efforts, including public and media relations, direct marketing, advertising, events, and industry influencers. We also collaborate and participate in a variety of global industry associations, such as those organized by the Association for Supply Chain Management, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, and the Institute of Business Forecasting.
Research and Development
Our success depends in part upon our ability to continue to recognize and meet client needs, anticipate opportunities created by changing technology, adapt our products to the changing expectations of our client community, and keep pace with emerging industry standards. As a part of our ongoing commitment to these goals, we continue to focus on the people, processes, and technology that help to achieve them. We are committed to partnering with our clients in co-development efforts to ensure our products map well to market needs from day one. We are continually shortening release cycles to more rapidly respond to market opportunities. We leverage design thinking approaches to ensure that we understand not only the expressed needs of our clients, but also the lived realities of the people that use them to accomplish their supply chain goals each and every day.
We continue to leverage the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, machine learning, advance analytics platforms, in-memory computing, and alternative data management approaches as well as advancing research efforts in the application of blockchain and other technologies with promise in supply chain use cases. Our research and development efforts will continue to focus on deploying solutions within a complex global supply chain landscape. Our cloud-architected solutions designed for SaaS deployment with master data management built in will be increasingly important for our long-term growth. As of April 30, 2022, we employed 104 persons in product research, development and enhancement activities. We also engage contractors for research and development, bringing our total human capital resources dedicated to research and development to 163 persons.
Proprietary Rights
Our success and ability to compete are dependent in part upon our proprietary technology. To protect this proprietary technology, we rely on a combination of copyright and trade secret laws, confidentiality obligations and other contractual provisions. However, we also believe that factors such as the knowledge, ability, and experience of our personnel, new product developments, frequent product enhancements, reliable maintenance and timeliness and quality of support services are essential
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to establishing and maintaining a technology leadership position. The source code for our proprietary software is protected as a trade secret and as a copyrighted work. Generally, copyrights expire 95 years after the year of first publication. In addition, we have registered a number of trademarks in the U.S. and internationally and have applications pending for others. We enter into confidentiality or similar agreements with our employees, consultants and clients, control access to and distribution of our software, documentation and other proprietary information, and deliver only object code (compiled source code) to our licensed clients. As is customary in the software industry, in order to protect our intellectual property rights, we do not sell or transfer title to our products to our clients.
Human Capital Resources
As of April 30, 2022, we had 418 full-time employees, including 104 in product research, development and enhancement, 43 in client support, 151 in professional services, 75 in marketing, sales and sales support, and 45 in accounting, facilities and administration. Of these, 344 are based in the United States and 74 are based in our international locations. Our operations are further supported by over 100 independent full-time contractors who fulfill critical needs around the globe. We have never had a work stoppage and no employees or contractors are represented under collective bargaining arrangements.
Core Values. Our corporate culture is based on our core values: Passion, Accountability, Curiosity, and Teamwork. Employee performance and Company fit are assessed in part based on these core values. We reinforce them in employee communications and celebrate extraordinary examples of these values with quarterly “Living the Core Values” awards for employees nominated by colleagues and selected by the executive leadership team.
Diversity. American Software and its subsidiaries are enriched by the diverse, talented and highly skilled workforce that brings a variety of experiences and perspectives to address the needs of our team, Clients and shareholders. We make better decisions and draw strength from this diversity and thus, are purposefully committed to providing an accessible workplace where members from every race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age and personality profile feel included and valued. We will ensure that all qualified candidates receive full consideration and that for every open role we seek a diverse pool of candidates for consideration prior to selecting the most qualified individual to fill those open roles.
Talent and Career Development. We support and encourage continuous learning, training and career development for all employees. In addition to our general new hire orientation, employees are trained on job-specific requirements, as well as topics such as cybersecurity, data privacy, anti-harassment and anti-bullying.
Employee career development is a key focus in the attraction, retention and management of our human capital resources. Our success planning process allows each employee to discuss career development goals with his or her manager and to provide feedback on broader company processes, to help both the employee and the Company become more successful. Success plans are tracked via the employee portal, which senior management monitors to ensure full participation.
Community Engagement. We believe in the importance of giving back to the communities where we live and work. Our Community imPACT initiative has two major components. We organize Company-sponsored volunteer opportunities with selected organizations across our geographic locations that focus on combating food insecurity. We also encourage our employees to take action in their own communities by volunteering with charitable organizations of their choice, and we support their efforts by providing up to 16 hours of paid time off each year for individual volunteering.
COVID-19 and Employee Safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic our primary focus has been the health and safety of our employees and their families. We encouraged all employees to transition to remote work, implemented additional safety measures for employees continuing critical on-site work, and restricted travel to essential business-critical needs. We have taken a flexible approach to help our employees manage their work and personal responsibilities. In addition, we have provided our employees with health and wellness resources, such as up-to-date COVID information and counseling resources. Our CEO
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and President has provided COVID-19 updates in all of our monthly all-hands town hall calls, and we believe that these transparent, ongoing communications have been critical to maintaining our productivity during the pandemic. As a result, we have been able to seamlessly transition to primarily virtual work without interruption.
Data Privacy
Regulatory and legislative activity in the areas of data protection and privacy continues to increase worldwide. We have established and continue to maintain policies to comply with applicable privacy and data protection laws. We also ensure that third parties processing data on our behalf are contractually obligated to follow or are otherwise compliant with such laws.
We are subject to certain privacy and data protection laws in other countries in which we operate, many of which are stricter than those in the United States. Some countries also have instituted laws requiring in-country data processing and/or storage of data. Most notably, in the European Union (“EU”) and United Kingdom (“UK”), the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) and comparable UK law create legal and compliance obligations for companies that process personal data of individuals in those regions, regardless of the geographical location of the company, and impose significant fines for non-compliance. We process a limited amount of personal data (as defined under the GDPR) for our clients and act as a data controller with respect to the personal data of our employees and job applicants, some of whom are located outside the United States. Therefore, our privacy policies comply with the GDPR.
In the United States, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) requires us to offer certain specific data privacy rights to California residents. Other states have adopted or are considering similar requirements that may be more stringent and/or expansive than federal requirements. Our privacy policies are compliant with the CCPA and other existing state laws.
Data Security
Information Security Management. Our Software Security Program is managed by our Manager of Information Security, who reports to the VP of Information Systems. We conduct vendor and internal risk assessments at least annually. Our Security Incident Response Team, consisting of personnel from Legal, Human Resources, Marketing, and IT across our business units, is responsible for implementing our Incident Response Policy and Procedure, which includes processes for detection, analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery, as well as an annual tabletop exercise.
Our employees are regularly trained on appropriate security measures. We provide security awareness training for new hires, and for all employees at least quarterly. We conduct user testing through “phishing” campaigns and require remedial training based on results. Our Manager of Information Security produces a monthly security awareness newsletter and periodic updates on recent malicious information security trends and scams.
The Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II examination demonstrates that an independent accounting and auditing firm has reviewed and examined an organization’s control objectives and activities, and tested those controls to ensure that they are operating effectively. The Company obtains a SOC 2 Type II report annually based on an independent third-party audit. The third party examines the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls to provide reasonable assurance that our service commitments and system requirements were achieved based on the applicable trust services criteria for security, availability, processing integrity and confidentiality.
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Client Data Security. We have web application firewalls and data encryption (both in transit and at rest) to ensure that our client data is adequately protected. Our software applications undergo manual code reviews, static code analysis to test for vulnerabilities, and annual third-party penetration testing, with a formal change control process in place to correct any deficiencies. Our SaaS environments are safeguarded by vulnerability management software that detects Operating Systems ("OS") and third-party application vulnerabilities; applies vulnerability patching on a monthly basis; and ensures emergency patching of critical vulnerabilities. Data security is monitored with fully-integrated Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) software, and we provide 24/7 security monitoring and alerting for all SaaS client environments. Only approved users may access our SaaS environments, and such access is further controlled through two-factor authentication and quarterly access reviews.
Data in our cloud-based solutions is hosted in a Microsoft Azure environment. Microsoft provides numerous security measures, including geo-redundant storage (GRS) with cross-regional replication for storage of backup data, and site recovery that replicates virtual machines in real-time to a different Azure region.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. We have a documented Disaster Recovery Procedure and Business Continuity Plan. Key actions and responsibilities are handled by a designated Disaster Recovery Team and Emergency Management Team, respectively. The policies and procedures are reviewed, updated, and approved by executive management annually, and a Business Impact Analysis is performed as part of our Business Continuity Plan.
Sustainability in Data Operations
Hosting. Sustainability is a critical factor when we evaluate potential hosting partners. We continue to expand our partnership with Microsoft, including increases in our Azure footprint for hosting client SaaS environments as well as many internal operations. Microsoft has been carbon neutral since 2012 and is committed to being carbon negative by 2030, with the commitment by 2050 to remove all the carbon it has directly emitted since its founding in 1975. Our primary hosting partner, Microsoft Azure, has committed to focus on four key areas of environmental impact on local communities—carbon, water, waste, and ecosystems:
a.100% renewable energy by 2025
b.Water positive by 2030 (replenish more water than consumed)
c.Zero-waste certification by 2030
d.Net-zero deforestation for all new data centers.
Data Destruction & Sanitation Policy. Third parties perform secure destruction of media and we receive a certificate of secure destruction from such parties. Items for destruction or recycling are processed using an environmentally friendly waste-to-energy incineration process or e-Stewards® certified recycling process so that the information cannot be reconstructed.
Available Information
We make our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to these reports available free of charge on or through our website, located at http://www.amsoftware.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the site, which should not be considered part of this document.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
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The following summarizes risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price. You should read this summary together with the detailed description of each risk factor contained below.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO THE ECONOMY
a.Disruptions in the financial and credit markets, government policies regarding interest rates, international trade disputes, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and other external influences may reduce demand for our software and related services.
b.The effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have materially affected how we and our clients are operating our businesses.
c.There may be an increase in client bankruptcies due to weak economic conditions.
d.We are subject to foreign exchange rate risk.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO COMPETITION
a.Our markets are very competitive, and we may not be able to compete effectively.
b.Many of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater resources than we do, and therefore we may be at a disadvantage in competing with them.
c.Due to competition, we may change our pricing practices, which could adversely affect operating margins or client ordering patterns.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR OPERATIONS
a.Our growth is dependent upon the successful further development of our direct and indirect sales channels.
b.Our growth depends upon our ability to develop and sustain relationships with complementary vendors to market and implement our software products.
c.We are dependent upon the retail industry for a significant portion of our revenue.
d.We derive a significant portion of our services revenue from a small number of clients.
e.We may derive a significant portion of our revenue from a limited number of large, non-recurring sales.
f.Our lengthy sales cycle makes it difficult to predict quarterly revenue levels and operating results.
g.Services revenue carries lower gross margins than do license or subscription revenue and an overall increase in services revenue as a percentage of total revenue could have an adverse impact on our business.
h.Failure to maintain our margins and service rates for implementation services could have a material adverse effect on our operating performance and financial condition.
i.We are subject to risks related to renewal of maintenance contracts.
j.We are subject to risks related to accounting interpretations.
k.Our past and future acquisitions may not be successful and we may have difficulty integrating acquisitions.
l.Our business may require additional capital.
m.Business disruptions could affect our operating results.
n.Our international operations and sales subject us to risks.
o.It may become increasingly expensive to obtain and maintain liability insurance.
p.Growth in our operations could increase demands on our managerial and operational resources.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR PRODUCTS
a.We may not be successful in convincing clients to migrate to current or future releases of our products.
b.We may be unable to retain or attract clients if we do not develop new products and enhance our current products in response to technological changes and competing products.
c.If our products are not able to deliver quick, demonstrable value to our clients, our business could be seriously harmed.
d.If we do not maintain software performance across accepted platforms and operating environments, our license, subscription and services revenue could be adversely affected.
e.Our software products and product development are complex, which makes it increasingly difficult to innovate, extend our product offerings, and avoid costs related to correction of program errors.
f.The use of open source software in our products may expose us to additional risks and harm our intellectual property.
g.If the open source community expands into enterprise application and supply chain software, our revenue may decline.
h.Implementation of our products can be complex, time-consuming and expensive, clients may be unable to implement our products successfully, and we may become subject to warranty or product liability claims.
i.An increase in sales of software products that require customization would result in revenue being recognized over the term of the contract for those products.
j.We sometimes experience delays in product releases, which can adversely affect our business.
k.We may not receive significant revenue from our current research and development efforts for several years.
l.We have limited protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights and may potentially infringe third-party intellectual property rights.
m.We may experience liability claims arising out of the sale of our software and provision of services.
n.Privacy and security concerns, including evolving government regulation in the area of data privacy, could adversely affect our business and operating results.
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o.We face risks associated with the security of our products.
p.We depend on third-party technology which could result in increased costs or delays in the production and improvement of our products if it should become unavailable or if it contains defects.
q.Any interruptions or delays in services from third parties or our inability to adequately plan for and manage service interruptions or infrastructure capacity requirements, could impair the delivery of our services and harm our business.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR PERSONNEL
a.We are dependent upon key personnel, and need to attract and retain highly qualified personnel.
b.We periodically have restructured our sales force, which can be disruptive.
c.Our technical personnel have unique access to client data, and may abuse that privilege.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE
a.Our business is subject to changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure.
b.One shareholder beneficially owns a substantial portion of our stock, and as a result, exerts substantial control over us.
c.Our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Georgia law may inhibit a takeover of our company.
d.We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of NASDAQ rules and, as a result, qualify for, and rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR STOCK PRICE
a.We could experience fluctuations in quarterly operating results that could adversely affect our stock price.
b.Our stock price is volatile and there is a risk of litigation.
c.Our dividend policy is subject to change.
d.The price of our common stock may decline due to shares eligible for future sale or actual future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock.
A variety of factors may affect our future results and the market price of our stock.
We have included certain forward-looking statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. We may also make oral and written forward-looking statements from time to time, in reports filed with the SEC and otherwise. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements based on circumstances or events which occur in the future, unless otherwise required by law. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth below and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
We operate in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment that involves numerous risks and uncertainties. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the potential impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. The following section lists some, but not all, of the risks and uncertainties that we believe may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flow or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment in our Company. This section should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this Form 10-K.
We cannot predict every event and circumstance that may affect our business, and therefore the risks and uncertainties discussed below may not be the only ones you should consider.
The risks and uncertainties discussed below are in addition to those that apply to most businesses generally. Furthermore, as we continue to operate our business, we may encounter risks of which we are not aware at this time. These additional risks may cause serious damage to our business in the future, the impact of which we cannot estimate at this time.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO THE ECONOMY
Disruptions in the financial and credit markets, government policies regarding interest rates, international trade disputes, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and other external influences in the U.S. and global markets may reduce demand for our software and related services, which may negatively affect our revenue and operating results.
Our revenue and profitability depend on the overall demand for our software, professional services and maintenance services. Regional and global changes in the economy and financial markets, such as the severe global economic downturn in 2008, which was followed by a slow and relatively weak recovery, and more recently, the timing, likelihood and amount of future increases in interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve, have resulted in companies generally reducing their spending for technology projects and therefore delaying or reconsidering potential purchases of our products and related services. A new
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economic recession, or adverse conditions in credit markets, lagging consumer confidence and spending, inflation, higher labor, healthcare, and insurance costs, the fluctuating cost of fuel and commodities and their effects on the U.S. and global economies and markets are all examples of negative factors that have delayed or canceled certain potential client purchases. Furthermore, the uncertainty posed by the long-term effects of global and regional conflicts, terrorist activities, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and other geopolitical and trade issues also may adversely affect the purchasing decisions of current or potential clients. For example, financial and credit markets around the world experienced volatility following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. In response to the invasion, the United States, United Kingdom and European Union, along with others, imposed significant new sanctions and export controls against Russia, Russian banks and certain Russian individuals and may implement additional sanctions or take further punitive actions in the future. The full economic and social impact of the sanctions imposed on Russia (as well as possible future punitive measures that may be implemented), as well as the counter measures imposed by Russia, remains uncertain. Furthermore, weakness in European economies may adversely affect demand for our products and services, both directly and by affecting U.S. clients that rely heavily on European sales. There can be no assurance that government responses to these factors will sufficiently restore confidence, stabilize markets or increase liquidity and the availability of credit.
We are a technology company selling technology-based solutions with total pricing, including software and services, in many cases exceeding $500,000. Reductions in the capital budgets of our clients and prospective clients could have an adverse impact on our ability to sell our solutions. These economic, trade, public health and political conditions may reduce the willingness or ability of our clients and prospective clients to commit funds to purchase our products and services or renew existing post-contract support agreements, or their ability to pay for our products and services after purchase. Future declines in demand for our products or services, or a broadening or protracted extension of these conditions, would have a significant negative impact on our revenue and operating results.
The effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have materially affected how we and our clients are operating our businesses, and the duration and extent to which this will impact our future results of operations and overall financial performance remain uncertain.
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, was first reported. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has spread throughout the world, and the related adverse public health developments, including orders to shelter-in-place, travel restrictions, and mandated business closures, have adversely affected workforces, organizations, clients, economies, and financial markets globally, leading to increased market volatility. It also has disrupted the normal operations of many businesses, including ours.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, substantially all Company employees globally have been encouraged to work from home and we have either canceled or changed employee, client and industry events to dial-in experiences. We may deem it advisable to similarly alter, postpone or cancel entirely additional client, employee or industry events in the future. All of these changes may disrupt the way we operate our business.
Moreover, the conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to affect the rate of spending on our products and services, and could adversely affect our clients’ ability or willingness to purchase our offerings or the timing of our current or prospective clients’ purchasing decisions; require pricing discounts or extended payment terms; or increase client attrition rates, all of which could adversely affect our future sales, operating results and overall financial performance.
The duration and extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the severity and transmission rate of the virus and any new variant, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions, the disruption caused by such actions, the efficacy of vaccines and rates of vaccination in various states and countries, and the impact of these and other factors on our employees, clients, partners, vendors and the global economy. If we are not able to effectively respond to and manage the impact of such events, our business will be harmed.
To the extent that the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also amplify many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section.
There may be an increase in client bankruptcies due to weak economic conditions.
We have been in the past, and may be in the future, affected by client bankruptcies that occur in periods subsequent to the software sale. During weak economic conditions, there is an increased risk that some of our clients will file a petition for bankruptcy. When our clients file a petition for bankruptcy, we may be required to forego collection of pre-petition amounts owed and to repay amounts remitted to us during the 90-day preference period preceding the filing. Accounts receivable balances related to pre-petition amounts may in some of these instances be large, due to extended payment terms for software fees and significant billings for consulting and implementation services on large projects. The bankruptcy laws, as well as the specific circumstances of each bankruptcy, may severely limit our ability to collect pre-petition amounts, and may force us to disgorge payments made during the 90-day preference period. We also face risk from international clients that file for bankruptcy protection in foreign jurisdictions, as the application of foreign bankruptcy laws may be more difficult to predict. Although we believe that we have sufficient reserves to cover anticipated client bankruptcies, there can be no assurance that such reserves will be adequate, and if they are not adequate, our business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely affected. We anticipate that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will increase the likelihood of these risks.
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Changes in the value of the U.S. dollar, as compared to the currencies of foreign countries where we transact business, could harm our operating results.
Our international revenue and the majority of our international expenses, including the wages of some of our employees, are denominated primarily in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Therefore, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to these other currencies may adversely affect our operating results. We do not hedge our exposure to currency fluctuations affecting future international revenue and expenses and other commitments. For the foregoing reasons, currency exchange rate fluctuations have caused, and likely will continue to cause, variability in our foreign currency denominated revenue streams and our cost to settle foreign currency denominated liabilities.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO COMPETITION
Our markets are very competitive, and we may not be able to compete effectively.
The markets for our solutions are very competitive. The intensity of competition in our markets has significantly increased, in part as a result of the slow growth in investment in IT software. We expect this intense competition to increase in the future. Our current and potential competitors have made and may continue to make acquisitions of other competitors and may establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties. Any significant consolidation among supply chain software providers could adversely affect our competitive position. Increased competition has resulted and, in the future, could result in price reductions, lower gross margins, longer sales cycles and loss of market share. Each of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our operating performance and financial condition.
Many of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater resources than we do, and therefore we may be at a disadvantage in competing with them.
We directly compete with other supply chain software vendors, including SAP SE, Oracle Corporation, Blue Yonder, o9 Solutions, Kinaxis, Inc. and others. Many of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing, technical and other competitive resources than we do, as well as greater name recognition and a larger installed base of clients. The software market has experienced significant consolidation, including numerous mergers and acquisitions. It is difficult to estimate what long-term effect these acquisitions will have on our competitive environment. We have encountered competitive situations where we suspect that large competitors, in order to encourage clients to purchase non-retail applications and gain retail market share, also have offered at no charge certain retail software applications that compete with our solutions. If competitors such as Oracle and SAP SE and other large private companies are willing to offer their retail and/ or other applications at no charge, this may result in a more difficult competitive environment for our products. In addition, we could face competition from large, multi-industry technology companies that historically have not offered an enterprise solution set to the retail supply chain market. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to compete successfully for clients against our current or future competitors, or that such competition will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Also, some prospective buyers are reluctant to purchase applications that could have a short lifespan, as an acquisition could result in the application’s life being abruptly cut short. In addition, increased competition and consolidation in these markets is likely to result in price reductions, reduced operating margins and changes in market share, any one of which could adversely affect us. If clients or prospects want fewer software vendors, they may elect to purchase competing products from a larger vendor than us since those larger vendors offer a wider range of products. Furthermore, some of these larger vendors may be able to bundle their software with their database applications, which underlie a significant portion of our installed applications. When we compete with these larger vendors for new clients, we believe that these larger businesses often attempt to use their size as a competitive advantage against us.
Many of our competitors have well-established relationships with our current and potential clients and have extensive knowledge of our industry. As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in client requirements or devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we can. Some competitors have become more aggressive with their prices and payment terms and issuance of contractual implementation terms or guarantees. In addition, third parties may offer competing maintenance and implementation services to our clients and thereby reduce our opportunities to provide those services. We may be unable to continue to compete successfully with new and existing competitors without lowering prices or offering other favorable terms. Furthermore, potential clients may consider outsourcing options, including application service providers, data center outsourcing and service bureaus, as alternatives to our software products. Any of these factors could materially impair our ability to compete and have a material adverse effect on our operating performance and financial condition.
We also face competition from the corporate IT departments of current or potential clients capable of internally developing solutions and we compete with a variety of more specialized software and services vendors, including:
•Internet (on demand) software vendors;
•single-industry software vendors;
•enterprise resource optimization software vendors;
•human resource management software vendors;
•financial management software vendors;
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•merchandising software vendors;
•services automation software vendors; and
•outsourced services providers.
As a result, the market for enterprise software applications has been and continues to be intensely competitive. We expect competition to persist and continue to intensify, which could negatively affect our operating results and market share.
Due to competition, we may change our pricing practices, which could adversely affect operating margins or client ordering patterns.
The intensely competitive markets in which we compete can put pressure on us to reduce our prices. If our competitors offer deep discounts on certain products or services in an effort to recapture or gain market share or to sell other products or services, we may need to lower prices or offer other favorable terms in order to compete successfully. For these and other reasons, in the future we may choose to make changes to our pricing practices. For example, we may offer additional discounts to clients; increase (or decrease) the use of pricing that involves periodic fees based on the number of users of a product; or change maintenance pricing. Such changes could materially and adversely affect our margins, and our revenue may be negatively affected if our competitors are able to recapture or gain market share.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR OPERATIONS
Our growth is dependent upon the successful further development of our direct and indirect sales channels.
We believe that our future growth will depend on developing and maintaining successful strategic relationships with systems integrators and other technology companies. We intend to continue to increase the proportion of clients served through these indirect channels, so we are currently investing, and plan to continue to invest, significant resources to develop them. This investment could adversely affect our operating results if these efforts do not generate sufficient license, subscription and service revenue to offset our investment. Also, our inability to partner with other technology companies and qualified systems integrators could adversely affect our results of operations. Because lower unit prices are typically charged on sales made through indirect channels, increased indirect sales could reduce our average selling prices and result in lower gross margins. In addition, sales of our products through indirect channels will likely reduce our consulting service revenue, as third- party systems integrators generally provide these services. As indirect sales increase, our direct contact with our client base will decrease, and we may have more difficulty accurately forecasting sales, evaluating client satisfaction and recognizing emerging client requirements. In addition, these systems integrators and third-party software providers may develop, acquire or market products competitive with our products. Marketing our products directly to clients and indirectly through systems integrators and other technology companies may result in distribution channel conflicts. Our direct sales efforts may compete with those of our indirect channels and, to the extent that different systems integrators target the same clients, systems integrators also may come into conflict with each other. Any channel conflicts that develop may have a material adverse effect on our relationships with systems integrators or harm our ability to attract new systems integrators.
Our growth depends upon our ability to develop and sustain relationships with complementary vendors to market and implement our software products, and a failure to develop and sustain these relationships could have a material adverse effect on our operating performance and financial condition.
We are developing, maintaining and enhancing significant working relationships with complementary vendors, such as software companies, consulting firms, resellers and others that we believe can play important roles in marketing our products and solutions. We are currently investing, and intend to continue to invest, significant resources to develop and enhance these relationships, which could adversely affect our operating margins. We may be unable to develop relationships with organizations that will be able to market our products effectively. Our arrangements with these organizations are not exclusive, and in many cases may be terminated by either party without cause. Many of the organizations with which we are developing or maintaining marketing relationships have commercial relationships with our competitors. There can be no assurance that any organization will continue its involvement with us. The loss of relationships with such organizations could materially and adversely affect our operating performance and financial condition.
We are dependent upon the retail industry for a significant portion of our revenue.
Historically, we have derived a significant percentage of our revenue from the sale of software products and collaborative applications that address vertical market opportunities with manufacturers and wholesalers that supply retail clients. The success of our clients is directly linked to economic conditions in the retail industry, which in turn are subject to intense competitive pressures and are affected by overall economic conditions. In addition, we believe that the acquisition of certain of our software products involves a large capital expenditure, which is often accompanied by large-scale hardware purchases or other capital commitments. As a result, demand for our products and services could decline in the event of instability or potential downturns in our clients’ industries.
Due to current economic conditions, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we expect the retail industry to remain relatively cautious in its level of investment in IT when compared to other industries. We are concerned about weak and uncertain economic conditions, consolidations and the disappointing results of retailers in certain markets, especially if such
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weak economic conditions persist for an extended period of time. Weak and uncertain economic conditions have negatively affected our revenue in the past and may do so in the future, including potential deterioration of our maintenance revenue base as clients look to reduce their costs, elongation of our selling cycles, and reduction in the demand for our products. As a result, in the current economic environment it is difficult to predict exactly when specific sales will close. In addition, weak and uncertain economic conditions could impair our clients’ ability to pay for our products or services. We also believe the retail business transformation from retail brick-and-mortar to technology-enabled omni-channel commerce models will be a multi-year trend and may have been accelerated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, we cannot predict when the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic or the transformation to new commerce models may moderate or end. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business, our quarterly or annual operating results and our financial condition.
We have observed that as the retail industry consolidates, it is experiencing increased competition in certain geographic regions that could negatively affect the industry and our clients’ ability to pay for our products and services. Such consolidation has negatively impacted our revenue in the past and may continue to do so in the future, which may reduce the demand for our products, and may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We derive a significant portion of our services revenue from a small number of clients. If these clients were to discontinue the use of our services or delay their implementation, our total revenue would be adversely affected.
We derive a significant portion of our services revenue from a small number of clients. If these clients were to discontinue or delay their use of these services, or obtain these services from a competitor, our services revenue and total revenue would be adversely affected. Clients may delay or terminate implementation of our services due to budgetary constraints related to economic uncertainty, dissatisfaction with product quality, the difficulty of prioritizing numerous IT projects, changes in business strategy, personnel or priorities, or other reasons. Clients may be less likely to invest in additional software in the future or continue to pay for software maintenance. Our business relies to a large extent upon sales to existing clients and maintenance and services revenue are key elements of our revenue base, so any reduction in these sales or these maintenance and services payments could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
We may derive a significant portion of our revenue in any quarter from a limited number of large, non-recurring sales.
From time to time, we expect to continue to experience large, individual client sales, which may cause significant variations in quarterly fees. We also believe that purchasing our products is relatively discretionary and generally involves a significant commitment of a client’s capital resources. Therefore, a downturn in any client’s business could result in order cancellations or requests for flexible payment terms that could have a significant adverse impact on our revenue and quarterly results. Moreover, continued uncertainty about general economic conditions could precipitate significant reductions in corporate spending for IT, which could result in delays or cancellations of orders for our products.
Our lengthy sales cycle makes it difficult to predict quarterly revenue levels and operating results.
Because fees for our software products are substantial and the decision to purchase our products typically involves members of our clients’ senior management, the sales process for our solutions is lengthy. Furthermore, our existing and prospective clients routinely require education regarding the use and benefits of our products, which may lead to delays in receiving clients’ orders. Accordingly, the timing of our revenue is difficult to predict, and the delay of an order could cause our quarterly revenue to fall substantially below our expectations and those of public market analysts and investors. Moreover, to the extent that we succeed in shifting client purchases away from individual software products and toward more costly integrated suites of software and services, our sales cycle may lengthen further, which could increase the likelihood of delays and cause the effect of a delay to become more pronounced. Delays in sales could cause significant shortfalls in our revenue and operating results for any particular period. Also, it is difficult for us to forecast the timing and recognition of revenue from sales of our products because our existing and prospective clients often take significant time evaluating our products before purchasing them. The period between initial client contact and a purchase by a client could be nine months or longer. During the evaluation period, prospective clients may decide not to purchase or may scale down proposed orders of our products for various reasons, including:
•reduced demand for enterprise software solutions;
•introduction of products by our competitors;
•lower prices offered by our competitors;
•changes in budgets and purchasing priorities;
•increased time to obtain purchasing approval; and
•reduced need to upgrade existing systems.
Services revenue carries lower gross margins than do license or subscription revenue and an overall increase in services revenue as a percentage of total revenue could have an adverse impact on our business.
Because our service revenue has lower gross margins than do our license or subscription revenue, an increase in the percentage of total revenue represented by service revenue or a change in the mix between services that are provided by our
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employees versus services provided by third-party consultants could have a detrimental impact on our overall gross margins and could adversely affect operating results.
Failure to maintain our margins and service rates for implementation services could have a material adverse effect on our operating performance and financial condition.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from implementation services. If we fail to scope our implementation projects correctly, our services margins may suffer. We bill for implementation services predominantly on an hourly or daily basis (time and materials) and sometimes under fixed price contracts, and we generally recognize revenue from those services as we perform the work. If we are not able to maintain the current service rates for our time and materials implementation services and cannot make corresponding cost reductions, or if the percentage of fixed price contracts increases and we underestimate the costs of our fixed price contracts, our operating performance may suffer. The rates we charge for our implementation services depend on a number of factors, including:
•perceptions of our ability to add value through our implementation services;
•complexity of services performed;
•competition;
•pricing policies of our competitors and of systems integrators;
•use of globally sourced, lower-cost service delivery capabilities within our industry; and
•economic, political and market conditions.
If our clients elect not to renew maintenance contracts after the initial maintenance period and the loss of those clients is not offset by new maintenance clients, our maintenance revenue and total revenue would be adversely affected.
Upon the purchase of a software license, our clients typically enter into a maintenance contract with a typical term of one to three years. If clients elect not to renew their maintenance contracts after this initial maintenance period and we do not offset the loss of those clients with new maintenance clients as a result of new license fees, our maintenance revenue and total revenue would be adversely affected.
If accounting interpretations relating to revenue recognition change or companies we acquire have applied such standards differently than we do or have not applied them at all, our reported revenue could decline or we could be forced to make changes in our business practices or we may incur the expense and risks associated with an audit or restatement of the acquired company’s financial statements.
There are several accounting standards and interpretations covering revenue recognition for the software industry. These standards address software revenue recognition matters primarily from a conceptual level and do not include specific implementation guidance. We believe that we currently comply with these standards.
The accounting profession and regulatory agencies continue to discuss various provisions of these pronouncements with the objective of providing additional guidance on their application and potential interpretations. These discussions and the issuance of new interpretations could lead to unanticipated changes in our current revenue accounting practices, which could change the timing of recognized revenue. They also could drive significant adjustments to our business practices, which could result in increased administrative costs, lengthened sales cycles and other changes that could adversely affect our reported revenue and results of operations. In addition, companies we acquire historically may have interpreted software revenue recognition rules differently than we do or may not have been subject to U.S. GAAP as a result of reporting in a foreign country. If we discover that companies we have acquired have interpreted and applied software revenue recognition rules differently than prescribed by U.S. GAAP, we could be required to devote significant management resources, and incur the expense associated with an audit, restatement or other examination of the acquired companies’ financial statements.
Our past and future acquisitions may not be successful and we may have difficulty integrating acquisitions.
We continually evaluate potential acquisitions of complementary businesses, products and technologies. We have in the past acquired and invested, and may continue to acquire or invest in, complementary companies, products and technologies, and enter into joint ventures and strategic alliances with other companies. Acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and investments present many risks, and we may not realize the financial and strategic goals that were contemplated at the time of any transaction. Risks commonly encountered in such transactions include:
•risk that an acquired company or assets may not further our business strategy or that we paid more than the company or assets were worth;
•difficulty of assimilating the operations and retaining and motivating personnel of an acquired company;
•risk that we may not be able to integrate acquired technologies or products with our current products and technologies;
•potential disruption of our ongoing business and the diversion of our management’s attention from other business concerns;
•inability of management to maximize our financial and strategic position through the successful integration of an acquired company;
•adverse impact on our annual effective tax rate;
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•dilution of existing equity holders caused by capital stock issuance to the shareholders of an acquired company or stock option grants to retain employees of an acquired company;
•difficulty in maintaining controls, procedures and policies;
•potential adverse impact on our relationships with partner companies or third-party providers of technology or products;
•impairment of relationships with employees and clients;
•potential assumption of liabilities of the acquired company;
•significant exit or impairment charges if products acquired in business combinations are unsuccessful; and
•issues with product quality, product architecture, legal contingencies, product development issues, or other significant issues that may not be detected through our due diligence process.
Accounting rules require the use of the purchase method of accounting in all new business acquisitions. Many acquisition candidates have significant intangible assets, so an acquisition of these businesses would likely result in significant amounts of goodwill and other intangible assets. The purchase method of accounting for business combinations may require large write-offs of any in-process research and development costs related to companies being acquired, as well as ongoing amortization costs for other intangible assets. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets are not amortized to income, but are subject to impairment reviews at least annually. If the acquisitions do not perform as planned, future write-offs and charges to income arising from such impairment reviews could be significant. In addition, these acquisitions could involve acquisition- related charges, such as one-time acquired research and development charges. Such write-offs and ongoing amortization charges may have a significant negative impact on operating margins and net earnings in the quarter of the combination and for several subsequent years. We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with such transactions.
Fully integrating an acquired company or business into our operations may take a significant amount of time. In addition, we may be able to conduct only limited due diligence on an acquired company’s operations. Following an acquisition, we may be subject to liabilities arising from an acquired company’s past or present operations, including liabilities related to data security, encryption and privacy of client data, and these liabilities may not be covered by the warranty and indemnity provisions that we negotiate. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered with acquisitions. To the extent we do not successfully avoid or overcome the risks or problems related to any acquisitions, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Future acquisitions also could impact our financial position and capital needs, and could cause substantial fluctuations in our quarterly and yearly results of operations.
Our business may require additional capital.
We may require additional capital to finance our growth or to fund acquisitions or investments in complementary businesses, technologies or product lines. Our capital requirements may be influenced by many factors, including:
•demand for our products;
•timing and extent of our investment in new technology;
•timing and extent of our acquisition of other companies;
•level and timing of revenue;
•expenses of sales, marketing and new product development;
•cost of facilities to accommodate a growing workforce;
•extent to which competitors are successful in developing new products and increasing their market shares; and
•costs involved in maintaining and enforcing intellectual property rights.
To the extent that our resources are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private financing. However, additional funding, if needed, may not be available on terms attractive to us, or at all. Our inability to raise capital when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our Company by our current shareholders would be diluted.
Business disruptions could affect our operating results.
A significant portion of our research and development activities and certain other critical business operations is concentrated in a few geographic areas. We are a highly automated business and a disruption or failure of our systems could cause delays in completing sales and providing services. A natural disaster, public health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or other catastrophic event such as fire, power loss, telecommunications failure, cyber-attack, war, or terrorist attack that results in the destruction or disruption of any of our critical business or IT systems could severely affect our ability to conduct normal business operations and, as a result, our future operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
To effectively mitigate this risk, we must continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures by, among other things, improving our key processes and IT infrastructure to support our business needs, and enhancing information and communication systems to ensure that our employees and offices around the world are well-connected and can effectively communicate with each other and our clients and employees can work remotely as appropriate.
Although we maintain crisis management and disaster response plans, in the event of a natural disaster, public health crisis or other catastrophic event, or if we fail to implement the improvements described above, we may be unable to continue our
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operations and may experience system interruptions, reputational harm, delays in our product development, lengthy interruptions in service, breaches of data security, and loss of critical data, all of which could have an adverse effect on our future operating results.
Our international operations and sales subject us to risks associated with unexpected activities outside of the United States.
The global reach of our business could cause us to be subject to unexpected, uncontrollable and rapidly changing events and circumstances outside the United States. As we grow our international operations, we may need to recruit and hire new consulting, product development, sales, marketing and support personnel in the countries in which we have or will establish offices or otherwise have a significant presence. Entry into new international markets typically requires the establishment of new marketing and distribution channels, and may involve the development and subsequent support of localized versions of our software. International introductions of our products often require a significant investment in advance of anticipated future revenue. In addition, the opening of a new office typically results in initial recruiting and training expenses and reduced labor efficiencies. If we are less successful than we expect in a new market, we may not be able to realize an adequate return on our initial investment and our operating results could suffer. We cannot guarantee that the countries in which we operate will have a sufficient pool of qualified personnel from which to hire, that we will be successful at hiring, training or retaining such personnel or that we can expand or contract our international operations in a timely, cost-effective manner. If we have to downsize certain international operations, the costs to do so are typically much higher than downsizing costs in the United States. The following factors, among others, could have an adverse impact on our business and earnings:
•failure to properly comply with foreign laws and regulations applicable to our foreign activities including, without limitation, software localization requirements;
•failure to properly comply with U.S. laws and regulations relating to the export of our products and services;
•compliance with multiple and potentially conflicting regulations in Europe, Asia and North America, including export requirements, tariffs, import duties and other trade barriers, as well as health and safety requirements;
•difficulties in managing foreign operations and appropriate levels of staffing;
•longer collection cycles;
•tariffs and other trade barriers, including the economic burden and uncertainty placed on our clients by the imposition and threatened imposition of tariffs by the U.S., China and other countries;
•seasonal reductions in business activities, particularly throughout Europe;
•reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries;
•proper compliance with local tax laws which can be complex and may result in unintended adverse tax consequences;
•anti-American sentiment due to conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere and U.S. policies that may be unpopular in certain countries;
•localized spread of infection resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including any economic downturns and other adverse impacts;
•political instability, adverse economic conditions and the potential for war or other hostilities in many of these countries;
•difficulties in enforcing agreements through foreign legal systems;
•fluctuations in exchange rates that may affect product demand and may adversely affect the profitability in U.S. dollars of products and services provided by us in foreign markets where payment for our products and services is made in the local currency, including any fluctuations caused by uncertainties related to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia;
•changes in general economic, health and political conditions in countries where we operate;
•potential labor strikes, lockouts, work slowdowns and work stoppages; and
•restrictions on downsizing operations in Europe and expenses and delays associated with any such activities.
It may become increasingly expensive to obtain and maintain liability insurance.
Our products are often critical to the operations of our clients’ businesses and provide benefits that may be difficult to quantify. If our products fail to function as required, we may be subject to claims for substantial damages. Courts may not enforce provisions in our contracts that would limit our liability or otherwise protect us from liability for damages. Although we maintain general liability insurance coverage, including coverage for errors or omissions and cybersecurity risks, this coverage may not continue to be available on reasonable terms or in sufficient amounts to cover claims against us. In addition, our insurers may disclaim coverage for future claims. If claims exceeding the available insurance coverage are successfully asserted against us, or our insurers impose premium increases, large deductibles or co-insurance requirements, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We contract for insurance to cover a variety of potential risks and liabilities, including those relating to the unexpected failure of our products. In the current market, insurance coverage for all types of risk is becoming more restrictive, and when insurance coverage is offered, the amount for which we are responsible is larger. In light of these circumstances, it may become more difficult to maintain insurance coverage at historical levels or, if such coverage is available, the cost to obtain or maintain it may increase substantially. Consequently, we may be forced to bear the burden of an increased portion of risks for which we have traditionally been covered by insurance, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
Growth in our operations could increase demands on our managerial and operational resources.
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If the scope of our operating and financial systems and the geographic distribution of our operations and clients significantly expand, this may increase demands on our management and operations. Our officers and other key employees will need to implement and improve our operational, client support and financial control systems and effectively expand, train and manage our employee base. We also may be required to manage an increasing number of relationships with various clients and other third parties. We may not be able to manage future expansion successfully, and our inability to do so could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR PRODUCTS
We may not be successful in convincing clients to migrate to current or future releases of our products, which may lead to reduced services and maintenance revenue and less future business from existing clients.
Our clients may not be willing to incur the costs or invest the resources necessary to complete upgrades to current or future releases of our products. This may lead to a loss of services and maintenance revenue and future business from clients that continue to operate prior versions of our products or choose to no longer use our products.
We may be unable to retain or attract clients if we do not develop new products and enhance our current products in response to technological changes and competing products.
Over time, we have been required to migrate our products and services from mainframe to client server to web- based environments. In addition, we have been required to adapt our products to emerging standards for operating systems, databases and other technologies. We will be unable to compete effectively if we fail to:
•maintain and enhance our technological capabilities to correspond to these emerging environments and standards;
•develop and market products and services that meet changing client needs; or
•anticipate or respond to technological changes on a cost-effective and timely basis.
A substantial portion of our research and development resources is devoted to product upgrades that address regulatory and support requirements, leaving fewer resources available for new products. New products require significant development investment. That investment is further constrained because of the added costs of developing new products that work with multiple operating systems or databases. We face uncertainty when we develop or acquire new products because there is no assurance that a sufficient market will develop for those products. If we do not attract sufficient client interest in those products, we will not realize a return on our investment and our operating results will be adversely affected.
Our core products face competition from new or modified technologies that may render our existing technology less competitive or obsolete, reducing the demand for our products. As a result, we must continually redesign our products to incorporate these new technologies and adapt our software products to operate on, and comply with evolving industry standards for, various hardware and software platforms. Maintaining and upgrading our products to operate on multiple hardware and database platforms reduces our resources for developing new products. Because of the increased costs of developing and supporting software products across multiple platforms, we may need to reduce the number of those platforms. In addition, conflicting new technologies present us with difficult choices about which new technologies to adopt. If we fail to anticipate the most popular platforms, fail to respond adequately to technological developments, or experience significant delays in product development or introduction, our business and operating results will be negatively impacted.
In addition, to the extent we determine that new technologies and equipment are required to remain competitive, the development, acquisition and implementation of such technologies may require us to make significant capital investments. We may not have sufficient capital for these purposes and investments in new technologies may not result in commercially viable products. The loss of revenue and increased costs from such changing technologies would adversely affect our business and operating results.
If our products are not able to deliver quick, demonstrable value to our clients, our business could be seriously harmed.
Enterprises are requiring their application software vendors to provide faster returns on their technology investments. We must continue to improve our speed of implementation and the pace at which our products deliver value or our competitors may gain important strategic advantages over us. If we cannot successfully respond to these market demands, or if our competitors respond more successfully than we do, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
If we do not maintain software performance across accepted platforms and operating environments, our license, subscription and services revenue could be adversely affected.
We continuously evaluate new technologies and implement advanced technology into our products. However, if in our product development efforts we fail to accurately address, in a timely manner, evolving industry standards, new technology advancements or important third-party interfaces or product architectures, sales of our products and services will suffer. Market acceptance of new platforms and operating environments may require us to undergo the expense of developing and maintaining compatible product lines. We can license our software products for use with a variety of popular industry standard relational database management system platforms using different programming languages and underlying databases and architectures. There may be future or existing relational database platforms that achieve popularity in the marketplace that may or may not be
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architecturally compatible with our software product design. In addition, the effort and expense of developing, testing, and maintaining software product lines will increase as more hardware platforms and operating systems achieve market acceptance within our target markets. Moreover, future or existing user interfaces may or may not be architecturally compatible with our software product design. If we do not achieve market acceptance of new user interfaces that we support, or adapt to popular new user interfaces that we do not support, our sales and revenue may be adversely affected. Developing and maintaining consistent software product performance characteristics across all of these combinations could place a significant strain on our resources and software product release schedules, which could adversely affect revenue and results of operations.
Our software products and product development are complex, which makes it increasingly difficult to innovate, extend our product offerings, and avoid costs related to correction of program errors.
The market for our software products is characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, changes in client requirements and frequent new product introductions and enhancements. For example, existing products can become obsolete and unmarketable when vendors introduce products utilizing new technologies or new industry standards emerge. As a result, it is difficult for us to estimate the life cycles of our software products. There can be no assurance that we will successfully identify new product opportunities or develop and bring new products to the market in a timely and cost- effective manner, or that products, capabilities or technologies developed by our competitors will not render our products obsolete. Our future success will depend in part upon our ability to:
•continue to enhance and expand our core applications;
•continue to sell our products;
•continue to successfully integrate third-party products;
•enter new markets and achieve market acceptance; and
•develop and introduce new products that keep pace with technological developments, satisfy increasingly sophisticated client requirements and achieve market acceptance.
Despite our testing, our software programs, like software programs generally, may contain a number of undetected errors or “bugs” when we first introduce them or as new versions are released. We do not discover some errors until we have installed the product and our clients have used it. Errors may result in the delay or loss of revenue, diversion of software engineering resources, material non-monetary concessions, negative media attention, or increased service or warranty costs as a result of performance or warranty claims that could lead to client dissatisfaction, litigation, damage to our reputation, and impaired demand for our products. Correcting bugs may result in increased costs and reduced acceptance of our software products in the marketplace. Further, such errors could subject us to claims from our clients for significant damages, and we cannot assure you that courts would enforce the provisions in our client agreements that limit our liability for damages. The effort and expense of developing, testing and maintaining software product lines will increase with the increasing number of possible combinations of:
•vendor hardware platforms;
•operating systems and updated versions;
•application software products and updated versions; and
•database management system platforms and updated versions.
Developing consistent software product performance characteristics across all of these combinations could place a significant strain on our development resources and software product release schedules.
The use of open source software in our products may expose us to additional risks and harm our intellectual property.
Some of our products use or incorporate software that is subject to one or more open source licenses. Open source software is typically freely accessible, usable and modifiable. Certain open source software licenses require a user who intends to distribute the open source software as a component of the user’s software to disclose publicly part or all of the source code to the user’s software. In addition, certain open source software licenses require the user of such software to make any derivative works of the open source code available to others on unfavorable terms or at no cost. This can subject previously proprietary software to open source license terms.
While we monitor the use of all open source software in our products, processes and technology and try to ensure that our open source software use does not require us to disclose the source code to the related product or solution, such use could inadvertently occur. Additionally, if a third-party software provider has incorporated certain types of open source software in software we license from such third party for our products and solutions, under certain circumstances we could be required to disclose the source code to our products and solutions. This could harm our intellectual property rights and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
If the open source community expands into enterprise application and supply chain software, our revenue may decline.
The open source community is comprised of many different formal and informal groups of software developers and individuals who have created a wide variety of software and have made that software available for use, distribution and modification, often free of charge. Open source software, such as the Linux operating system, has been gaining in popularity among business users. If developers contribute enterprise and supply chain application software to the open source community and that software has competitive features and scale to support business users in our markets, we will need to change our product pricing and distribution strategy to compete successfully.
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Implementation of our products can be complex, time-consuming and expensive, clients may be unable to implement our products successfully, and we may become subject to warranty or product liability claims, which could be costly to resolve and result in negative publicity.
Our products must integrate with the existing computer systems and software programs of our clients. This can be complex, time-consuming and expensive, and may cause delays in the deployment of our products. Our clients may be unable to implement our products successfully or otherwise achieve the benefits attributable to our products. Although we test each of our new products and releases and evaluate and test the products we obtain through acquisitions before introducing them to the market, there still may be significant errors in existing or future releases of our software products, with the possible result that we may be required to expend significant resources in order to correct such errors or otherwise satisfy client demands. In addition, defects in our products or difficulty integrating our products with our clients’ systems could result in delayed or lost revenue, warranty or other claims against us by clients or third parties, adverse client reactions and negative publicity about us or our products and services, or reduced acceptance of our products and services in the marketplace, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.
An increase in sales of software products that require customization would result in revenue being recognized over the term of the contract for those products and could have a material adverse effect on our operating performance and financial condition.
Historically, we generally have been able to recognize software revenue upon delivery of our solutions and contract execution. Clients and prospects could ask for unique capabilities in addition to our core capabilities, which could cause us to recognize more of our software revenue on a contract accounting basis over the course of the delivery of the solution rather than upon delivery and contract execution. The period between the initial contract and the completion of the implementation of our products can be lengthy and is subject to a number of factors (over many of which we have little or no control) that may cause significant delays, including the size and complexity of the overall project. As a result, a shift toward a higher proportion of software contracts requiring contract accounting would have a material adverse effect on our operating performance and financial condition and cause our operating results to vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
We sometimes experience delays in product releases, which can adversely affect our business.
Historically, we have issued significant new releases of our software products periodically, with minor interim releases issued more frequently. Although we now issue software releases more frequently under our agile methodology, the complexities inherent in our software, major new product enhancements and new products often require long development and testing periods before they are released. On occasion, we have experienced delays in the scheduled release dates of new or enhanced products, and we cannot provide any assurance that we will achieve future scheduled release dates. The delay of product releases or enhancements, or the failure of such products or enhancements to achieve market acceptance, could materially affect our business and reputation.
We may not receive significant revenue from our current research and development efforts for several years.
Developing and localizing software is expensive, and investment in product development may involve a long payback cycle. Our future plans include significant investments in software research and development and related product opportunities. We believe that we must continue to dedicate a significant amount of resources to our research and development efforts to maintain or improve our competitive position. However, we do not expect to receive significant revenue from these investments for several years, if at all.
We have limited protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights and may potentially infringe third-party intellectual property rights.
We consider certain aspects of our internal operations, software and documentation to be proprietary, and rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws; confidentiality agreements with employees and third parties; protective contractual provisions (such as those contained in our agreements with consultants, vendors, partners and clients); and other measures to protect this information. Existing copyright laws afford only limited protection. We believe that the rapid pace of technological change in the computer software industry has made trade secret and copyright protection less significant than factors such as:
•knowledge, ability and experience of our employees;
•frequent software product enhancements;
•client education; and
•timeliness and quality of support services.
Our competitors may independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technology. The laws of some countries in which our software products are or may be sold do not protect our software products and intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.
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We generally enter into confidentiality or similar agreements with our employees, clients, and vendors. These agreements control access to and distribution of our software, documentation, and other proprietary information. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may copy aspects of our products, obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary, or develop similar technology through reverse engineering or other means. Preventing or detecting unauthorized use of our products is difficult. There can be no assurance that the steps we take will prevent misappropriation of our technology or that such agreements will be enforceable. In addition, we may need to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets, determine the validity and scope of others’ proprietary rights, or defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Such litigation could result in significant costs and the diversion of resources. This could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Third parties may assert infringement claims against us. Although we do not believe that our products infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties, we cannot guarantee that third parties will not assert or prosecute infringement or invalidity claims against us. These claims could distract management, require us to enter into royalty arrangements, and result in costly and time-consuming litigation, including damage awards. Such assertions or the defense of such claims may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition. In addition, such assertions could result in injunctions against us. Injunctions that prevent us from distributing our products would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. If third parties assert such claims against us, we may seek to obtain a license to use such intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that such a license would be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If a patent claim against us were successful and we could not obtain a license on acceptable terms or license a substitute technology or redesign to avoid infringement, we may be prevented from distributing our software or required to incur significant expense and delay in developing non-infringing software.
We may experience liability claims arising out of the sale of our software and provision of services.
Our agreements normally contain provisions designed to limit our exposure to potential liability claims and generally exclude consequential and other forms of extraordinary damages. However, these provisions could be rendered ineffective, invalid or unenforceable by unfavorable judicial decisions or by federal, state, local or foreign laws or ordinances. For example, we may not be able to avoid or limit liability for disputes relating to product performance or the provision of services. If a claim against us were to be successful, we may be required to incur significant expense and pay substantial damages, including consequential or punitive damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Even if we prevail in contesting such a claim, the accompanying publicity could adversely affect the demand for our products and services.
We also rely on certain technology that we license from third parties, including software that is integrated with our internally developed software. Although these third parties generally indemnify us against claims that their technology infringes on the proprietary rights of others, such indemnification is not always available for all types of intellectual property. Often such third-party indemnifiers are not well capitalized and may not be able to indemnify us in the event that their technology infringes on the proprietary rights of others. As a result, we may face substantial exposure if technology we license from a third party infringes on another party’s proprietary rights. Defending such infringement claims, regardless of their validity, could result in significant cost and diversion of resources.
Privacy and security concerns, including evolving government regulation in the area of data privacy, could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Governments in many jurisdictions have enacted or are considering enacting consumer data privacy legislation, including laws and regulations applying to the solicitation, collection, processing and use of consumer data. For example, in 2016, the European Union adopted a new law governing data practices and privacy called the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became effective in May 2018. The law establishes new requirements regarding the handling of personal data. Non-compliance with the GDPR may result in monetary penalties of up to 4% of worldwide revenue. The GDPR and other changes in laws or regulations associated with the enhanced protection of certain types of sensitive data could greatly increase our cost of providing our products and services or even prevent us from offering certain services in jurisdictions that we operate. In the U.S., California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), which took effect on January 1, 2020, and the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), which expands upon the CCPA was passed in November 2020 and comes into effect on January 1, 2023, with a “lookback” period to January 1, 2022. This legislation broadly defines personal information, gives California residents expanded privacy rights and protections and provides for civil penalties for violations.
Additionally, public perception and standards related to the privacy of personal information can shift rapidly, in ways that may affect our reputation or influence regulators to enact regulations and laws that may limit our ability to provide certain products. Federal, state, or foreign laws and regulations, including laws and regulations regulating privacy, data security, or consumer protection, or other policies, public perception, standards, self-regulatory requirements or legal obligations, could reduce the demand for our software products if we fail to design or enhance our products to enable our clients to comply with the privacy and security measures dictated by these requirements. Moreover, we may be exposed to liability under existing or new data privacy legislation. Even technical violations of these laws can result in penalties that are assessed for each non- compliant transaction. If we or our clients were found to be subject to and in violation of any of these laws or other data privacy laws or regulations, our business could suffer and we and/or our clients would likely have to change our business practices.
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We face risks associated with the security of our products, and if our data protection or other security measures are compromised and as a result our data, our clients’ data or our IT systems are accessed improperly, made unavailable, or improperly modified, our products and services may be perceived as vulnerable, our reputation could be damaged, the IT services we provide to our clients could be disrupted, and clients may stop using our products and services, all of which could reduce our revenue and earnings, increase our expenses and expose us to legal claims and regulatory actions.
Maintaining the security of computers and computer networks is an issue of critical importance for our clients. Attempts by experienced computer programmers, or hackers, to penetrate client network security or the security of web sites to misappropriate confidential information have become an industry-wide phenomenon that affects computers and networks across all platforms. We have included security features in certain of our Internet browser-enabled products that are intended to protect the privacy and integrity of client data. In addition, some of our software applications use encryption technology to permit the secure exchange of valuable and confidential information. Despite these security features, our products may be vulnerable to break-ins and similar problems caused by hackers, which could jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through the computer systems of our clients. Actual or perceived security vulnerabilities in our products (or the Internet in general) could lead some clients to seek to reduce or delay future purchases or to purchase competitors’ products which are not Internet-based applications. Clients may also increase their spending to protect their computer networks from attack, which could delay adoption of new technologies. Any of these actions by clients and the cost of addressing such security problems may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Although our agreements with our clients contain provisions designed to limit our exposure as a result of the situations listed above, such provisions may not be effective. Existing or future federal, state, local or foreign laws or ordinances or unfavorable judicial decisions could affect their enforceability. To date, we have not experienced any such product liability claims, but there can be no assurance that this will not occur in the future. Because our products may be used in essential business applications, a successful product liability claim could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Additionally, defending such a suit, regardless of its merits, could entail substantial expense and require the time and attention of key management.
We depend on third-party technology, which could result in increased costs or delays in the production and improvement of our products if it should become unavailable or if it contains defects.
We license critical third-party software that we incorporate into our own software products. We are likely to incorporate and include additional third-party software in our products and solutions as we expand our product offerings. The operation of our products would be impaired if errors occur in the third-party software that we utilize. It may be difficult for us to correct any defects in third-party software because the software is not within our control. Accordingly, our business could be adversely affected in the event of any errors in this software. There can be no assurance that third parties will continue to make their software available to us on acceptable terms, invest the appropriate levels of resources in their products and services to maintain and enhance the capabilities of their software, or even remain in business. Further, due to the limited number of vendors of certain types of third-party software, it may be difficult for us to replace such third-party software if a vendor terminates our license of the software or our ability to license the software to clients. If our relations with any of these third- party software providers are impaired, and if we are unable to obtain or develop a replacement for the software, our business could be harmed. In addition, if the cost of licensing any of these third-party software products significantly increases, our gross margin levels could significantly decrease.
Any interruptions or delays in services from third parties, including data center hosting facilities and cloud computing platform providers, or our inability to adequately plan for and manage service interruptions or infrastructure capacity requirements, could impair the delivery of our services and harm our business.
We currently serve our clients from third-party data center hosting facilities and cloud computing platform providers located in the United States and other countries. Any damage to or failure of our systems generally, including the systems of our third-party platform providers, could result in interruptions in our services. From time to time we have experienced interruptions in our services and such interruptions may occur in the future. As we increase our reliance on these third-party systems, the risk of service interruptions may increase. Interruptions in our services may cause clients to make warranty or other claims against us or terminate their agreements and adversely affect our ability to attract new clients, all of which would reduce our revenue. Our business also would be harmed if clients and potential clients believe our services are unreliable.
These data and cloud computing platforms may not continue to be available at reasonable prices, on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any loss of the right to use any of these cloud computing platforms could significantly increase our expenses and otherwise result in delays in providing our services until equivalent technology either is developed by us or, if available, is identified, purchased or licensed and integrated into our services.
If we do not accurately plan for our infrastructure capacity requirements and we experience significant strain on our data center capacity, our clients could experience performance degradation or service outages that may subject us to financial liability, result in client losses and harm our business. As we add data centers and capacity and continue to move to a cloud computing platform, we may move or transfer our data and our clients’ data. Despite precautions taken during this process, any unsuccessful data transfers may impair the delivery of our services, which may adversely impact our business.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR PERSONNEL
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We are dependent upon key personnel, and need to attract and retain highly qualified personnel in all areas.
Our future operating results depend significantly upon the continued service of a relatively small number of key senior management and technical personnel, including our Chief Executive Officer and President, H. Allan Dow. None of our key personnel are bound by long-term employment agreements. We do not have in place “key person” life insurance policies on any of our employees. If we fail to retain senior management or other key personnel, or fail to attract key personnel, our succession planning and operations could be materially and adversely affected and could jeopardize our ability to meet our business goals.
Our future success also depends on our continuing ability to attract, train, retain and motivate other highly qualified managerial and technical personnel. Competition for these personnel is intense, and at times we have experienced difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, including sales and marketing representatives, qualified software engineers involved in ongoing product development, and personnel who assist in the implementation of our products and provide other services. The market for such individuals is competitive. Given the critical roles of our sales, product development and consulting personnel, our inability to recruit successfully or any significant loss of key personnel would adversely affect us. The software industry is characterized by a high level of employee mobility and aggressive recruiting of skilled personnel. It may be particularly difficult to retain or compete for skilled personnel against larger, better-known software companies. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to retain our current personnel, attract and retain other highly qualified technical and managerial personnel in the future, or assimilate the employees from any acquired businesses. We will continue to adjust the size and composition of our workforce to match the relevant product and geographic demand cycles. If we are unable to attract and retain the necessary technical and managerial personnel, or assimilate the employees from any acquired businesses, our business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely affected.
The failure to attract, train, retain and effectively manage employees could negatively impact our development and sales efforts and cause a degradation of our customer service. In particular, the loss of sales personnel could lead to lost sales opportunities because it can take several months to hire and train replacement sales personnel. If our competitors increase their use of non-compete agreements, the pool of available sales and technical personnel may further shrink, even if the non-compete agreements ultimately prove to be unenforceable. We may grant large numbers of stock options to attract and retain personnel, which could be highly dilutive to our shareholders. The volatility or lack of positive performance of our stock price may adversely affect our ability to retain or attract employees. The loss of key management and technical personnel or the inability to attract and retain additional qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on us.
We periodically have restructured our work force, which can be disruptive.
Periodically, we have restructured or made other adjustments to our work force in response to factors such as product changes, geographical coverage and other internal considerations. Change in the structures of the work force and management can cause us to terminate and then hire new personnel, and/or result in temporary lack of focus and reduced productivity, which may affect revenue in one or more quarters. Future restructuring of our work force could occur, and if so we may again experience the adverse transition issues associated with such restructuring.
Our technical personnel have unique access to client data, and may abuse that privilege.
In order to properly render the services we provide, our technical personnel have the ability to access data on the systems run by our clients or hosted by us for our clients, including data about the operations of our clients and even about the customers of our clients. Although we have never had such an occurrence in the entire history of our Company, it is conceivable that such access could be abused in order to improperly utilize that data to the detriment of such clients.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR CORPORATE STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE
Our business is subject to changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure that has increased both our costs and the risk of non-compliance.
Because our common stock is publicly traded, we are subject to certain rules and regulations of federal, state and financial market exchange entities charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded. These entities, including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the SEC and NASDAQ, have issued requirements and regulations and continue to develop additional regulations and requirements in response to laws enacted by Congress. Our efforts to comply with these regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
In particular, our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding our required assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm’s audits of that assessment have required, and continue to require, the commitment of significant financial and managerial resources. Moreover, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance becomes available. This evolution may result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and additional costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices. Over time, we have made significant changes in, and may consider making additional changes to, our
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internal controls, our disclosure controls and procedures, and our corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well-designed and -operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure of our controls, policies and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
If in the future we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of the end of the then current fiscal year (or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting), we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would have a negative market reaction.
One shareholder beneficially owns a substantial portion of our stock, and as a result exerts substantial control over us.
As of June 27, 2022, James C. Edenfield, Executive Chairman, Treasurer and a Director of the Company, beneficially owned 1,821,587 shares, or 100%, of our Class B common stock, and 60,000 shares, or 0.18%, of our Class A common stock. If all of Mr. Edenfield’s Class B shares were converted into Class A shares, Mr. Edenfield would beneficially own 1,881,587 Class A shares, which would represent approximately 5.59% of all outstanding Class A shares after giving effect to such conversion. As a result of Mr. Edenfield’s ownership of Class B common stock, he has the right to elect a majority of our Board of Directors. Such control and concentration of ownership may discourage a potential acquirer from making a purchase offer that other shareholders might find favorable, which in turn could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Georgia law may inhibit a takeover of our company.
Our basic corporate documents and Georgia law contain provisions that might enable our management to resist a takeover. These provisions might discourage, delay or prevent a change in the control or a change in our management. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other shareholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. The existence of these provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.
We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of NASDAQ rules and, as a result, qualify for, and rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
Because Mr. Edenfield has the ability to elect more than half of the members of our Board of Directors, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the rules governing companies with stock quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Under these rules, a “controlled company” is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group or another company. As a controlled company, we are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements, including requirements that: (1) a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors; (2) compensation of officers be determined or recommended to the board of directors by a majority of its independent directors or by a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors; and (3) director nominees be selected or recommended for selection by a majority of the independent directors or by a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors. Our Board of Directors does not have a majority of independent directors, and our compensation committee is not required to consist entirely of independent directors. We are not required to have, and have not chosen to establish, a nominating committee. Accordingly, our procedures for approving significant corporate decisions are not subject to the same corporate governance requirements as non-controlled companies with stock quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR STOCK PRICE
We could experience fluctuations in quarterly operating results that could adversely affect our stock price.
We have difficulty predicting our actual quarterly operating results, which have varied widely in the past and which we expect to continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. We base our expense levels, operating costs and hiring plans on projections of future revenue, and it is difficult for us to rapidly adjust when actual results do not match our projections. If our quarterly revenue or operating results fall below the expectations of investors or public market analysts, the price of our common stock could fall substantially. Revenue in any quarter depend on the combined sales activity of the American Software group of companies and our ability to recognize revenue in that quarter in accordance with our revenue recognition policies. Our sales activity is difficult to forecast for a variety of reasons, including the following:
•we complete a significant portion of our client agreements within the last few weeks of each quarter;
•if an agreement includes cloud services that are performed over the term of the contract, this requires all revenue to be spread over the term of the contract;
•our sales cycle for products and services, including multiple levels of authorization required by some clients, is relatively long and variable because of the complex and mission-critical nature of our products;
•the demand for our products and services can vary significantly;
•the size of our transactions can vary significantly;
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•the possibility of adverse global political or public health conditions and economic downturns, both domestic and international, characterized by decreased product demand, price erosion, technological shifts, work slowdowns and layoffs, may substantially reduce client demand and contracting activity;
•clients may unexpectedly postpone or cancel anticipated system replacement or new system evaluation and implementation due to changes in their strategic priorities, project objectives, budgetary constraints, internal purchasing processes or company management;
•client evaluation and purchasing processes vary from company to company, and a client’s internal approval and expenditure authorization process can be difficult and time-consuming, even after selection of a vendor; and
•the number, timing and significance of software product enhancements and new software product announcements by us and by our competitors may affect purchase decisions.
Variances or slowdowns in our contracting activity in prior quarters may affect current and future consulting, training and maintenance revenue, since these revenue typically follow license or subscription fee revenue. Our ability to maintain or increase services revenue primarily depends on our ability to increase the number and size of our client agreements. In addition, we base our budgeted operating costs and hiring plans primarily on our projections of future revenue. Because most of our expenses, including employee compensation and rent, are relatively fixed in the near term, if our actual revenue falls below projections in any particular quarter, our business, operating results, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our expense levels are based, in part, on our expectations regarding future revenue increases. As a result, any shortfall in revenue in relation to our expectations could cause significant changes in our operating results from quarter to quarter and could result in quarterly losses. As a result of these factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our revenue and operating results are not necessarily meaningful. Therefore, predictions of our future performance should not be based solely on our historical quarterly revenue and operating results.
Our stock price is volatile and there is a risk of litigation.
The trading price of our common stock has been in the past and in the future may be subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors such as the following:
•general market conditions including an economic recession;
•revenue or results of operations in any quarter failing to meet the expectations, published or otherwise, of the investment community;
•client order deferrals resulting from the anticipation of new products, economic uncertainty, disappointing operating results by the client, management changes, corporate reorganizations or otherwise;
•reduced investor confidence in equity markets, due in part to corporate collapses in recent years;
•speculation in the press or analyst community;
•wide fluctuations in stock prices, particularly in relation to the stock prices for other technology companies;
•announcements of technological innovations by us or our competitors;
•new products or the acquisition or loss of significant clients by us or our competitors;
•developments with respect to our proprietary rights or those of our competitors;
•changes in interest rates;
•changes in investors’ beliefs as to the appropriate price-earnings ratios for us and our competitors;
•changes in recommendations or financial estimates by securities analysts who track our common stock or the stock of other software companies;
•changes in management;
•sales of common stock by our controlling shareholder, directors and executive officers;
•rumors or dissemination of false or misleading information, particularly through Internet chat rooms, instant messaging, and other rapid-dissemination methods;
•conditions and trends in the software industry generally;
•the announcement of acquisitions or other significant transactions by us or our competitors;
•adoption of new accounting standards affecting the software industry;
•domestic or international terrorism, global or regional conflicts including the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, public health crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, and other significant external factors; and
•other factors described in these “Risk Factors.”
Fluctuations in the price of our common stock may expose us to the risk of securities class action lawsuits. Although no such lawsuits are currently pending against us and we are not aware that any such lawsuit is threatened to be filed in the future, there is no assurance that we will not be sued based on fluctuations in the price of our common stock. Defending against such lawsuits could result in substantial cost and divert management’s attention and resources. In addition, any settlement or adverse determination of these lawsuits could subject us to significant liabilities.
Our dividend policy is subject to change.
On May 25, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of our Class A and Class B common stock. The cash dividend will be payable on or about August 26, 2022 to Class A and Class B shareholders of record at the close of business on August 12, 2022. We currently expect to declare and pay cash dividends at this level on a quarterly basis in the future. However, our dividend policy may be affected by, among other things, our views on business conditions,
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financial position, earnings, earnings outlook, capital spending plans and other factors that our Board of Directors considers relevant at that time. Our dividend policy has changed in the past and may change from time to time, and we cannot provide assurance that we will continue to declare dividends in any particular amounts or at all. A change in our dividend policy could have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.
The price of our common stock may decline due to shares eligible for future sale or actual future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. As of June 27, 2022, if all of our outstanding Class B common shares were converted into Class A common shares, our current directors and executive officers of the Company as a group would beneficially own approximately 10.40% of all outstanding Class A common shares after giving effect to such conversion. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market by these persons, or the perception that such sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters are located in an approximately 100,000 square foot office building that we own at 470 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia.
We have entered into leases for sales and technology development offices located in various cities in the United States and overseas. We believe our existing facilities are adequate for our current needs and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available as needed on commercially reasonable terms.
Each of our three segments makes use of the property at 470 East Paces Ferry Road and our SCM segment occupies office space that we lease in the United Kingdom, Germany, India, New Zealand and Australia.
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
(a)Many of our installations involve products that are critical to the operations of our clients’ businesses. Any failure in our products could result in a claim for substantial damages against us, regardless of our responsibility for such failure. Although we attempt to contractually limit our liability for damages arising from product failures or negligent acts or omissions, there can be no assurance that the limitations of liability contained in our contracts will be enforceable in all instances. We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings that would require disclosure under this Item.
(b)None.
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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Trading Market
Our Class A Common Shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “AMSWA”. As of June 24, 2022, there were approximately 17,559 holders of Class A shares who held their stock either individually or in nominee or “street” names through various brokerage firms, and one holder of Class B Common Shares.
Equity Compensation Plans
The following table discloses information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans as of April 30, 2022:
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column) | ||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 4,540,104 | $ | 16.05 | 2,902,643 | |||||||||||||
Dividend Policy
Since the third quarter of fiscal 2013, our Board of Directors had declared quarterly dividends of $0.10 per share. On May 11, 2016, our Board increased the quarterly dividends to $0.11 per share, payable to our Class A and Class B common stockholders. We currently expect to declare and pay cash dividends at this level on a quarterly basis in the future. The continuation of this policy, and payment of future cash dividends, will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. In exercising this discretion, the Board will consider our profitability, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects and other relevant factors. Our dividend policy has changed in the past and may change from time to time, and we cannot provide assurance that we will continue to declare dividends in any particular amounts or at all.
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Stock Price Performance Graph
The graph below reflects the cumulative stockholder return on the Company’s shares compared to the return of the NASDAQ Stock Market – US Companies ("NASDAQ Composite Index") and a peer group index on a quarterly basis. The graph reflects the investment of $100 on April 30, 2017 in the Company’s stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Computer Index, a published industry peer group index. The NASDAQ Computer Index consists of approximately 454 NASDAQ-listed companies, including computer hardware and software companies that furnish computer programming and data processing services and firms that produce computers, office equipment, and electronic component/accessories. The total cumulative dollar returns shown below represent the value that such investments would have had on April 30, 2022.
| FY 2017 | FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| American Software(a) | $ | 100 | $ | 121 | $ | 127 | $ | 167 | $ | 215 | $ | 181 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| NASDAQ Composite | 100 | 117 | 134 | 147 | 231 | 204 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NASDAQ Computer Index | 100 | 122 | 147 | 177 | 287 | 281 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
(a)This series includes dividends paid over the disclosed period.
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Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company
The following table summarizes repurchases of our stock in the quarter ended April 30, 2022:
| Fiscal Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs* | |||||||||||||||||||
| February 1, 2022 through February 28, 2022 | — | $ | — | — | 946,321 | ||||||||||||||||||
| March 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022 | — | $ | — | — | 946,321 | ||||||||||||||||||
| April 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022 | — | $ | — | — | 946,321 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Fiscal 2022 Fourth Quarter | — | $ | — | — | 946,321 | ||||||||||||||||||
_____________
* The above share purchase authority was approved by the Board of Directors on August 19, 2002, when the Board approved a resolution authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of Class A common stock. This action was announced on August 22, 2002. The authorization has no expiration date.
Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC
6201 15th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Toll free: (800) 937-5449
Local & international: (718) 921-8124
http://www.astfinancial.com
Inquiries regarding stock transfers, lost certificates or address changes should be directed to the above address.
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Market Makers
The following firms make a market in the Class A common shares of American Software, Inc.
| Archipelago Stock Exchange | MEMX Execution Services LLC | |||||||
| B. RILEY SECURITIES, INC. | Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC | |||||||
| Barclays Capital Inc./Le | Nasdaq Execution Services LLC | |||||||
| Bofa Securities, Inc. | NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC | |||||||
| Canaccord Genuity Inc. | National Stock Exchange | |||||||
| Cantor, Fitzgerald & Co. | New York Stock Exchange | |||||||
| CBOE TRADING, INC. | Raymond, James & Associates | |||||||
| Citadel Derivatives Group Llc | RBC Capital Markets, LLC | |||||||
| Citadel Securities LLC | Robert W. Baird & Co Inc | |||||||
| Cowen and Company, LLC | SG Americas Securities LLC | |||||||
| Direct Edge ECN LLC | Stifel Nicolaus & Co. | |||||||
| G1 Execution Services, LLC | StoneX Financial Inc. | |||||||
| Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | SunTrust Capital Markets Inc | |||||||
| GTS Securities LLC | Susquehanna Financial Group, | |||||||
| HRT Financial Lp | Susquehanna Securities | |||||||
| IEX Services LLC | Two Sigma Securities, LLC | |||||||
| Jefferies LLC | UBS Securities LLC | |||||||
| Keybanc Capital Markets Inc. | Virtu Americas LLC | |||||||
| Latour Trading LLC | Wall Street Investor Services | |||||||
| Maxim Group LLC | Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC | |||||||
| William Blair | ||||||||
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ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”. This discussion contains forward-looking statements relating to our future financial performance, business strategy, financing plans and other future events that involve uncertainties and risks. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,” “could,” “grow,” “may,” “potential,” “predict,” “strive,” “estimate,” “believe,” “expect” and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Any forward-looking statements herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many known and unknown factors that are beyond our ability to control or predict, including but not limited to those discussed above in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report. See also “Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of “Item 1. Business.”
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
We have based the following discussions and analysis of financial condition and results of operations on our consolidated financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of consolidated financials statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022, describes the significant accounting policies that we have used in preparing our consolidated financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to revenue/collectability. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the critical accounting policies listed below affect significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition. The most critical judgments required in applying ASC 606, Revenue Recognition from Customers, and our revenue recognition policy relate to the determination of distinct performance obligations and the evaluation of the standalone selling price (SSP) for each performance obligation.
Our client contracts with a software license, include multiple performance obligations. Judgment is required in determining whether each performance obligation within a client contract is distinct. Determining whether products and services are distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately or combined as a single performance obligation may require significant judgment that requires us to assess the nature of the promise and the value delivered to the client. Our products and services generally function on a standalone basis and do not require a significant amount of integration or interdependency. Therefore, multiple products and services contained within a client contract are generally considered to be distinct and are not combined for revenue recognition purposes.
We allocate the transaction price for each contract to each performance obligation based on the relative SSP for each performance obligation within each contract. Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation. We evaluate the SSP for each element by considering prices we charge for similar offerings, size of the order and historical pricing practices. We typically establish an SSP range for our products and services, which is reassessed on a periodic basis or when facts and circumstances change. If our judgment is incorrect for a particular item within an arrangement, the timing of our revenue could be impacted between periods, such that we would recognize revenue in a different period than we would have if a different judgment had been used; however, the revenue for the full arrangement would have the same result.
For substantially all performance obligations except on-premise licenses, we are able to establish SSP as described above. Our on-premise licenses have not historically been sold on a standalone basis, as the vast majority of all clients elect to purchase on-premise license support contracts at the time of a on-premise license purchase. Support contracts are generally priced as a percentage of the net fees paid by the client to access the on-premise license. We are unable to establish the SSP for our on-premise licenses based on observable prices given the same products are sold for a broad range of amounts (that is, the selling price is highly variable) and a representative SSP is not discernible from past transactions or other observable evidence. As a result, the SSP for an on-premise license included in a contract with multiple performance obligations is determined by applying a residual approach whereby all other performance obligations within a contract are first allocated a portion of the transaction price based upon their respective SSPs, with any residual amount of transaction price allocated to on-premise license revenue.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth certain revenue and expense items as a percentage of total revenue for the three years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 and the percentage increases or decreases in those items for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021:
| Percentage of Total Revenue | Pct. Change in Dollars | Pct. Change in Dollars | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subscription fees | 33 | % | 26 | % | 19 | % | 46 | % | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| License fees | 4 | 3 | 7 | 80 | (61) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional services and other | 34 | 35 | 37 | 10 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance | 29 | 36 | 37 | (8) | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | 100 | 100 | 100 | 14 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subscription fees | 10 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| License fees | 1 | 2 | 4 | (43) | (60) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional services and other | 25 | 26 | 27 | 4 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance | 5 | 7 | 6 | (8) | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cost of revenue | 41 | 46 | 45 | 3 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 59 | 54 | 55 | 24 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 14 | 15 | 13 | 4 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 18 | 18 | 19 | 13 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles | — | — | — | — | (26) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 49 | 50 | 49 | 11 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 10 | 4 | 6 | 202 | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | — | — | 1 | (4) | (73) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | — | 4 | (1) | (93) | (627) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 10 | 8 | 6 | 56 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 1 | 1 | — | 39 | 1255 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | 9 | % | 7 | % | 6 | % | 58 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Economic Overview and Significant Trends in Our Business
Global macro-economic trends, technology spending, and supply chain management market growth are important barometers for our business. In fiscal 2022, approximately 84% of our total revenue was generated in the United States, 8% was in EMEA, and the remaining balance in APAC, Canada, and Latin America. Gartner Inc. (“Gartner”), an information technology research and advisory company, estimates that nearly 75% of every supply chain solutions dollar invested is spent in North America and Western Europe, consequently, the health of those economies have a meaningful impact on our financial results.
In April 2022, the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) provided an update to the World Economic Outlook for the 2022 and 2023 world economic growth forecast. The update noted that, “The war in Ukraine has triggered a costly humanitarian crisis that demands a peaceful resolution. Economic damage from the conflict will contribute to a significant slowdown in global growth in 2022. A severe double-digit drop in GDP for Ukraine and a large contraction in Russia are more than likely, along with worldwide spillovers through commodity markets, trade, and financial channels. Even as the war reduces growth, it will add to inflation. Fuel and food prices have increased rapidly, with vulnerable populations—particularly in low-income countries— most affected. Elevated inflation will complicate the trade-offs central banks face between containing price pressures and safeguarding growth.
Global growth is projected to slow from an estimated 6.1 percent in 2021 to 3.6 percent in 2022 and 2023. This is 0.8 and 0.2 percentage points lower for 2022 and 2023 than in the January World Economic Outlook Update. Beyond 2023, global growth is forecast to decline to about 3.3 percent over the medium term. Crucially, this forecast assumes that the conflict remains confined to Ukraine, further sanctions on Russia exempt the energy sector (although the impact of European countries’ decisions to wean themselves off Russian energy and embargoes announced through March 31, 2022, are factored into the baseline), and the pandemic’s health and economic impacts abate over the course of 2022.”
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For fiscal 2023, we believe that the mission critical nature of our software, combined with a challenging global macro economic environment from increased global disruptions on companies’ supply chains will require them to improve productivity and profitability by upgrading their technology systems, which may result in an improved selling environment. Although this improvement could slow or regress at any time, due in part to the effects of a possible recession and trade conflicts on global capital markets, we believe that our organizational and financial structure will enable us to take advantage of any sustained economic rebound. While demand for our solutions is solid, the current business climate within the United States and geographic regions in which we operate may affect clients’ and prospects' decisions regarding timing of strategic capital expenditures by taking longer periods to evaluate discretionary software purchases.
Business Opportunities and Risks
We currently view the following factors as the primary opportunities and risks associated with our business:
•Dependence on Capital Spending Patterns. There is risk associated with our dependence on the capital spending patterns of U.S. and international businesses, which in turn are functions of economic trends and conditions over which we have no control.
•Acquisition Opportunities. There are opportunities for selective acquisitions or investments to expand our sales distribution channels and/or broaden our product offering by providing additional solutions for our target markets.
•Acquisition Risks. There are risks associated with acquisitions of complementary companies, products and technologies, including the risks that we will not achieve the financial and strategic goals that we contemplate at the time of the transaction. More specifically, in any acquisition we will face risks and challenges associated with the uncertain value of the acquired business or assets, the difficulty of assimilating operations and personnel, integrating acquired technologies and products and maintaining the loyalty of the clients of the acquired business.
•Competitive Technologies. There is a risk that our competitors may develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technology.
•Competition in General. There are risks inherent in the market for business application software and related services, which has been and continues to be intensely competitive; for example, some of our competitors may become more aggressive with their prices and/or payment terms, which may adversely affect our profit margins.
For more information, please see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. above.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For information with respect to recent accounting pronouncements, if any, and the impact of these pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements, if any, see Note 1(n) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Market Conditions by Operating Segment
We operate and manage our business in three segments based on software and services provided in three key product markets: (1) SCM, which provides collaborative supply chain solutions to streamline and optimize the production, distribution and management of products between trading partners; (2) IT Consulting, which consists of IT staffing and consulting services; and (3) Other, which consists of (i) American Software ERP, a provider of purchasing and materials management, client order processing, financial, human resources, and manufacturing solutions, and (ii) unallocated corporate overhead expenses.
Our SCM segment experienced a 16% increase in revenue during fiscal 2022 when compared to fiscal 2021, primarily due to a 80% increase in license fees, a 46% increase in subscription fees and a 9% increase in professional services and other revenue, partially offset by a 9% decrease in maintenance revenue.
Our IT Consulting segment experienced a 10% increase in revenue in fiscal 2022 when compared to fiscal 2021, due primarily to fluctuations in IT staffing work at our largest client. As companies have moved to cut costs and limit IT budgets, they have utilized more outsourcing services, which tend to be more cost effective for them. Therefore, this trend has resulted in increased business for this segment. Our largest consulting client comprised 31% of our IT Consulting revenue in fiscal 2022 and 29% in fiscal 2021. The loss of this client would negatively and materially affect our IT Consulting business.
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The Other segment revenue increased by 6% in fiscal 2022 when compared to fiscal 2021, primarily due to a 31% increase in license fees, a 12% increase in professional services and other revenue and a 2% increase in maintenance revenue.
REVENUE
| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | % of Total Revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subscription fees | $ | 42,066 | $ | 28,877 | $ | 22,033 | 46 | % | 31 | % | 33 | % | 26 | % | 19 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| License fees | 5,390 | 2,993 | 7,582 | 80 | % | (61) | % | 4 | % | 3 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional service and other | 43,476 | 39,616 | 42,774 | 10 | % | (7) | % | 34 | % | 35 | % | 37 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maintenance | 36,621 | 39,922 | 43,077 | (8) | % | (7) | % | 29 | % | 36 | % | 37 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 127,553 | $ | 111,408 | $ | 115,466 | 14 | % | (4) | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the year ended April 30, 2022, the 14% increase in total revenue compared to fiscal 2021 was attributable primarily to a 80% increase in license revenue, a 46% increase in subscription fees revenue and a 10% increase in professional services and other revenue, partially offset by a 8% decrease in maintenance revenue.
Due to intensely competitive markets, we discount subscription and license fees from our published list price due to pricing pressure in our industry. Numerous factors contribute to the amount of the discounts provided, such as previous client purchases, the number of client sites utilizing the software, the number of modules purchased and the number of users, the type of platform deployment, as well as the overall size of the contract. While all these factors affect the discount amount of a particular contract, the overall percentage discount has not materially changed in the recent reported fiscal periods.
The change in our revenue from period to period is primarily due to the volume of products and related services sold in any period and the amounts of products or modules purchased with each sale.
International revenue represented approximately 16% of total revenue for the year ended April 30, 2022 and 15% of total revenue for the year ended April 30, 2021. Our international revenue may fluctuate substantially from period to period primarily because we derive these revenue from a relatively small number of clients.
Subscription Fees Revenue
| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 42,066 | $ | 28,877 | $ | 22,033 | 46 | % | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total subscription fees revenue | $ | 42,066 | $ | 28,877 | $ | 22,033 | 46 | % | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
For the year ended April 30, 2022, subscription fee revenue increased by 46% when compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in Cloud Services Annual Contract Value ("ACV") of approximately 26% to $48.2 million compared to $38.3 million in the same period of the prior year. This increase was attributable to an increase in the number of contracts, contracts with a higher Cloud Services ACV, as well as an increase in the value of multi-year contracts (typically three to five years). This is evidence of our successful transition to the cloud subscription model. ACV is a forward-looking operating measure used by management to better understand Cloud Services (SaaS and other related cloud services) revenue trends within our business, as it reflects our current estimate of revenue to be generated under existing client contracts in the forward 12-month period.
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License Fees Revenue
| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 5,369 | $ | 2,977 | $ | 7,354 | 80 | % | (60) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 21 | 16 | 228 | 31 | % | (93) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total license fees revenue | $ | 5,390 | $ | 2,993 | $ | 7,582 | 80 | % | (61) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
For the year ended April 30, 2022, license fee revenue increased by 80% when compared to the previous year. Our SCM segment experienced a 80% increase in license fees primarily due to a increase in the number of existing clients choosing to deploy our software on-premise this year. Our Other business segment experienced a 31% increase in license fees revenue for the year ended April 30, 2022 when compared to the same period in the prior year due to the timing of selling into the installed client base. We anticipate that the majority of future license fee sales will be to existing on-premise clients for add-on expansion. The SCM segment constituted 100% and 99% of our total license fee revenue for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The direct sales channel provided approximately 96% of license fee revenue for the year ended April 30, 2022, compared to approximately 83% in fiscal 2021. The increase in direct license fees from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2022 was largely due to several large license fee deals to existing clients this year compared to last year.
For the year ended April 30, 2022, our margins after commissions on direct sales were approximately 91%, and our margins after commissions on indirect sales were approximately 66%. For the year ended April 30, 2021, our margins after commissions on direct sales were approximately 84%, and our margins after commissions on indirect sales were approximately 58%. The margins after commissions for direct and indirect sales were relatively consistent, between 84% to 91% and 58% to 66%, respectively. The indirect channel margins for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 increased when compared to the same periods in the prior year due to the mix of value-added reseller (“VAR”) commission rates. The commission percentage on our indirect sales varies based on whether the sale is domestic or international.
Professional Services and Other Revenue
| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 21,475 | $ | 19,713 | $ | 23,782 | 9 | % | (17) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| IT Consulting | 21,032 | 19,036 | 17,997 | 10 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 969 | 867 | 995 | 12 | % | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total professional services and other revenue | $ | 43,476 | $ | 39,616 | $ | 42,774 | 10 | % | (7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
The 10% increase in total professional services and other revenue for the year ended April 30, 2022 was due to a 12% increase in our Other segment due to higher utilization from project implementation services and services activity, combined with a 10% increase in our IT consulting segment due to the timing of project work and a 9% increase in our SCM segment professional services due primarily due to an increase in implementation project work resulting from higher subscription and license fee sales in fiscal 2022.
In our software segments, we have observed that there is a tendency for professional services and other revenue to lag changes in license revenue by one to three quarters, as new licenses in one quarter often involve implementation and consulting services in subsequent quarters, for which we recognize revenue only as we perform those services.
Maintenance Revenue
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| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 35,379 | $ | 38,701 | $ | 41,848 | (9) | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 1,242 | 1,221 | 1,229 | 2 | % | (1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total maintenance revenue | $ | 36,621 | $ | 39,922 | $ | 43,077 | (8) | % | (7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
The 8% decrease in total maintenance revenue for the year ended April 30, 2022 was due to a 9% decrease in maintenance revenue from our SCM segment due to normal client attrition and clients converting from on-premise support to our SaaS cloud platform, partially offset by a 2% increase in our Other segment due to an increase in client renewals.
The SCM segment’s maintenance revenue constituted 97% and 97% of total maintenance revenue for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Typically, our maintenance revenue has had a direct relationship to current and historic license fee revenue, since new licenses are the potential source of new maintenance clients.
GROSS MARGIN
The following table provides both dollar amounts and percentage measures of gross margin:
| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin on subscriptions fees | $ | 28,683 | 68 | % | $ | 16,993 | 59 | % | $ | 12,542 | 57 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin on license fees | 4,286 | 80 | % | 1,072 | 36 | % | 2,784 | 37 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin on professional services and other | 13,170 | 30 | % | 10,523 | 27 | % | 12,079 | 28 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin on maintenance | 29,656 | 81 | % | 32,392 | 81 | % | 35,753 | 83 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gross margin | $ | 75,795 | 59 | % | $ | 60,980 | 54 | % | $ | 63,158 | 55 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The total gross margin percentage for the year ended April 30, 2022 increased to 59% when compared to the same period in the prior year due to increases in gross margin percentage for license fees, subscription fees margins and professional services and other gross margins, as gross margin on maintenance stayed flat.
Gross Margin on Subscription Fees
For the year ended April 30, 2022, our gross margin percentage on subscription fees increased from 59% in fiscal 2021 to 68% primarily due to an increase in subscription revenue and lower capitalized software amortization expense.
Gross Margin on License Fees
The increase in license fee gross margin percentage for the year ended April 30, 2022 when compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily due to an increase in license fee revenue.
License fee gross margin percentage tends to be directly related to the level of license fee revenue due to the relatively fixed cost of capitalized software amortization expense, amortization of acquired software and the sales mix between our direct and indirect channels.
Gross Margin on Professional Services and Other
For the year ended April 30, 2022, our gross margin percentage on professional services and other increased from 27% in fiscal 2021 to 30%, primarily due to increased gross margins in our SCM segment which increased from 35% in fiscal 2021 to 38% in fiscal 2022 due to increased revenue and higher billing utilization. Our IT Consulting segment professional services and other revenue gross margin increased from 17% in fiscal 2021 to 22% in fiscal 2022 due to improved billing rates and an increase in project utilization rates. Our Other segment increased from 41% in fiscal 2021 to 43% in fiscal 2022 due to the timing of project work.
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As discussed above, our IT Consulting segment typically has lower margins when compared to the Other segments that have higher margin implementation service revenue. The IT Consulting segment was 48% and 48% of the Company’s professional services and other revenue in fiscal 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our SCM segment was 49% and 50% of the Company’s professional services and other revenue in fiscal 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our Other segment was 3% and 2% of the Company’s professional services and other revenue in fiscal 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Gross Margin on Maintenance
Maintenance gross margin remained flat at 81% in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 due to maintenance revenue cost containment efforts. The primary cost component is maintenance staffing, which is relatively inelastic in the short term.
EXPENSES
| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | % of Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 17,600 | $ | 16,964 | $ | 15,348 | 14 | % | 15 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 22,867 | 20,304 | 21,958 | 18 | % | 18 | % | 19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 21,960 | 19,139 | 19,519 | 17 | % | 17 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets | 212 | 212 | 285 | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 681 | 4,487 | 750 | — | % | 4 | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,055 | 759 | 56 | 1 | % | 1 | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and Development
Gross product research and development costs include all non-capitalized and capitalized software development costs.
A breakdown of the research and development costs is as follows (in thousands):
| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Percent Change | 2021 | Percent Change | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total capitalized computer software development costs | $ | — | (100) | % | $ | 620 | (80) | % | $ | 3,170 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of gross product research and development costs | — | % | 4 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total research and development expense | 17,600 | 4 | % | 16,964 | 11 | % | 15,348 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of total revenue | 14 | % | 15 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total research and development expense and capitalized computer software development costs | $ | 17,600 | — | % | $ | 17,584 | (5) | % | $ | 18,518 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of total revenue | 14 | % | 16 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total amortization of capitalized computer software development costs* | $ | 3,181 | (25) | % | $ | 4,215 | (28) | % | $ | 5,871 | |||||||||||||||||||
______________
* Included in cost of license fees and cost of subscription fees.
For the year ended April 30, 2022, gross product research and development costs and capitalized software development costs remained flat primarily due to cost containment related to third-party contractors compared to fiscal 2021. Capitalized software development costs decreased in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 due to the Company completing its transition to an agile development approach. As a result, the Company’s capitalization window is significantly shorter under the agile approach and ultimately results in the Company expensing software development costs as incurred. Amortization of capitalized software development decreased 25% in fiscal 2022 when compared to fiscal 2021 as some projects were fully amortized.
Sales and Marketing
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For the year ended April 30, 2022, the increase in sales and marketing expenses compared to fiscal 2021 was due primarily to an increase in marketing spend, including an increase in attendance at trade shows and conferences and higher travel costs. Fiscal 2021 was impacted by COVID-19 for the entire year versus fiscal 2022.
General and Administrative
For the year ended April 30, 2022, general and administrative expenses increased when compared to fiscal 2021 primarily due to a increases in variable compensation, as well as various overhead costs such as insurance and benefit expenses.
The total number of employees was 418 on April 30, 2022 and 424 on April 30, 2021.
Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangible Assets
For the year ended April 30, 2022, we recorded $0.2 million in intangible amortization expense, of which the entirety is recorded in general and administrative expenses.
For the year ended April 30, 2021, we recorded $0.8 million in intangible amortization expense, of which $0.2 million is included in operating expenses and $0.6 million is included in cost of license fees.
Operating Income/(Loss)
| Years Ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 29,164 | $ | 18,922 | $ | 19,612 | 54 | % | (4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| IT Consulting | 1,601 | 456 | 332 | 251 | % | 37 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other* | (17,609) | (15,017) | (13,896) | 17 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Operating Income | $ | 13,156 | $ | 4,361 | $ | 6,048 | 202 | % | (28) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
______________
* Includes certain unallocated expenses.
Our SCM segment operating income increased by 54% in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021, primarily due to a 16% increase in revenue.
Our IT Consulting segment operating income increased 251% in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021, primarily due to a 10% increase in revenue and an increase in the billing rates from several new clients.
The increase in the Other segment operating loss in fiscal 2022 when compared to fiscal 2021 was due primarily to an increase in variable compensation and benefit costs, partially offset by a 6% increase in revenue.
Other Income
Other income is comprised of net interest and dividend income, rental income net of related depreciation expenses, exchange rate gains and losses, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments. Other income was approximately $0.7 million in the year ended April 30, 2022 compared to $4.5 million in fiscal 2021. The decrease was primarily due to unrealized gains of $0.6 million in fiscal 2022 compared to unrealized gains of $3.6 million for the same period last year and exchange rate losses of approximately $0.5 million compared to gains of approximately $53,000 for the same period last year.
For the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, our investments generated an annualized yield of approximately 1.4% and 1.7%, respectively.
Income Taxes
During the year ended April 30, 2022, we recorded income tax expense of $1.1 million compared to $0.8 million in fiscal 2021. Our effective income tax rate takes into account the source of taxable income by state and available income tax credits. Our effective tax rate was 7.6% and 8.6% in fiscal 2022 and 2021, respectively. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2022 is lower compared to fiscal 2021 due to an increase in the amount of excess tax benefits from stock option deductions.
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Operating Pattern
We experience an irregular pattern of quarterly and annual operating results, caused primarily by fluctuations in both the number and size of software contracts received and delivered from quarter to quarter and our ability to recognize revenue in that quarter and annually in accordance with our revenue recognition policies. We expect this pattern to continue.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Sources and Uses of Cash
We have historically funded, and continue to fund, our operations and capital expenditures primarily with cash generated from operating activities. The changes in net cash that our operating activities provide generally reflect the changes in net earnings and non-cash operating items plus the effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities, such as investment trading securities, trade accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue. We have no debt obligations or off-balance sheet financing arrangements, and therefore we used no cash for debt service purposes.
The following tables provide information about our cash flows and liquidity positions as of and for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020. You should read these tables and the discussion that follows in conjunction with our consolidated statements of cash flows contained in Item 8 of this report.
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 29,020 | $ | 17,756 | $ | 25,982 | |||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (934) | (1,298) | (3,590) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (6,054) | (7,614) | (3,866) | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 22,032 | $ | 8,844 | $ | 18,526 | |||||||||||
The increase in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 was due primarily to: (1) an increase in net earnings, (2) the decrease in accounts receivable was more significant in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 due to timing of sales and billing, (3) unrealized gains on investments due to timing of sales of investments, (4) an increase in deferred revenue in fiscal 2022 when compared to fiscal 2021 primarily due to the timing of cloud and maintenance revenue recognition, (5) higher stock-based compensation expense in fiscal 2022 due to an increase in options granted, and (6) an increase in accounts payable and other liabilities during fiscal 2022, when compared to a lower increase in fiscal 2021 due primarily to timing and the amount of sales commissions and bonuses.
These factors were partially offset by: (1) a decrease in the net proceeds from sales and maturities of trading securities due to timing of sales and maturity dates, (2) lower depreciation and amortization expense due to several capitalized software projects and intangible assets being fully amortized, (3) an increase in deferred income taxes in fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021 due to timing, (4) an increase in the purchases of trading securities due to timing, (5) a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets in fiscal 2022 compared to the decrease in fiscal 2021 due to timing of purchases, and (6) an increase on the gain on sale of fixed assets.
The decrease in cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2022 compared to cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2021 was due to a decrease in capitalized software development costs due to an increase in agile software programming that accelerates the software releases, partially offset by higher purchases of equipment.
The decrease in cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2022 when compared to fiscal 2021 was due primarily to an increase in proceeds from exercise of stock options, partially offset by an increase in cash dividends paid on common stock in fiscal 2022 due to an increase in the number of shares outstanding.
The following table provides information regarding the changes in our total cash and investments position:
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| As of April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 110,690 | $ | 88,658 | |||||||
| Investments | 16,826 | 16,006 | |||||||||
| Total cash and investments | $ | 127,516 | $ | 104,664 | |||||||
| Net increase in total cash and investments | 22,852 | 9,988 | |||||||||
As of April 30, 2022, we had $127.5 million in total cash and investments with no outstanding debt, and believe that our sources of liquidity and capital resources will be sufficient to satisfy our presently anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and other corporate needs during at least the next twelve months. However, at some future date we may need to seek additional sources of capital to meet our requirements. If such need arises, we may be required to raise additional funds through equity or debt financing. We currently do not have a bank line of credit. We can provide no assurance that bank lines of credit or other financing will be available on terms acceptable to us. If available, such financing may result in dilution to our shareholders or higher interest expense.
Days Sales Outstanding ("DSO") in accounts receivable were 62 and 85 days as of April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2021, respectively. Our current ratio was 2.7 to 1 for both April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2021. DSO can fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis due to a number of factors including the percentage of total revenue that comes from software license sales (which typically have installment payment terms), seasonality, shifts in client buying patterns, the timing of client payments and annual SaaS and maintenance renewals, lengthened contractual payment terms in response to competitive pressures, the underlying mix of products and services, and the geographic concentration of revenue.
On August 19, 2002, our Board of Directors approved a resolution authorizing the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of our Class A common stock. These repurchases have been and will be made through open market purchases at prevailing market prices. The timing of any repurchases will depend upon market conditions, the market price of our common stock and management’s assessment of our liquidity and cash flow needs. For this repurchase plan, through April 30, 2022, we have repurchased 1,053,679 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $6.2 million. Under all repurchase plans as of April 30, 2022, we have repurchased 4,588,632 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $25.6 million.
This section generally discusses fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. Discussions of fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 not included herein can be found in Part II, "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 9, 2021.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Currency. For the fiscal years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, we generated 16% and 15%, respectively, of our revenue outside of the United States. We typically denominate our international sales in U.S. dollars, Euros or British pounds sterling. Our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is also the functional currency for our foreign operations. Where transactions may be denominated in foreign currencies, we are subject to market risk with respect to fluctuations in the relative value of currencies. We recorded exchange rate losses of approximately $0.5 million in fiscal 2022, compared to exchange rate gains of $0.1 million in fiscal 2021. We estimate that a 10% movement in foreign currency rates would have the effect of creating an exchange gain or loss of approximately $0.3 million for fiscal 2022.
Interest Rates and Other Market Risks. We manage our interest rate risk by maintaining an investment portfolio of trading investments with high credit quality and relatively short average maturities. These instruments include, but are not limited to, money-market instruments, bank time deposits, and taxable and tax-advantaged variable rate and fixed rate obligations of corporations, municipalities, and national, state, and local government agencies. These instruments are denominated in U.S. dollars. The fair market value of our cash equivalents and investments increased 18% to approximately $115.3 million in fiscal 2022 from $97.7 million in the prior year.
We also hold cash balances in accounts with commercial banks in the United States and foreign countries. These cash balances represent operating balances only and are invested in short-term time deposits of the local bank. Such operating cash balances held at banks outside the United States are denominated in the local currency and are nominal.
Many of our investments carry a degree of interest rate risk. When interest rates fall, our income from investments in variable-rate securities declines. When interest rates rise, the fair market value of our investments in fixed-rate securities declines.
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In addition, our investments in equity securities are subject to stock market volatility. Due in part to these factors, our future investment income may fall short of expectations or we may suffer losses in principal if forced to sell securities, which have seen a decline in market value due to changes in interest rates. We attempt to mitigate risk by holding fixed-rate securities to maturity, but if our liquidity needs force us to sell fixed-rate securities prior to maturity, we may experience a loss of principal. We believe that a 10% fluctuation in interest rates would not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
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ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Page | |||||
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG LLP, Atlanta, GA, Auditor Firm ID: 185) | |||||
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(a) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by or under the supervision of our CEO and CFO, and used by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
•Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets;
•Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations from our management and directors; and
•Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, and President, as our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”), assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2022. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, our management, including our PEO, has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 30, 2022.
KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2022, and this attestation report follows immediately below.
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(b) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
American Software, Inc.:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited American Software, Inc. and subsidiaries' (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedule II (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated June 29, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
June 29, 2022
56
(c) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
American Software, Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Software, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of April 30, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedule II (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated June 29, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Testing of revenue
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recognizes revenue when they transfer control of the promised goods or services to their clients, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company’s revenue consists of the following types of revenue streams: i) subscription fees, ii) license, iii) maintenance, and iv) professional services and other. Total revenue recorded by the Company amounted to $127.6 million in fiscal 2022.
We identified the sufficiency of audit evidence over the subscription fees, maintenance, and professional services and other revenue streams as a critical audit matter. Evaluating the sufficiency of audit evidence required subjective auditor judgment because of the large volume of data and the information technology (IT) applications utilized in the revenue recognition process to capture and aggregate the data.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. Based on our knowledge of the Company, we applied auditor judgment to determine the nature and extent of procedures to be performed over revenue. Specifically, we:
57
•evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the processing and recording of revenue, including general IT controls and IT application controls,
•involved IT professionals with specialized skills and knowledge who assisted in the identification and testing of certain IT systems, including the design of audit procedures, used by the Company for the processing and recording of revenue,
•recalculated the recorded revenue for a sample of transactions by comparing the amounts recognized for consistency with the Company’s accounting policies and underlying documentation, including contracts with clients and other relevant and reliable third-party data, and
•confirmed key contract terms with clients for a selection of contracts.
We evaluated the sufficiency of the audit evidence obtained by assessing the results of the procedures performed over revenue.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1982.
Atlanta, Georgia
June 29, 2022
58
American Software, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
April 30, 2022 and 2021
(in thousands, except share data)
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 110,690 | $ | 88,658 | |||||||
| Investments | 16,826 | 16,006 | |||||||||
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $423 at April 30, 2022 and $430 at April 30, 2021: | |||||||||||
| Billed | 20,619 | 24,438 | |||||||||
| Unbilled | 2,989 | 2,201 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 5,067 | 5,320 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 156,191 | 136,623 | |||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 3,654 | 3,428 | |||||||||
| Capitalized software, net | 1,586 | 4,767 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 25,888 | 25,888 | |||||||||
| Other intangibles, net | 147 | 360 | |||||||||
| Deferred sales commissions - non-current | 2,050 | 2,474 | |||||||||
| Lease right of use assets | 935 | 1,454 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 2,384 | 2,163 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 192,835 | $ | 177,157 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 2,506 | $ | 1,732 | |||||||
| Accrued compensation and related costs | 6,918 | 6,129 | |||||||||
| Dividends payable | 3,700 | 3,615 | |||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 541 | 739 | |||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 1,871 | 1,307 | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue | 41,953 | 37,142 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 57,489 | 50,664 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 1,772 | 2,627 | |||||||||
| Long-term operating lease obligations | 461 | 821 | |||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 137 | 654 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 59,859 | 54,766 | |||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
| Common stock: | |||||||||||
Class A, $0.10 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares: Issued and outstanding 36,405,695 (31,817,063, net) shares at April 30, 2022 and 35,629,566 (31,040,934, net) shares at April 30, 2021 | 3,641 | 3,563 | |||||||||
Class B, $0.10 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 shares: Issued and outstanding 1,821,587 shares at April 30, 2022 and 1,821,587 shares at April 30, 2021; convertible into Class A shares on a one-for-one basis | 182 | 182 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 171,948 | 159,492 | |||||||||
| Retained deficit | (17,236) | (15,287) | |||||||||
Class A treasury stock, 4,588,632 shares at April 30, 2022 and 4,588,632 shares at April 30, 2021, at cost | (25,559) | (25,559) | |||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 132,976 | 122,391 | |||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 192,835 | $ | 177,157 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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American Software, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020
(in thousands, except per share data)
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||
| Subscriptions fees | $ | 42,066 | $ | 28,877 | $ | 22,033 | |||||||||||
| License | 5,390 | $ | 2,993 | 7,582 | |||||||||||||
| Professional services and other | 43,476 | 39,616 | 42,774 | ||||||||||||||
| Maintenance | 36,621 | 39,922 | 43,077 | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | 127,553 | 111,408 | 115,466 | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue: | |||||||||||||||||
| Subscriptions fees | 13,383 | 11,884 | 9,491 | ||||||||||||||
| License | 1,104 | $ | 1,921 | 4,798 | |||||||||||||
| Professional services and other | 30,306 | 29,093 | 30,695 | ||||||||||||||
| Maintenance | 6,965 | 7,530 | 7,324 | ||||||||||||||
| Total cost of revenue | 51,758 | 50,428 | 52,308 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 75,795 | 60,980 | 63,158 | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 17,600 | 16,964 | 15,348 | ||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 22,867 | 20,304 | 21,958 | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 21,960 | 19,139 | 19,519 | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles | 212 | 212 | 285 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 62,639 | 56,619 | 57,110 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 13,156 | 4,361 | 6,048 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 391 | 409 | 1,524 | ||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 290 | 4,078 | (774) | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 13,837 | 8,848 | 6,798 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,055 | 759 | 56 | ||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 12,782 | $ | 8,089 | $ | 6,742 | |||||||||||
| Earnings per common share:(a) | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.21 | |||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.21 | |||||||||||
| Shares used in the calculation of earnings per common share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 33,365 | 32,559 | 31,747 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 34,305 | 33,169 | 32,367 | ||||||||||||||
(a)Diluted per share amounts for Class A shares are shown above. Diluted per share for Class B shares under the two-class method are $0.38, $0.25 and $0.22 for the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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American Software, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020
(in thousands, except share data)
| Common stock | Additional paid-in capital | Retained earnings/deficit | Treasury stock | Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | Class B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2019 | 33,979,739 | $ | 3,398 | 1,821,587 | $ | 182 | $ | 138,315 | $ | (1,729) | $ | (25,559) | $ | 114,607 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock options exercised | 1,020,910 | 102 | — | — | 9,970 | — | — | 10,072 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 2,027 | — | — | 2,027 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | — | 6,742 | — | 6,742 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($0.44 per share) | — | — | — | — | — | (14,026) | — | (14,026) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2020 | 35,000,649 | 3,500 | 1,821,587 | 182 | 150,312 | (9,013) | (25,559) | 119,422 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock options exercised | 628,917 | 63 | — | — | 6,634 | — | — | 6,697 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 2,546 | — | — | 2,546 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | — | 8,089 | — | 8,089 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared* ($0.44 per share) | — | — | — | — | — | (14,363) | — | (14,363) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2021 | 35,629,566 | 3,563 | 1,821,587 | 182 | 159,492 | (15,287) | (25,559) | 122,391 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock options exercised* | 776,129 | 78 | — | — | 8,500 | — | — | 8,578 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 3,956 | — | — | 3,956 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | — | 12,782 | — | 12,782 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared* ($0.44 per share) | — | — | — | — | — | (14,731) | — | (14,731) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2022 | 36,405,695 | $ | 3,641 | 1,821,587 | $ | 182 | $ | 171,948 | $ | (17,236) | $ | (25,559) | $ | 132,976 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
61
American Software, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020
(in thousands)
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | $ | 12,782 | $ | 8,089 | $ | 6,742 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,138 | 5,610 | 8,103 | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 3,956 | 2,546 | 2,027 | ||||||||||||||
| Net (gain) loss on investments | (394) | (3,569) | 563 | ||||||||||||||
| Net gain on sale of fixed assets | (36) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax benefit | (854) | (270) | (609) | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition: | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of trading securities | (1,713) | (1,294) | (22,433) | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of trading securities | 1,287 | 3,718 | 34,202 | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 3,031 | (1,632) | (4,712) | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 450 | 845 | (1,537) | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | 1,562 | 799 | 2,692 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | 4,811 | 2,914 | 944 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 29,020 | 17,756 | 25,982 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized computer software development costs | — | (620) | (3,170) | ||||||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment, net of disposals | (934) | (678) | (420) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (934) | (1,298) | (3,590) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 8,578 | 6,697 | 10,072 | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | (14,632) | (14,311) | (13,938) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (6,054) | (7,614) | (3,866) | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 22,032 | 8,844 | 18,526 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 88,658 | 79,814 | 61,288 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 110,690 | $ | 88,658 | $ | 79,814 | |||||||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash paid during the year for: | |||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | $ | 300 | $ | 518 | $ | 544 | |||||||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of noncash operating, investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Accrual of dividends payable | $ | 3,700 | $ | 3,615 | $ | 3,547 | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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American Software, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020
(1) Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of Presentation
Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, American Software, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) are engaged in the development, marketing, and support activities of a broad range of computer business application software products. The Company’s operations are principally in the computer software industry, and its products and services are used by clients within the United States and certain international markets. We provide our software solutions through three major business segments, which are further broken down into a total of six major product and service groups. The three operating segments are: (1) Supply Chain Management (“SCM”), (2) Information Technology Consulting (“IT Consulting”) and (3) Other.
•The SCM segment consists of Logility, Inc. (see Note 9), which provides collaborative supply chain solutions to streamline and optimize the production, distribution and management of products between trading partners.
•The IT Consulting segment consists of The Proven Method, Inc., an IT staffing and consulting services firm.
•The Other segment consists of (i) American Software ERP, which provides purchasing and materials management, client order processing, financial, e-commerce and traditional manufacturing solutions, and (ii) unallocated corporate overhead expenses.
(b) Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Software, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
(c) Revenue Recognition
In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), we recognize revenue when we transfer control of the promised goods or services to our clients, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We derive our revenue from software licenses, maintenance services, consulting, implementation and training services, and Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”), which includes a subscription to our software as well as support, hosting and managed services.
The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:
Step 1 - Identification of the Contract with the Client
Step 2 - Identification of Promised Goods and Services and Evaluation of Whether the Promised Goods and Services are Distinct Performance Obligations
Step 3 - Determination of the Transaction Price
Step 4 - Allocation of the Transaction Price to Distinct Performance Obligations
Step 5 - Attribution of Revenue for Each Distinct Performance Obligation
Nature of Products and Services.
Subscription. Subscription fees include Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS") revenue for the right to use the software for a limited period of time in an environment hosted by the Company or by a third party. The client accesses and uses the software on an as needed basis over the Internet or via a dedicated line; however, the client has no right to take delivery of the software. The underlying arrangements typically include a single fee for the service that is billed monthly, quarterly or annually. The Company’s SaaS solutions represent a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the client. Revenue from a SaaS solution is generally recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement.
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License. Our perpetual software licenses provide the client with a right to use the software as it exists at the time of purchase. We recognize revenue for distinct software licenses once the license period has begun and we have made the software available to the client. Our perpetual software licenses are sold with maintenance under which we provide clients with telephone consulting, product updates on a when available basis, and releases of new versions of products previously purchased by the client, as well as error reporting and correction services.
Professional Services and Other. Our professional services revenue consists of fees generated from consulting, implementation and training services, including reimbursements of out-pocket expenses in connection with our services. These services are typically optional to our clients, and are distinct from our software. Fees for our professional services are separately priced and are generally billed on an hourly basis, and revenue is recognized over time as the services are performed. We believe the output method of hours worked provides the best depiction of the transfer of our services since the client is receiving the benefit from our services as the work is performed. Reimbursements received from clients for out-of-pocket expenses were recorded in revenue and totaled approximately $171,000, $26,000, and $1.5 million for fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
Maintenance. Revenue is derived from maintenance and support services, under which we provide clients with telephone consulting, product updates on a when available basis, and releases of new versions of products previously purchased by the client, as well as error reporting and correction services. Maintenance for perpetual licenses is renewable, generally on an annual basis, at the option of the client. Maintenance terms typically range from to three years. Revenue related to maintenance is generally paid in advance and recognized ratably over the term of the agreement since the Company is standing ready to provide a series of maintenance services that are substantially the same each period over the term; therefore, time is the best measure of progress. Support services for subscriptions are included in the subscription fees and are recognized as a component of such fees.
Indirect Channel Revenue. We record revenue from sales made through the indirect sales channels on a gross basis, because we control the goods or services and act as the principal in the transaction. In reaching this determination, we evaluate sales through our indirect channel on a case-by-case basis and consider a number of factors including indicators of control such as the party having the primary responsibility to provide specified goods or services, and the party having discretion in establishing prices.
Sales Taxes. We account for sales taxes collected from clients on a net basis.
Contract Balances. Timing of invoicing to clients may differ from timing of revenue recognition and these timing differences result in unbilled accounts receivables or contract liabilities (deferred revenue) on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Fees for our software licenses are generally due within 30 days of contract execution. We have an established history of collecting under the terms of our software license contracts without providing refunds or concessions to our clients. SaaS solutions and maintenance are typically billed in advance on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Services are typically billed as performed. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, we have determined that our contracts generally do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide clients with predictable ways to purchase our software and services, not to provide or receive financing. Additionally, we are applying the practical expedient to exclude any financing component from consideration for any contracts with payment terms of one year or less since we rarely offer terms extending beyond one year. The consideration in our client contracts is fixed.
We have an unconditional right to consideration for all goods and services transferred to our clients. That unconditional right to consideration is reflected in billed and unbilled accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in accordance with ASC Topic 606.
Deferred revenue consists of amounts collected prior to having completed the performance of maintenance, SaaS, hosting, and managed services. We typically invoice clients for cloud subscription and support fees in advance on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, with payment due at the start of the cloud subscription or support term. During the twelve months ended April 30, 2022, the Company recognized $37.1 million of revenue that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of April 30, 2021.
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Deferred revenue, current | $ | 41,953 | $ | 37,142 | |||||||
| Deferred revenue, long-term* | — | 540 | |||||||||
| Total deferred revenue | $ | 41,953 | $ | 37,682 | |||||||
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*Included in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet
Remaining Performance Obligations. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the client and is the unit of account under Topic 606. The transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied by transferring the promised good or service to the client. The Company identifies and tracks the performance obligations at contract inception so that the Company can monitor and account for the performance obligations over the life of the contract. Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of orders for which products have not been delivered or services have not been performed. As of April 30, 2022, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was approximately $134.0 million. The Company expects to recognize revenue on approximately 47% of the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 months, with the remainder recognized thereafter.
Disaggregated Revenue. The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with clients by geography, as it believes it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
The Company’s revenue by geography is as follows:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||
| Domestic | $ | 107,099 | $ | 94,676 | |||||||
| International | 20,454 | 16,732 | |||||||||
| $ | 127,553 | $ | 111,408 | ||||||||
Practical Expedients and Exemptions. There are several practical expedients and exemptions allowed under Topic 606
that impact the timing of revenue recognition and the Company’s disclosures. Below is a list of practical expedients:
•The Company does not evaluate a contract for a significant financing component if payment is expected within one year or less from the transfer of the promised items to the client.
•The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts for which the Company recognizes revenue at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for services performed (this applies to time-and-material engagements).
Contract Costs. The Company capitalizes the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a client if the Company expects to recover those costs. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those that the Company incurs to obtain a contract with a client that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained (for example, a sales commission). The Company capitalizes the costs incurred to fulfill a contract only if those costs meet all of the following criteria:
•The costs relate directly to a contract or to an anticipated contract that the Company can specifically identify.
•The costs generate or enhance resources of the Company that will be used in satisfying (or in continuing to satisfy) performance obligations in the future.
•The costs are expected to be recovered.
Certain sales commissions incurred by the Company were determined to be incremental costs to obtain the related contracts, which are deferred and amortized ratably over the economic benefit period for license and term subscriptions. These deferred commission costs are classified as current or non-current based on the timing of when the Company expects to recognize the expense. The current and non-current portions of deferred commissions are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and deferred sales commissions in long-term assets, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Total deferred commissions at April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2021 were $3.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Amortization of sales commissions was $2.1 million, $2.0 million and $2.1 million for years ended April 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively which is included in sales
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and marketing expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. During the fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2022 impairment analyses, no losses were recognized.
Unbilled Accounts Receivable. The unbilled receivable balance consists of amounts generated from license fee and services revenue. At April 30, 2022 and 2021, unbilled license fees were approximately $1.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, and unbilled services revenue was approximately $2.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Unbilled license fee accounts receivable represents revenue that has been recognized but under the terms of the license agreements, which include specified payment terms that are considered normal and customary, certain payments have not yet been invoiced to the clients. Unbilled services revenue primarily occurs due to the timing of the billings, which occur subsequent to the end of each reporting period.
(d) Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue for licenses includes amortization of developed technology and capitalized computer software development costs, salaries and benefits and value-added reseller ("VAR") commissions. Costs for maintenance and services revenue includes the cost of personnel to conduct implementations, client support and consulting, and other personnel-related expenses as well as agent commission expenses related to maintenance revenue generated by the indirect channel. Costs for subscriptions revenue includes amortization of developed technology and capitalized computer software development costs, third–party hosting costs, salaries and benefits and value–added reseller commissions. Commission costs for maintenance are deferred and amortized over the related maintenance term. Commission costs for subscriptions are deferred and amortized over the related subscription term.
(e) Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents of $98.5 million and $81.7 million at April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, consist of overnight repurchase agreements and money market deposit accounts. The Company considers all such investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows.
(f) Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments with various financial institutions. The Company’s sales are primarily to companies located in North America and Europe. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its clients’ financial condition and does not require collateral. Accounts receivable are due principally from companies under stated contract terms.
(g) Returns and Allowances
The Company has not experienced significant returns or warranty claims to date and, as a result, the allowance for the cost of returns and product warranty claims at April 30, 2022 and 2021 is not material.
The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the historical experience of write-offs and a detailed assessment of accounts receivable. The total amounts of expense to operations were approximately $0 for fiscal 2022 and 2021, and $97,000 for fiscal 2020, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts, management considers the age of the accounts receivable, the Company’s historical write-offs, and the credit worthiness of the client, among other factors. Should any of these factors change, the estimates made by management will also change accordingly, which could affect the level of the Company’s future provision for doubtful accounts. Uncollectible accounts are written off when it is determined that the specific balance is not collectible.
(h) Investments
Investments consist of commercial paper, corporate bonds, government securities, certificates of deposits and marketable equity securities. The Company accounts for its investments in accordance with the Investments – Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321). The Company has classified its investment portfolio as “trading.” “Trading” securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in the determination of net earnings. For the purposes of computing realized gains and losses, cost is identified on a specific identification basis. Investments with maturities less than one year as of the consolidated balance sheet date are classified as short-term investments and those that mature greater than one year are classified as long-term investments.
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(i) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of buildings, computer equipment, purchased computer software, office furniture and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets (three years for computer equipment and software, seven years for office furniture and equipment, fifteen years for building improvements and thirty years for buildings). Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the related lease term, whichever is shorter. Depreciation and amortization expense on buildings, furniture, equipment and purchased computer software was $0.7 million, $0.6 million, and $0.6 million in fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
(j) Capitalized Computer Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes certain computer software development costs in accordance with the Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed under ASC 985-20. Costs incurred internally to create a computer software product or to develop an enhancement to an existing product are charged when incurred as research and development expense until technological feasibility for the respective product is established. Thereafter, software development costs are capitalized and reported at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. Capitalization ceases when the product or enhancement is available for general release to clients.
The Company makes ongoing evaluations of the recoverability of its capitalized software projects by comparing the net amount capitalized for each product to the estimated net realizable value of the product. If such evaluations indicate that the unamortized software development costs exceed the net realizable value, the Company writes off the amount by which the unamortized software development costs exceed net realizable value. Capitalized computer software development costs are amortized ratably based on the projected revenue associated with the related software or on a straight-line basis over three years, whichever method results in a higher level of amortization. Amortization of capitalized computer software development costs is included in the cost of license and subscription revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.
Total Expenditures and Amortization. Total expenditures for capitalized computer software development costs, total research and development expense, and total amortization of capitalized computer software development costs are as follows:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total capitalized computer software development costs | $ | — | $ | 620 | $ | 3,170 | |||||||||||
| Total research and development expense | 17,600 | 16,964 | 15,348 | ||||||||||||||
| Total research and development expense and capitalized computer software-development costs | $ | 17,600 | $ | 17,584 | $ | 18,518 | |||||||||||
| Total amortization of capitalized computer software development costs | $ | 3,181 | $ | 4,215 | $ | 5,871 | |||||||||||
Capitalized computer software development costs consist of the following at April 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Capitalized computer software development costs | $ | 43,593 | $ | 43,593 | |||||||
| Accumulated amortization | (42,007) | (38,826) | |||||||||
| $ | 1,586 | $ | 4,767 | ||||||||
Of the Company’s capitalized software projects that are currently completed and being amortized, the Company expects amortization expense for the next three years to be as follows (in thousands):
| 2023 | $ | 1,196 | |||
| 2024 | 379 | ||||
| 2025 | 11 | ||||
| $ | 1,586 | ||||
(k) Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets
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Acquisition-related intangible assets are stated at historical cost and include acquired software and certain other intangible assets with definite lives. Intangible assets are being amortized over a period ranging from to eight years. For 2022, total amortization expense related to acquisition-related intangible assets was approximately $0.2 million which is included in operating expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. For 2021, total amortization expense related to acquisition-related intangible assets was approximately $0.8 million, with $0.2 million included in operating expense and $0.6 million included in cost of license fees in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. For 2020, total amortization expense related to acquisition-related intangible assets was approximately $1.6 million, with $0.3 million included in operating expense and $1.3 million included in cost of license fees in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets consist of the following at April 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| Weighted Average Amortization in Years | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Current technology | 3 | $ | 6,000 | $ | 6,000 | ||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | 8 | 1,700 | 1,700 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-compete | 3 | 100 | 100 | ||||||||||||||
| Trademarks | 3 | 340 | 340 | ||||||||||||||
| 8,140 | 8,140 | ||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated amortization | (7,993) | (7,780) | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 147 | $ | 360 | ||||||||||||||
The Company expects amortization expense for the next five years to be as follows based on intangible assets as of April 30, 2022 (in thousands):
| 2023 | $ | 52 | |||
| 2024 | 38 | ||||
| 2025 | 38 | ||||
| 2026 | 19 | ||||
| $ | 147 | ||||
(l) Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-04 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). The Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill annually and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to, (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) unanticipated competition, or (3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator.
When evaluating whether the goodwill is impaired, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company identifies the reporting unit on a basis that is similar to its method for identifying operating segments as defined by the Segment Reporting Topic of the FASB ASC. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the amount of the impairment loss must be measured. This evaluation is applied annually on each impairment testing date (April 30) unless there is a triggering event present during an interim period.
For the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company performed a qualitative assessment based on economic, industry and Company-specific factors as the initial step in the annual goodwill impairment test for all reporting units. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, companies are only required to perform Step 1 of the annual impairment test for a reporting unit if the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. To the extent the Company concludes it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s estimated fair value is less than its carrying amount, the two-step approach is applied. The first step would require a comparison of each reporting unit’s fair value to the respective carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The Company did not identify any macroeconomic or industry conditions as of April 30, 2022, that would indicate the fair value of the reporting units were more likely than not to be less than their respective carrying values. If circumstances change or events
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occur to indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting units have fallen below their carrying value, the Company would test such reporting unit for impairment.
Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are required to be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with the (ASU) No. 2011-10, Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360).
Goodwill consisted of the following by segment (in thousands):
| Supply Chain Management* | IT Consulting | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2021 | $ | 25,888 | — | — | $ | 25,888 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2022 | $ | 25,888 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 25,888 | |||||||||||||||
* Goodwill related to Logility, Inc. and its acquisitions.
Intangible Assets (including Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets) consisted of the following by segment (in thousands):
| Supply Chain Management | IT Consulting | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2020 | $ | 1,132 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,132 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | (772) | — | — | (772) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2021 | 360 | — | — | 360 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | (213) | — | — | (213) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at April 30, 2022 | $ | 147 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 147 | |||||||||||||||
(m) Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
(n) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The new guidance eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating taxes for each quarter and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and changes in tax laws or rates, as well as clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 was effective for the Company beginning May 1, 2021 and requires us to recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of reinvested earnings, if applicable. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
(o) Use of Estimates
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to revenue/reserves and allowances. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
(p) Stock-Based Compensation
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The Company has one stock-based employee compensation plan under which options to purchase common stock of the Company were outstanding as of April 30, 2022. This plan is described more fully in Note 6.
The Company recorded stock option compensation cost of approximately $4.0 million, $2.5 million and $2.0 million, and related income tax benefit of approximately $1.7 million, an income tax benefit of approximately $0.6 million, and an income tax benefit of approximately $0.7 million for the years ended April 30, 2022, April 30, 2021 and 2020 respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award directly to additional paid-in capital.
(q) Comprehensive Income
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), establishes standards for reporting and presentation of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of financial statements.
The Company did not have any other comprehensive income items for fiscal 2022, 2021, or 2020.
(r) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of by sale would be separately presented in the consolidated balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheet.
(s) Earnings per Common Share
The Company has two classes of common stock. Class B common shares are convertible into Class A common shares at any time, on a one-for-one basis. Under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, if dividends are declared, holders of Class A common shares shall receive a $.05 dividend per share prior to the Class B common shares receiving any dividend and holders of Class A common shares shall receive a dividend at least equal to Class B common shares dividends on a per share basis. As a result, the Company has computed the earnings per share in compliance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the FASB ASC, which requires companies that have multiple classes of equity securities to use the “two-class” method in computing earnings per share.
For the Company’s basic earnings per share calculation, the Company uses the “two-class” method. Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net earnings attributable to each class of common stock by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. All undistributed earnings are allocated evenly between Class A and B common shares in the earnings per share calculation to the extent that earnings equal or exceed $.05 per share. This allocation is based on management’s judgment after considering the dividend rights of the two-classes of common stock, the control of the Class B shareholders and the convertibility rights of the Class B shares to Class A shares. If Class B shares convert to Class A shares during the period, the distributed net earnings for Class B shares is calculated using the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated similarly to basic earnings per share, except that the calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of options issuable under the Company’s stock incentive plans. For the Company’s diluted earnings per share calculation for Class A shares, the Company uses the “if-converted” method. This calculation assumes that all Class B common shares are converted into Class A common shares and, as a result, assumes there are no holders of Class B common shares to participate in undistributed earnings.
For the Company’s diluted earnings per share calculation for Class B shares, the Company uses the “two-class” method. This calculation does not assume that all Class B common shares are converted into Class A common shares. In addition, this method assumes the dilutive effect of Class A stock options were converted to Class A shares and the undistributed earnings are allocated evenly to both Class A and B shares including Class A shares issued pursuant to those converted stock options. This allocation is based on management’s judgment after considering the dividend rights of the two-classes of common stock, the control of the Class B shareholders and the convertibility rights of the Class B shares into Class A shares.
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The following tables set forth the computation of basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands except for per share amounts). See Note 6 for total stock options outstanding and potential dilution:
Basic earnings per common share:
| Year Ended April 30, 2022 | Year Ended April 30, 2021 | Year Ended April 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Shares | Class B Common Shares | Class A Common Shares | Class B Common Shares | Class A Common Shares | Class B Common Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributed earnings per share | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undistributed earnings/(loss) per share | (0.06) | (0.06) | (0.19) | (0.19) | (0.23) | (0.23) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total per share | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributed earnings | $ | 13,925 | $ | 803 | $ | 13,556 | $ | 803 | $ | 13,219 | $ | 805 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undistributed earnings/(loss) | (1,840) | (106) | (5,921) | (351) | (6,864) | (418) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 12,085 | $ | 697 | $ | 7,635 | $ | 452 | $ | 6,355 | $ | 387 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic weighted average common shares | 31,543 | 1,822 | 30,737 | 1,822 | 29,925 | 1,822 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted EPS for Class A common shares using the If-Converted Method
Year Ended April 30, 2022
| Undistributed and distributed earnings to Class A Common Shares | Class A Common Shares | EPS* | |||||||||||||||
| Per basic | $ | 12,085 | 31,543 | $ | 0.38 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock equivalents | — | 940 | |||||||||||||||
| 12,085 | 32,483 | 0.37 | |||||||||||||||
| Class B Common Share Conversion | 697 | 1,822 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS for Class A Common Shares | $ | 12,782 | 34,305 | $ | 0.37 | ||||||||||||
Year Ended April 30, 2021
| Undistributed and distributed earnings to Class A Common Shares | Class A Common Shares | EPS* | |||||||||||||||
| Per basic | $ | 7,635 | 30,737 | $ | 0.25 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock equivalents | — | 610 | |||||||||||||||
| 7,635 | 31,347 | 0.24 | |||||||||||||||
| Class B Common Share Conversion | 452 | 1,822 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS for Class A Common Shares | $ | 8,087 | $ | 33,169 | $ | 0.24 | |||||||||||
Year Ended April 30, 2020
| Undistributed and distributed earnings to Class A Common Shares | Class A Common Shares | EPS* | |||||||||||||||
| Per basic | $ | 6,355 | 29,925 | $ | 0.21 | ||||||||||||
| Common stock equivalents | — | 620 | |||||||||||||||
| 6,355 | 30,545 | 0.21 | |||||||||||||||
| Class B Common Share Conversion | 387 | 1,822 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS for Class A Common Shares | $ | 6,742 | $ | 32,367 | $ | 0.21 | |||||||||||
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Diluted EPS for Class B common shares using the Two-Class Method
Year Ended April 30, 2022
| Undistributed and distributed earnings to Class B Common Shares | Class B Common Shares | EPS* | |||||||||||||||
| Per basic | $ | 697 | 1,822 | 0.38 | |||||||||||||
| Reallocation of undistributed earnings from Class A Common Shares to Class B Common Shares | 4 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS for Class B Common Shares | $ | 701 | 1,822 | 0.38 | |||||||||||||
Year Ended April 30, 2021
| Undistributed and distributed earnings to Class B Common Shares | Class B Common Shares | EPS* | |||||||||||||||
| Per basic | $ | 452 | 1,822 | 0.25 | |||||||||||||
| Reallocation of undistributed earnings from Class A Common Shares to Class B Common Shares | 5 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS for Class B Common Shares | $ | 457 | 1,822 | 0.25 | |||||||||||||
Year Ended April 30, 2020
| Undistributed and distributed earnings to Class B Common Shares | Class B Common Shares | EPS* | |||||||||||||||
| Per basic | $ | 387 | 1,822 | 0.21 | |||||||||||||
| Reallocation of undistributed earnings from Class A Common Shares to Class B Common Shares | 5 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted EPS for Class B Common Shares | $ | 392 | 1,822 | 0.22 | |||||||||||||
_______________
* Amounts adjusted for rounding
(t) Advertising
All advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses, which are included within sales and marketing expenses, were $3.0 million, $2.1 million and $2.9 million in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(u) Guarantees and Indemnifications
The Company accounts for guarantees in accordance with the Guarantee Topic of the FASB ASC. The Company’s sales agreements with clients generally contain infringement indemnity provisions. Under these agreements, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the client in connection with intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties with respect to the client’s authorized use of the Company’s products and services. The indemnity provisions generally provide for the Company’s control of defense and settlement and cover costs and damages finally awarded against the client, as well as the Company’s modification of the product so it is no longer infringing or, if it cannot be corrected, return of the product for a refund. The sales agreements with clients sometimes also contain indemnity provisions for breach of confidentiality and death, personal injury or property damage caused by the Company’s personnel or contractors in the course of performing services to clients. Under these agreements, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the client in connection with death, personal injury
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and property damage claims made by third parties and confidentiality breach claims with respect to actions of the Company’s personnel or contractors. The indemnity provisions generally provide for the Company’s control of defense and settlement and cover costs and damages finally awarded against the client. The indemnity obligations contained in sales agreements may have a limited monetary award. The Company has not previously incurred costs to settle claims or pay awards under these indemnification obligations. The Company accounts for these indemnity obligations in accordance with the Contingencies Topic of the FASB ASC, and records a liability for these obligations when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Company has not recorded any liabilities for these agreements as of April 30, 2022 or 2021.
The Company warrants to its clients that its software products will perform in all material respects in accordance with the standard specifications, generally for 90 days after delivery of the licensed products and for the subscription term for SaaS products. Additionally, the Company warrants to its clients that services will be performed consistent with generally accepted industry standards or specific service levels through completion of the agreed upon services. If necessary, the Company will provide for the estimated cost of product and service warranties based on specific warranty claims and claim history. However, the Company has not incurred significant recurring expense under product or service warranties. Accordingly, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of April 30, 2022 or 2021.
(v) Industry Segments
The Company operates and manages its business in three reportable segments. See Note 9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Investments
Investments consist of the following (in thousands):
| April 30, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Trading: | |||||||||||
Debt securities—Tax-exempt state and municipal bonds | $ | — | $ | 674 | |||||||
| Marketable equity securities | 16,826 | 15,332 | |||||||||
| $ | 16,826 | $ | 16,006 | ||||||||
The total carrying value of all investments on a consolidated basis was approximately $16.8 million and $16.0 million at April 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The contractual maturities of debt securities classified as trading at April 30, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Due within one year | $ | — | $ | 674 | |||||||
| Due within two years | — | — | |||||||||
| Due within three years | — | — | |||||||||
| Due after three years | — | — | |||||||||
| $ | — | $ | 674 | ||||||||
In fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s investment portfolio of marketable equity securities experienced unrealized holding gains of $0.6 million, unrealized holding gains of $3.5 million and unrealized holding gains of $0.7 million, respectively. In fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s investment portfolio of debt securities experienced unrealized holding gains of approximately $24,000, unrealized holding gains of approximately $74,000 and unrealized holding losses of approximately $0.6 million, respectively. In fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s investment portfolio of marketable equity securities experienced realized holding losses of approximately $0.2 million, realized holding gains of $0.1 million and realized holding losses of $0.2 million, respectively. In fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s investment portfolio of debt securities experienced realized holding losses of approximately $38,000 in 2022, realized holding losses of $0.1 million in 2021 and realized holding gains of $0.7 million in 2020. Unrealized and realized gains and losses are included in "Other income, net" in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
(3) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
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The Company measures its investments based on a fair value hierarchy disclosure framework that prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. A number of factors affect market price observability including the type of asset or liability and its characteristics. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows:
•Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
•Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
•Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
The following is a general description of the valuation methodologies used for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value, including the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
Cash Equivalents—Cash equivalents include investments in government obligation based money-market funds, other money market instruments and interest-bearing deposits with initial or remaining terms of three months or less. The fair value of cash equivalents approximates its carrying value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Marketable Securities—Marketable securities utilizing Level 1 inputs include active exchange-traded equity securities and equity index funds, and most U.S. government debt securities, as these securities all have quoted prices in active markets. Marketable securities utilizing Level 2 inputs include municipal bonds. We value these securities using market-corroborated pricing or other models that use observable inputs such as yield curves.
The following table presents our assets that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands):
| April 30, 2022 | April 30, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash equivalents | $ | 98,459 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 98,459 | $ | 81,720 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 81,720 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketable securities | 16,826 | — | — | 16,826 | 15,332 | 674 | — | 16,006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 115,285 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 115,285 | $ | 97,052 | $ | 674 | $ | — | $ | 97,726 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The carrying amounts of cash, trade accounts receivable and unbilled accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued compensation and related costs, and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of their short-term maturities.
(4) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following at April 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Buildings and leasehold improvements | $ | 17,448 | $ | 16,944 | |||||||
| Computer equipment and purchased software | 12,443 | 12,089 | |||||||||
| Office furniture and equipment | 5,003 | 4,976 | |||||||||
| 34,894 | 34,009 | ||||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (31,240) | (30,581) | |||||||||
| $ | 3,654 | $ | 3,428 | ||||||||
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(5) Income Taxes
Income tax expense consisted of the following:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Current: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | 1,294 | $ | 693 | $ | 295 | |||||||||||
| State | 615 | 386 | 370 | ||||||||||||||
| 1,909 | 1,079 | 665 | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | (712) | (238) | (513) | ||||||||||||||
| State | (142) | (82) | (96) | ||||||||||||||
| (854) | (320) | (609) | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,055 | $ | 759 | $ | 56 | ||||||||||||
The Company’s actual income tax expense differs from the “expected” income tax expense calculated by applying the Federal statutory rate of 21.0% for fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020 to earnings before income taxes as follows:
| Years ended April 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Computed “expected” income tax expense | $ | 2,905 | $ | 1,858 | $ | 1,428 | |||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: | |||||||||||||||||
| State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect | 396 | 323 | 214 | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development credits | (522) | (640) | (703) | ||||||||||||||
| Excess tax benefits from stock option deductions | (1,737) | (641) | (737) | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign tax credits | (44) | (1) | (164) | ||||||||||||||
| Other, net, including permanent items | 57 | (140) | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,055 | $ | 759 | $ | 56 | ||||||||||||
Our effective income tax rates were 7.6%, 8.6%, and 1.0% in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our effective income tax rate takes into account the source of taxable income, by state, and available income tax credits. The provision for income taxes in fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020 includes approximately $2,067,000, $763,000 and $878,000, respectively, in income tax benefits related to the tax benefits realized from stock option deductions.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at April 30, 2022 and 2021 are presented as follows:
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| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||
| Accruals and expenses not deducted for tax purposes | $ | 473 | $ | 565 | |||||||
| State net operating loss carryforwards | 49 | 136 | |||||||||
| Fixed asset basis differences | 823 | 797 | |||||||||
| Nonqualified stock options | 1,740 | 1,184 | |||||||||
| Foreign net operating loss carryforwards | 3,873 | 3,141 | |||||||||
| Right of use liability | 251 | 390 | |||||||||
| Tax credit carryforwards | 83 | 83 | |||||||||
| Total gross deferred tax assets | 7,292 | 6,296 | |||||||||
| Less valuation allowance | (3,891) | (3,252) | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax | 3,401 | 3,044 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Capitalized computer software development costs | (396) | (1,192) | |||||||||
| Net gains/losses on trading securities | (1,993) | (1,891) | |||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets basis differences | (1,399) | (1,003) | |||||||||
| Right of use asset | (234) | (364) | |||||||||
| Deferred agent commissions | (1,151) | (1,221) | |||||||||
| Total gross deferred tax liabilities | (5,173) | (5,671) | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | (1,772) | $ | (2,627) | |||||||
At April 30, 2022, the Company had approximately $1.2 million of various state net operating loss carryforwards which are available to offset future state taxable income, if any, through 2037. The Company has foreign branch operations in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The branches have incurred losses since inception dating back to 2003. The losses have been utilized in the US federal jurisdiction but have not been utilized in the respective jurisdictions. At April 30, 2022, the Company had approximately $19 million of net operating loss carryforwards in these foreign jurisdictions, which are indefinitely available to offset future taxable income. As a result, the Company has recorded a deferred tax asset of $3.7 million related to these losses. Furthermore, the Company does not believe it will realize the benefit of these foreign net operating loss carryforwards and therefore, has established a full valuation allowance associated with this deferred tax asset.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon reversal of deferred tax liabilities and expected future profitability, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances, at April 30, 2022.
The Company applies the accounting provisions which require us to prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement attribution for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken within an income tax return.
As of April 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 we have recorded approximately $18,000, $25,000 and $34,000, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, inclusive of interest and penalties, all of which would impact our effective tax rate if recognized. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is recorded net of any federal tax benefit that would result from payment.
We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision. As of April 30, 2022 and 2021, we had recorded a liability for potential penalties and interest of approximately $11,000 and $15,000, respectively, related to uncertain tax positions.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows, excluding interest and penalties (in thousands):
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| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of the period | $ | 10 | $ | 15 | |||||||
| Decreases as a result of positions taken during prior periods | (3) | (5) | |||||||||
| Increases as a result of positions taken during the current period | — | — | |||||||||
| Balance at April 30, | $ | 7 | $ | 10 | |||||||
We conduct business globally and, as a result, file consolidated income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to state and local, or non–U.S. income tax examinations for years prior to 2004. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examination for years prior to 2018.
During the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 we recorded research and development state tax credits against payroll taxes of approximately $561,000, $555,000 and $427,000, respectively, which reduced general and administrative expenses by the same amount.
(6) Shareholders’ Equity
Except for the election or removal of directors and class votes as required by law or our Articles of Incorporation, holders of both classes of common stock vote as a single class on all matters, with each Class A common share entitled to cast one-tenth vote per share and each Class B common share entitled to cast one vote per share. Neither class has cumulative voting rights. Holders of Class A common shares, as a class, are entitled to elect 25% of the board of directors (rounded up to the nearest whole number of directors) if the number of outstanding Class A common shares is at least 10% of the number of outstanding shares of both classes of common stock. No cash or property dividend may be paid to holders of Class B common shares during any fiscal year of the Company unless a dividend of $0.05 per share has been paid in such year on each outstanding Class A common share. This $0.05 per share annual dividend preference is noncumulative. Dividends per Class B common share during any fiscal year may not exceed dividends paid per Class A common share during such year. Each Class B common share is convertible at any time into one Class A common share at the option of the shareholder.
Stock Option Plans
As of April 30, 2022, the Company has outstanding stock options granted pursuant to two stock option plans. The 2011 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2011 Plan”) which was effective as of May 17, 2010, and the 2020 Equity Compensation Plan (the "2020 Plan") which was effective as of August 21, 2019. The 2020 Plan reserves for issuance 6,250,000 shares of Class A Common Stock.
Under the 2020 Plan, options to purchase Class A common shares are granted in the form of both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. The number of options granted under this plan is determined in each grant. By resolution of the Board of Directors, non-employee directors receive grants of non-qualified options to purchase 10,000 shares upon election and 4,000 shares at the end of each fiscal quarter. The price of such grants is equal to the closing market price of the shares on the date of grant. Options are exercisable based on the terms of such options, but no more than six years after the date of grant (or five years for incentive stock options granted to any person who owns 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company at the time of grant). A total of 6,250,000 shares are authorized for issuance pursuant to options granted under this Plan. Incentive and nonqualified options exercisable at April 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 totaled 1,315,604, 900,610, and 1,086,180, respectively. Options available for grant at April 30, 2022, under the 2020 Plan were 2,902,643 shares.
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A summary of changes in outstanding options for the year ended April 30, 2022 is as follows:
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at May 1, 2021 | 4,109,733 | $ | 13.33 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | 1,458,500 | 21.54 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | (776,129) | 11.06 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | (245,000) | 19.24 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Expired | (7,000) | 9.69 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at 4/30/2022* | 4,540,104 | $ | 16.05 | 3.7 | $ | 10,585,462 | |||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at April 30, 2022 | 1,315,604 | $ | 13.43 | 2.6 | $ | 4,945,472 | |||||||||||||||||
*amounts adjusted for rounding
The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020 is $6.86, $3.87, and $3.20, per share, respectively. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Dividend yield | 1.7 | % | 2.7 | % | 2.8 | % | |||||||||||
| Expected volatility | 41.3 | % | 38.3 | % | 30.9 | % | |||||||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | 1.1 | % | 0.3 | % | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Expected term | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | ||||||||||||||
The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility and implied volatility. The Company uses historical data to estimate stock option exercise and forfeiture rates. The expected term represents the period over which the share-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was estimated using historical data. The dividend yield is an estimate of the expected dividend yield on the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of the grant for the expected term of the stock options.
Options with graded vesting are valued as a single award. The total value of the award is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period with the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equal to the portion of the grant date value of the award that is vested at that date. During the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, we issued 776,129, 628,917, and 1,020,910 shares of common stock, respectively, resulting from the exercise of stock options. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, 2020 based on market value at the exercise dates was $10,011,055, $4,229,040, and $5,569,882 respectively. The fair value of grants vested during the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $2,800,572, $2,206,610 and $1,786,342, respectively. As of April 30, 2022, unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards approximated $11.5 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.89 years.
Stock Repurchases
On August 19, 2002, our Board of Directors approved a resolution authorizing the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of our Class A common stock. These repurchases have been and will be made through open market purchases at prevailing market prices. The timing of any repurchases will depend upon market conditions, the market price of our common stock and management’s assessment of our liquidity and cash flow needs. For this repurchase plan, through April 30, 2022, we have repurchased 1,053,679 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $6.2 million. During fiscal 2022 we did not repurchase any shares. Under all repurchase plans as of April 30, 2022, we have repurchased 4,588,632 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $25.6 million.
(7) Leases
The Company’s operating leases are primarily related to facility leases for administration and sales personnel. The operating leases have terms ranging from to five years. While each of the leases includes renewal options, the Company has only included the base lease term in its calculation of lease assets and liabilities. The Company does not have any finance leases.
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Balance sheet information related to operating leases is as follows (in thousands):
As of April 30, 2022 | As of April 30, 2021 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Right of use assets | 935 | 1,454 | ||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||
| Current lease liabilities | 541 | 739 | ||||||
| Long-term lease liabilities | 461 | 821 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 1,002 | $ | 1,560 | ||||
Lease cost information related to operating leases is as follows (in thousands):
Year ended April 30, 2022 | Year ended April 30, 2021 | |||||||
| Lease cost | ||||||||
| Operating lease cost | 740 | 784 | ||||||
| Short-term lease cost | 570 | 567 | ||||||
| Variable lease cost | 239 | 270 | ||||||
| Total lease cost | $ | 1,549 | $ | 1,621 | ||||
Lease costs are primarily included in "Sales and marketing" and "General and administrative" expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
The impact of the Company's leases on the consolidated statement of cash flows is presented in the operating activities section, which mainly consisted of cash paid for operating lease liabilities of approximately $1.6 million during fiscal 2022 . The Company modified one existing lease, but did not execute any new leases during fiscal 2022.
The impact of the Company's leases on consolidated statement of cash flows is presented in the operating activities section, which mainly consisted of cash paid for operating lease liabilities of approximately $1.7 million during fiscal 2021. The Company did not modify any existing leases or execute any new leases during fiscal 2021.
Weighted average information associated with the measurement of the Company’s remaining operating lease obligations is as follows:
April 30, 2022 | April 30, 2021 | |||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term | 1.9 years | 2.4 years | ||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | 3.2 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||
The following table summarizes the maturity of the Company’s operating lease liabilities as of April 30, 2022 (in thousands):
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| Years ended April 30: | |||||
| 2023 | $ | 541 | |||
| 2024 | 417 | ||||
| 2025 | 67 | ||||
| 2026 | — | ||||
| 2027 | — | ||||
| Thereafter | — | ||||
| Total operating lease payments | $ | 1,025 | |||
| Less imputed interest | (23) | ||||
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | 1,002 | |||
The Company leases to other tenants a portion of its headquarters building that it owns in Atlanta, Georgia. The leases expire at various dates through June 2027. Lease income is included in "Other, net" in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and totaled approximately $287,000 for the year ending April 30, 2022. Lease payments to be received as of April 30, 2022 are as follows (in thousands):
| Years ended April 30: | |||||
| 2023 | $ | 183 | |||
| 2024 | 139 | ||||
| 2025 | 144 | ||||
| 2026 | 137 | ||||
| 2027 | 144 | ||||
| Thereafter | 24 | ||||
| $ | 771 | ||||
(8) Commitments and Contingencies
(a) 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
Employees are offered the opportunity to participate in the Company’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the "401(k) Plan"), which is intended to be a tax-qualified defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the 401(k) Plan, employees are eligible to participate on the first day of the month following the date of hire. Eligible employees may contribute up to $20,500 of their salary to the 401(k) Plan. Subject to certain limitations, the Company may make a discretionary profit sharing contribution at an amount determined by the board of directors of the Company. The Company’s profit sharing contribution was $477,000 for fiscal 2022, $451,000 for fiscal 2021, and $451,000 for fiscal 2020.
(b) Contingencies
The Company more often than not indemnifies its clients against damages and costs resulting from claims of intellectual property infringement associated with use of the Company’s products. The Company historically has not been required to make any payments under such indemnifications. However, the Company continues to monitor the circumstances that are subject to the indemnifications to identify whether it is probable that a loss has occurred, and would recognize any such losses under the indemnifications when those losses are estimable.
In addition, the Company warrants to clients that the Company’s products operate substantially in accordance with the software product’s specifications. Historically, no costs have been incurred related to software product warranties and none are expected in the future, and as such no accruals for software product warranty costs have been made. Additionally, the Company is involved in various claims arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
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(9) Segment Information
FASB ASC 280, Segment Reporting, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of a public entity about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision makers (“CODMs”), or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our CODMs are our Chief Executive Officer and President and our Chief Financial Officer. While our CODMs are apprised of a variety of financial metrics and information, we manage our business primarily on a segment basis, with the CODMs evaluating performance based upon segment operating profit or loss that includes an allocation of common expenses, but excludes certain unallocated corporate expenses, which are included in the Other segment. Our CODMs review the operating results of our three segments, assess performance and allocate resources in a manner that is consistent with the changing market dynamics that we have experienced. The three operating segments are: (1) Supply Chain Management (“SCM”), (2) Information Technology Consulting (“IT Consulting”) and (3) Other.
The SCM segment leverages a single platform spanning seven supply chain process areas, including product, demand, inventory, supply, deploy, integrated business planning and supply chain data management. The IT Consulting segment consists of The Proven Method, Inc., an IT staffing and consulting services firm, which provides support for our software products, such as software enhancements, documentation, updates, client education, consulting, systems integration services, maintenance and support services. The Other segment consists of (i) American Software ERP, which provides purchasing and materials management, client order processing, financial, e-commerce and traditional manufacturing solutions, and (ii) unallocated corporate overhead expenses.
All of our revenue is derived from external clients. We do not have any inter-segment revenue. Our income taxes and dividends are paid at a consolidated level. Consequently, it is not practical to show these items by operating segment.
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Following is information related to each segment as of and for the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, (in thousands):
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 104,288 | $ | 90,268 | $ | 95,018 | |||||||||||
| IT Consulting | 21,032 | 19,036 | 17,997 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 2,233 | 2,104 | 2,451 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 127,553 | $ | 111,408 | $ | 115,466 | ||||||||||||
| Operating income/(loss): | |||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 29,164 | $ | 18,922 | $ | 19,612 | |||||||||||
| IT Consulting | 1,601 | 456 | 332 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | (17,609) | (15,017) | (13,896) | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 13,156 | $ | 4,361 | $ | 6,048 | ||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures: | |||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 704 | $ | 266 | $ | 156 | |||||||||||
| IT Consulting | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 266 | 412 | 264 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 970 | $ | 678 | $ | 420 | ||||||||||||
| Capitalized software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | — | $ | 620 | $ | 3,170 | |||||||||||
| IT Consulting | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| $ | — | $ | 620 | $ | 3,170 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization: | |||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 3,755 | $ | 5,223 | $ | 7,727 | |||||||||||
| IT Consulting | — | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 383 | 385 | 371 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 4,138 | $ | 5,610 | $ | 8,103 | ||||||||||||
| Interest income: | |||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 27 | $ | 71 | $ | 829 | |||||||||||
| IT Consulting | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 364 | 338 | 695 | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 391 | $ | 409 | $ | 1,524 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings/(loss) before income taxes: | |||||||||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 28,722 | $ | 19,119 | $ | 19,855 | |||||||||||
| IT Consulting | 1,601 | 454 | 332 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | (16,486) | (10,725) | (13,389) | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 13,837 | $ | 8,848 | $ | 6,798 | ||||||||||||
| April 30, 2022 | April 30, 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Total Consolidated Assets: | |||||||||||
| Supply Chain Management | $ | 111,351 | $ | 110,652 | |||||||
| IT Consulting | 5,101 | 4,658 | |||||||||
| Other | 76,383 | 61,847 | |||||||||
| $ | 192,835 | $ | 177,157 | ||||||||
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International Revenue and Significant Customer
International revenue approximated $20.4 million or 16%, $16.7 million or 15%, and $22.1 million or 19%, of consolidated revenue for the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, and were derived primarily from clients in Canada and Europe. International revenue is based on the delivery of software and performance of services.
No single client accounted for more than 10% of total revenue for the years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020.
(10) Subsequent Events
On May 25, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of our Class A and Class B common stock. The cash dividend is payable on August 26, 2022 to Class A and Class B shareholders of record at the close of business on August 12, 2022.
Effective June 28, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets of privately held Starboard Solutions Corp. ("Starboard"), a Michigan based innovator of supply chain design software, pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement, dated as of June 28, 2022 ("the Purchase Agreement").
Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the assets for cash consideration paid of approximately $6.5 million, net of a working capital adjustment, subject to certain post-closing adjustments and an additional potential earn-out consideration of $6.0 million over three years from the transaction effective date. Starboard’s supply chain network optimization solution creates an interactive supply chain digital model of the physical network, and uses gaming technology and market-based reference costs to simulate various planning scenarios.
The Company will include the forward results of Starboard in its consolidated financial statements commencing June 29, 2022. The acquired assets consist primarily of other intangibles assets and are net of certain client related liabilities. Acquisition related costs were not material for any period presented in the consolidated financial statements. Based on the timing of the acquisition being subsequent to the end of the Company's fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, the preliminary accounting for business combination is incomplete at the time of filing this report. As a result, the Company will include this information in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2023.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, such as this annual report on Form 10-K, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the assistance of our Disclosure Committee, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of April 30, 2022. We perform this evaluation on a quarterly basis so that the conclusions concerning the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures can be reported in our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide such reasonable assurance as of April 30, 2022.
We believe our consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in our annual report on Form 10-K. The unqualified opinion of our independent registered public accounting firm on our consolidated financial statements as of April 30, 2022 and 2021 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2022 is included in this annual report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the last fiscal quarter of fiscal 2022 to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Reports on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm on internal control over financial reporting are included under Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this report.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders expected to be filed with the SEC on or about July 27, 2022 (the "Proxy Statement") under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Executive Compensation,” “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” and “Committees of the Board of Directors.”
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This information is set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information regarding security ownership of management and others is set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Policy Regarding Transactions with Related Persons
On December 8, 2003, our Board of Directors adopted a resolution directing the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to establish and implement procedures for identifying and conducting an appropriate review of any proposed transaction that meets the definition of “related party transaction” within the meaning of Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K. In January 2004, the Audit Committee adopted written procedures in accordance with such direction. Under those procedures, the Audit Committee reviews and evaluates any proposed related party transaction and determines whether the terms of such transaction, judged at the time of the determination, are fair to the Company. Our officers are instructed that when a related party transaction is proposed, they are to bring it to the attention of the Audit Committee, which then reviews the transaction and makes a determination of whether it meets the above standard. The Audit Committee is required to prepare a report of its deliberations, conclusions and recommendations, and furnish that report to the full Board of Directors.
Information regarding director independence is set forth under the captions “Director Independence” and “Committees of the Board of Directors” in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
This information is set forth under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
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PART IV
86
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents filed as part of this report.
1. Financial statements; All financial statements of the Company as described in Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.
2. Financial statement schedule included in Part IV of this Form:
| Page | |||||
Schedule II—Consolidated Valuation Accounts—for the three years ended April 30, 2022 | 88 | ||||
All other financial statements and schedules not listed above are omitted as the required information is not applicable or the information is presented in the financial statements or related notes.
3. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference:
| 3.1 | The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, and amendments thereto.(1)(P) | |||||||
| 3.2 | ||||||||
| 10.1 | American Software, Inc. 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan and Trust Agreement.(3)(P) | |||||||
| 10.2 | ||||||||
| 10.3 | ||||||||
| 10.4 | ||||||||
| 10.5 | ||||||||
| 10.6 | ||||||||
| 10.7 | ||||||||
| 21.1 | ||||||||
| 23.1 | ||||||||
| 31.1 | ||||||||
| 31.2 | ||||||||
| 32.1 | ||||||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document. | |||||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
______________
(1)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed by the Company as an exhibit to its quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1990.
(2)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed by the Company as an exhibit to its quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2010.
(3)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed by the Company as an exhibit to its Registration Statement No. 33-55214 filed on Form S-8 on December 1, 1992.
87
(4)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed by the Company as an exhibit to its annual report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2002.
(5)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed by the Company as an appendix to its Definitive Proxy Statement filed on July 27, 2017.
(6)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed by the Company as exhibit 10.1 to its current report on Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2016.
(7)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed by the Company as exhibit 10.3 to its current report on Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2016.
(8)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed by the Company as exhibit 10.1 to its current report on Form 8-K/A filed on July 13, 2017.
(9)Incorporated by reference herein. Filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2019.
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SCHEDULE II
AMERICAN SOFTWARE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED VALUATION ACCOUNTS
Years ended April 30, 2022, 2021, 2020
(In thousands)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
| Year ended: | Balance at beginning of year | Amounts charged to expense | Other Additions (1) | Deductions (2) | Balance at end of year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 30, 2022 | $ | 430 | — | — | 7 | 423 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 30, 2021 | $ | 264 | — | 166 | — | 430 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 30, 2020 | $ | 153 | 97 | 14 | — | 264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________
(1)Recovery of previously written-off amounts.
(2)Write-off of uncollectible accounts.
Deferred Income Tax Valuation Allowance
The deferred tax valuation allowance roll-forward is included in Item 8 of this Report in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Note 5.
See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.
89
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN SOFTWARE, INC. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ H. Allan Dow | ||||||||||
| H. Allan Dow | |||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||||||
Date: June 29, 2022
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 and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signatures | Title | Date | ||||||||||||
| /s/ James C. Edenfield | Executive Chairman, Treasurer and Director | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| James C. Edenfield | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ H. Allan Dow | Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) and Director | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| H. Allan Dow | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ W. Dennis Hogue | Director | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| W. Dennis Hogue | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ James B. Miller, Jr. | Director | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| James B. Miller, Jr. | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Thomas L. Newberry, V. | Director | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Thomas L. Newberry, V. | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Matthew G. McKenna | Director | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Matthew G. McKenna | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Lizanne Thomas | Director | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Lizanne Thomas | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Vincent C. Klinges | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Vincent C. Klinges | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Bryan L. Sell | Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | June 29, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Bryan L. Sell | ||||||||||||||
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